Top 40 Albums of 2020

So then, I finally got my act together and finished putting together a list of my favourite albums of 2020. Considering the immense limitations that artists must have been subjected to in terms of recording music this year, there have been a surprising number of brilliant releases. 

Hopefully there's a few on here that you haven't heard before that you can check out. If you're interested in any of them, I've posted the relevant link to buy the album (mostly Bandcamp because they're awesome, but if you're lucky enough to have a record store near you, hit them up first!).

Before I get stuck in to the main list, I'd like to list a few 'honourable mentions':

Honourable  mentions 

Buscabulla - Regresa https://buscabulla.bandcamp.com/album/regresa

Fleet Foxes  - Shore https://fleetfoxes.bandcamp.com/album/shore

Caribou - Suddenly https://caribouband.bandcamp.com/album/suddenly

Taylor Swift - Folklore & Evermore https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/taylor-swift/folklore https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/taylor-swift/evermore

Mura Masa - R.Y.C. https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/mura-masa/r-y-c

William Tyler - New Vanitas https://williamtyler.bandcamp.com/album/new-vanitas

Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today https://protomartyr.bandcamp.com/album/ultimate-success-today

Inventions - Continuous Portrait https://inventions.bandcamp.com/album/continuous-portrait

The Strokes - The New Abnormal https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/the-strokes/the-new-abnormal

Kelly Lee Owens - Inner Song https://kellyleeowens.bandcamp.com/album/inner-song

Phoxjaw - Royal Swan https://phoxjaw.bandcamp.com/album/royal-swan

Sufjan Stevens - Ascension https://music.sufjan.com/album/the-ascension

Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/rina-sawayama/sawayama

Black Taffy - Opal Wand https://blacktaffy.bandcamp.com/album/opal-wand

The Top 40

40) Bright Eyes - Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was

https://brighteyes.bandcamp.com/album/down-in-the-weeds-where-the-world-once-was

39) The Flaming Lips - American Dream

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/the-flaming-lips/american-head

38) Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

https://fontainesdc.bandcamp.com/album/a-heros-death

37) Greg Foat - Symphonie Pacifique

https://gregfoat.bandcamp.com/album/symphonie-pacifique

36) Meridian Brothers - Cumbia Siglo XXI

https://meridianbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/cumbia-siglo-xxi

35) Dan Deacon - Mystic Familiar

https://dandeacon.bandcamp.com/album/mystic-familiar

34) Nadine Shah - Kitchen Sink

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/nadine-shah/kitchen-sink

33) Angel Olsen - Whole New Mess

https://angelolsen.bandcamp.com/album/whole-new-mess

32) Moses Boyd - Dark Matter

https://mosesboyd.bandcamp.com/album/dark-matter-2

31) Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Viscerals

https://pigspigspigspigspigspigspigs.bandcamp.com/album/viscerals

30) Marlowe - Marlow 2

https://lorange360.bandcamp.com/album/marlowe-2-2

29) Laura Marling - Songs For Our Daughter

https://lauramarling.bandcamp.com/album/song-for-our-daughter

28) Idles - Ultra Mono

https://idlesband.bandcamp.com/album/ultra-mono

27) Natalie Slade - Control

https://natalie-slade.bandcamp.com/album/control

26) Grimes - Miss Anthropocene

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/grimes/miss-anthropocene

25) Touché Amoré - Lament

https://toucheamore.bandcamp.com/album/lament

24) Lianne La Havas - Lianne La Havas

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/lianne-la-havas/lianne-la-havas

23) Gorillaz - Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/gorillaz/song-machine-season-one-strange-timez

22) Sports Team - Deep Down Happy

https://sportsteamband.bandcamp.com/album/deep-down-happy

21) R.A.P. Ferreira - Purple Moonlight Pages

https://afrolab9000.bandcamp.com/album/purple-moonlight-pages

20) Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/charli-xcx/how-i-m-feeling-now

19) Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird Vol. 2

https://soundcloud.com/tkaymaidza/sets/last-year-was-weird-vol-2

18) Julianna Barwick - Healing Is A Miracle

https://juliannabarwick.bandcamp.com/album/healing-is-a-miracle

17) Kevin Morby - Sundowner

https://kevinmorby.bandcamp.com/album/sundowner

16) Jacaszek - Music for Film

https://jacaszek.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-film

15) Eve Owen - Don't Let The Ink Dry

https://eveowen.bandcamp.com/album/dont-let-the-ink-dry

14) Nikitch & Kuna Maze - Débuts

https://nikitchkunamaze.bandcamp.com/album/d-buts

13) Nicolas Jaar - Cenizas

https://nicolasjaar.bandcamp.com/album/cenizas

12) Run The Jewels - RTJ4

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/run-the-jewels/rtj4

11) Santrofi - Alewa

https://outhererecords.bandcamp.com/album/santrofi-alewa

10) North Americans - Roped In

This ambient record with warm guitar tones is the most chilled, serene album I've heard all year, and never fails to relax me. Written by Patrick McDermott and recorded in LA, it also features William Tyler and Mary Lattimore (both included further up this list). This one gets bonus points for the lovely album art too, by Brian Blomerth. 

Fav songs: Rivers That You Cannot See, Furniture in the Valley, Run Down  

https://northamericanszone.bandcamp.com/album/roped-in-2

 9) JAF Trio - JAF Trio

The style of this self-titled experimental jazz (debut) album from Finnish-Danish JAF Trio reminds me a lot of UK jazz band Roller Trio, and not just because of the number of band members! I was drawn in as soon as I heard teaser song 'Ninth Row of the Fifth Floor' earlier this year and finally got around to exploring the rest of the album a few weeks back.

Fav songs:  Ninth Row of the Fifth Floor, Nostalgia, Det Er Dig

https://wejazzrecords.bandcamp.com/album/jaf-trio

 

 

8) Porridge Radio - Every Bad

It feels as though Every Bad has been a bit of a breakout album for Porridge Radio, and I think all the credit they've had for it has been deserved. I was really impressed by the honest and sometimes self-deprecating lyrics on this album, which rightly sit front and centre of most of these songs. The vocal performance of lead singer Dana Margolin, and clever use of backing vocals really adds another dimension to these songs.

Fav songs: Sweet, Long, Pop Song, Lilac, Circling     

https://porridgeradio.bandcamp.com/album/every-bad

 

7) Nubya Garcia - Source

This album shows Nubya Garcia at the peak of her powers, and she seems to be leading the pack of exciting young jazz talent in the UK right now. In terms of its sound, I think the album sits somewhere between the experimental style of a group like JAF Trio (as described above), and the classical tendencies of jazz icons of the past, often moving between these two regions of jazz within the same song.  

Fav songs: Pace, Source, Together Is A Beautiful Place To Be, Inner Game

https://nubyagarcia.bandcamp.com/album/source

 

6) Mary Lattimore - Silver Ladders

This is another of what seems to be a long list of ambient albums that I've enjoyed this year. Soft reverb-y, delicate harp playing, which feel like the soundtrack to a walk through a Japanese garden takes you through most of the 40 minute runtime, but well-placed patches of synth and guitar work add a sinister, ominous edge to some of these songs too.

Fav songs:  Pine Trees, Sometimes He's In My Dreams

https://marylattimoreharpist.bandcamp.com/album/silver-ladders 

 

5) Bananagun - True Story of Bananagun

This debut album from Melbourne-based group Bananagun fuses 70's psychedelia, afrobeat and hints of latin music, with each of these styles performed tastefully. They sound like a band having a lot of fun and I would love an opportunity to catch them live at some point, preferably in a sunny late afternoon festival slot with beer in hand.   

Fav songs: Bang Go The Bongos, The Master, People Talk Too Much, Freak Machine, Out of Reach, She Now

https://bananagun.bandcamp.com/album/the-true-story-of-bananagun

4) Ranil - Ranil y su Conjunto Tropical

Ranil (Raúl Llerena Vásquez), is a Peruvian singer, bandleader, record-label entrepreneur and (from Bandcamp) "a larger-than-life personality who swirled the teeming buzz of the Amazonian jungle, the unstoppable rhythms of Colombian and Brazilian dance music, and the psychedelic electricity of guitar-driven rock-and-roll into a knock-out, party-starting concoction". This album was a great surprise for me, and is an immensely fun listen from start to finish, combining a fresh, danceable set of tunes with a vintage quality to them.

Fav songs: Muévete Mi Amor, Lamento, Licenciado, Cumbia En Tu Soledad, La Tuctuructia

https://analogafrica.bandcamp.com/album/ranil-y-su-conjunto-tropical-limited-dance-edition

 

 3) Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher

This album keeps creeping further and further up my list, probably reflecting the fact that the often dark lyrical content and mood sinks a bit deeper with each listen. The Elliott Smith connection which many others have written about, is definitely noticable (she even appears to subtly reference him in title track 'Punisher'), but never feels distracting, nor does it take anything away from Phoebe's own brilliant songwriting. Even lead single 'Kyoto', which on first listen might sound a like typical run-of-the-mill indie song, really comes into its own in the context of the album. Strings sections naturally weave their way into the album too, and always feel like they compliment the songs they appear on. A Sufjan Stevens-esque segment in closing track 'I Know The End' evolves into to an epic (and slightly harrowing?!) outro in the closing moments of the album and leaves you feeling overwhelmed. I think this is a sizeable step up from Phoebe's debut album.    

Fav songs: Kyoto, Punisher, Halloween, Savior Complex, Graceland Too, I Know The End 

https://phoebebridgers.bandcamp.com/album/punisher 

 

2) Jessie Ware - What's Your Pleasure

Other than odd songs here and there, I've never been hugely into Jessie Ware's music until now. But this album is a completely irresistable disco throwback from start to finish. And it feels like a fresh take on the era, with plenty of bangers, each packed full of catchy synth lines and vocals brimming with passion and confidence. It just feels like this album was released in the wrong year, because the home environment definitely doesn't do it justice.  

Fav songs: Spotlight, What's Your Pleasure?, Ooh La La, Soul Control, Step Into My Life, Read My Lips, Mirage (Don't Stop)

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/jessie-ware/what-s-your-pleasure

 

1) Adrianne Lenker - songs

Considering this album was recorded in the middle of a global pandemic, this selection of songs from Adrianne Lenker sounds surprisngly uplifting in many ways (even if the lyrical content is far from uplifting at times). I think the location in which this album was recorded (a secluded forest cabin in Western Massachusetts) goes a long way to explain how this album sounds; “I’ve kind of been away from everywhere for a while,” she explained in a recent interview with Loud & Quiet. “I’ve basically been living on the road for the last six years, ever since Big Thief took off when I was 23. I feel like I can develop a relationship with places now, no place more or less than anywhere else, so long as there are natural elements around”. The fact that this album is so understated is what impresses me the most (the title just being 'songs', and the way the album was just dropped out of the blue, shortly after Big Thief's tour was cut short abruptly). And yet the songs themselves sound like something that most artists would spend years slaving over. Adrianne Lenker is a special talent, and this album is yet another triumph to add to her growing list. 

Fav songs: two reverse, anything, heavy focus, come, zombie girl

https://adriannelenker.bandcamp.com/album/songs

  

Top 10 EP's/complilations/mixtapes of 2020

As a procrastination technique to avoid having to finish my 'Top 30 (or 40?!) Albums of 2020' post, I have put together this (much shorter and easier) list with my favourite EP's and compilations of the year. 

Disclaimer: I haven't heard enough EP's and compilations this year to do separate Top 10's for both(!), so here is my Top 10 combined EP's, compilations and mixtapes of the year... 

10) Little Simz - Drop 6 EP

Whilst the songs on this latest short and gloomy EP from Little Simz' Drops series don't reach the heights of last year's Grey Area, this self-reflective set of tracks was still an impressive listen, and leaves me looking forward to more in the future. 

Fav song(s): might bang, might not

9) Lurka - Rythym Hi-Tek EP

This was something I found by scrolling through the 'New Arrivals' page of the Boomkat site earlier in the year. Boomkat are an independant online record store based in Manchester, and whilst they cover a variety of genres, electronic music forms a decent chunk of their stock. This EP was a nice surprise, and it turns out there's been another three(!) Lurka EP's released this year (since this one) which you can sink your teeth into. 

Fav song(s): Minds Eye Tript

8) Yazmin Lacey - Morning Matters EP

Nottingham-based Yazmin Lacey is one of many promising names in UK jazz right now. Whilst this new EP isn't anything totally revolutionary in the context of her peers, I think each of these songs is really well written and accomplished. 

Fav song(s): Not Today Mate

7) Kassa Overall - Shades Of Flu

This was a surprise release in May, during the middle of lockdown #1, from Brooklyn jazz musician Kassa Overall, the title being a homage to Madlib's jazz remix album Shades of Blue. This thing was a lot of fun and exactly what I needed to hear at the time.

Fav song(s): Freedom Jazz Dance (Miles Davis)

6) Nailah Hunter - Spells EP

Another one of my favourite discoveries from Bandcamp this year, this debut EP got me through many difficult working-from-home mornings. The songs are calming yet captivating, and I am very excited to hear a full album from her in the future. 

Fav song(s) - White Flower, Dark Hill

5) Holden & Zimpel: Long Weekend EP

I've been keeping an ear out for any releases involving Polish clarinettist Waclaw Zimpel since seeing him out of curiosity at End Of The Road Festival a few years back (with Polish compatriot Jakub Ziolek, who also makes a couple of appearances on this EP). Here, Zimpel combines with producer and synth guru James Holden (who I wasn't particularly familiar with) to put together a stellar set of songs which were recorded over four days in Holden’s London studio back in the summer of 2018. 

Fav song(s): Saturday, Tuesday (feat. Jakub Ziolek)

4) Various Artists - Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993

This compilation was a chance discovery through hearing one of the tracks on Tom Ravenscroft's BBC 6 Music show a few months back. This compilation celebrates the jazz and soul label Black Fire Records with a selection of releases between 1975 and 1993. Personally I find it daunting to know where to start when exploring genres, labels or eras of music I am not familiar with, so compilations like this are a great way to sample a range of artists and pick a few to explore further. This compilation was consistently good and varied throughout, from the instrumental voyage in Juju's 'Nia (The Complete Circle)' to the excuberence of Wayne Davis' 'Look at the People'.  

Fav song(s): Juju - Nia (The Complete Circle), Wayne Davis - Look at the People, Okyerema Asante - Follow Me

3) Kurt Vile - Speed, Sound, Lonely KV

This EP brings out the gentler side of Kurt Vile's music. Whilst it is a thoroughly enjoyable listen throuthout, the undoubted highlight is 'How Lucky', a duet with the late John Prine (before he sadly died of complications due to Covid-19 earlier this year). It's hard to imagine a pair of musicians that fit together more naturally than this. The song captures the admiration that Kurt Vile must have had for Prine, and feels somewhat like a 'passing of the baton' moment. 

Fav song(s): Speed of the Sound of Lonliness, How Lucky 

2) Various Artists - Blue Note Re:Imagined 

This is a compilation of re-worked classic songs from the renowned jazz label Blue Note Records. Basically every up and coming jazz talent in the UK features on this (Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia and Emma-Jean Thackeray to name a few), and most, if not all, manage to put an exciting twist on the source material. This compilation is another reminder of the depth of talent in UK jazz right now. 

Fav song(s): Jorja Smith - Rose Rouge, Yazmin Lacey - I'll Never Stop Loving You, Melt Yourself Down - Caribbean Fire Dance

1) Various Artists - SOS MUSIC VOL. 1

A degree of recency bias may explain why I have put this as No. 1; I only heard this compilation a couple of weeks ago and I have been totally addicted to it since. Its a selection of tracks from LA-based record label SOS MUSIC, who, in their own words, are "dedicated to showcasing forward-thinking left field dance music from around the globe, with a focus on female, & non-binary producers". It's genuinly some of the most interesting electronic music I've heard in ages, and highlights the need for these talented producers to get more exposure. 

Fav song(s): rRoxymore - Price of Highest Consciousness, Nightwave - Sacred Heart, Umfang - Complete Your Collection

 

Top 50 Songs of 2020

At serious risk of missing out a December banger, I have put together my top 50 songs of 2020 slightly prematurely. I found it pretty hard to narrow this down and had to whittle it down from a long list of about 100. As with all of these things, there's probably some great songs that I've missed here. But in some ways that's a good thing otherwise all of these lists would be identical. 

Anyway, I've written a little bit about the top 15 tracks on this list, and then listed the remaining (16-50) below that. Tl;dr; I've chucked them all on a Spotify playlist and embedded at the bottom of this post.

1. Jessie Ware – Spotlight
   This is a completely irresistable disco throwback and has such a clear identity; something that perhaps you could say had been missing from some of Jessie Ware's music before now. Whenever parties are a real thing again, this is going to be the first song on the playlist.
   
2. Angel Olsen – Chance (Forever Love)
   Technically, although featured this year on Angel Olsen's new album 'Whole New Mess', this is just a re-working of a song that was the closer of last year's 'All Mirrors'. But I would use absolutely any excuse to squeeze this song onto this list. The vulnerability and heartache are so tangible, and there is a vintage quality to the vocals that I haven't heard Olsen do in the past. In truth, I think the 'All Mirrors' version is even better than this, but I love this version too.
   
3. Grimes – Delete Forever
   This song, as an acoustic ballad with 90s pop leanings, is a bit of a diversion for Grimes, but nonetheless is easily the best of her new album (and maybe one of her best ever) in my opinion. The acoustic element fits surprisingly well with the synths that we're used to hearing from Grimes.  
   
4. Phoebe Bridgers – Savior Complex
   Bridgers' second album really needs listening to as a whole to fully appreciate its darkness and lyrical themes- but I think this song encapsulates the feel of the album the best. The strings on the bridge of the song are perfectly placed and Phoebe's vocals have a fragile and breathy effect that fits the mood brilliantly.
   
5. Jorja Smith – Rose Rouge
   I've played this song to death this year and I still haven't got bored of it. I think Jorja's voice adds such a level of class to this song (actually a St Germain cover), and makes me wonder whether she'll embrace her jazzy side going forwards. This is the highlight of the whole Blue Note Re:imagined project for me.   
   
6. Khurangbin – Pelota
   To be truthful I think 'Mordechai' was one of the biggest disappointments of this year, but perhaps that was due in part to the fact that all three teaser tracks released prior to the album were just so good, and set unrealistically high expectations. This was the standout for me, and I loved the Spanish vocals and funky vibe. 
   
7. Charli XCX – claws
   To be honest I think I could have picked any one of the songs on 'how I'm feeling now', and my favourite song on the album keeps changing. I really love the creative, glitchy electronic production on this one (and much of the album), but at the heart of it, it's just a really well written pop banger and sometimes we all need that. 
   
8. Dehd – Loner
   This just has all of the elements of a perfect indie song. I don't know this band particularly well, and wasn't particularly in love with the rest of the album ('Flower of Devotion'), but there's something about this song that really clicked with me. The vocals have just enough querkiness to set it apart from the rest. It's one of those songs that impacts so much on first listen that you remember exactly where and when you first heard it (in the car on the way to a bat survey whilst the sun was setting in case you're interested!). 
   
9. Kurt Vile & John Prine – How Lucky
   On the evidence of this song, I don't think any two voices belong together better better than Kurt Vile and John Prine. I'm so glad that they were able to record this before Prine sadly passed away from complications caused by Covid-19 earlier this year, but it makes the song a somewhat emotional experience to listen to. 
   
10. Gorillaz – Pac-Man feat. Schoolboy Q
    If you'd have told me that this had been recorded during the Demon Days-era, I wouldn't have questioned you- the bass beat is just so recognisable. But equally this doesn't sound like a tired throwback either, especially since it sits in an album with so much variety.   
    
11. Adrianne Lenker – two reverse
    I think this song encapsulates Lenker's new album as much as any. I think her talent as a lyricist and songwriter was already pretty well known, but the guitar work on this (and the rest of the album) is just so pretty too, and makes for a brilliant album opener.
    
12. IDLES – Mr. Motivator
    Idles just have a knack for writing instantaneous classics for singles. I couldn't help myself but smile at the lyrics to this one. "Like Tracey Emin in her unmade bed listenin' to The Fall, Like Flava Flav in the club ridin' on the back of John Wayne, Like David Attenborough clubbin' seal clubbers with LeBron James". Come on! Stick this on top of the driving drums and it's just brilliant.
    
13. Porridge Radio – 7 Seconds
    This band had already struck gold with their album earlier this year, so I couldn't believe they still had this one in the tank. Perhaps there's more of a straightforward, classic indie structure to this one (and maybe this is why it didn't fit into the framework of the album), but as a standalone song, it doesn't miss the mark.
    
14. R.A.P. Ferreira – Leaving Hell
    This song (and album as a whole) really comes into its own after a few listens once you've actually had a chance to catch up with the complexity of his lyrics which are, to me, on another level really. I love his ability to weave in conversational elements into the wider messages of his songs. "Here I am pullin' spectacles for the uninitiated voyeurs, But, bein' piss poor corrupted the discourse, As power functions on a sliding scale, so you might as well, So you might as well, you know what I'm sayin'". 
15. Billie Eilish – my future
    This was one of the better surprises of 2020 for me. As much as I enjoyed Billie's debut album last year, I was curious to see how her relatively 'minimal' sound would evolve next. I loved the honest lyrics on this one in the first half, and then the transition to the funky bass and guitar about half way through just sounded so classy. I can't wait to hear her album.
    
    And the rest of the list...
     
    
16. Bananagun – People Talk Too Much
17. Ezra Collective – Dark Side Riddim
18. Nubya Garcia – Pace
19. Kevin Morby – The Valley
20. Squid – Sludge
21. Lianne La Havas – Paper Thin
22. Tkay Maidza – My Flowers
23. CHAI & Hinds – United Girls Rock’N’Roll Club
24. Roisin Murphy – Narcissus
25. Eve Owen – After The Love
26. Black Country, New Road – Science Fair
27. Pan Amsterdam – Carrot Cake (feat. Guts)
28. Run The Jewels - Ju$t (feat. Pharrell Williams & Zach de la Rocha)
29. Dan Deacon – Become a Mountain
30. JAF Trio - Ninth Row of the Fifth Floor
31. Alex Kapranos & Clara Luciani – Summer Wine
32. Jayda G – Both of Us
33. U.S. Girls – 4 American Dollars
34. Aluna – The Recipe (feat. KAYTRANADA, Rema)
35. Touché Amoré – Come Heroine
36. Kelly Lee Owens – Melt!
37. Marie Davidson – Renegade Breakdown (feat. L’OEil Nu)
38. Marlowe – Future Power Sources (feat. L’Orange, Solemn Brigham, DJ Trackstar)
39. Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death
40. Megan Thee Stallion – Savage Remix (feat. Beyonce)
41. Laura Marling – Song For Our Daughter
42. Jamie xx – Idontknow
43. Miley Cyrus – Midnight Sky
44. Nikitch & Kuna Maze – Hey, This Must Be Deep
45. Caribou – You and I
46. Mary Lattimore – Sometimes He’s In My Dreams
47. The Strokes – Eternal Summer
48. Bishop Nehru – In My Zone
49. Sufjan Stevens – Video Games
50. Hen Ogledd – Trouble

You can listen the rest of the playlist on Spotify here: 

 

I'm hoping to put together my Albums of the Year list in the next few weeks, which I think will prove to be even more difficult this year compared to any other, because of the number of quality releases.

This One Time, at Bandcamp... (#1)

Few industries have been hit harder by the Covid-19 pandemic than the music industry. In a year where gigs have been non-existent, the smallest artists are likely to have suffered the most. They just aren't going to have the streaming numbers or record sales to make up for the lack of income from live shows.

Bandcamp is the primary home for many of these small acts on the internet and one of the few places where artists appear to get a fair deal for their music. I've found some ace stuff there this year and I thought I'd share a few of them here. I'll start with a few discoveries from earlier this year.

Nailah Hunter - Spells       

My job has its ups and downs. Sometimes when things get stressful and a bit of anxiety kicks in, I need to whack on the headphones and listen to something soothing to get my mind back on track. This little EP from LA-based multi-instrumentalist Nailah Hunter has done this on more than a few occasions this year.

 

 

 

Bandcamp says: 

Each of the EP’s six tracks represent a spell, a unique sonic place forged by imagination and incantation. Ambient in nature, each spell highlights Hunter’s skills as a composer. “It really started off with me just wanting to kind of reclaim the way that I thought about creating music and then also performing it,” Hunter says. “I was like, okay. I need to get back to the basics of why I like to create and what it does for me … so I set out to make spells, in the sense that each layer is one of the steps in incantation... It became about purpose... the procedure and the ritual, so that when it came to performing it, I wasn’t able to get into my head about it because I was just carrying out these steps. Each track is its own incantation, its own spell, its own world.” Colorful atmospheres permeate Spells, each track offering tranquil, reflective setting.

Released 28 May 2020 on Leaving Records.

Genre: Ambient

Natalie Slade - Control

When I heard this album earlier this year, I was surprised that this album hadn't had more exposure than it has. To me it sounds like one of the sharper nu-soul/R&B albums I've heard for a while (albeit a genre I don't claim to be an expert on!). In parts this reminded me of Eska's self-titled debut (and Mercury-nominated) album, from 2015, with elements of Kaleidoscope-era Kelis thrown in.

 

 

 

Bandcamp says:

Control is the incredible debut album from Sydney based vocalist Natalie Slade, produced by Hiatus Kaiyote’s Simon Mavin and featuring contributions from other members of the Grammy Nominated group. Combining Soul, Jazz, Folk and RnB, Natalie’s timeless vocals dazzle across 10 stunning tracks, perfectly complimented by rich, live instrumentation and Mavin’s vibrant production. The album is classic to its core, whilst taking a fresh and energetic approach to a long tradition of Soul/RnB long players. Familiar broken rhythms and jazz heavy motifs, notorious with Hiatus Kaiyote’s writing and arrangement style are present, reminding us throughout that we are in the hands of true masters. The result is a kaleidoscopic reimagining of sounds and styles from an exciting new vocal talent.

Released 05 June 2020 on Eglo Records.

Genre: Nu-soul/R&B 

Kassa Overall - Shades of Flu

 

I was pointed in the direction of this one through Tom Ravenscroft's 6 Music show. It's a jazz mixtape from Brooklyn musician Kassa Overall and as far as I can tell it's a Bandcamp-only release. An incredible variety of tunes are on here, and something I keep coming back to. 

 

 

Bandcamp says:

On the heels of his second, full-length album, I THINK I’M GOOD (Brownswood), the Seattle-raised, Brooklyn-residing Kassa Overall has a gift for the Corona-weary masses— a surprise “jazz remix tape” called SHADES OF FLU.

The title is an homage to Overall’s favorite producer, Madlib, whose own jazz remix album SHADES OF BLUE revolutionized how hip-hop producers engage the jazz archive in 2003. On SHADES OF FLU, Overall unleashes his formidable, if unsung, talents as a producer, once again redefining what jazz is, this time through the medium of the remix.

“As soon as the Corona thing got crazy, I felt the need to get to work, urgently. Livestreaming didn’t feel like the right medium. Instead, I dove into work on SHADES OF FLU, which is basically me playing music with my friends.”

Self-released on 20 May 2020. 

Genre: Jazz/Electronic

Talking about music (again).

Whilst the rest of the population have become professional bakers, runners, gardeners or liars (you know who) during the on-and-off lockdowns, I have turned to music to fill my time. I thought I would dig out this old blog to talk about some of it.

With virtually all live music off the cards until next year, (the last live event I attended was the BBC Radio 6 Music festival in Camden, eight(!) months ago on the 8th March, 15 days before the UK lockdown began), I've turned to Bandcamp, radio, and my local record stores to satisfy my love for music. 

 

Anna Meredith at the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in March 2020

It's been refreshing to have a little more time to actually just sit and listen to records without feeling like I should be doing something else, or that I am being "unproductive". The world we live in makes it so easy to feel that sitting and listening to an album from start to finish is a waste of time. It's so nice to treat listening to music as an active experience rather than a passive one. Music has always been a love of mine, but this pandemic has made me realise just how important it is to me as a way of escaping from the world around me.

I thought I would use this opportunity to restart writing a music blog where I can share my opinions and favourite new (and old) musical discoveries. I started this blog about five years ago now and kept up some interest for a few months before inevitably running out of time amongst other life things. I've removed the majority of the old content to start afresh. Who knows how long I'll keep it up for this time, but I'm excited to give it another stab.

I don't expect anyone to really read this, but if you do happen to stop by, I would love to hear your opinions and start discussions with people (music podcast anyone?!).

Albums of the Year 2015

2015 has been a good year for music, maybe the best for a while. I struggled to pick 5, so here's my top 10 albums of the year, in no particular order. 

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
An incredibly personal and reflective album written about Stevens' parents (mother Carrie and stepfather Lowell), particularly his relationship and childhood memories with his late mother who passed away in 2012. It's a much more stripped back affair than his last few releases, and is much more intimate as a result. These acoustic tracks with some fairly frank lyrics will touch even the toughest of souls.


Blur - The Magic Whip
Blur's first record in 12 years took everyone by surprise. I would probably describe it as a concept album of sorts, clearly strongly influenced by the band's time spent in Hong Kong where the album was recorded. The band released a 30 minute video documentary about the making of the album, which gives a lot of background behind the setting in which the album was made. A refreshing return which is much more than just a nostalgia trip.


Ryley Walker - Primrose Green
After seeing him live at End Of The Road festival this year (and getting a signed copy of the album), I was keen to find out more about the Illinois singer-songwriter. Primrose Green is a summery jazz-folk album with a restless, rough-cut, fuzzy feel to it. A brilliant album which has some fairly obvious influences from previous decades, but still sounds very relevant in today's setting.  


Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Courtney Barnett's distinctive deadpan vocal delivery and understated, down to earth lyrics have made her debut album stand out from the crowd. Her songs are just incredibly fun. Lyrical content is usually very centred around everyday life, but in places is a little more mysterious and less clear-cut. 




 
Marika Hackman - We Slept At Last
Perhaps my favourite of the year. Marika Hackman's full length debut is only really appreciated after a few listens, when the heaviness of the lyrical subject matter really sinks in. A beautifully dark and atmospheric album with themes of death and decomposition running throughout. There are elements of folk in here, with each song telling a story of its own. Perhaps hasn't received the recognition it deserves. This video review analyses the album brilliantly and picks out some of the subtleties that other music critics have missed out. 

Drenge - Undertow
Drenge's second effort is quite different to it's gritty, no-nonsense predecessor, showing a great deal more maturity. It's also quite dark, and draws on local areas of the Peak District familiar to the band. Perhaps slightly less raw originality than the first album, but still incredibly enjoyable nonetheless.





Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
There won't be many album of the year lists that don't include this album, which seems to have appealed to a huge range of people. His flows, lyrics, instrumentals, guest appearances and general themes on this album are excellent. Some have labelled it the best rap album of the decade. It's certainly gonna be a tough ask to beat this genius. Youtuber and music reviewer Anthony Fantano (theneedledrop) gave this album a rare 10/10, and analyses the album to explain how it has been received so well. 


Songhoy Blues - Music in Exile
A Malian band formed when they were forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict when jihadist group Ansar Dine took control of northern Mali to impose strict Shariah law. This debut album sounds like a record from a band celebrating freedom. Full of fast paced, groovy and often danceable bluesy songs. Watch them perform "Soubour" on Jools Holland here. 



The Maccabees - Marks To Prove It 
Fourth album Marks To Prove It sees The Maccabees explore the decline of the area they grew up, Elephant & Castle in London. An overall more varied and interesting effort than 2012's Given To The Wild. Lyrics from frontman Orlando Weeks have improved too, and certainly add to the depth of the songs. They haven't by any means taken a musical U-turn and changed their sound drastically, but this album sounds considered and personal than anything they've done before.  


Tame Impala - Currents
Producer and lead vocalist Kevin Parker is at the peak of his powers on Currents. The heavy presence of synthesisers on this album replacing the fuzzy guitars, which many fans were worried about pre-release, actually adds a dimension to this album that was perhaps missing from the first two. The songs are varied, some with complex arrangements, and some which are more simple, with some of the smoothest and best-applied melodies Parker has ever written. 

In addition to these 10 records, I've also enjoyed, at least in part, all of the albums listed below. Some of these (particularly the top 6) would probably be quite easily interchangeable with the last two albums listed above.  

Roots Manuva - Bleeds
ESKA - ESKA
Benjamin Clementine - At Least For Now
Lonelady - Hinterland
Jamie xx - In Colour
Ghostpoet - Shedding Skin
Maribou State - Portraits
Foals - What Went Down
Florence & The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Public Service Broadcasting - The Race For Space
Ezra Furman - Perpetual Motion People
Stealing Sheep - Not Real
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Django Django - Born Under Saturn
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Everything Everything - Get To Heaven
Beach House - Depression Cherry

Overall, lots of great albums in 2015, with hopefully many more to come in the new year. 

Thanks for reading.