ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (6-7/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush⠀

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I never had a jot of interest in Tame Impala. Nothing resonated in their early years. It wasn't until I stumbled across a B-Side called ‘Powerlines’ a few years back which sparked my interest massively, and so my curiosity began to grow. It seemed like a change of production direction - and one I liked a lot. This sound continues in ‘The Slow Rush’ and guess what? Yeah I love it. ‘One More Year’ is big, and the rest of the album carries on in wonderful psychadelic/indie/trip hop fashion (but with more electronics than what they started life with perhaps? Either way it’s big). I only just also realised lately that Rihanna's 'Same Ol Mistakes' was borrowed from Tame Impala too, which is a mega cool track. ⠀

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Kacy Hill - Is It Selfish If I Talk About Me Again⠀

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Having been a mega fan of electronic producer Jim-E Stack, my Spotify clearly knew how to alert me of other music he was involved with, and it was only a matter of time before this discovery was made - and it’s been one of the most listened to albums of the year. Eleven sweet and wonderfully produced songs (which I later found out had heavy involvement from Francis And The lights too! So no bad thing). ⠀

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (4-5/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.

Jim-E Stack - Ephemera ⠀

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All over anything he does. Check this and everything before that, particularly 'Deadstream', 'Good Enough' and 'Note To Self'. Unique sound, love it. ⠀

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Four Tet - Sixteen Oceans⠀

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This goes without saying. Four Tet Kieran has quietly gone about his business for years and just got better and better. Forging his own very unique sound (check out 2005's 'Smile Around The Face' or basically anything else to get an idea of what he's about), his work has retained those distinctive and trademark drum patterns while seemingly becoming more and more lovely. 2017's 'New Energy' was played (and still is) on repeat, and 'Sixteen Oceans' is no different. Wholesome, utterly unique and endlessly interesting. A pioneer in electronic music making. Keep it coming. ⠀

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020 (1-3/13)

In no particular order, based purely on repeated listens.

Gorrilaz - Song Machine, Season One: Strange Times (Deluxe)⠀⠀

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Damon Albarn fascinates me. To go from leading one of the biggest Brit Pop bands in British Music history (and be part of one of the biggest band rivalries ever) that iconised an era in British Music history to then move on to creating a bizarre and somewhat mysterious, invisible electronic band with a 90s hip hop undercurrent, to then grow that seemingly strange music project laced with his now almost unnoticeable Brit Pop voice to become as big as the enormous Brit Pop band that came before him, is nothing short of incredible, not to mention visionary genius. Who knew he had it in him, nevertheless, it's bloody impressive. He has cleverly used to the platform of The Gorrilaz as a means of expressing (and exploiting) his musical wizardry and he has proved his genius again and again, and they have they just got better and better. I am eteranally fascinated by the Gorillaz as they have quite clearly, been created ever so meticulously, with one eye on maintaining some kind of mystery and wonder. ⠀

Anyway, this album is as cool as ever and packed with features as you would expect. I particularly love the tune ('Aries') with Peter Hook of New Order, which is just quality, followed by 'Friday the 13th', which features up and coming uk/French Grime artist, Octavian, as well as 'Momentary Bliss' with Slowtai and Slaves.⠀

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Caribou - Suddenly ⠀⠀

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Nearly forgot about this one! Lovely second album from the Canadian electronic producer. 'Ravi' and 'Never Come Back' are particular highlights, but solid throughout. ⠀⠀

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Christine And The Queens - La vita Nova EP⠀⠀

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Had this on repeat for the entire summer. ‘I disappear In Your Arms/Je Disparais dans yes bras’ is an absolute club banger that I was convinced was produced by Timbaland, but isn’t. Still Big. (Reason I thought this is because it’s incredibly reminiscent of Bjork’s track ‘Innocence’ which was produced by Timbaland… go check that too!).