If there’s a counterpoint to the purported decline of the music press, it is the significant surge in the popularity of music books. When CLASH was in its early years—around the turn of the Millennium—bookstores typically featured no more than half a dozen music titles, mainly focusing on The Beatles, The Stones, and Queen. Fast forward about twenty years, and the landscape has vastly broadened, allowing even niche artists like Felt's Lawrence to be the focus of best-selling biographies. These publications are in print, convey long-form narratives, and pack an impact. What else are those shelves but an extension of the music press? CLASH compiles the 10 best music books we've encountered in 2025. — Keith Cameron – 168 Songs of Hatred and Failure As the title indicates, Cameron’s book is structured around nearly half of the Manic Street Preachers’ catalog throughout their 35-year journey, offering concise and thoughtful entries supplemented by insights from Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield. It steers clear of idealizing the band, pointing out misses like the lackluster studio version of ‘Methadone Pretty’ and ‘flimsy’ lyrics in ‘There by the Grace of God.’ The behind-the-scenes perspectives are the real highlight for both devoted and casual fans: anxieties over charts, responses to press criticism, and the unexpected origins of particular tracks. The meticulous care put into the book is evident, rewarding dedicated fans with explorations of demos, B-sides, and lesser-known tracks, while Cameron’s sharp writing and candid reflections from the band craft a vibrant narrative of continual reinvention for one of Britain’s enduring rock ensembles. Richard Bowes — Billy Bragg & Iain Key – A People’s History Instead of a conventional autobiography, ‘A People’s History’ provides a vivid, chronological depiction of Bragg’s life, intertwining 700 fan recollections with insights from friends, collaborators, and Bragg himself. It charts his evolution from punk beginnings with Riff Raff, through his political awakening in the 1980s, Red Wedge activism, and decades of impactful songwriting. The text is enriched with photographs, memorabilia, and a gigography, while anecdotes capture the humor, humility, and grounded essence that characterize The Bard of Barking. For fans of Bragg’s politics, the array of stories delivers a shared history reflecting his lasting influence on music and politics worldwide, showcasing a life shaped by conviction, community, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Richard Bowes — Mike Joyce – The Drums With Andy Rourke’s recent passing and the prospect of a reunion becoming increasingly unlikely, The Smiths are taking on an even more legendary status. We’ve heard from the iconic guitarist and the less-celebrated singer and lyricist, making Joyce’s narrative a compelling read. In his account, Joyce confesses to being the band’s biggest fan, and his enthusiasm shines through the pages. He avoids rehashing the infamous court case, opting instead to celebrate the band’s creativity from 1983 to 1987. Anecdotes and humor depict the emotional realities of life within the band, all conveyed with the honesty of a devoted fan. The stories of their experiences remain captivating. Richard Bowes — Stuart Maconie – With A Little Help From Their Friends There has been no shortage of literature on The Fab Four throughout the years. What distinguishes Stuart Maconie's comprehensive entry is the emphasis on both intimate and peripheral figures in the band’s narrative. From family members to rival musicians and friends who came and went, it illustrates that more than just Paul, John, George, and Ringo shaped The Beatles and their world-conquering success. It’s a fast-paced, humorous read that, instead of resembling another book about the quartet, provides genuinely fresh insights. Chris Connor — Cameron Crowe – The Uncool Before becoming an Oscar-winning director known for films like Jerry Maguire, Singles, and Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe was among the youngest writers at Rolling Stone magazine, interviewing a variety of stars in the 1970s. Almost Famous beautifully captured this through his journey with the fictional band Stillwater. In reality, Crowe hit the road with The Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin, sharing his experiences as a journalist in his memoir, The Uncool. It reads almost like a fictionalized version of the film, filled with amusing anecdotes often featuring familiar names. Highlights include an interview with the Eagles before their rise to fame and Crowe following Bowie around LA during his transition away from Ziggy Stardust. Chris Connor — Robbie Robertson – Insomnia Best known as the guitarist and central figure of The Band, Robbie Robertson also had a successful partnership with the famed director Martin Scorsese. His posthumous memoir, Insomnia, delves into their brotherly bond and chaotic lifestyle while living together. It mainly chronicles

      Ranked 23rd on our list of the 100 most-anticipated films of 2025, Christopher Nolan’s ambitious project, The Odyssey, appears to be yet another blank check endeavor in his illustrious career. After some exclusive theatrical teasers, Universal Pictures has released the first trailer online.

      Here’s a brief synopsis: “Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic filmed around the globe using cutting-edge IMAX® film technology. This film adapts Homer’s classic saga onto IMAX® film screens for the first time, scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026. The cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Lupita Nyong’o, along with Zendaya and Charlize Theron. Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan are producing it through their company, Syncopy. Thomas Hayslip serves as the executive producer.”

      “Emma [Thomas] articulated it perfectly when we initially announced the project: it’s foundational. It encompasses a bit of everything. I mean, it truly incorporates all stories,” Nolan shared with Empire. “As a filmmaker, you search for gaps in cinematic culture, for things that haven’t been explored yet. What I realized is that while I had grown up with remarkable mythological cinema – like Ray Harryhausen films and others – I had never seen that executed with the depth and authenticity that a major budget and a significant Hollywood IMAX production could achieve.”

      Watch the trailer below.

If there’s a counterpoint to the purported decline of the music press, it is the significant surge in the popularity of music books. When CLASH was in its early years—around the turn of the Millennium—bookstores typically featured no more than half a dozen music titles, mainly focusing on The Beatles, The Stones, and Queen. Fast forward about twenty years, and the landscape has vastly broadened, allowing even niche artists like Felt's Lawrence to be the focus of best-selling biographies. These publications are in print, convey long-form narratives, and pack an impact. What else are those shelves but an extension of the music press? CLASH compiles the 10 best music books we've encountered in 2025. — Keith Cameron – 168 Songs of Hatred and Failure As the title indicates, Cameron’s book is structured around nearly half of the Manic Street Preachers’ catalog throughout their 35-year journey, offering concise and thoughtful entries supplemented by insights from Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield. It steers clear of idealizing the band, pointing out misses like the lackluster studio version of ‘Methadone Pretty’ and ‘flimsy’ lyrics in ‘There by the Grace of God.’ The behind-the-scenes perspectives are the real highlight for both devoted and casual fans: anxieties over charts, responses to press criticism, and the unexpected origins of particular tracks. The meticulous care put into the book is evident, rewarding dedicated fans with explorations of demos, B-sides, and lesser-known tracks, while Cameron’s sharp writing and candid reflections from the band craft a vibrant narrative of continual reinvention for one of Britain’s enduring rock ensembles. Richard Bowes — Billy Bragg & Iain Key – A People’s History Instead of a conventional autobiography, ‘A People’s History’ provides a vivid, chronological depiction of Bragg’s life, intertwining 700 fan recollections with insights from friends, collaborators, and Bragg himself. It charts his evolution from punk beginnings with Riff Raff, through his political awakening in the 1980s, Red Wedge activism, and decades of impactful songwriting. The text is enriched with photographs, memorabilia, and a gigography, while anecdotes capture the humor, humility, and grounded essence that characterize The Bard of Barking. For fans of Bragg’s politics, the array of stories delivers a shared history reflecting his lasting influence on music and politics worldwide, showcasing a life shaped by conviction, community, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Richard Bowes — Mike Joyce – The Drums With Andy Rourke’s recent passing and the prospect of a reunion becoming increasingly unlikely, The Smiths are taking on an even more legendary status. We’ve heard from the iconic guitarist and the less-celebrated singer and lyricist, making Joyce’s narrative a compelling read. In his account, Joyce confesses to being the band’s biggest fan, and his enthusiasm shines through the pages. He avoids rehashing the infamous court case, opting instead to celebrate the band’s creativity from 1983 to 1987. Anecdotes and humor depict the emotional realities of life within the band, all conveyed with the honesty of a devoted fan. The stories of their experiences remain captivating. Richard Bowes — Stuart Maconie – With A Little Help From Their Friends There has been no shortage of literature on The Fab Four throughout the years. What distinguishes Stuart Maconie's comprehensive entry is the emphasis on both intimate and peripheral figures in the band’s narrative. From family members to rival musicians and friends who came and went, it illustrates that more than just Paul, John, George, and Ringo shaped The Beatles and their world-conquering success. It’s a fast-paced, humorous read that, instead of resembling another book about the quartet, provides genuinely fresh insights. Chris Connor — Cameron Crowe – The Uncool Before becoming an Oscar-winning director known for films like Jerry Maguire, Singles, and Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe was among the youngest writers at Rolling Stone magazine, interviewing a variety of stars in the 1970s. Almost Famous beautifully captured this through his journey with the fictional band Stillwater. In reality, Crowe hit the road with The Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin, sharing his experiences as a journalist in his memoir, The Uncool. It reads almost like a fictionalized version of the film, filled with amusing anecdotes often featuring familiar names. Highlights include an interview with the Eagles before their rise to fame and Crowe following Bowie around LA during his transition away from Ziggy Stardust. Chris Connor — Robbie Robertson – Insomnia Best known as the guitarist and central figure of The Band, Robbie Robertson also had a successful partnership with the famed director Martin Scorsese. His posthumous memoir, Insomnia, delves into their brotherly bond and chaotic lifestyle while living together. It mainly chronicles

Ranking at number 23 on our list of the 100 most-anticipated films of 2025, Christopher Nolan's grand project, The Odyssey, seems to be another significant venture in his career filled with such opportunities. Following exclusive theatrical previews, Universal Pictures has now shared the initial trailer online. Here’s a short synopsis: "Christopher Nolan’s

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