Mark Powell - Top Albums of 2016
Another brill selection of top albums from the last year, featuring some of the big hitters and some lesser known treats. Bonus points for adding comments along the way.
I’m afraid I can’t link you to any of his music as none is available online. But he has featured in many SquareWaves sessions.
David Bowie - Blackstar
The final artistic statement from the ultimate showman and, frustratingly, his best album for years.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
Heartbreaking.
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
A real return to form - Burn the Witch is a great opener, with a great video to match.
Monoloc - The Untold Way
Only discovered this recently, but it’s drawing me in.
Matmos - Ultimate Care II
I saw them perform this at Cafe Oslo in London earlier this year and they blew the roof off… with a washing machine!
Charles Bradley - Changes
Old-school soul - Ain’t it a Sin in particular is superb.
Mogwai - Atomic
A soundtrack to a film about the nuclear industry by Mogwai - what’s not to like?
BadBadNotGood - IV
On balance I think I prefer BBNG III, but it’s still a fine album.
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - EARS
Sunergy, her collaboration with Suzanne Ciani is also very good.
Juliana Barwick - Will
The voice of an angel and the synths of Beelzebub!
The Invisible - Patience
If you can sit still while listening to this you’re dead inside!
Max Cooper - Emergence
Not sure yet whether it’s a much of a masterpiece as 2014’s Human, but it’s pretty great.
Ben Lukas Boysen - Spells
As a label, Erased Tapes can do little wrong in my eyes and this is a lovely piece of work.
