Panning for Tunes (Nov 2025 Edition)
The first year of Panning for Tunes is over (unless I manage to come up with 4 banger albums in the space of a month, which seems unlikely). It's been a fun project, and a pleasure for me to share the musical treasures I manage to find. Long may it continue.
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Sad girl summer is long over, but this was it. There's a lot of sad girl summer music out there; some of it sticks and some doesn't, and it's hard to put in words why. This one sticks for sure though. I think the backing music must play a huge part. The focus here is more on the dreamy soundscape and haunting melodies, with the vocals and lyrics fitting into that puzzle rather than sitting on top of it.
Perhaps that's generally what differentiates music to me... I don't love music made just for someone to sing to, I love music that is sung with.
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Funkamel - Tawenza [Camel Riders]
You could guess from the name: funky, groovy music with an incredible vibe. If you like Black Coffee (the artist, not the drink) then this is a must listen.
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A perfect halloween vibe. This album sounds _so_ familiar, and yet we couldn't quite place where the sound is from. If you have any ideas let me know. They've really nailed a specific sound; dark, gothic, witchy, synthy... it's all there. The vocals in particular really stand out; almost like if Cher went through a goth phase.
Also the name is pretty funny.
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Some bands manage to catch lightening in a bottle on their first album, and struggle to catch it again for all subsequent albums.
Other bands have a rough first album, but perfect their sound on the second, and struggle to reach than that peak for all subsequent albums.
I would guess these two categories capture like 90% of music. mr. Gnome is not in these categories.
They released their sixth album, A Sliver of Space, last year, and it fucking slaps. It might be their best yet, which is amazing given that their previous 3 were already so good that I wrote a post on this site just for them.
The Whole World is Sleeping On Mr. Gnome
This new album has all the passion, energy, uniqueness, and quality that makes the rest of the discography the standout that it is, but somehow is still fresh and fun and exceeds their previous work. 10/10, must-listen.
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