Joy to the world! It’s the return of our favourite festive tradition, the Joyzine Advent Calendar, back for its 22nd consecutive edition, which as far as we’re aware makes it the longest running on the net.
As always, every track is completely free to download and we don’t require you to sign up for a mailing list (though you can if you want to) or hand over your personal data – it’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s visited the site during 2025 and to hopefully bring a few more listeners to some very deserving artists.
However, if you do enjoy the tracks we would love you to consider making a donation to our chosen cause, which this year is HOPE not hate, and their sterling work researching, campaigning, and supporting communities to build HOPE and oppose far-right extremism. You can make a donation here.
Gemma Rogers bagged top spot in my end of year list in 2024 with her peerless No Future EP and she carried that ferocious form into this year with her excellent single ‘Molly_1989’, the video for which was premiered within these very pages, along with a string of festival appearances and live performances. With 2026 promising a new album, now is the perfect time to revisit the track and its sharp-tongued pop-punk delights.
We caught up with Gemma for a festive q&a session:
Tell us a little bit about your track please
Molly_1989 is singing about a bloke who fancies himself more than anyone else does — his mirror gets more attention than his girlfriend. Bit of gel, bit of ego, a lot of carrot dangling. So Molly’s calling him out. It’s love ( sort of ) with a side of eye-roll and several large gins.
What have you been up to in 2025?
I’ve played a bunch of fantastic shows to some amazing crowds, Glastonbury festival was a highlight, and a cheeky little secret set at Strummerville too – I love everything Strummerville stand for. I’ve found a brilliant new producer to cause trouble with, and I’ve been writing for my second album in between Mumming and working. Got a few tasty secrets up my sleeve for next year — it’s all shaping up to be a very exciting 2026…
And what are your plans for next year?
A new album. A tour and giving my band the illusion I know what I’m doing.
What have been your musical highlights of the year from other bands/artists?
The Burning Hell’s Ghost Palace is a cracking album — like a whisky soaked end-of-the-world party where everyone’s dancing and pretending the sky isn’t literally falling in. I’m also really into Getdown Services — unreal live, they were on the same stage as us at Glasto this year. And Lisa O’Neill… easily one of my favourite gigs in ages. I loved her 2023 album, and her new single is absolutely beautiful.
Christmas: The most wonderful time of the year or a big bag of humbug?
Family, fights, and turnips – what’s not to love? Honestly, my Christmas spirit is whatever’s in my glass. Merry one, everyone!
See you next year xx
Stream and download ‘Molly_1989’
Make a donation to HOPE not hate
Gemma Rogers: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Check out more fantastic free music on this year’s calendar:
1: Piney Gir & Parenthesis Dot Dot Dot
2: Syd Howells
3: The Happy Hollow
4: Stephen Evens
5: Ombudsmen
6: The Scaramanga Six
7: Dextro + Rubber Oh
8: Craig Fortnam
9: Salt The Snail
10: Cerys Hafana
11: bis x Art Brut
Check back tomorrow for another free festive download!
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