ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (12-13/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.

The Streets - None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Alive

Mike Skinner is potentially one of the best English electronic dance producers of the last 20 years, taking huge cues from the UK Garage scene from 2000-04 to shape his sound - and ultimately make his sound entirely his own. It’s not garage, it’s Mike Skinner. Capable of raw, dirty sounding club tracks to stuff that’s softer and sweet (Think Kano’s ‘Nite Nite’, or his remix of the the Twang’s ‘Either Way’), it doesn’t really matter what he does or in what way, it’s always a banger, and this album is no different. Welcome return from the producer maestro, taking his sound back to the urban streets of 2020. Hooray for coming out of retirement, big return to form.

The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You

Twenty years on from their debut album, their third offering ‘We Will Always Love You’, is beautiful from start to finish and probably their best work to date. Not ones to rush their work, the music world is therefore very lucky to have music from an Artist such as the Avalanches, which makes this very special indeed. Highly Recommended.

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (10-11/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.⠀

Childish Gambino - 3.15.20⠀

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Gambino fits nicely into the aggravator hip hop artist category, along with Kid Cudi and probably the original aggravator, Kanye. His music is at times, monstrous, and this album comes close to previous bangers and a mega improvement over his previous. Not sure why the tracks are all in code, but whatever. Not sure it does the tracks justice as there is some serious music on here, but it’s never been done before, which fits well and truly into the unpredictable Gambino approach, which I quite like, so who actually cares. Give it a go. ⠀

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A.G. Cook - Apple and 7G⠀

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Ok, this guy is bonkers. I don’t know where to start with the sound, I’m going to say synth, experimental pop. Responsible for Charlie XCX’s entire back catalogue (which is quality), A.G. Cook’s self titled stuff is as eclectic as it can get. Not all easy on the ear, but there are lots of Highlights, it operates on a kind of one for you one for me basis, and the ones for me are bangers. Highlights for me are 2021, 'Oh Yeah', 'Idyll' and 'Gold Leaf'. 2021 get’s pumped a lot. Go check.⠀

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (7-9/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.

The Postal Service - Everything Will Change⠀

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No, this isn’t a follow up to their wonderful (and only) album ‘Give Up’, unfortunately. It is, though, a crisp (and rare) live offering performed at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California during Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello’s 2013 reunion tour. This has been pumped to high heaven since it was available to stream, with each song performed to polished studio levels with beautiful added vocals and various other drum/synth/guitar solo touches. Wonderful stuff.⠀

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1975 - Note On A Conditional Form⠀

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I’ve always enjoyed the 1975. It's pop, yes, but not as you know it! The production can often veer heavily into electronic/UK garage territory and I mega rate that. 'Frail State Of Mind’ has an MJ Cole vibe, while ‘Yeah I know’ would’ve been dropped by EZ back in the day if Wookie, Sticky or Matt Jam Lamont etc had gotten their remixing mitts on it. There is also some kind of movie soundtrack feel about many of their songs, which I love too, such as 'Having no head' which is something Jon Hopkins would be proud of. Just like previous albums, this eclectic range of productions continues on in the same way in this one, but possibly with a more of pop/folk angle just to add to the myriad of genre crossovering. ‘What should I say’ is also an absolute banger and wouldn't be out of place in a hiphop set. Eclectic and as interesting as ever. ⠀