Session 5 of The Record Club once again demonstrated what makes these evenings enjoyable: a mix of enthusiasm, disagreement, curiosity and unexpected discoveries.
The playlist moved through a diverse selection of new releases, ranging from dreamier electronic textures to indie rock, shoegaze and alternative sounds. Several albums generated lively debate among participants.
Violet Grohl’s debut divided opinion more than any other record of the evening. Some appreciated its direct, classic 90s-inspired rock approach, while others felt less convinced by the songwriting and comparisons with her famous father. The discussion nevertheless highlighted the album’s ability to provoke strong reactions.
Boards of Canada also produced contrasting views. While some participants were immediately drawn into its familiar atmospheric and mysterious soundscapes, others found the album more challenging and less emotionally engaging. As often happens with Boards of Canada, the conversation itself became part of the listening experience.
The evening’s rare moment of near-unanimity came with Kurt Vile, whose relaxed, melodic songwriting and distinctive guitar work won broad approval around the virtual table. Several participants considered it one of the strongest records presented during the session.
The remaining selections were met with genuine curiosity. Rather than immediate consensus, they inspired questions, comparisons, recommendations and the kind of collective exploration that has become a hallmark of The Record Club.
The clear winner of the evening, however, was Ratboys. Their new album generated the strongest positive response across the group, combining memorable songwriting, emotional warmth and enough depth to reward repeated listens. By the end of the session, Ratboys had emerged as the album most participants were eager to revisit, making them the unofficial champions of Session 5.
As always, the discussion extended well beyond simple album reviews, touching on influences, production choices, previous records and personal listening histories. Session 5 confirmed once again that The Record Club works best when discoveries, disagreements and enthusiasm share the same room.
Speakers: Ian, Jimmy & Laurent.
Playlist
- Violet Grohl – THUM
- Boards of Canada – Hydrogen Helium Lithium
- Kurt Vile – 99 BPM
- Feeble Little Horse – Doorway
- They Are Gutting a Body of Water – The Chase
- MUNA – Buzzkiller
- Fleshwater – Backstairs Breathing
- Fleshwater – Kiss the Ladder
- Ratboys – The Window
- Wednesday – Reality TV Argument Bleeds
- Cloakroom – Dissembler
- Flying Colours – Morning Stoner
- Bowery Electric – Fear of Flying
- Eddie the Wheel – Leave Behind
- Flyingfish – Spider Song
- Kestrels – Dream of You in Black
The Record Club continues every Wednesday at 9pm CET (Amsterdam, Paris time), bringing together music lovers from different backgrounds around one shared playlist and a simple idea: discovering great music together. https://concertandvinyl.com/the-record-club/
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