Albums of the Year - 2020

 Let's not dwell on how crap this year has been. The dark times have at least provided me with more time to listen to (recorded) music, even if the buzz of live performances has been curtailed. Here are the records that stood out for me:

1. Sault - Untitled (Black Is)

The first of two albums released by the mysterious Sault this year initially draws you in through its brilliant production. It's hard to tell whether the music is mostly sample based, freshly recorded, or a mixture of the two, but it somehow has a timeless and non-geographic quality that means you could believe it was recorded in Bristol in the early 90s, or New York this year, or at any point in between. The lyrical themes are bang on the 2020 agenda, but they're more like a whisper in your ear than a punch in the face, subtly getting their message across. Their second album of 2020 'Untitled (Rise)' was a more upbeat affair but is equally worth checking out, but this one edges it for me. Powerful stuff.

2. Kelly Lee Owens - Inner Song

There have been some great electronic albums this year, but this is the clear winner for me. A great mix of throbbing instrumentals and more gentle vocal tracks, topped off with a guest appearance from John Cale and a belting cover of Radiohead's 'Weird Fishes'. I can't wait to experience this album live once we can all be together in dark sweaty rooms again.

3. Caribou - Suddenly

Caribou's fifth album is their most diverse and best yet. There's a warmth to the recordings that elevate them from bedroom electronica and the whole record has a surprisingly analogue feel. There are snippets and samples of other people's songs as well as what seems like Snaith sampling his own unreleased tracks to build into layers of different songs. Give it a few plays and it will become a familiar friend.

4. Mura Masa - Raw Youth Collage

I love the warmth and nostalgia of this record, and how it talks about a longing for times that perhaps seem look better looking back than they did as you were living them. With guest appearances from Wolf Alice, slowthai, Georgia and Clairo, it still manages to feel like a complete piece of work and was clearly a labour of love for him, especially the accompanying book. I'm surprised that this didn't really get highlighted in any of the big media end of year reviews, but it's one of my favourites even if no-one else recognises its quality.

5. The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You

Although the full album only appeared in December, a number of tracks had been released in the preceding months and already felt this was going to be a great record. And I wasn't disappointed - despite the plethora of guest performers this is a wonderfully cohesive record, full of warmth, with lots of soft moments as well as a few dancefloor boogies. The whole experience of it is like a having a duvet for your soul.

6. Working Men's Club - Working Men's Club

Syd Minsky, the driving force behind this band, is possibly the most driven and focussed 18 year old in the country at the moment, and certainly in the music business. Making music that sounds like New Order and The Fall chucked in a blender and whizzed back and forward in time for a while, he's somehow created a sound that feels fresh and new for people around his age, but warmly familiar for those of use with a few more miles on the clock. The last band I went to see before Covid struck, and the first I saw at a socially distanced gig afterwards, this is the debut album of the year.

7. Modern Nature - Annual

I'm not entirely sure if this is an album or an EP, but either way it's gorgeous. Like a modern day pastoral it evokes nature, countryside, the warm sun and just a general good feeling of being outdoors and experiencing life. Beautiful artwork too.

8. Moses Boyd - Dark Matter

The 'new jazz' scene in England shows no signs of getting old, and this year's breakthrough came for brilliant drummer Moses Boyd. The Mercury Prize-nominated 'Dark Matter' sounds current and classic all at once, with intricate rhythms and skilful arrangements. With a recent presenting slot on BBC's Jazz 625 programme, the future looks the opposite of dark for Mr Boyd.

9. The Wytches - Three Mile Ditch

Possibly the most surprising inclusion on here, I wasn't expecting this album to be anywhere near as good as it is. It's a real step forward for the band in terms of both melody and production - at times it sounds like Radiohead or The Longpigs, and yet it still has some full pelt psychedelic freak-outs on it. It's enough to make you fall back in love with guitar music again.

10. Disq - Collector

Talking of guitar music, here's an album full of fuzzed guitars, melodies and even a bona fide pop song or two, he 5 piece from Wisconsin conjure up vibes from Fountains of Wayne and Weezer as well as more recent acts like Bodega, and wrap everything up in a bundle of joy and energy.

15 more that nearly made the cut:

• Everything Is Recorded - Friday Forever
• Four Tet - Sixteen Oceans
• Pottery - Welcome To Bobby's Motel
• Lianne La Havas - Lianne La Havas
• Crack Cloud - Pain Olympics
• Rival Consoles - Articulation
• Car Seat Headrest -  Making A Door Less Open
• Romare - Home
• Khruangbin - Mordechai
• Bob Vylan - We Live Here
• Run The Jewels - RTJ4
• LA Priest - Gene
• Westerman - Your Hero Is Not Dead
• Against All Logic (A.A.L.) - 2017-2019
• Bananagun - The Tue Story of Bananagun

Albums of the Year 2016: The Top Ten

1. David Bowie - Blackstar
For 3 days this was merely just a great Bowie album. Then, in reverse biblical fashion, on the third day David died, and the record suddenly took on a whole new complexion. To me, this is now one of the greatest artistic statements about death ever made. From the lyrics to the hidden messages in the cover art (a version of which is now tattooed on my arm) this is the perfect, transcendental way for Bowie to leave us.

2. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Far removed from the last couple of Radiohead releases, this entrancing record was the sound of a band embracing their maturity. It also seemed to free up Yorke and co to explore their back catalogue with abandon, and the live shows that accompanied this release were a riot of hits mixed in with the new record. If this turns out to be their last release it's a great way to go.

3. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
My favourite 'guitar band' of the year, Car Seat Headrest have a massive back catalogue that I trawled through at length having only heard about them in 2016. But the new album is the pick of the bunch, as well as having the best track titles of any album this year. And even though they had to recall all the vinyl due to an issue with a track by The Cars that they were 'interpreting' as part of one of their songs, which meant it was delayed about 3 months, it's still my most played vinyl of 2016

4. Underworld - Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future
The best album that Underworld have made for at least 15 years, this record brings family, emmotion and contentment into theor music for possibly the first time. As a result it sounds like a band enjoying themselves for the first time in a while, ready to explore what it feels like to be getting older and to be happy about it.

5. Bon Iver - 22, A Million
From its complicated track titles to its never straightforward music, this is a record that can be hard to find a way into. For me the moment came when I listened to it all the way through on vinyl for the first time - from then I was hooked. Justin Vernon is ploughing a unique furrow here, and it feels to me like each time he goes off to work with someone like Yeezy or James Blake it frees him up a bit more to experiment with his own music.

6. Christine and The Queens - Chaleur Humaine
The new act of the year for me, Christine and The Queens not only make sophisticated and softly subversive pop music, but also have the most engaging and enthralling live show I've seen for years.

7. Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
A record that oozes both quality and soul, and sounds like something that's been lurking in some dusty vaults since the 70s (in a good way). From the lead single 'Black Man In A White World' to the title track and beyond, this is probably the best produced record of 2016, something that's matched by the quality of Kiwanuka's songwriting. Pure class throughout.

8. Francis and The Lights - Farewell, Starlite!
Having made the best video of the year for 'Friends', the lead single from this track, Francis followed up with an album that sounds like Peter Gabriel and Bon Iver made a record together (and wouldn't that be a good idea?). It unashamedly wears its heart on its sleeve, and is all the better for that. Guaranteed to make you feel better and put a spring in your step if you're having a bad day.

9. Anohni - Hopelessness
Without wishing to sound like a pseud, this is an important record, and one which deserves your attention. Dealing with weighty political matters in a way that very few songwriters can, it also sounds unique, something which is very difficult to schieve in an age where pretty much everything has already been done before. At times it's a difficult listen, especially on 'Obama', but don't let that put you off. As bleak as its title may be, this is a record that will enhance your life.

10. Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - The Soft Bounce
Probably the least well-known record in my selection, this project is the brainchild of Erol Alkan and Richard Norris. It sounds like 60s psychedelia and 70s krautrock all rolled up into one, and features guest vocalists like Hannah Peel, Euros Childs, Blaine Harrison and Jane Weaver adding their own talents to the prodigious duo. A min-warping listen.






11. James Blake - The Colour In Everything
12. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
13. Parquet Courts - Human Performance
14. Gold Panda - Good Luck And Do Your Best
15. Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being
16. Kojey Radical - 23 Winters
17. Jack Garratt - Phase
18. Lambchop - Flotus
19. Polica - United Crushers
20. Romare - Love Songs: Part Two
21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing
31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: Numbers 11-20

We're getting closer to number 1...here are numbers 11-20:

11. James Blake - The Colour In Everything
12. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
13. Parquet Courts - Human Performance
14. Gold Panda - Good Luck And Do Your Best
15. Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being
16. Kojey Radical - 23 Winters
17. Jack Garratt - Phase
18. Lambchop - Flotus
19. Polica - United Crushers
20. Romare - Love Songs: Part Two

21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing
31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: Numbers 21-30

Here's today's section of the countdown, along with a reminder of yesterday's ten.

21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing

31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: numbers 31-40

The annual yearly countdown is here! In true Top 40 form we have to start at the bottom, so here are numbers 31-40. The rest will follow each day this week.

31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2014 - top 3 mixtapes

That's mixtapes in the hip-hop, new artist trying to break out sense of the word, rather than a tape you've made for yourself or to give to someone you fancy. Each of these three releases is available to download for free (links are in the full reviews) but each is actually worth paying for. The quality of some of the tracks here is so good I'm convinced that every one of these guys is gonna become a star in 2015 (and if they don't then they bloody well should've done).

1. 'Indigo Child' by Raury

He's only 18, but I reckon Raury is very quickly shaping up to be the new Frank Ocean. He sings, he raps, he covers a whole variety of styles, but one thing's for certain - everything he does is excellent. You've only got to hear his starring role on the new SBTRKT album to get a sense of where he could go with a few major collaborations. A guy with shy-high ambitions but, importantly, talent to match, he'll take on the world in 2015. Click here for full review and download details.

2. 'Grey Skies 3' by Genesis the Greykid

Atmospheric, poetic hip-hop with a soul and a conscience. This is the third mixtape from Genesis the Greykid a.k.a. Russell McGee, over the course of which he's really developed as an artist, to the point where he should now be on the brink of stardom. Owing as much to DJ Shadow as it does Kanye West, this album rewards repeated listening, with great samples, dialogue clips from Christopher Nolan's movie 'The Prestige' and brilliant little hooks and melodies. To my mind the downbeat, more introspective tracks are the most successful, but it's all great. Click here for the full review & download link.

3. 'A Little Late' by Loyle Carner

Quality UK hip-hop can be a hard thing to find, but Loyle is beating his own path, steering clear of imitating gangsta clichés that would just sound daft coming out his mouth, and instead creating intelligent lyrics and upbeat vibes that remind me a bit of Oddisee. He's garnered some good press lately, making a track for the Turner Prize and doing something with Mercury-nominated Kate Tempest, so I'm sure you'll hear more of him in 2015. Click here for the full review & download link.