Whether it’s Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday, it’s always good to spend part of gift shopping for loved ones through businesses that are based in the place you call home. Making purchases at local independent establishments rather than at major chains has a direct and positive effect on the economy in your city and your state. It’s also more rewarding to support your neighbors where they make a living due to the fact that there’s often a more personal and friendly exchange at the cash register that’ll make you want to come back.

This is also important when it comes to the local music scene, where there’s a bunch of albums to choose from for that special someone who is always looking for something new to listen to. Here are six albums that came out in New Hampshire this year that are perfect for that music enthusiast either in your family or in your close group of friends.

Fox and The Flamingos

Spirit Animal

A debut album’s ability to make an immediate impact when the music within it is really good has a way of being something special. This is the case with the Hudson funk/soul rockers Fox and The Flamingos and their first record “Spirit Animal” that came out on May 1. There’s an abundance of grooviness and harmony that’s present within tunes like “The Water”, “Melt Away”, “Bandit” and “La Diablada.”

Inamorata | Roots of Creation | Bombshelter Records / Roots of Creation

Inamorata

For over 20 years, Roots of Creation have been the premier reggae rock act in “The Granite State” ever since the trio of lead vocalist and guitarist Brett Wilson, keyboardist Tal Pearson and Mike Chadinha got together at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge during the early 2000s. Over the course of time since then, the lineup has expanded while the vision has become more collaborative, and this echoes through the full-length “Inamorata” that came out on June 20 via their label at Bombshelter Records. Prime examples include “False Alarm”, which brings the Boston reggae rockers The Elovaters into the fold, “Journey” with the Savannah, Georgia reggae rock act Passafire and the Rochester, New York reggae-jam band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and “Castle” featuring the Annapolis, Maryland ska-punks Bumpin’ Uglies.

New, Better Things EP | Robotic Hawks

New, Better Things EP

There are some records that are chock full of riffs and hooks in the most genuine way possible, and this is the case with Robotic Hawks’ “New, Better Things” EP that was released on July 24. Featuring Tyler Pollard on bass and vocals, Shawn Doherty on guitar and Brian Sturk on drums, this band possesses a catchy and amplified sound that gravitates towards any rock music connoisseur. You can’t go wrong with either “Andale’”, “Heartbeat”, “David Lee Roth” or “Something So Strong”, just press play and go along for the ride.

Danger Forward | Dog Lips

Danger Forward

Based out of Portsmouth, Dog Lips are a kickass garage punk band that have been causing quite a buzz over the past few months. This is due to their album “Danger Forward” that was initially unveiled on August 22, which is definitely one of the best music releases to come out of New Hampshire in 2025. To realize this claim, listen to tracks like “Brain Feeder”, “Gush”, and “Last Ride” with the volume turned all the way up.

Slow Cooker | Jon Nolan & Good Co. | Jon Nolan

Slow Cooker

Nolan is known around the music community in Newmarket and beyond through the folk-rock act Say Zuzu, but with his solo output while being supported by a backing band, he really lets his songwriting shine. This is the case with the album “Slow Cooker”, which was released back on September 19 via Strolling Bones Records while being co-produced by Nolan and Geoff Taylor. “Someone’s in the Driveway” starts the full-length off in fantastic fashion while other highlights include “Sea Glass”, “Frozen Man”, “A Bird That Sings”, and “Echoes of Borderline.”

The Last Honest Mechanic | Paledriver

The Last Honest Mechanic

Every music community has their enigmas, and in Manchester, Paledriver falls into this exclusive group. Not much is known about this artist due to them having a very vague online presence, but their latest album “The Last Honest Mechanic” that came out on October 10 is an excellent blend of lo-fi electronica, charismatic trip hop and rhythmic hip hop. There are some field recordings that are blended in as well in tracks like “Dollar Menu” with “Freewave”, “Raw Style”, “Pomegranates”, and “Broken Chains” also worth checking out.

You can reach Rob Duguay at rob.c.duguay@gmail.com