It’s too easy to say 2020 has been rubbish. It has, of course, it has, but, musically, it tossed out some albums to cherish like any other year.
With nowhere for new scenes to thrive, it seems fitting that so many icons returned in 2020 to throw a comfort blanket around us all. Put the turkey sarnie down and tuck into our favourite top 30 albums of the year:
30. Siracuse - Forever
Escapist, volatile and integrity will keep you coming back to ‘Forever’. Especially those moments where their identity is at its murkiest. Hope is born in those tracks that, if they can clarify their own vision, then something truly great lies ahead.
29. Backinhumanform - Backinhumanform
This is a fine debut, one that deserves to propel Clarke onto bigger stages at Green Man and End of the Road style festivals.
28. Ryan Adams - Wednesdays
Despite his tumultuous personal life, Adams continues to deliver goods. Not near the special level of ‘Prisoners’ but, he is in a solid groove!
27. The Courteeners – More. Again. Forever
The Middleton underdogs yet again proved their headline status is not going anywhere. The seeds of reinvention have budded; a bright future lies ahead.
26. The Spitfires
The mod outfit has found a carnival spirit on their fourth album. The death-defying anthems have faded into vibrant Notting Hill floor fillers.
25. Levellers - Peace
They folk-rock warriors just keep soldiering on. Lyrically, it’s astute and on point as they have ever been. Short of ‘Levelling The Land’ but, on par with ‘Levellers’ and ‘Zeitgeist’.
24. Sandra’s Wedding – Frame Yourself
Once you free your mind of the Heaton comparisons, and you will, ‘Frame Yourself’ will continue to enthral. There are moments when The Popguns enchanting love affair arises and splices of Billy Bragg’s self-effacing soul music to be admired. The drama and comedy on display, are the musical equivalent of an Irvine Welsh novel, Jez Butterworth plays, and Alan Clarke TV drama. You must embrace this album!
23. Moses – Almost Everything is Bullshit
For anyone who hasn’t been on their journey yet, this album will serve you well. A raucous and often turbulent journey, but never without hope. As madness festers, let them guide you back to the light.
22. Pia Fraus – Empty Parks
Scintillating and sexy from the get-go. An exuberant explosion of technicolour, enticing all and sundry to stand shoulder to shoulder against all of this planet’s ills.
21. Stick In The Wheel – Hold Fast
The hard-hitting London duo continues to hone their spiky folk music with another intense affair.
20. Sam Lee – Old Wow
Lee’s third album sees Bernard Butler producing (and guesting) with a stunning appearance from Elisabeth Fraser. This is folk music at it’s atmospheric best.
19. The Blinders - Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath
The world needed The Blinders angst in 2018. In 2020, with nuance almost extinct, they have begun to sew the fabric of society together again with this eclectic blend.
18. Laura Marling – Songs For My Daughter
For the first time in Marling’s glittering career, she has transcended folk music. The roots remain, but, the beauty of it all is mesmeric. Marling is an icon already but now, she has joined the elite of Mitchell, Young, Denny and Browne.
17. Exploding Flowers – Stumbling Blocks
With the heart of the Wannadies and adventure of Theatre Royal, this is the indie surprise of the year. Uplifting ear to ear grinning stuff.
16. Red Rum Club - The Hollow Of Humdrum
The brass led Scouse band delivered an urgent and vital second album. Anthems galore, it’s a thrill seeker to behold.
15. Fred Deakn - The Lasters
Fred Deakin, one half of the legendary Lemon Jelly, returned with his first solo project. Not willing to put out tried and tested Lemon Jelly-esque material, Deakin has produced ‘Fred Deakin Presents The Lasters’, a masterful Sci-Fi concept album.
14. Twisted Wheel - Satisfying The Ritual
Twisted Wheel’s journey has been a roller coaster for the past 12 years. On this showing, it shows no signs of slowing down but, mercifully, it is on a deserved incline towards glory.
13. Nada Surf – Never Not Together
In their own distinct way, they have re-imagined the New Order lyrics “it’s called love and somehow it’s become unmentionable” for 2020. It’s ok to be lost, things will get better Nada Surf around.
12. Thousand Yard Stare - The Panglossian Momentum
The Slough underdogs return peaked with their first new album for twenty-eight years. Blending their youths with a wiser and broader outlook, they have hit upon some truly special moments
11. Candy Opera – Patron Saints of Heartache
The first album from the cult Scouse indie heroes. My word was it worth the wait. Exceptional storytelling meets great pop music!
10. Badly Drawn Boy – Banana Skin Shoes
It’s hard, as a fan, to discern why anyone would take ten years off from their day job. This is why. Reinvigorated, Gough has examined his relationships and what they mean with remarkable integrity. He doesn’t need another Mercury Music Award, they, however, need him.
9. Bugeye Ready Steady Bang
Often, debut albums are a myriad of influences and a sign of what is to come. Bugeye though, having been touring places like the Astoria since 1999. Despite the long hiatus, they have hit an undeniable groove that DM’s are begging to stomp along to.
8. The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You
Star studied appearances light up the Australians third album. It’s a sun-kissed memory of your favourite summer.
7. Cornershop - England is a Garden
National fucking treasures! Their eclectic brand of soul music continues to light up a nation in turmoil. Buy this record, expand your horizons and fall head over heels in love with Cornershop!
6. The Wolfhounds – Electric Music
A career-defining performance from the Essex outfit. The UK’s dystopian nightmare laid bare powerfully, violently and melodically. Genius.
5. Doves - The Universal Want
Arguably their best work to date. They’ve come back emotionally charged with mesmeric guitars. Goodwin’s vocals are a guiding light to the promised land.
4. Tom Clarke – Making Plans For Nigel
People questioned whether Clarke had the creative chops for a) solo career b) a concept album. They should be choking on their hats right about now. This album solidifies what Enemy fans always knew.
His incredible vocal range has been taken for a walk with brilliant characterisation. Nigel, the star of ‘Be Somebody’ is revisited ten years on to stunning effects.
3. Asylums – Genetic Cabaret
The new normal has become a phrase of late. If this album is theirs, the world has new heroes. Vitriolic, defiant, and unifying, Asylums are not their yet but, they've got a monumental stride towards a masterpiece.
2. Theatre Royal – Portraits
Five albums in, they show no signs of fatigue. The hooks keep coming, even Johnny Marr must be thinking “slow down a bit lads”. They instantly forge a path to your heart, but, the key to them is the depth of meaning. Their tales of British life bring the grit and wit of the big screen to life and prove, a working-class hero is still something to be.
1. Paul Weller - On Sunset
The Modfather has tapped into the crispness of the Style Council’s ‘It Didn’t Matter’ and ‘Can You Still Love Me’ and his archetypal enriching soul music to produce yet another masterpiece. On par with his debut, ‘Stanley Road’ and ’22 Dreams’, but, stylistically innovating away from his soul nucleus. There is no stopping him!