To say that the past twelve months have been utterly bizarre and incredibly challenging would be a massive understatement, but in a few days time we’ll finally be able to put 2020 behind us. There’s no better time then to look back at all the golden moments of joy and beauty that have kept us sane throughout it all. Once again we’ll be kicking things off by looking at the most striking album artwork to have caught our eye this past year.
It’s time to live in the past for just one brief moment longer before we fully embrace the future. Time for one last shot of nostalgia as we look at the very best songs of the past ten years. Songs that dominated the airwaves and became anthems for millions, and the ones that formed the backbone of our playlists and became the musical lifeblood of a more personal journey. Songs that have hyped us up ready to take on the world and ones that helped us escape into daydreams, ones that have given us goosebumps and some that have even brought us close to tears. So, assuming you’ve caught up with part one, let’s get to it! Continue reading
As we move into the second half of our deep dive into the finest records of the past ten years, things certainly haven’t gotten any easier. At many times this list became a real battle between head and heart; between the records with a profound personal connection and those that hold great influence and importance in the wider scheme of things. After much soul searching we’ve struck upon the right balance between the two for our final look at the best albums of the decade. (If you missed part one, you can check it out here) Continue reading
The National – Boxer
Brimming with dark melancholy, but also with a an inescapable air of worldly wisdom, it’s hard not to be moved by The National. Boxer is the perfect album for contemplation and escapism, for times when you feel disillusioned with the whole of life and humanity and you need something to cling onto to stop you from drifting away into the abyss. When all else fails this album brings comfort.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Before you have even listened to this album, one look at what is possibly the most beautiful album artwork ever designed should tell you that this is something special. The band have grown from the folk origins of their debut For Emma, Forever Ago and have expanded into a grand yet delicate baroque pop soundscape. A thoroughly enrapturing listen from start to finish.
Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker
Following the collapse of his band Whiskeytown, Adams went on to create his first solo album. The raw honesty of his lyrics and the passion of their delivery led to a prolific career and Whiskeytown was soon forgotten. The intense beauty of songs like ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Come Pick Me Up’ have resulted in them becoming some of his most well loved hits.
Tame Impala – Lonerism
With the release of their second album Tame Impala proved themselves to be Australia’s greatest creative force. The mesmerising psychedelica of tracks such as ‘Elephant’ and ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ hark back to the heady hey day of the late 60s, and yet it feels so refreshingly modern like a vision of an alternate musical future. Indulgent, lavish and expansive it feels like a whole new world waiting to be discovered.
The UK chart company, hot off the heels of music streaming counting towards the official charts and introducing a vinyl chart, have now introduced a Progressive Music chart. Prog Rock may not be the powerhouse genre it once was, but it is still alive and well today and this new chart is well earned recognition that is long since due. The first ever Prog chart was topped by Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’, closely followed by Muse’s ‘Drones’ and Roger Waters’ ‘Amused to Death’ reissue.
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Belwood Music 