Hi.
This blog is dedicated to the ratings tournament I've been trying to run since 2009. The rules of the game are constantly becoming more complex. In recent years, after every finish, I've promised myself to stop. You, probably better than anyone, can understand why this doesn't happen.
I already did something similar to BEA in 2018. This time, I'm running a tournament on LiveJournal. Here I only plan to share my thoughts on the results of the rounds. I've used charts from some BEA participants in the game. This is one of the main reasons for keeping a diary.
The existing charts already provide the game algorithm with all the necessary information. However, the results of intermediate rounds could serve as feedback.
My thoughts on the first places in the nominations following the results of round # 9, which ended on October 2.
Albums Panda Bear - Sinister Grift (28/II)
This album ranked fourth in my tour rankings. This release holds no value for me as a whole, like 99% of 2025.
The album's opening track, "Praise," and all three singles occupied intermediate positions in my weekly lists. Ultimately, the album felt like an empty structure, with its pillars carefully placed. The tour's first place was won by just one point. Most of the albums in the top ten surpassed the winner either in the quality of their hits or in their concept. But this time, compromise prevailed.
Sinister Grift (2025) by Panda Bear
This track ranked fourth in my tour rankings. It's not Ariel Pink's best track from 2025, but as a single it received more attention and bid status. The song made my list of the week's best, albeit in a supporting role. The tour win was won by just one point. I can't say the other contenders were much better. For me, in this round, all other things being equal, the advantage was the artist's relative obscurity to the general public.
With You Every Night (2025) by Ariel Pink
This video was ranked fourth in my tour rankings. I know this artist from previous years' tournaments. Throughout the year, I wasn't interested in any of his releases, including his music videos. However, I must admit that my initial assessment has changed somewhat as I've summarized the results. I think this is the most deserved win of all three categories. It's no wonder the closest contender was a full two points behind.)) I don't yet know anything about the content of this song, much less the concept of the entire album. But there's a sense of multi-layeredness to it all, albeit without the distinct melody that's more important to me.
Golliwog (2025) by Billy Woods
Yes, Ariel Pink's album took second place in the category and earned the overall team victory on the tour.
I myself was planning to pick this release as the best album of September. However, I'll have to mention the shortcomings of this work, too, perhaps after the next tour, which ends on October 16th.
There are a few points I should probably clarify. This is actually a tournament where I mostly play against myself. After so many years, I haven't managed to interest a single active participant. Therefore, there are rules that are universal and published, and there are rules that further regulate my life only. For example, to add variety to the game, I change all my bets every round. Another rule is that my bets must correspond to the month of the tour. Therefore, when the entire tournament is held in the last three months of the year, the numbering sequence of the rounds gets confused. The round that ended on October 2nd was actually the first in the order, but was held at the end of September and was assigned the corresponding number 9.
All my bets must be the best, and if there are no such releases in a particular month, I have to borrow from the closest ones. The biggest problem is choosing the best albums. However, for September, I actually had two options. But both of these albums were entered by other participants. That's why I chose the album that came out at the end of August.
At first, I was worried that my choice wasn't as objective, since the author was from Russia. There was a moment when I didn't even dare update my impressions, lest I become even more disappointed. However, as soon as the list of bids was published, inexplicable things began to happen. I learned of the sudden death of an old acquaintance and couldn't concentrate on the music. But when it came to my own bid, everything changed. My soul began to find peace, and with each subsequent listen to the album, my strength returned. After several reruns, the album became the best of the year.
The album's title, "Новая Жи," contains the word "Жи," which doesn't exist in Russian. However, as a set phrase, it's perceived as "Новая Жизнь" (New Life). However, this has nothing to do with the sad content and sound of the songs.
This album isn't about life, but rather about death, and its title clearly contains a hidden meaning. The final song shares the album's title. The chorus suggests that this phrase might contain not a word, but a letter. In my opinion, this letter conceals an obscene word used in Russia to describe something more than a catastrophe. However, people know about this letter everywhere.
Едем в такси, молчаливы и торжественны.
И кажется сейчас поднимутся шасси и полетим в новую Жи.
We're riding in a taxi, silent and solemn.
And it seems like the landing gear will lift any minute now and we'll fly off to a new Zhi.
They're an old band, but they only came to my attention a few years ago. I haven't had time to familiarize myself with their discography. However, today they're one of the few in Russia who regularly release interesting and melodic releases. I remember my first impression when I first met them. It seemed to me that the lead singer not only wasn't pulling off the song, but sometimes he was off-key. Perhaps this is the only thing that justifies the punk label in the genre to which they're ascribed. I don't recall a single swear word in their relatively profound lyrics.
Lyrics from the chorus of the first song - Праздничный Гешефт: Так дай мне ладонь ка брат, пули свистят, хватит сориться.
Всё нормально, всё окей. Всё, брат. Налей. Больше не к чему позориться.
So give me your palm, brother, the bullets are whistling, stop arguing.
Everything's fine, everything's okay. That's it, brother. Let's have a drink.
There's no more reason to embarrass yourself.
Мать Тереза [Mat Tereza] - Другие Блага (22/VIII-2025/34) (Track)
In the current round, I will consider bid changes until October 14th, and rating changes until October 15th. I cannot guarantee that later changes will be taken into account.
I haven't decided yet, but I plan to select bids from the following albums, among others:
Today is the last day to change bets for the current round. It's impossible to keep up with everything on time and avoid making mistakes. Therefore, I try to keep track of certain things in advance and prepare for the possibility that some bets may not carry over, while others definitely won't.
Below, I'll list the bets that participated in the first round in alphabetical order. Bets that will definitely not carry over to the next round will be colored red, and bets that are in doubt will be colored violet.
Music Videos: Guide (A-Z)
1. Aesop Rock - Checkers (2/IV) Abstract Hip Hop
2. Ariel Pink - Everyone's Wrong (12/VIII) Hypnagogic Pop
3. Aya - off to the ESSO (5/III) Digital Hardcore
4. billy woods - Born Alone (28/V) Abstract Hip Hop
5. Car Seat Headrest - Gethsemane Indie Rock
6. Gelli Haha - Funny Music (29/IV) Synthpop
7. Greentea Peng - Stones Throw (31/I) Neo-Soul
8. Isaiah Hull - A Is For Africa (6/V) Hip Hop
9. Miki Berenyi Trio - 8th Deadly Sin (14/I) Ambient Pop
10. Panda Bear - Praise (28/II) Psychedelic Pop
11. Picture Parlour - Used To Be Your Girlfriend (15/IX) Indie Rock
12. Ribbon Skirt - Wrong Planet (28/I) Indie Rock
13. The Men - Charm (26/II) Garage Punk
14. Tropical Fuck Storm - Teeth Marché (10/VI) Art Punk
15. Wolf Alice - Bloom Baby Bloom (15/V) Soft Rock
Tracks: Guide (A-Z)
1. Aesop Rock - Checkers (2/IV) Abstract Hip Hop
2. Ariel Pink - Everyone's Wrong (12/VIII) Hypnagogic Pop
3. Avery Friedman - New Thing (28/III) Indie Rock
4. Aya - off to the ESSO (30/I) Digital Hardcore
5. billy woods - Misery (11/III) Abstract Hip Hop
6. Car Seat Headrest - Gethsemane (4/III) Indie Rock
7. Greentea Peng - Stones Throw (31/I) Neo-Soul
8. Isaiah Hull - A Is For Africa (6/V) Hip Hop
9. Miki Berenyi Trio - 8th Deadly Sin (14/I) Ambient Pop
10. Nouveau Vélo - One More Time (21/II) Healing Pop
11. Panda Bear - Praise (28/II) Psychedelic Pop
12. Ribbon Skirt - Wrong Planet (28/I) Indie Rock
13. Tropical Fuck Storm - Teeth Marché (27/V) Art Punk
14. WeAreGloria - Move from California (9/IX) Electronic Dance Music
15. Wolf Alice - The Sofa (11/VII) Soft Rock
Albums: Guide (A-Z)
1. Aesop Rock - Black Hole Superette (30/V) Abstract Hip Hop
2. Ariel Pink - With You Every Night (12/IX) Hypnagogic Pop
3. Aya - Hexed! (28/III) Digital Hardcore
4. Benefits - Constant Noise (21/III) Spoken Word
5. billy woods - Golliwog (9/V) Abstract Hip Hop
6. Car Seat Headrest - The Scholars (2/V) Indie Rock
7. Greentea Peng - Tell Dem It's Sunny (21/III) Neo-Soul
8. John Maus - Later Than You Think (26/IX) Hypnagogic Pop
9. Miki Berenyi Trio - Tripla (4/IV) Ambient Pop
10. Nouveau Vélo - Fruit (21/II) Healing Pop
11. Panda Bear - Sinister Grift (28/II) Psychedelic Pop
12. Ribbon Skirt - Bite Down (11/IV) Indie Rock
13. Tropical Fuck Storm - Fairyland Codex (20/VI) Art Punk
14. Wolf Alice - The Clearing (22/VIII) Soft Rock
15. Мать Тереза [Mat Tereza] - Новая Жи (22/VIII) Post-Punk
You can place video and track ratings in the preamble to the album chart if you'd like to refine your rankings in these categories. However, this must be done with numbering. You can also change your bids in these categories in the same way. To do this, simply place the tracks and videos you consider the best released this year at the top.
Since I'm playing against myself, I try to complicate and diversify the rules wherever possible. Therefore, another, and perhaps the most difficult, restriction is that I can't re-enter an artist. If everyone is prohibited from re-entering an artist with a valid entry in a category, then I can't re-enter under any circumstances. This restriction applies even if the artist was previously entered by another participant in a different category and the entry has already been withdrawn. Of course, there are exceptions to all rules. But the main goal remains the same: to make the tournament interesting and to attract as many releases and artists as possible.
In this regard, it's worth recalling my bids from the last round in the tracks and videos categories.
Every year, there's less and less interesting music. This is especially noticeable during the holiday season. But after the summer break, September usually brings a flood of new releases. This year, the first month of autumn brought more notable albums than tracks or videos. That happens, too.
Moreover, the two best albums of September were submitted by other participants, meaning I couldn't use those artists in the remaining categories. I had to choose between roughly equal releases from the second echelon. Some were more striking, from established stars, while others were debutants, but with equally interesting works. The latter usually have a better chance. And so it turned out.
WeAreGloria - Move from California (9/IX-2025/37) (Single)
I had plans to submit the entire album they released at the beginning of the year:
WeAreGloria - Ideology (14/II-2025/07) (Album)
I felt like the best tracks on this album took me back to my school days. There was a band in the '80s called Imagination, who weren't exactly a household name, but a couple of their songs had a magical sound. I was very surprised to learn that these Hungarian artists managed to take me back to my youth. I even voted one of their tracks Release of the Week (in another game). Now I regret not choosing it as my bet.))
WeAreGloria - Love Is the Horse She Rides (14/II-2025/07) (Track)
The video submission was taken from a group whose first longplay had only just been announced for release.
Picture Parlour - The Parlour (14/XI-2025/46) (Album)
And this, if I'm not mistaken, was already the fifth single. However, the previous ones passed me by unnoticed. The video was only available to Rossi for about a day. And yet, I had no alternative. Since the situation with videos in September was even worse than with tracks. However, this one of my bets also managed to become the release of its week; it had something cinematic about it. And the song itself was melodic.
Picture Parlour - Used To Be Your Girlfriend (15/IX-2025/38) (Video)
My predictions were confirmed; all the purple bets were replaced.
Here's a list of new releases that have been nominated in the current round.
Music Videos: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Big Thief - Words (8/IX) Folk Rock
2. Civic - Chrome Dipped (19/III) Post-Punk
3. Hamilton Leithauser - Knockin’ Heart (8/I) Indie Rock
4. McKinley Dixon - Magic, Alive! (4/VI) Conscious Hip Hop
5. Stereolab - Aerial Troubles (8/IV) Indie Pop
Tracks: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Big Thief - Incomprehensible (3/VI) Folk Rock
2. Civic - Chrome Dipped (19/III) Post-Punk
3. Claire Rousay & More Eaze - hopfields (21/III) Ambient
4. Stereolab - Aerial Troubles (8/IV) Indie Pop
5. Vulture Feather - Sweetest Friend (15/I) Post-Punk
Albums: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Big Thief - Double Infinity (5/IX) Folk Rock
2. Civic - Chrome Dipped (30/V) Post-Punk
3. Claire Rousay & More Eaze - No Floor (21/III) Ambient
4. Gelli Haha - Switcheroo (27/VI) Dance-Pop
5. Sophie Jamieson - I Still Want To Share (17/I) Indie Folk
6. Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film (23/V) Indie Pop
The intrigue of the round is whether some newcomers will be able to use their popularity to turn the chessboard upside down.
Big Thief, in this sense, is the main potential disruptor of the status quo.
Let me remind you that today is the last day to change ratings in the current round.
My thoughts on the first places in the nominations following the results of round # 1*, which ended on October 16.
Albums Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film (23/V)
Instant Holograms On Metal Film (2025) by Stereolab
Following round #9, I criticized Panda Bear, which won the album category. However, in my own tour ranking, this album was ranked 4th out of 15. I also forgot to mention that Animal Collective is one of my most revered bands, and their album Centipede Hz (2012) was the best of the year.
In this round (#1*), first place in the album category went to a release that was also ranked 4th, but from the bottom, in my tour ranking. This means the album received a negative rating from me. Moreover, I had only a superficial understanding of Stereolab. So, my criticism might have been significantly higher if I hadn't read about the band on Wikipedia.
Usually, releases that I feel unfairly reach the top spots later receive the lowest ratings from me. This immediately makes choosing in the negative segment of the list easier. But I must admit that I am also influenced by stories surrounding music, in those rare moments when they reach me.
Ariel Pink's track took first place again, which was certainly important for the team standings. But even more significant was the second-place finish, which earned the team an additional prize in this category. I didn't criticize Stereolab's album, and I won't do the same for this track. In my ranking, this song ended up in the positive zone, but in the last 10th place. In fact, it was only by chance that this track rose above the rating zone where releases receive no points at all.
This release was second in my tour rankings. This tour also launched the Gelli Haha bet in the albums category. I'm thrilled that, for perhaps the first time, the game simultaneously features the three best albums of the year (in my opinion), bets on which aren't mine. I don't even need to know what the song or video is about. I'm simply enjoying the beautiful voice of a charming singer in one of the best songs of the year on the big screen.
Switcheroo (2025) by Gelli Haha
There are approximately 3.5 hours left until the application window closes for the current round, which ends on October 23rd.
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Here are the new (returned) bids for the current tour, which ends on October 23rd. October 21st is the last day for chart changes for the current tour. You can argue among yourselves about whether Geese's album, Getting Killed, will take first place or just earn an additional nomination.
Music Videos: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Earl Sweatshirt - Tourmaline (22/VIII) Abstract Hip Hop
2. Eerie Indiana - Kino (30/V) Pop Rock
3. Geese - Taxes (8/VII) Art Rock
4. Horsegirl - Switch Over (13/I) Indie Pop
5. Sophia Kennedy - Hot Match (13/III) Neo-Psychedelia
6. Wetsuit - Midwest Dream (13/III) Dream Pop
Tracks: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Geese - Taxes (8/VII) Art Rock
2. Greentea Peng - Stones Throw (31/I) Neo-Soul
3. Horsegirl - Switch Over (13/I) Indie Pop
4. Бонд с Кнопкой [Bond s Knopkoy] - Кухни (27/II) Chamber Folk
Albums: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Geese - Getting Killed (26/IX) Art Rock
2. Greentea Peng - Tell Dem It's Sunny (21/III) Neo-Soul
3. Horsegirl - Phonetics On And On (14/II) Indie Pop
4. Горечь [Gorech] - Плохие Тигры (28/II) Dream Punk
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