1. The Claim – New Industrial Ballads
It’s been 30 years since their debut ‘Boomy Tella’. Countless fans will have pondered what might have been had they got a bigger break back then. We defy them not to see this 30 year wait as positive now. Integrity in tack, The Claim have delivered a pop music masterpiece. (full review)
2. Desperate Journalist – In Search of the Miraculous
Sometimes, on third albums, there is a sense of all or nothing for bands. They chose all in. This is a post-punk ‘Rumours’. This is the rarest of tightropes walked, where cutting edge meets accessible pop music and is credible. If Fleetwood Mac signed off their careers with this album, the world would lose its shit at ‘Satellite’ being the new ‘Go Your Own Way’ or ‘Argonauts’ as the new ‘Songbird’. (full review)
3. Cellar Doors – Cellar Doors
There are moments of sublime pop majesty. 'Prism' sees singer Sean Fitzpatrick deliver an angelic Paul Weller vocal circa 'English Rose' vocal amid an eruption of Kasabian's 'Reason Is Treason'. The sex and danger of Fitzpatrick's guitar playing on 'Sirens' should hopefully banish the banal dross of Arctic Monkeys for good and, on 'Frost', they have an anthem for the ages. Complete with Depeche Mode's darkness, Neu's motorik, and the lightness of early John Squire guitar playing, 'Frost' is a haunting psychedelic pop behemoth. (full review)
4. The Membranes - What Nature Gives…Nature Takes Away
There is a real sense that they have left every ounce of their soul in the recording studio for this release. The intensity and the struggle is tangible at times and, it should be serially recognised! (full review)
5. Nick Cave - Ghosteen
Stunning. From start to finish! Stunning!
6. Death of Guitar Pop – In Over Our Heads
Ska pop executed like this is undeniable.
7. The Murder Capital – When I Have Fears
Fontaines have stolen the plaudits, but, for our money, this Dublin band are the best of the burgeoning scene in Ireland.
8. Ian brown – Ripples
Turning inwards and lo-fi like ‘Unfinished Monkey Business’, Brown has delivered an array of alt-pop songs sprinkled with magic and post-roses angst.
9. Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel
It’s hard to argue with 6Music’s choice of album of the year. From playing the Good Mixer to selling out Brixton Academy next March, what a charge of glory!
10. The Twang – If Confronted Just Go Mad
As the album grows, it becomes apparent, this is perfect blend of update and re-connection rather than Ziggy to Aladdin Zane reinvention.
With hooks aplenty, and, younger audiences alive with excitement for DMAs, Gerry Cinnamon and The Shambolics, not only is The Twang’s return well timed, it seems heaven sent to unite generations of outsiders. (full review)
11. Daniel Land - The Dream of the Red Sails
The older one gets, the harder it becomes to believe in anything, let alone heroes. Daniel Land is a hero. To write an album amid political bile and personal turmoil is an achievement in itself. To trawl through your own personal history and relationships and not be filled regret is something us mere mortals can only dream of.
The binary disposition of Brexit positions is so prevalent it’s hard to ever find an answer for anything. 'The Dream of Red Sails' is the third way. It is the leadership we so desperately need. (full review)
12. The BVs – Cartography
A stunning array of indie-pop.
13. Mark Morriss - Look Up
Not only is the magic still prevalent, its flourishing. ‘Science and Nature’ is, for our money, Morriss’ pinnacle. ‘Look Up’ is full of creative risk taking which rivals. (full review)
14. Skint & Demoralised - We Are Humans
How effing marvellous is it to have them back? Abbot’s lyrical prowess has grown significantly in stature. The perfect polemic for a terrible year.
15. W.H. lung – Incidental Music
If anything, their debut was a let-down. The early singles were so exciting, that the rest of the album couldn’t quite match them. It’s still a class act for a debut album, one you must own.
16. Hot Chip - A Bath Full of Ecstasy
Fifteen years on from their debut, the London outfit delivered their best album yet.
17. Liam Gallagher – Why Me Why Not
For the most part, Liam has channelled his love of George Harrison and its paid off. Significantly better than his debut and, in ‘One of Us’ has written a classic.
18. Chemical Brothers – Geography
The Dust Brothers has done it again. They continue to forge new paths from their ground-breaking beginnings.
19. Frank Turner - No Mans Land
Though punk maybe his spiritual home, folk is where his true mastery lies.
20. Moon Duo - Stars Are Light
A seriously impressive reinvention of all that they are.
When you hear a band, like Moon Duo, famed for a strand of music for so long are ripping up all they know, alarm bells ring. To return with a new style of such quality and integrity, is not only remarkable, it’s just plain showing off. More please! (full review)
21. Sleeper - The Modern Age
At every turn on ‘The Modern Age’, Sleeper have added something to their armoury. The guitars are beefier, the synths crisp and the psyche new. For all the charm they carried in the 90s, they are no-one’s understudy’s anymore. This feels like the record they were born to make. (full review)
22. Richard Hawley - Further
Not everything lands on ‘Further’ but, few can match the beauty of the highs Hawley can still summon in his early 50s. When he enters into his reflective and poetic groove, it’s impossible not to fall in love with him all over again. (full review)
23. LIFE – A Picture of Good Health
Dangerous throbbing psyched up punks. The deadly lyrical venom and genuine performance of them is thrilling!
24. Tallies - Tallies
Undoubtedly, fans of Postcard Records and Sarah Records will find this album an affectionate homage to their youths. For newer fans, we urge you to use Tallies’ album as a jump off point into the past. (full review)
25. Red Rum Club - Matador
Ultimately, 'Matador's cons are so few they pale into significance. This album is so well stocked in bangers that; it has potential of a two year run on the album charts. (full review)
26. Ride – This Is Not A Safe Place
Another fine album from the Oxford outfit post comeback. We implore you to see it live, it goes up several levels!
27. The Night Café – 0151
Unabashed indie from Liverpool. Serious ones to watch. The world is at their fingertips.
28. The S.L.P. - The S.L.P.
Serge’s side project, at times hits insatiable highs (Trance) but, at others (The Youngest Gary) falls short of his high standards.
29. Submotile - Ghosts Fade On Skylines
Fans of shoegaze, noise-rock, drone-rock and so on will inevitably dig this album. It probably won’t make the upper echelons of their record collection though. Nevertheless, it’s attempt to re-introduce pop hooks into the fold has to be admired in divisive Brexit times. It begins to blur people’s hard lines force them back together. (full review)
30. Scandinavia - Premium Economy
It may have taken Scandinavia five albums, but it would appear they have found their sweet spot. Pop hook after pop hook invade their punk or jingle jangle tendencies. This is definitely an album to sound track the rest of the summer. (full review)