Nickie’s Niches #49: December 2025

Start Artist Song Time Album Year 1 Early Remains 0:01:57 Early Remains 21 Weald 5:07 Psych Against Cancer Vol 3 Part 1 2025 2 Songleikr 0:07:24 Songleikr Svarvi 4:33 Single 2026 3 Flight 76 0:12:49 Flight76 The Nightmare of Reason 12:19 The Nightmare of Reason 2025 4 Naomi Randall 0:25:32 Naomi Randall The Devil’s Fountain 4:24 Tepid on my Trippin Heels 2025 5 Constant Follower 0:30:19 Constant Follower Happy Birthdays 7:23 The Smile You Send Out Returns To You 2025 6 Dhafer Youssef 0:38:06 Dhafer Youssef Rose Fragrance 2:54 Shiraz 2025 7 Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus 0:41:26 The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus Equinox 4:21 The Dream We Carry EP 2024 8 Thurnin 0:46:08 Thurnin Mana 5:22 Harmr 2025 9 Prophets of Zarquon 0:51:54 The Prophets of Zarquon Pastoral 5:53 Galleon Ascending 2025 Psych Against Cancer Vol 3 Part 1 by Psych Lovers favorite track Weald I know from experience how valuable hsopice care is, and how dedicated these kinds of providers are for patients and their families. Hospice workers told me that music is a tremendous support for those who are dying, that they retain their sense of hearing longer than any other sense. Music is powerful medicine. Early Remains’ “Weald” will give you an idea of the overall release. Svarvi by Songleikr Lovely Norwegian single, released just in time to herald not only the promise of longer days to come, but the advent of a new release, due early next year. Done in a traditional style, it depicts an endless dance between the masculine and feminine, balance and letting go. Bring on the full release! The Nightmare of Reason by Flight76 favorite track The Nightmare of Reason Much of this is music that has been resurrected and reworked by it’s original composer from his band that existed in the 1970s, along with new tracks as well. This is superb progressive music with a tinge of the original era still permeating, yet without it’s overexcesses. The musicianship is superb, as well as the vocals, and the thoughtfulness of the lyrics all combine for a stunning “debut.” I’m presenting the epic opener as my favourite track, but all are worthy of your time. Tepid on my Trippin Heels by Naomi Randall favorite track The Devil’s Fountain Psych folk artist brings us original tunes in that style, plus 2 traditional tunes. Naomi has played all of the instruments on the recording, with the exception of some drums, and sings each in her delightfully dulcet voice. The lyrics are sometimes wry and often haunting. The Smile You Send Out Returns To You by CONSTANT FOLLOWER favorite track Happy Birthdays This Scottish ensemble brings pensively wistful folk songs. They utilize guitars bass, piano, and synths, with both male and female vocals. Guests supply more of the same, plus drums, harp, and mellotron. My favourite track is the achingly poignant Happy Birthdays. Shiraz by Dhafer Youssef favorite track Rose Fragrance Beautiful blend of jazz, chamber, and world music, in honour of the composer, singer, and oudist Dhafer Youssef’s wife, Shiraz. As mentioned, he plays oud and sings in his signature style, and is accompanied by piano, trumpet, electric bass, drums, and electric guitar. This is simply gorgeous and everything you expect from this master of music. The Dream We Carry by The Revolutionary Army of The Infant Jesus favorite track Equinox More scintillating retro psych folk that passed me by somehow last year. This outfit from Liverpool consistently deliver exquisitely melancholic piece s, with lyrics offered up in several languages. Instrumentation is provided by keyboards, cello, percussion, and the achingly plaintive female vocals. This is golden. Harmr by Thurnin favorite track Mana Netherlands composer Jurre Timmer’s latest release again turns to Icelandic inspiration, this time ruminating upon grief and sorrow (which are rough translations of the title). Impeccably played acoustic guitar is at the core of all of the pieces, with delicate embellishments of flute and some haunting, distant vocal parts. Galleon Ascending by The Prophets of Zarquon favorite track Pastoral The Prophets of Zarquon are back. Their particular version of psych folk shimmers with lysergic splendour, featuring the soaring vocals of the mononymous Roseanna. She’s accompanied by Dr Rob Shroud on guitars, and Lord Zar on mellotron, keyboards, bass, and percussion. This is just a phantasmagoric vision.