Probably needs no further explanation but a big chunk of our 2025 seasonal celebrations are being administered by a tag team of our writers, Ogglypoogly and DJ Fuzzyfelt
MARUJA
Pain to Power
Music for Nations
Manchester four piece Maruja have been around for 11 years but, after a few sort of works in progress EPs, finally released their first full album this year on the usually noted for Heavy Rock releases Music for Nations label.
Despite this their music defies categorisation. They quote everybody from Kendrick Lamar to Swans via Pharoah Sanders as influences and,as confusing as that sounds, they're not far wrong. I'd chuck in a bit of Radiohead and Godspeed You!Black Emperor too.
As you can guess this isn't an easy listen with three of the 8 tracks here clocking in at around the 10 minute mark it can test this listeners endurance but it is worthwhile.
I've also had the privilege of seeing them live,and,despite the fact they're even more full on live,I came away feeling somehow cleansed.
This is one of those records which,even in these angry times,you realise you're not alone.
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Ogglypoogly and DJ Fuzzyfelt's entire December 2025 Countdown to Christmas, is here
1st: Red Rum Club →
2nd: Chwaer Fawr →
3rd: Divine Comedy →
4th: DJ Harram →
5th: Mobley →
6th: Kling Klang →
7th: The Last Dinner Party →
8th: Sessa →
9th: Moonchild Sanelly →
10th: Maruja →
11th: Shelley Byron →
12th: Agathe Max →
13th: Eighty Eight Miles →
14th: Sprints →
15th: Seb Lowe →
16th: The Cords →
17th: Jack Weston →
18th: Model/Actriz →
19th: Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan →
20th: Annahstasia →
21st: The Flashbulb →
22nd: Nas and DJ Premier →
23rd: CMAT →
24th: KeiyaA →
25th: Ogglypoogly - Rebecca Lucy Taylor biography →
25th: Dj Fuzzyfelt - Some things I'd like to add... →
