Dean Johnson - I Hope We Can Still Be Friends (2025) [Hi-Res]

The title partly stems from the playful way the Seattle-based singer, songwriter and guitarist communes with his audiences at concerts. 'I hope you're not afraid to talk to me after the show,' he'll say, sweetly, before launching into 'Death of the Party', the album's seventh song. Centered on the 'energy vampire' archetype - the exasperating windbag we've all encountered at some point - its lyrics are at once intellectually biting and unmistakably hilarious. His tender voice rings out like the ghost of Roy Orbison or a misfit Everly brother..