As far as music went 2015 was a pretty stellar year, so much so in fact there was a wealth of music I didn’t even find time to write about but which still ended up in my ever growing collection. So as is customary with legitimate parts of the music press I might as well kick off 2016 with the habitual look back on the year that was and all the gems it had to offer.
1. USA Nails - No Pleasure
Not just my favourite album of the year but fast becoming one of my all time favourite punk records for its balance of acerbic wit and punishing instrumentation USA Nails’ sophomore album No Pleasure was an obvious choice for album of the year. The whole album is as addictive as it is cathartic as it pummels you into submission, the chaotic rhythms and feedback of tortured guitars capturing accurately the hypnotic power the band create in their live performances. Undisputed and essential.
2. Boduf Songs - Stench Of Exist
An album I’ve frequently revisited throughout the year at more serene and introspective moments is Boduf Songs’ Stench Of Exist. Not just a brilliant addition to Mathew Sweet’s already extensive back catalogue but a chronically overlooked album that is unsettling in its intimacy and dark nature. Beautiful and terrifying.
3. Caïna - Setter Of Unseen Snares
When it comes to bands like Caïna you never really know what to expect from new material, the projects incredibly diverse nature dictating only that whatever comes will be worth your attention. 11 years on from the projects original inception Setter Of Unseen Snares was an unexpected yet riotous return to the projects black metal roots and one of the most memorable metal releases the year had to offer.
4. A Mote Of Dust - A Mote Of Dust
Another unexpected but welcome return was made this year by Craig B, ex-Aereogramme and Unwinding Hours front man, with his new project A Mote Of Dust. An album so delicate and stark in its honesty and simplicity it is sure to continue to bring me years of listening to come.
5. Author & Punisher - Melk En Honing
With its powerful industrial strength Author & Punisher’s album Melk En Honing takes the final spot in my top five. An album I have returned to many times and a further perfection on Tristan Shone’s own personal hellish craft.
EPs Of The Year
One of the most brilliantly realised debut EPs I have ever come across Pallow’s Confined positively brims with promise and potential. Cohesive and powerful Confined sees the band take the slowcore sound they established on their demo and expand upon it in exciting and unexpected ways, culminating in the perfect swansong that is Inward. A remarkable listen you need in your life.
One EP that cannot be denied its praise was King Woman’s Doubt. An EP so brilliant that the flenser were forced to secure further print runs almost as soon as it was released and its not hard to work out why. Kristina Esfandiari’s bewitching vocals laying atop a doom laden sonic soundscape could hypnotize.
3. Ruined - Hunter’s Premonition
The first professionally recorded EP by Grand Rapids based gloom duo Ruined was also a highlight, albeit a suitably sombre and dark one. Combining reworkings of the bands home recorded demo’s and new more experimental and heavier material like Onyx Hunter’s Premonition wasted no time in establishing Ruined as band to keep a close eye on.
Re-issue Of The Year
With the vinyl revival of recent years still in full effect alongside the wealth of new releases 2015 saw an extensive level of re-issues across the board. Many of which saw out of print and rare titles return to availability. But with growing discord about exploitative re-issuing for record store day I have decided to keep this nice and brief.
Planning For Burial - Leaving
An album I have attempted to write about on several occasions but always felt as though I’ve fallen short. Leaving stands as an unassailable work of art. An album more important to me than I could ever coherently explain.
Record Label Of The Year
As a massive music nerd there has been one label I fell in love with over 2015. A label that alongside its brilliant customer service went that extra mile and won my heart with its passion for putting out independent music, so much so that I actually found it almost a nightmare trying to keep up. That label was The Native Sound.
Alongside a brilliant series of splits, EPs and albums one of the labels most brilliant aspects is the way it works with its artists. Not only making the labels releases available but putting together starter packs in which they distro artists previously recorded material to satisfy completists and in many cases opening up physical releases for international distribution. Being a UK resident who keenly follows many small American groups who don’t really have the fan-base to justify international distribution this sort of devotion makes a huge difference.
Notable mentions
Some of the albums that I didn’t get around to reviewing but have also found myself enjoying this year are:
Jennylee - Right On!
Sheer - Uneasy
Mute Forest - Deforestation
Immortal Bird - Empress/Abscess
Chelsea Wolfe - Abyss
Deafheaven - New Bermuda
Lee Noble - Un Look
Loma Prieta - Self Portrait
The Saddest Landscape - Darkness Forgives
romaincrisis
vaporwave
jacobvanloon
turnnoffyourmind
germansingergirl
kaledo-art
