2016 had many faults but it was brilliant for new records.
Kate Jackson – British Road Movies. A bit of a surprise I liked this so much, but it’s just a succession of excellent smart pop tunes. Like the cover the songs seem initially precisely tooled and sharp-lined. But get closer and the hand-crafted edges and warmth get more obvious.
Emma Pollock – In Search of Harperfield. Another collection of just superbly written guitar-pop songs (with some swooping strings just for good measure). It was the year for it.
Yorkston/Thorne/Khan – Everything Sacred. I’ve not seen this crop up in many end of year lists. It can only be because people forgot it came out this year. Indian/Scottish/English folk crossover that is just wonderful.
Modern Studies – Swell to Great. A lovely set of alt.folk tunes inspired by a Victorian harmonium. What’s not love?
The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left/Christian Fitness – This Taco Is Not Correct/This Becomes Us. The most creatively excellent household in the UK (plus Jack Egglestone and guests). They’re producing a child next year. Watch out 20 years or so hence.
Maarja Nuut – Une Meeles. Lovely Estonian-folk inspired oddness. Her performance on the roof garden of the Queen Elizabeth Hall was the greatest way to spend a summer’s evening in London.
Sarah Neufeld – The Ridge. Odd and accessible at the same time – on the cusp of pop and classical, but that is usually shit. This is wonderful. Talking of which…
Colin Stetson – Sorrow. A re-imagining of Gorecki’s Third Symphony. Less aerobic that his usual oddness but an intriguing exercise. Lord knows what proper classical aficinados make of it.
Kristin Hersh – Wyatt at the Coyote Palace. Kristin Hersh. Always wonderful.
Virgin of the Birds – Secret Kids. Smart college songwriting. Gets better with every listen.
Steven James Adams – Old Magick. Smart, not very college songwriting. Simple, clever and great.
Battery-Operated Orchestra – Radiation. A duo who do old-skool electropop perfectly. Ace.
The Big Eyes Family Players – Oh! No, the Sheffield folksters didn’t hatch a Pokemon. They produced a psych-folk album par excellence.
John Cale – MFANS/Fragments of a Rain Season. One musical genius that 2016 forgot to kill off bookended the year with re-releases of superb records. Music For a New Society got a fascinating make-over and Fragments… is just one of the greatest live albums of all time.
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