Manic Street Preachers – Critical Thinking
From its snappy bass line on the opening track alongside Nicky Wire’s Trainspotting-esque monologue, via James Dean Bradfield’s explanation of a preference for art without faces in People Ruin Paintings. To closing OneManMilitia’s politically charged lyrics, this album is another classic Manics album that can slot in easily with their catalogue.
Hayley Williams – Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Paramore front woman Hayley Williams’ latest solo record with its expansive collection of 20 songs pushes some of her thought provoking musings into the world. Giving her an opportunity to explore some musical styles that might not fit as well on a typical Paramore record. With a mostly slower paced almost lounge singer vibe to along of songs, at times the songs remind me of Morcheeba’s Big Calm but with a rougher edge.
Stereophonics – Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Cry, Make ‘Em Wait
This new release from Stereophonics is the first after a few years off recording and touring with Far From Saints, which there are hints of that project in this LP. The first half of the 30 min album is fairly laid back, however the opening fuzzy riff of Eyes Too Big For My Belly drags us into a swampy thick sound that will no doubt have reverberated nicely around the arenas they toured this winter.
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Dean’s sophomore album has an added confidence to her soul and R&B infused collection of three minute pop morsels. Most songs could fit nicely on the soundtrack of a 1960s movie, clearly showing some of her influence from great soul singers of that era. It’s hard not to start swinging your shoulders to almost any tune on this record and leave feeling slightly lighter on your feet after listening to the whole LP.
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
This year has been hard to avoid some soundbite or news piece about Sabrina Carpenter, still riding high on the tour of her previous LP Short n Sweet, she released Man’s Best Friend this year, with a PR team that clearly knows how to poke the prudish side of the press with it’s cover art. However the album is more of her innuendo laden, country tinged pop songs, that have catchy tunes and memorable lyrics that raise a wry smile whilst singing along to them. Overall it’s fun and why can’t a record just be fun!?
The Last Dinner Party – From The Pyre
This great followup to their debut, continues to confidently swing for the fences, after sell out live shows of increasing shows, this grows the setlist to suit the venues. Their songs have always been big, bold, baroque numbers that fill a room with grandeur. From The Pyre continues that with thick meaty riffs, bass lines, perfectly timed percussion and soaring vocals. From opener Agnus Dei to closer Inferno’s crescendo to cut to black ending.
Miles Kane – Sunlight in the Shadows
One of the Wirral’s finest exports Miles Kane came swaggering into our headphones with a new album produced by Dan from the Black Keys, in October. With guitar tones so warm they could keep you toasty this winter. The percussion on this album regularly makes me think of Stevie Wonder’s songs, combined with Marc Bolan like guitar tones, vocal and swagger. I look forward to seeing Kane deliver these tunes on a big stage, which he will fill every inch of with confidence.
Skunk Anansie – Painful Truth
From the synth and guitar intro of An Artist Is An Artist, to the stripped back production on Shame, which shows off Skin’s incredible vocals. Skipping forward to the Cheers with its toe tapping rhythm which builds to a chorus that will be sung back by a welcome live crowd. New music from Skunk Anansie this year has just taken me back to my favourite gig of the year, until that gig was unseated by…
Idlewild – Idlewild
Getting to finally see Idlewild live this year became my favourite gig of the year, telling that I decided to not shoot photos so I could just take in the gig as a fan. Whilst the setlist for their tour appears to have slowly leant back into The Remote Part as the tour went on. They were primarily promoting their self titled tenth studio album, which in isolation is a great album, but maybe some fans weren’t willing to do the listening ahead of the tour dates.
This tenth album kicks off with a shoegazey thick wall of guitar and bass drums, on Stay Out Of Place, which soon opens out to reveal Roody Woomble’s vocals. It’s Not Make It Happen kicks out some great guitar riffs and almost Cribs like vocals, before a chorus that many will sing along with soon. Writers Of The Present Time has something that feels like it could have been an alternative to American English back on Remote Part.