Subscriber Playlist, January 2025: The Bluest of Velvets, Volume 2

This month’s playlist offers another look at one of my favorite indie labels.

My apologies for the lateness of this playlist. Subscriber playlists are always scheduled for the first of the month, but I got caught up in New Year’s Day activities and failed to schedule this month’s playlist in time. I hope 2025 is treating you well so far.

There’s been a lot of talk about how the music industry is on the back foot these days due to the rise of AI as well as the impact of streaming services. Apparently, nobody passed that memo on to Jeff Cloud, because Velvet Blue Music is still going strong. And 2025 looks to be just as promising thanks to recently announced releases from Starflyer 59, Fine China, and Slow Salvation — and I’m sure Cloud has a few more surprises up his sleeve for the label’s devoted fanbase.

Launched in 1996, Velvet Blue Music has established a reputation for both scrappiness and diversity, releasing well over 250 titles in indie-rock, synth-pop, shoegaze, post-rock, ambient, garage rock, and whatever S.S. Bountyhunter was.