One of our favourite discoveries of last year was God’s Mom, fronted by singer/songwriter Bria Salmena as she explored folk music from her Calabrian heritage through the spectrum of electronica from Ballroom to Bass.

It looks like we’ll be even bigger Salmena fans this year as she just revealed her plans for 2025 – namely the release of her long-awaited debut album, Big Dog, out via the legendary Sub Pop on 28th March. Having spent the best part of a decade working alongside Orville Peck, being a member of Toronto post-punk ensemble FRIGS and of course God’s Mom, this will be the first time we meet Salmena on her own terms.

Chronicling a story of transformation and resilience, the era is officially launched with first single, ‘Stretch The Struggle.’ Staying true to all her previous creative incarnations there’s an immediate pulsating club beat pulling you in, stadium-sized guitar rock riffs leading you to the soaring vocals on an even bigger chorus, ‘you’ll never see my crying eyes.’ Connecting all of it is Salmena’s defiant lyricism and that voice, sounding dark, satisfyingly raw and ragged, recalling ‘Fast As you Can’-era Fiona Apple as she screams, ‘And I wrote ‘I hate you’ I really couldn’t stand you / It was all I thought about.’ A huge record and one to get excited for in 2025.

Big Dog is now available to pre-order from Sub Pop. LP pre-orders from the Sub Pop Mega Mart (North America), Mega Mart 2 (UK/EU), and independent retailers worldwide (excl CA) will receive the album on Orchid Vinyl.
Bria Salmena tours North America this April/May.