2017 end of year lists

Do you know some online site to make a cool collage with all the album covers from my list? Hopefully a place where I don't have to turtle the files 1 by 1, but I guess that's hard...

I voted in this. Despite my lobbying, neither Wiley or Neon Waltz made the top 10. Two others did make it, however. Who? You'll have to wait and see!

The Quietus top 100:

1: Richard Dawson – Peasant
2: Zimpel/Ziołek – Zimpel/Ziołek
3: Fever Ray – Plunge
4: The Moonlandingz – Interplanetary Class Classics
5: Nadine Shah – Holiday Destination
6: Kelela – Take Me Apart
7: James Holden & The Animal Spirits – The Animal Spirits
8: Princess Nokia – 1992
9: Lone Taxidermist – Trifle
10: Oxbow – Thin Black Duke
11: Liars – TFCF
12: Lotto – VV
13: Call Super – Arpo
14: Snapped Ankles – Come Play The Trees
15: Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Feed The Rats
16: Laura Cannell – Hunter Huntress Hawker
17: GNOD – Just Say No To The Psycho Right-Wing Capitalist Fascist Industrial Death Machine
18: Jane Weaver – Modern Kosmology
19: Circle – Terminal
20: Rûwâhîne – Ifriqiyya Electrique
21: Man Forever – Play What They Want
22: Madonnatron – Madonnatron
23: Endon – Through The Mirror
24: Algiers – The Underside Of Power
25: Justin Walter – Unseen Forces
26: BNNT – The Multiverse
27: $hit & $hine – Total Shit!
28: Nicole Mitchell – Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds
29: Vanishing – Vanishing
30: Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
31: Björk – Utopia
32: Arca – Arca
33: Thurston Moore – Rock N Roll Consciousness
34: Re-TROS – Before The Applause
35: Jlin – Black Origami
36: Kemper Norton – Hungan
37: Chloe x Halle – The Two Of Us
38: The Granite Shore – Suspended Second
39: The Caretaker – Everywhere At The End Of Time – Stage 3
40: Teleplasmiste – Frequency Is The New Ecstasy
41: Botanist – Collective: The Shape Of He To Come
42: British Sea Power – Let The Dancers Inherit The Party
43: Al-Namrood – Enkar
44: LCD Soundsystem – American Dream
45: Visible Cloaks – Reassemblage
46: Perc – Bitter Music
47: Gazelle Twin – Kingdom Come
48: Gary Numan – Savage
49: Errorsmith – Superlative Fatigue
50: Alan Vega – IT
51: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – The Kid
52: Deaf Kids – Configuração do Lamento
53: The Inward Circles – And Right Lines Limit And Close All Bodies
54: I, Ludicrous – Songs From The Sides Of Lorries
55: Japan Blues – Sells His Record Collection
56: Powertrip – Nightmare Logic
57: Riddlore – Afro Mutations
58: Chastity Belt – I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone
59: Godflesh – Post Self
60: Davy Kehoe – Short Passing Game
61: Total Leatherette – For The Climax Of The Night
62: Electric Wizard – Wizard Bloody Wizard
63: Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement – Ambient Black Magic
64: Colleen – A Flame My Love, A Frequency
65: J Hus – Common Sense
66: Unsane – Sterilize
67: Ryuichi Sakamoto – Async
68: SZA – Ctrl
69: Lee Gamble – Mnestic Pressure
70: MXLX – Kicking Away At The Decrepit Walls Til The Beautiful Sunshine Blisters Thru The Cracks
71: Siavash Amini – TAR
72: Yossarians – Fabric Of Time
73: UUUU – UUUU
74: Hey Colossus – The Guillotine
75: Sleaford Mods – English Tapas
76: Sote – Sacred Horror In Design
77: Laraaji – Bring On The Sun
78: Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
79: Laibach – Also Sprach Zarathustra
80: STILL – I
81: Targ – Bargou 08
82: Aquaserge – Laisse ça être
83: M.E.S.H. – Hesaitix
84: Part Chimp – IV
85: Daniel O’Sullivan – Veld
86: Mario Batkovic – Mario Batkovic
87: Wire – Silver/Lead
88: Laurel Halo – Dust
89: MHYSA – Fantasii
90: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Murder Of The Universe
91: Hannah Peel – Mary Casio: Journey To Cassiopeia
92: Here Lies Man – Here Lies Man
93: Mogwai – Every Country’s Sun
94; Actress – AZD
95: Rose Dougall – Stellular
96: Simon Fisher Turner – Giraffe
97: Cardi B – Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2
98: Akatombo – Short Fuse
99: The Bug Vs Earth – Concrete Desert
100: Tetragrammacide – Primal Incinerators Of Moral Matrix

List ready.

I'm fighting the elements to have mine ready by the 15th, though I might do it a few days later as I've a bunch of recent releases still in my listening rotation that I want to spend a bit more time with.

Thank fuck list time is here, days have gone by when the only posts have been in the "Is The World Flat?" thread. We need this thread!

Also, get your calculator ready Barny, it's almost time!

U2 in Mahoney's top 5 confirmed.

my current top 5

1. beck
2. Noel
3. arcade fire
4. u2
5. weezer

Tho Haim are edging towards the top 5!

6. Neon Waltz

Louder Than War top 20:

1. Sleaford Mods - English Tapas
2. Slowdive - Slowdive
3. Cabbage - Young, Dumb & Full Of...
4. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy
5. Idles - Brutalism
6. Japandroids - Near to the Wild Heart of Life
7. Diet Cig - Swear I'm Good At This
8. Alvvays - Antisocialites
9. Cloakroom - Time Well
10. The National - Sleep Well Beast
11. Wire - Silver/Lead
12. The Charlatans - Different Days
13. UNKLE - The Road Pt. 1
14. Ride - Weather Diaries
15. Melvins - A Walk with Love and Death
16. Rat Boy - SCUM
17. The Fall - New Facts Emerge
18. The Cribs - 24-7 Rock Star Shit
19. Mogwai - Every Country's Sun
20. Liam Gallagher - As You Were

Mine definitely isn't gonna be ready for the 15th. I'm still digesting some albums that I had to go back to, and still have a couple I need to spend some time with. My aim will be to have it ready by December 31st at 23:59.

Pitchfork’s 50 Best Albums of 2017
50. Yaeji – EP/EP2
49. Open Mike Eagle – Brick Body Kids Still Daydream
48. (Sandy) Alex G – Rocket
47. Kehlani – SweetSexySavage
46. Laurel Halo – Dust
45. Girlpool – Powerplant
44. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – The Kid
43. Lil B – Black Ken
42. Vagabon – Infinite Worlds
41. Zola Jesus – Okovi
40. The xx – I See You
39. Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up
38. Drake – More Life
37. Julie Byrne – Not Even Happiness
36. Syd – Fin
35. Playboi Carti – Playboi Carti
34. Mount Kimbie – Love What Survives
33. Kelly Lee Owens – Kelly Lee Owens
32. Lana Del Rey – Lust for Life
31. Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference EP
30. Slowdive – Slowdive
29. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 3
28. Ibeyi – Ash
27. Future – HNDRXX
26. Jay Som – Everybody Works
25. Priests – Nothing Feels Natural
24. Thundercat – Drunk
23. Big Thief – Capacity
22. St. Vincent – MASSEDUCTION
21. Arca – Arca
20. Bjork – Utopia
19. Migos – Culture
18. Julien Baker – Turn Out the Lights
17. Charlotte Gainsbourg – Rest
16. Perfume Genius – No Shape
15. Sampha – Process
14. Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked At Me
13. JAY-Z – 4:44
12. LCD Soundsystem – American Dream
11. The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
10. Jlin – Black Origami
9. Fever Ray – Plunge
8. Tyler, the Creator – Flower Boy
7. Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
6. Moses Sumney – Aromanticism
5. Lorde – Melodrama
4. Kelela – Take Me Apart
3. King Krule – The OOZ
2. SZA – Ctrl
1. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.

Too much spare time in the USA and all for nothing

2 days to go!!!!

hours to go! Who's ready?

I've finished my fucking list. Feels so good, now I can go back to listening to old music again.

Did Weller release something this year?

Who listens to albums anymore?

SAD!

This was probably the most difficult list I've had to do in recent years. It's not been a classic year in terms of having 5 star albums like we've been lucky enough to be blessed with in recent years but the sheer number of my favourite artists that have released stuff this year has been overwhelming. There's bands I love who have made albums I've really enjoyed that haven't made the top 50. So many of my favourites have put stuff out this year that it's genuinely made me concerned for next year - there's just not a great deal I can see coming out from my favourite acts. Anyway onto the lists...


Top 15 Albums Discovered in 2017

Tim Buckley - Dream Letter: Live in TCOTU 1968 (1990)
Tim Hecker - An Imaginary Country (2009)
The Beatnuts - The Beatnuts (1994)
Big L - Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous (1995)
Au Pairs - Playing with a Different Sex (1981)
Stone Foundation - A Life Unlimited (2015)
The Meters - Rejuvenation (1974)
Miles Davis - On the Corner (1972)
Grouper - Aia Alien Observer (2011)
The Impressions - This is my Country (1968)
Showbiz and AG - Runaway Slave (1992)
Charles Mingus - Mingus ah um (1959)
The Melodians – Pre-meditation (1978)
Toots and Maytals – In the Dark (1974)
Aretha Franklin - Aretha Now (1968)


Top 10 2017 Non-album Releases

The Replacements - For Sale: Live at Maxwells 1986
Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference
Neil Young – Hitchiker
Husker Du – Savage Young Du
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - The French Press
Sufjan Stevens - The Greatest Gift
Ryan Adams - Prisoner b-sides
Cate Le Bon - Rock Pool
Angel Olsen - Phases
Cabbage - Young Dumb and Full of...

Gigs of 2017

1, Pixies @ Cambridge Junction
I spent the couple of weeks prior to this gig listening to their newest LP in preparation for the set being quite heavily based on it. It really clicked with me during this time and I was actually quite looking forward to hearing the tunes from it live. Turns out they did a greatest hits set instead and did only two songs from it. Obviously that didn't bother me and this was absolutely outstanding. I'd seen Pixies twice before but always outdoors at festivals so it was great to finally see them indoors and in a much smaller venue than they would usually play. Faultless gig.

2, Sleaford Mods @ Norwich UEA
Sleaford Mods are one of my favourite acts of the last few years and also have been responsible for some of my favourite gigs of recent times. I was concerned going into this though that they just wouldn't be able to pull it off in these bigger venues. Truth is they made it look easy. Jason has developed his stage manner to really work the bigger crowds and Andrew's beats sound great pumped through proper sound systems. Absolutely essential to see these every time they tour.

3, Flaming Lips @ Norwich UEA
I was really disappointed with the LP these put out this year but the chance to see them live in Norwich was one I couldn't turn down. Absolutely joyous show and Wayne was way less annoying and preachy than when I saw them in TCOTU a few years back. A really special live act.

4, The Libertines @ Lowestoft Aquarium
Another gig that I couldn't quite believe was happening. Last time I saw these was headlining Hyde Park and now they were playing the pier of a shitty Suffolk seaside town. It made me feel about 18 again being at this gig, getting a birthday serenade from Pete after only added to the occassion.

5, Nadine Shah @ The Spiegeltent Norwich
I went into this out of intrigue more than anything else. Her stuff had been growing on me and it was about a 2 minute walk from my house so thought I'd give it a bash. The set ended up being heavy on her at the time unreleased new album and those songs blew me away. The addition of Pete Wareham from Melt Yourself Down to the live band really worked wonders too. This was my moment really clicking with Nadine Shah. I love how she combines this great musical talent with songs with a serious message and then has this amazing personality and banter between songs. Had a proper moment to “Stealing Cars” too.

6, Laura Marling @ Norwich Waterfront
I'd seen Laura several times before but always at festivals or most recently supporting Neil Young at the 02 Arena last year. This was my first time seeing her in a proper intimate setting and she was mindblowing. This was a totally solo gig so no backing band and her voice and guitar playing were mesmerising. Only criticism was that the venue seemed over packed and this made going to the bar and toilet a chore.

7, Craig Finn @ Bungay Town FC
I had to properly double take when this was announced. The Hold Steady are one of my favourite bands and Craig playing the bar of a village football club in Suffolk seemed utterly bizarre. Turns out it was part of his “living room tour” where he plays fans living rooms or other super intimate venues. There was only about 20 people at this and it was more of an evening with... type event with lots of chat between songs and a real feeling of actually getting to know Craig. It was predominently stuff from the new album which was fine by me as it's great, but I guess it would have been nice to have had the odd classic thrown in. A real unique and special evening.

8, Ryley Walker @ Norwich Arts Centre
Ryley has featured high in my gigs of the year list for the last couple of years and his annual trip to Norwich was bound to do the same this year. This one didn't quite reach the highs of last year but it's always a special night in his company. He always has a slightly different band with him and this time they seemed to go off on a more psychedelic route whereas I think the jazz band from last time was more preferable for me. Still, one of the best performers out there though and a top lad with a good night out on the piss afterwards.

9, The Jesus and Mary Chain @ Norwich Waterfront
This was moved from the bigger UEA venue so it was a nice intimate venue to see them play in. The stuff from the new album sounded great live and it was good to hear a variety of stuff from the back catalogue as the previous two times I've seen them have been Psychocandy shows.

10, Magoo @ Norwich Arts Centre
I've seen Magoo more than any other band over the years and this special gig celebrating their 25th anniversary ended up being the best of the lot. A real delve into their back catalogue with loads of old faces making appearances it was a trip down the Norwich music scene memory lane. I suppose the downside was it reinforced to me I prefer the old stuff to the newer material but hey it was great to hear so much of it live again.


Top 50 Albums of 2017


50, British Sea Power - Let the Dancers Inherit the Party

I felt this was a lot more immediate than the last few BSP albums and at the time did worry if that might not be a good thing as normally BSP albums really grow on me. That fear has kinda come true in a way as this hasn't got under my skin in the way that most of their work ends up doing, still another good addition to their impressive back catalogue though. Maybe I would have connected with this more having seen them perform it live. Shame I was at Peppa Pig World when they were in Norwich on tour.


49, Grandaddy - Last Place

A tragic year for the band unfortunately and I don't know if this will end up being their last album but if it does it's a great way for them to go. It sounds as if they've never been away and has a real classic Grandaddy sound to it.

48, Focus the Truth - Q85

A hip hop album that clocks in under 30 mins is practically unheard of but the concise nature of this really works for me. This is hip hop how I like it - basically sounding like it could have been released in the mid 90s.

47, DJ Format and Abdominal - Still Hungry

Format and Abdominal just bounce off of each other really well and I think this is probably my favourite album of Format's career so far.

46, Julie Byrne - Not Even Happiness

A really haunting and beautiful record that echoes Vashti Bunyan and Joni Mitchell.

45, Lee Ranaldo - Electric Trim

Only got onto this recently but really enjoyed it. A very accessible and poppy album sounding part Beatles and unsurprisingly part Ranaldo sung Sonic Youth songs.

44, Cloud Nothings -Life Without Sound

This was one of my most anticipated albums of the year having properly loved their last two efforts. Obviously the fact it's this low in my list means it didn't quite live up to my expectations but it's not without its moments. Modern Act was a great single and it's still a very good LP. Just lacks some of the energy that made those last two real standouts for me.

43, Peter Perrett - How the West Was Won

Firstly, I wasn't expecting this album at all and secondly, I certainly wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. It reminds me quite a bit of Television Personalities and even a little of Daniel Johnston in that it features an older guy singing almost slightly childlike lyrics but it really works for me.

42, Jake Xerxes Fussell - What in the Natural World

A really excellent reinterpretation of some old folk and blues tunes. His version of Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing on a Sweet Potato Vine has been one of my earworms of the year.

41, Perfume Genius - No Shape

This took a while to click with me after an initial disappointment. I must admit I think musically I certainly prefer the older more fragile Perfume Genius sound, but I certainly admire the sassy confidence he now displays.

40, Guided by Voices - How Do You Spell Heaven

It wouldn't be an end of year list without at least 1 Robert Pollard release. Here's a clue, there's 2 on mine this year and this is the first. Another mighty fine GBV album, you know the deal - I don't need to explain any further.

39, Waxahatchee - Out in the Storm

This is certainly better than her last album but not quite as good as the first two that I properly loved. A return to form nonetheless.

38, The Hayman Kupa Band - The Hayman Kupa Band

Darren Hayman of Hefner fame and Emma Kupa of Standard Fare get together on this album that massively appeals to my inner indiepop geek. There's some real highs on here for me but a few moments that don't quite work either.

37, Lina Tullgren - Won

Her EP from last year was one of my favourite releases of the year so I was immensely excited for this album. Whilst this is very good, it just lacks some of that intimacy that made the EP so special for me unfortunately.

36, Morrissey - Low in the High School

This seems to have received some stick from the press and obviously Morrissey has been particularly controversial lately, but I really like it. Some of the best Morrissey singles in many a year and some pretty interesting stuff happening musically too. He's obviously a giant cunt though.


35, Kasabian - For Crying Out Loud

I really enjoy this OK. For me it's the best LP they've put out in their entire career. They sound confident and comfortable in their own skin and you can tell are really having fun on this album.

34, Ryan Adams - Prisoner

His self titled album is one of my favourite albums of the decade. This is basically that album again just not quite as good. I'm sure this would be much higher had the self titled not been in existance but as it stands this can't help but feel slightly lazy as a result. Having said that, the tunes are still fucking great.

33, Great Grandpa - Plastic Cough

Every year without fail I end up with a couple of fairly low key female fronted bands on my list who have released an album that sounds like a combination of 90s indie with a bit of pop punk thrown in for good measure. This is 2017's effort and I love it.

32, Insight - Ears Hear Spears

Another new but old school sounding hip hop album. Damu's production and scratching really makes this for me and lyrically it's pretty interesting too.

31, Aldous Harding - Party

This is a great album, though unlike Rough Trade I haven't got a load of spare copies to shift so won't be making it my number one. I think she will be one to watch in the future and potentially capable of something very special.

30, Stone Foundation - Street Rituals

Really strong blue eyed soul record feauring a load of help from Paul Weller and sounding not too unlike The Style Council.

29, Julien Baker - Turn Out the Lights

Last year's Sprained Ankle LP came out of nowhere and caught me off guard with its power and intimacy. I guess the difference this time is I had high expectations so this album doesn't feel quite as special but the truth is there's probably not much difference in quality. A real special talent.


28, The Charlatans - Different Days

Much like their last album, this grew on me massively as the year went by. I don't think it's quite as good as that one but this is still another part of their unexpected late career renaissance. I even like the Ian Rankin stuff.

27, The Horrors - V

Another return to form album after the slight disappointment of the last one. Something to Remember Me By is one of the tunes of the year for me.

26, King Magnetic - Everything Happens 4 a Reason

This features loads of great guests and in a year where indie rock and female singersongwriters have ruled the roost for me, this is my hip hop album of the year.

25, Thurston Moore – Rock n Roll Consciousness

The best thing he's done post Sonic Youth for me. Despite the long length of a couple of songs this has a really nice flow to it. Still would rather Sonic Youth got back together though.

24, Mogwai - Every Country's Sun

The best Mogwai album in some considerable time. This sparked a bit of a Mogwai phase in me. They're a band I've always had a lot of time for and always particularly enjoyed live. Glad to hear them back to their best in studio again.

23, LCD Soundsystem - American Dream

This is better than I was expecting. Nearly every song is a winner here and individually several of these tracks deserve a spot right up there with the very best of LCD's output. The album is just too long though and really puts me off listening to it which is a shame as it's great.

22, St Vincent - Masseduction

I get the feeling this is the sort of album Beck was trying to make with that horrendous thing he put out this year. This is about the best example of relevant, fun and authentic pop music I can think of in recent years.

21, Ride - Weather Diaries

My second biggest grower of the year. Thought this was a bit disappointing to begin with but absolutely love it now. The title track is just incredible and some of the other stuff reminds me of early 00s shitty indie bands I used to like (in a good way).

20, Bjork – Utopia

A late release but this has made an instant impact with me and crashed the top twenty. The production is superb and working with Arca on her last two albums seems to have really breathed a new lease of life into Bjork.


19, The Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy

Whilst these are one of my favourite bands of all time, my expectations for this album were fairly low and I wasn't overly keen on the early tracks released from this. As a whole though I really like it and struggle to see why I didn't like the standalone tracks now. Hopefully they'll stay together and release a few more like this.

18, Four Tet - New Energy

A return to the slightly more ambient and chilled out sound which I prefer. This is the closest thing to Rounds he's released in a long time and whilst it doesn't top that, I'm not sure anything ever will.

17, Liam Gallagher - As You Were

So good to have him back. It took a while to click with me and obviously isn't perfect but this album is filled with so much personality and has a real addictive quality that just keeps me coming back to it time and time again.

16, Paul Weller – A Kind Revolution

Just when you think he'd started to lose it again with the not so great Saturn's Pattern he returns with this consistently brilliant album. The fact that Weller is still making such impressive albums this far into his career consistently surprises me. What a man.

15, Guided by Voices - August by Cake

Here's that other Robert Pollard album! For my money this is the best Guided by Voices or Pollard related release since their classic Alien Lanes in 95. Properly love this.

14, The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding

This has had its fair amount of criticism and to a certain extent I get it. Similarly to the Ryan Adams album it's basically a not quite so good version of their last album. It still has some absolute stonking tunes on it though and I fucking loved that last album. Prior to its release this was the album I was expecting to be my album of the year. The fact it's not made the top ten is obviously a slight disappointment but overall I'm happy to stick up for this album and say it's pretty fucking great.


13, The National – Sleep Well Beast

Albums by The National always seem to take a while to grow on me and this was no different. I like the addition of some synths to their sound on this and Guilty Party is one of their best every songs. If I ever split up with my bird I'll be certain to sit in a room listening to it on repeat.

12, Alvvays – Antisocialites

I wasn't convinced they would top their debut. These sort of bands often release a cracking first lp and then go a bit shit – I'm looking at you Pains of Being Pure at Heart – but alvvays have managed to better the debut for me. Lovely album.

11, Spinning Coin – Permo

I saw these last year supporting Teenage Fanclub and instantly fell in love with their 90s indie sound. I bought their 7” singles at the time and eagerly awaited this album and it didn't disappoint. It's part Postcard Records, part Pavement and if they keep up like this I could see them becoming one of my favourite bands.


10, Slowdive - Slowdive

My biggest grower of the year. It maybe doesn't have the standout singles that Souvlaki does but as a whole immersive experience, this is pretty special. I barely listened to this in the first few months it was out but when autumn hit this made complete sense and has been one of most listened to albums the final third of the year.


9, Craig Finn – We All Want the Same Things

I love The Hold Steady. I hadn't been overly excited by Craig Finn's solo stuff so far though but this is a real step up and probably on par with their last couple of albums. God in Chicago is probably my song of the year and video of the year too.

8, Sleaford Mods – English Tapas

Another sterling effort from the best band in Britain over the last 5 years. This doesn't quite reach the highs of the last couple of albums for me but their standard is so high that this is still fucking brilliant.

7, Baxter Dury – Prince of Tears

I'd been aware of him for years but never properly listened to him until several people reccommend this latest one to me so I thought I'd better check it out. This has a really got under my skin in the time I've spent with it and has caused me to edit my list on several occassions. Great lyrics and any album that features Jason Williamson is worthy of a place high on an end of year list.

6, Idles – Brutalism

I can't even remember how I came across this. It's a little heavier than I normally like but reminds me of some of my favourite heavier bands such as Mclusky and Future of the Left. Proper in your face aggressive stuff but with lyrics that make you laugh. I really want to see these live and this is an excellent debut.

5, Japandroids – Near to the Wild Heart of Life

I love this band and was so glad to have them return this year. This is another great collection of songs that never fails to get me singing along with my fists in the air. It doesn't quite hit the highs of the last one but that was an album of the year for me, this is a more than worthy follow up.

4, Girl Ray – Earl Grey

Debut of the year. The most Welsh sounding non Welsh album of all time and reminds me so much of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. A great effort given how young they all are and I can't wait to see where they go next.

3, Laura Marling – Semper Femina

This is Laura Marling's masterpiece for me. I've enjoyed all her albums but there's something extra special about this. It feels like a classic folk album that could have been released 50 years ago. Timeless.

2, Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me

This is such a weird experience to listen to and almost feels beyond critique or appraisal. In terms of sheer emotion captured on record I can't think of anything like it. The closest thing was the Nick Cave album from last year but there's no metaphor here and this is raw stream of consciousness lyrics detailing every single aspect of the bereavement process. A stunning album that isn't enjoyable to listen to but is utterly captivating.

1, Nadine Shah – Holiday Destination

I seem to be fairly alone in my appreciation of this album given its absence on so many of the end of year lists published so far but to me this was a fairly easy choice. After seeing her perform some of these songs live prior to the album's release I knew this would be a special album and it's unrivalled this year for me. It's the perfect combination of being musically interesting, lyrically powerful and catchy/danceable too. I'd enjoyed Shah's previous work but the addition of Pete Wareham and his saxophone to the band and the more political nature of Shah's lyrics have elevated things to a new level. She comes across so well in interviews and on social media too and tbh I think I've fallen in a love a little bit. What a fucking hero.

A top 40 for me this year, I don't think it's been a particularly classic year mind. I have a clear top 5 and I have struggled to place them, my top five could all have been number one at some point. I think I also have a clear 6-10 and then 11-20 if that makes sense. My top 20 is solid and I've enjoyed all those albums greatly. 21-40 are a mish mash of stuff I've enjoyed initially and perhaps not gone back to as much, stuff that I know i'll probably love once I put more effort in and stuff that I've just enjoyed fleetingly. But all worthy of a spot.

I usually have about 40 albums that I'm happy with but actually had a few more that I had to trim away this year, for instance I love half of the Father John Misty record, but was so underwhelmed by it as an album, that I had to cut it. Also stuff like the Open Mike Eagle & Alvvays records that just missed out, but i'll probably grow more into. Also, decided against including the Bjork record, because I just haven't had the time to ingest it all, my initial reaction to it is positive, but it's such a vast work that I don't think it would be fair to toss it in for a cursory spot when I know it requires more time.

Anyway, numbers 40-21 (rest to follow)..

40. MIKE – May God Bless Your Hustle

Self released hip-hop record from MIKE, a NY based rapper who also has roots in the UK. The production has a really wheezy and floaty feel, it really glides by and it can be a bit difficult at times. I understand that MIKE is quite young as well, maybe still a teenager, almost certainly was when he recorded this. His lyrics and perceived wisdom are beyond his years. I need to spend more time with this, as mentioned, it can be a tough listen owing to the style of production, but I feel like there is enough on the surface alone to warrant it’s place and repeated listens will hopefully reveal more.

39. Floating Points – Reflections – Mojave Desert

I’ve loved everything I’ve heard from Floating Points, they float a fine line between different genre’s, this is more of a band record. I understand he took this live band out to the Mojave desert and recorded in the middle of it’s vastness. It’s mainly built around two lengthier songs on either side of the flip, one veers a little into Pink Floyd territory and the other goes a little Neu! Which is no bad thing. There are some more electronic experiments as well which work within the confines of the record alone.

38. British Sea Power – Let The Dancers Inherit the Party

I think they intentionally came back with a more digestible record this time, a couple of poppier singles preceded the album that I wasn’t so keen on, however they work so much better within the body of the record and I’ve grown to like them. it’s gentler pop songs reminds me of Open Season. It feels a little like they’re on autopilot here, it’s nothing particularly special, but BSP on autopilot isn’t a bad thing, and a strong set of songs is what works for this record.

37. The Cribs – 24/7 Rock Star Shit

I’ll be the first to admit that The Cribs as a recording entity have never really blown me away, I don’t think they have a truly great record and their best work is let down by too many moments of filler. They’ve always been more of a live entity for me. This record is a nice surprise, I probably haven’t given much time to any of their records since ‘Ignore the Ignorant’ and that was so lacklustre that it put me off. But this record has so much energy and it’s a lot of fun. Albini’s production and skills with drums takes things up a notch as well. Again, this isn’t anything daring, its just The Cribs doing what they do, no thrills, drums, guitar, bass. Simple.

36. Baxter Dury – Prince of Tears

Never spent any time with any of his records before, but loved the single Miami and the album very much follows suit, I’ve only recently gotten into this so perhaps with more time it might have got a little higher. Sometimes it’s very difficult to tear yourself away from his dad’s work because he does have a very similar cadence and delivery and his dry, observational witticisms come from the same place, but music ally this is fun and interesting and exists, fairly, on it’s own terms. Saw him live and he didn't quite captivate, which was a shame.

35. Rips - Rips

Recommended to me by Karl, produced by Austin Brown from Parquet Courts and it really sounds like Parquet Courts. That has probably held this record back, it even sounds like Austin may be singing on a few songs. I thought at first it might be some disguised side project. That all sounds quite bad, but it’s such a fun record. Sometimes you just have to look past those things and just enjoy it for what it is. It’s certainly the case here, but I’m happy with that to a degree. Don’t know how much longevity they could have without branching off elsewhere, but this is solid ground for a debut.

34. Vagabon – Infinite Worlds

I’m surprised this hasn’t had more traction this year because it’s a very neat little record, then as I was compiling this list I realised that I hadn’t listened to it in quite a while.. It came out in the early part of the year and I did most of my listening to it within the first few months and I just haven’t come back to it much. Perhaps there’s something in that. It is quite short and almost polite, it doesn’t necessarily grab you by the scruff of the nexk, but there are some really beautiful moments against the odd blast of dissonance, saw her live and it didn’t quite capture the record, but I’m keen to see where she progresses to from here.

33. Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts - Milano

It’s a little throw away.. and I’m not really sure where the Daniele Luppi elements come in other than the real occasional flourish and the one song that closes the record, but it’s a very compact and enjoyable blast. Sounds like its only Andrew Savage from PQ on this in the vocal department, but they do a neat job musically and Karen O features on a number of songs and proves again how great a voice she has for this sort of thing, she shines on the whole record.

32. Black Lips – Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art?

Seems most people were quite underwhelmed with this, but I like it. In a similar vein to the Cribs, they can be really patchy on record and this doesn’t come close to Arabia Mountain (their best!) But I like the direction they’ve taken on this. Saul from Fat White Family helped produce this (With Sean Lennon) and you can feel his influence on it. It’s definitely not as rowdy as they can be and you can tell they’ve intentionally tried to pare that back, which I understand is probably not what most Black Lips fans want, but I enjoy them trying to do something different here and songs like Crystal Night work beautifully.

31. Wand - Plum

This is growing more on me. I was a little underwhelmed at first because it’s quite different to what they’ve done before in terms of sonics, I love when they get really heavy and fast and raw. I’ve only really gotten into them in the last 18 months and their record ‘Golum’ from a couple of years back is one of my most listened to albums in recent times, and this record sounds nothing like that. They’re from the Ty Segall staple so they quickly released a slew of material early doors but they’ve taken some time away before this record and returned with a slightly altered line up and mixed thing up a little and the results are growing. Some great songs and also some noodling, the record ends with three lengthier pieces that skirt all over the place and I’m maturing nto these more and more. A really great band though, with a great range and variety.

30. Terry – Remember Terry

They’ve made pretty much the exact same record as their debut, in fact, the combined length of both records combined is probably shorter than most records on this list. They could quite have made one record out of both of them. But that doesn’t matter, because what they do, they do well and I love them. Short, quirky songs, shouty back and fourth, girl/boy vocals. Pop hooks a plenty. Also a really fun live band. Go and see Terry!

29. Rat Columns – Candle Power

As the Terry record, another Australian indie pop album put out by Upset the Rhythm. This one flits between styles, one minute its straight garage pop rock and the next it slips into more synthy driven stuff. Definitely get a New Order feel on a couple of the songs as well.

28. Robert Sotelo - Cusp

Just realised this is the third album in a row put out by Upset the Rhythm. This is a pretty low key, lo-fi, pysch-folk-pop record. Very 60’s sounding, definite nods to the Beatles, Kinks & the VU. I don’t know too much about him, but understand he is a social worker and that this album is a bit of a bedroom project, he was in TCOTU but think he’s moved up to Scotland now. I find the arrangements quirky & interesting and his lyrics of observations of the mundane, are great. Well worth a iisten.

27. King Krule – The Ooze

I love the sound and aesthetic of this record, I love his voice and what he has to say and I love about 75% of the record and that’s the reason why this isn’t higher. At an hour and six minutes long it feels like a long record. His experimentation and propensity to wander of on tangents means that it loses pace in a couple of places. I respect artists who follow their muse, but just feel like this record could be trimmed back to 45 mins and be a total classic, instead it’s just a great sounding record that suffers from some flab.

26. Omni – Multi-Task

I just stumbled across this record by accident in a way, I think Rough Trade had it as an album of the week at some point. A garage post-punky vibe, but one that veers closer to tight and nervous funk rhythms. It also has a sort of muted lo-fi production shroud over it as well. There is another record further up my list which is in a similar spirit and just pips this, but this is still a pretty fun record.

25. Ariel Pink – Dedicated to Bobby Jameson

This is another album that seemed to slip out without much fanfare, but I think it’s his best record since ‘Before Today’, both Mature Themes and Pom Pom just passed me by If I’m honest. This record has some of the biggest pop hooks of the year, the title track has a mega hooky chorus which is so infectious. I prefer the more claustrophobic production feel he’s gone back to on this, I think it works better for him with what he does.

24. Meatbodies - Alice

Another band from that Ty/Wand psych rock staple and again, none of it is a million miles away from any of that stuff, but I’m just really into this style of guitar rock at the moment. This is on the thicker and sludgier end in terms of sound. It’s quite hooky as well. A mate pointed out how it sounds a little like Status Quo in places and I can’t get that out of my head when I listen too it. Goes a little proggy in places as well. Enjoyable if nothing ground breaking.

23. Mount Kimbie – Love What Survives

One of those artists that I’ve seen mentioned around loads, but never got around listening too. But this was getting some good reviews so I gave it a go and really liked what I heard. There are a couple of records from this year that are coming from similar place that I really liked, one’s that skate between electronica and live instrumentation and this record finds a good blend. Some great guest spots on this record too, especially the King Krule & Micachu appearances.

22. The Courtneys – The Courtneys II

Just one of those bands where the beauty is in the repetition and the simplicity. It’s really hard to write simple songs, especially when they have a very similar feel. They sort of do the same thing on every song, similar melody lines, guitars sound the same, same vocals, however that’s what I love about it.

21. Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me

I suspect this will make a few people’s lists and not entirely sure what more I can add to what’s already been written about this record. It’s absolutely bleak as fuck, musically as well as lyrically. It’s not a particularly enjoyable listen, but it feels vital as a piece of art. Obvious parallels to the Nick Cave record from last year owing to trauma and grief being the driving force in creating a somewhat cathartic record. Where Cave deals in the poetic abstract, Phil Elverum deals in lucid candour which goes straight for the jugular. There is no escaping the forgotten details of the aftermath of such a personal trauma and he sets out to meander through all those intricacies in a way that very few people would be able to. it’s such a draining listen that it’s not something that I can return to often, I need a break every time I finish it.