Sundara Karma - Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect
A nice early 2017 release for this year’s saviours of the indie scene. Sundara Karma have been amassing a big following, especially within the last 12 months, of the hardcore and casual indie fans thanks to a knack for making the biggest ear worm singles of the genre. Standout single She Said is as anthemic and fist-in-the-air guitar music as it gets but is more of an exception to prove the rule on this more melodic and soft debut album. Moments such as other fan favourite, Olympia and Lose The Feeling as examples show the melodic and warming side as a juxta position to the often fragile and vulnerable vocals on display which has more in common than Tribes than any other current bands. There are further indie anthems in the shape of Loveblood and epic album closer The Night that mean this album is sure to translate to their increasingly popular live shows. A solid debut from this years’ flag-bearers of indie with probably the best actual album title in a while.
1. The 1975 – I Like it When You Sleep For You Are Beautiful Yet So Unaware of it
There we have it, my album of the year is the incredible (and somewhat of a mouthful); I Like it When You Sleep For You Are Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It by the irrepressible 1975. The first album was a collection of hits alongside some more experimental vanity moments that gained The 1975 a huge fan base thanks to their anti-indie indie pop band outlook. The 2nd album syndrome pressure here was quite high thanks to this and it was always going to be a make or break year for the band. With this album, The 1975 definitely made it a breakthrough year for them. The influences here are wide and varied but lean heavily on synth pop of the ideas with ridiculously catchy choruses and lyrics to go with. Matty Healy is on fine form with his unapologetic and poetic story telling here. They always said this album was going to be more pop; what that usually means is the guitars are phased out and the songs become more generic when bands say this. However, there couldn’t be anything more ungeneric about the tunes on this album. The tone of the album is so relaxing and melancholic with beautiful moments of lucidity permeating the whole album. Standout tracks If I Believe You and Change of Heart transport to a place of great peace and beauty. These moments, coupled with the excellent singles and jazz instrumental tracks make for an incredibly rewarding and warming listen from end to end. Some albums you aren’t 100% sure of when they first come out but after repeated listens you find yourself coming back to it over and over; this is one of those albums and that’s why it slowly but surely became my album of the year.
Check out the rest of my favourite albums last year below...
Out of nowhere, Run The Jewels dropped the greatest Christmas present on all of us with a surprise Christmas day album drop. If ever there has been a year that needed RTJ with their aggressively on-point politically charged lyrics and heavy beats, it was this year. Up to this point, Killer Mike had been the focal point of RTJ but RTJ3 may be el-P’s finest moment both in terms of killer beats and cutting lyrics. There are so many big tunes on here, from the returning call-to-arms of Talk to Me to the immense Legend Has It. Guest appearances are few and far between here and while Danny Brown’s contribution and Zack de la Rocha’s surprise appearance in anthem Kill Your Masters are both excellent, RTJ are so far ahead at the moment, you wonder if they were even needed. Even though they released this album 6 days from the end of the year, there is no way this couldn’t have made it into my list. With an extra month or two of spinning this, it could easily have been album of the year. Maybe next year!
4. Metallica – Hardwired …. To self-destruct
Talk about anticipation and hype. It had been 8 years since Metallica’s return to form album, Death Magnetic and there had been teases of a new album in most of those 8 years. Finally, 2016 saw the return of Metallica. Another band and another album that were direly needed in this tumultuous year. Metallica delivered on all fronts. While some tracks do go the wrong side of 6 minutes, every single track has at least one 3-4 minute segment that is out-of-this-world with some of the best soloing that Kirk Hammett has produced in a long time. Take Dream no More and Halo on Fire as macrocosms for the album; both are maybe 2 minutes too long and start off a bit too slowly but both end in explosions of noise and energy that hark back to the earliest days of Metallica. Unusually for this album, Metallica did actually produce 2 radio single friendly short tracks in the relentless Hardwired and Moth Into Flame. Standout track on the album has to be Spit Out The Bone which is all of the above and so much more with the most exciting and inventive solos Hammett may ever have produced. This track alone means the album rightly deserves its place this high on the list.
3. Kano – Made In The Manor
Quietly keeping under the radar of the recent grim revolution has been the third of grime’s original trifecta of godfathers has been Kano patiently waiting. Kano could have ridden the wave of the classic nu-wave grime style that Skepta has pioneered. Instead, he went in a completely different direction and made one hell of an album because of it. This isn’t to say that Kano can’t spit with the best of them, as proved in the bangers Hail, 3 Wheel-Ups and GarageSkankFREESTYLE. These were the exception that proved the rule on this album this year however, with Kano choosing a much more reflective tone for the majority of the album. Beautifully reflective tracks such as T-Shirt Weather and Drinking In The West End see Kano in relaxed form reminiscing about times growing up in the east end of London. This Is England is then a microcosm of this reflection and the bleakness of this same area now along with the country as a whole. The story telling and imagery portrayed throughout this album make it the juggernaut it is and while at times it is grim and downbeat, the way Kano tells it makes it feel like everything might be ok but a call to arms is needed. Silently, Kano came out of nowhere this year and made the grime album of the year in mine and many others’ eyes.
2. Kanye West – The Life of Pablo
What is there to be said about Kanye West and the furore he has caused this year, both positive and negative? Unveiled in the most surreal of surroundings; a fashion show at Madison Square Garden broadcast live around the world, The Life of Pablo would see Kanye West upping the ante once again. The original body of work (one which has changed so many times since) unveiled at the show were both controversial and jarring which undoubtedly was a masterminded way to get maximum publicity. Within this first set, aside from the awkward Taylor Swift and bleached t-shirt lyrics, there were moments of great clarity that stand up there with some of West’s best songs. Ultralight Beam was on such moment, a gospel record in only the way West could have done it that was an indication of what was to come. Fade was another of the standouts in this initial set with probably the best dance floor groove of the year. What happened after the initial reveal was what set this album apart as both a musical body of work, thanks to the additional tracks, but also as breathing, ever changing art piece. New tracks; No More Parties in LA, 30 Hours and Facts proved that while West loves to push the envelope he can still make the most classic of hip-hop jams that some people say he isn’t as capable of these days. Little subtle changes were to come on many tracks that made this album so rewarding listen after listen and equally as rewarding to listen to still. Even though this may not have been everybody’s cup of tea and Kanye may have made more enemies again this year, it is hard to argue that The Life of Pablo had probably the biggest impact on the music industry last year.
Yak had been slowly cultivating a mass following over the last few years thanks to their extraordinary and unpredictable live shows. 2016 was the year they decided to try and harness this immense live experimentation on to a full record. And boy did they; alongside all of their psychedelic freak-outs and instrumentals from their live show, Yak know how to write a well put together 3 minute punk tune. This whole album works so well as a full record because of these coherent bursts of punk energy interspersed in quality rock and roll/blues meandering. It’s always nice to see a new band knock it out of the park this confidently after so much hype.
9. A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service
This should have been a terrible year for ATCQ after the passing of legendary member and producer Phife Dawg. However, they chose to harness this sadness, alongside some incredible beats that Phife had already been amassing for this record, to release their first full album in nearly 20 years. The emotion, the timing of the record and the previously mentioned work that Phife Dawg had already been working on made this for an incredible return to form and maybe final farewell. Another album that works as a whole body of work with its consistent and grooving beats to go with Q-Tip’s laid back flow. The amount of uncredited guest appearances here from obvious influences Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar alongside Andre 3000, Kanye West and others show the confidence they had in this album and the confidence their peers also had with it. If this is to be the final farewell from ATCQ then Phife Dawg can rest easy.
8. Beyoncé – Lemonade
This was easily the most talked-about album of the year without doubt. Amidst all of the controversy surrounding the lyrics and possible details of a rift in the mega couple’s relationship, there was a high quality and beautifully eclectic record in the background. Beyoncé, with another surprise release, showed; while she might keep quiet for periods of time, she has her finger well and truly on and ahead of the pulse. This album mixed some of the best r&b for a while with some excellent dancehall beats with the occasional moment of angry blues and leftfield alt-r&b. The latter two thanks to excellent guest appearances from Jack White and James Blake. Musically this album was brilliant and coupled with the story that Beyoncé had created for the lyrical content, this was at times both gently vulnerable and also fuck-you aggressive at times too. There was a reason that everyone from all sides of the musical spectrum were raving about this.
7. Skepta – Konnichiwa
One of the forefathers of British hip-hop and the leader of the worldwide grime breakout in the last 2 years, Skepta certainly had a lot to live up to this year with his most recent album. This was a pressure that Skepta was obviously aware of as documented on the vulnerable Corn on The Curb with fellow forefather and legend Wiley. But Skepta definitely dealt with the pressure and produced the ultimate grime rulebook for 2016. Shutdown was 2015’s breakout hit, but alongside other classic grime tracks like Lyrics, It Ain’t Safe and Man, Skepta showed why he has been leading the revolution. Testament to the quality of this album is the fact that they could have not placed Shutdown on the album and it wouldn’t have made it any weaker. There weren’t as many American guest spots as people had speculated except for the funky Numbers with Pharrell. Too many guest stars and over-production could have been easy for Skepta to sell out on this year but instead he kept it original and ended up making the grime bible that people had hoped he would.
6. Viola Beach – Viola Beach
Viola Beach’s is a story that tugged on everyone’s heart strings when the tragic news arose early this year that the whole band had unfortunately passed away in one fatal accident while on their first foreign tour. Now, the cynics of the world would argue that this was the only reason their music itself even got any attention this year. But, the obvious outpouring of emotion from peers such as Blossoms and many other local bands along with the heart-wrenching tribute by Coldplay in their Glastonbury headline set shows how highly this band were thought of. While some tracks are clearly not finished, the band’s management and family decided to put out what had been recorded in to an album. And thank god they did; this is a beautiful tribute and an obvious example that Viola Beach certainly did have the tunes that could have propelled them to the level of fellow northerners Catfish & The Bottlemen, Blossoms and The 1975 with songs to match and even better each and every one of these bands. These were obviously 4 very talented lads and it is a damn shame that we won’t get to hear what they could have gone on to produce but a number 1 album and that tribute from Coldplay were a fitting and long-lasting tribute.
May be a random medium in which to come back but Royal Blood are back and how good does it feel? A little stripped back compared to normal but sexy as hell. This is an excellent sign for things to come
The Last Shadow Puppets - Sweet Dreams, TN
A highlight from their live show which I was lucky enough to witness in Liverpool recently. This is one off Alex’s best lyrical and vocal performances which is a stand out on the recent album.
InHEAVEN - Baby’s Alright
Another great new guitar band to put in your playlists. Punky and grungey and building to a crescendo of a catchy singalong refrain. This is a proper earworm that you’ll struggle to get out of your head. Sorry!
Biffy Clyro - Wolves of Winter
Speaking of guitar bands, here is the much anticipated return from one of Britain’s guitar heavyweights. Usual stadium big rock and roll with a bit of an added swagger.
Drake - One Dance
I know this isn’t Drake’s version but thats not on youtube yet so whatever, we get Connor Maynard instead. Either way, Drake has come out with a couple of bangers showing the different levels of recently announced Views From The 6. On this he is in trademark upbeat Drake mode singing over a classic UK garage dancefloor hit. The love affair with the UK goes on!
Some collaborations just work and this is one of those times. Hardcore drum & bass mixed with an aggressive vocal making for a modern day Prodigy that I’m sure both would be happy to be compared to.
The Family Rain - Every So Often
The Family keeping up their consistent output of the last couple of years. After a string of similarly bluesy fuzzy rock and roll tracks and EPs, anticipation is building for album no. 2 which should be due soon.
Vic Mensa & Skrillex - No Chill
Another one of those combinations that just works. Vic Mensa pairing his laid back flow on top of some understated dubstep breaks. Big tune
Estrons - Make a Man
Some high energy driving indie punk for you now. Just starting to make waves with a few radio co-signs and gigs sounding like a cross between Marmozets and Spring King which is no bad thing.
The Last Shadow Puppets - Aviation
And lastly, the latest instalment from the new TLSP project. Sultry vocals on top of funky guitar line mixed with some signature lush string arrangements making me very pumped for the release of the album Friday and the massive show in Liverpool at the weekend!
One of the most underrated guitar bands of the past 5 years are back with a massive bang. This song sounds like huge stadium heavy metal with their classic bluesy rock tinge. Great comeback
Kano - This Is England
Easily the best album out of the past week from the godfather of grime himself. Very retrospective album with this and T-Shirt Weather In The Manor being cathartic highlights
Jake Bugg - Gimme The Love
Jake Bugg’s version of what a single should sound like when forced upon him by the label. Funky, heavy complete departure from first single of the new album On My One. Bugg always shows his versatility
The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You’ve Come To Expect
Speaking of complete departures, TLSP released this title track and familiar orchestral soundscape indie tune this week. Sounds like the new album will be quite a sonic journey and that is good news
The Strypes - Hometown Girls
Just becasue I saw them this week, I’ve been revisiting their old tunes and this stands out as a stone cold classic live. Those boys are some massively talented musicians, that’s for sure.
Massive highly-anticipated album finally released by Macklemore this past week. The album as a whole is slightly bi-polar flipping between intensely political and the cheeky. This is a fun ode to dieting/eating to prove the latter.
- Spring King - Rectifier
Another classic bit of upbeat indie punk from the hottest band of the last 12 months. The video is an excellent portrayal in to the life of Spring King as well.
- Lissie - Don’t You Give Up On Me
A beautiful bit of sunny soft rock with Lissie channelling her inner Fleetwood Mac as she does so well. This feels like the perfect antidote to those winter blues still lingering around. Lush
- All Saints - One Strike
File under least-expected-but-most-interesting comeback of 2016. Bringing the edgier pop sound that made them so popular way back when and mixing with a modern garage revival beat makes for a perfect combination.
- The Amazons - Stay With Me
Always nice to discover an exciting new indie band. Currently supporting The Strypes on a mini tour this has all the indie and pop sensibility of their touring mates and sounds straight out of the Catfish book of catchy as hell chorus.
The release of this record may either be a stroke of genius (everyone, and I mean everyone has been talking about it) or a haphazard, messy lesson of how not to do it. But either way, this feels like the seminal moment in music this year. There are numerous highlights on this album which at times are brief and mixed in with some exceptionally weird moments but they are massive highlights nonetheless. In its original form, first premiered at the equally compelling fashion show launch, the album seemed surprisingly short and full of tracks that began in one interesting direction before completely changing tack and sounding abrasive. After this initial launch, 6 more tracks were added which on the whole were much more listenable and straightforward. This helped soften the edges of the original form and make this an incredible record in the end on the whole.
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Although this album lacks the focus that West’s previous 2 albums benefitted from, this feels like a mixed bag of all of West’s previous incarnations intertwined with a heavy gospel element. When this album is good, it is exceptionally good. Album opener, the brutally honest and gospel highlight Ultralight Beam has to be up there as one of West’s finest with a brilliant guest spot from Chance The Rapper. From there we have a run of songs, as mentioned, that move from questionable lyrics to great beats to just shards of noise until we get to the next blast of gospel in Low Lights. And the first introspective and challenged first half of this collection culminates in I Love Kanye, where West freestyles about what he, the people, and the critics would expect of Kanye ending with the self-deprecating meme-friendly line of ‘I love you like Kanye loves Kanye’.
From this point, the swagger seems to come back and everything seems a little more free-flowing and easy for West. The pop-friendly Chris Brown featuring Waves is next followed by typically self-effacing the Weeknd guest spot on FML. The cinematic, honest and chilling Wolves is the next big highlight and features a small feature from Frank Ocean. The album then comes to a very rewarding conclusion with the run of 30 Hours; a lazy tongue-in-cheek take on a fake bonus track, into the smash Kendrick Lamar duet No More Parties in LA to the reworked Facts and finally culminating in Fade. Where Ultralight Beam, the other instant Kanye classic, is downbeat and introspective, Fade is just a monster dance floor filler in the same vain to a lot of Yeezus with the funkiest bassline Kanye has ever mixed in.
So at times, this is Kanye at both his most abrasive but at others it is Kanye at his mercurial best. While this record lacks the focus of Yeezus and the consistent brilliant production of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and acts more of mixed bag of songs, at times it is equally as rewarding. Sure to divide the fans and critics as West would certainly expect, this is still a phenomenal album. Even when he’s spending most of his attention and effort on fashion, West can still pull out the most interesting album of the year seemingly with ease.
So many good tunes out this week and The Life Of Pablo. Don’t even know where to start!
- Catfish & The Bottlemen - Soundcheck
Fresh from conquering the world, Catfish are finally back with some new music! This is stadium-ready, Strokes-esque, massive rock and roll. They’ve made no bones about shooting for arena size venues and this is unashamedly stadium indie rock at it’s absolute stadiumest!
- P Money ft. Big Narstie & Example - Access Denied
3 British rap stalwarts throwing their hat back in this year’s grime game. Big Narstie comes in with his usual cheeky grime and Example returns spectacularly to his old-school rapping routes and P Money is just classic P Money. This is heavy.
- Jake Bugg - On My One
Somewhat out of the blue, Jake Bugg has returned for one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year. Short but sweet as always this shows Bugg and his melancholy, dark best.
- The King Blues - Off With Their Heads
In this current anti-establishment political landscape, the time has never felt more right for the King Blue’s brand of political punk rock. Very anti-tory and anti-Cameron, but essential listening.
- Vant - Fly-By Alien
Another great slice of indie punk from one of the buzziest bands of the year. The signs look good for a big year for these guys.
A brutally honest slice of grime from the godfather of grime, Mr Kano himself. Kano, when he wants to be, is the most consistent and interesting grime star out there. New album should be something special.
- Yak - Victorious (National Anthem)
After signing for Jack White’s label, the stars seem to be finally aligning for an actual album. While this starts a little chaotically it turns in to a punk-rock freakout pretty quickly. This won’t sound the same live!
- Iggy Pop - Break Into Your Heart
Coming from the recently formed supergroup of Iggy, Josh Homme, Matt Helders and Dean Fertita, Iggy Pop has made himself relevant again. Romantic, dark, brooding and infinitely cool.
- Yuck - Hold Me Closer
The giant fro may be gone, but the grungy driving scuzz rock certainly hasn’t. Yuck back to their first album best with this big track.
- Kanye West - On Sight
I couldn't have a Weekly 5 without Kanye this week. The new album, whatever the fuck it is called, is out tomorrow! So here’s a classic from the brilliant last album. Yeezy season approaching people!
It may be quite a controversial topic but this is essential listening. A 9-minute think piece from the mindset of Macklemore and his white privilege guilt and what he, as a white rapper/artist, can do to help in things like the #blacklivesmatter campaign. Love it or hate it, this took balls to put out there, as I’m sure they were aware there was going to be plenty of negative feedback.
- The Sherlocks - Heart Of Gold
A Courteeners inspired slice of northern indie pop from one of the buzziest bands around. A slot on the BBC SXSW show looks deserved and may propel them to much more widespread recognition than their obvious influences.
- Pulled Apart By Horses - Ziggy Stardust
An unexcpectedly refined and close to the original tribute to the late David Bowie. It’s when bands like this show their colours that you see the full scale of influence had over so many artists.
With some much anticipated news that Views From The 6 was finally going to be released, Drake dropped this. Although he’s taking shots at everybody it starts soft but then the last minute is classic drake.
- Day Wave - Gone
The perfect slice of summery beach house indie to blast away those winter blues and dream of summer a la the Drums and others.
