Adore this lp. Saw them perform the new tracks headlining End of the Road in September and found them totally unmemorable, I was left with less excitement about the new lp. Then I heard it. It’s a perfect 10 tracks with magnificent arrangements that really drive through it’s heart. This is the only lp this year that I have found time to play from beginning to end, a quick dip in just does not suffice. My favourite track changes weekly (currently a tie between A Simple Answer and Sun in your Eyes). An all-time classic.
2 - Liars - WIXIW
In which Liars finally use electronics in their music with astounding results. Think Liars/Kraftwerk/Primal Scream/Matthew Dear/LCD Soundsystem with great vocals and songwriting. A real back to basics approach to sampling has made this record feel fresh and accomplished. Deserve to be much bigger than they are.
3 - Chromatics - Kill for Love
Have you seen the film Drive? Maybe do that before you listen to this. This album creates a warm electronic atmosphere of sparse beats, looped beneath the most beautiful pop songs. It creates a cinematic landscape that sounds totally immersive. Listen to this through headphones and prepare to fall in love.
4 - Efterklang - Piramida
Startlingly beautiful Danish pop music, backed by the Danish National Chamber Orchestra. Like a cold snow-swept landscape in a Henning Mankell novel with warm vocals floating through the air.
5 - Wild Nothing - Nocturne
Glorious indie pop that harks back to the C86 Creation era.
6 - Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Loud, spiky, indie rock, that has been hollered by my daughter and I more than any other lp this year.
7 - First Aid Kit - The Lions Roar
The Swedish sisters second lp really found it’s voice with the help of Connor Oberst and Mike Mogis. ‘King of the World’ is my track of the year. The whole family love this one!
8 - Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Only bought this at the end of November and it’s growing on me by the day. Hardly left the stereo this month. A startling voice. Completely addictive.
9 - Beach House - Bloom
They just keep getting better!
10 - Dan Deacon - America
A new artist for me. Dan Deacon makes an absolutely massive racket with electronic beats from which beautiful pop music surfaces.
12 - DIIV - Oshin
13 - Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan
14 - Errors - Have Some Faith in Magic
15 - Holy Other - Held
16 - John Talabot - Fin
17 - Perfume Genius - Put You Back N 2 It
18 - School of Seven Bells - Ghostory
19 - Toy - Toy
20 - Andy Stott - Luxury Problems
Favourite live bands this year were Toy (who just seem to be on fire at the moment), Beach House and Tindersticks were magical at End of the Road, and Grandaddy headlining the same festival gave one of my favourite performances ever, sheer joy!
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