2019 albums

I'm afraid 1h will be too much, the singles and film were nice but just that, I think I've already heard enough National material for my whole life. But we'll see...

5 by SAULT is pretty amazing. Little Simz posted on Instagram recommending it. Cannot find anything online about them. There’s a mix of soul references from down the decades and a bit of afrobeaty type stuff, some pure balaeric and some early electro sounds.

It all works fantastically.

The production on one of the tracks sounds quite a lot like the production on A recent Little Simz thing, so maybe the producer is the same.

nice one titch, will check it out next.

new tyler album is excellent. also the new slowthai 'nothing great about britain' is fantastic too. really astute writer, distinctive style, layered, fun and clever production. gonna be playing this one a lot, i can tell.

Need to check that Slowthai record out, keep hearing good things about it. Loving Tyler's record, the production is wonderful, it's an odd, there isn't a lot of actual rapping on it, and the singing on it is generally tweaked and played with, he's used 'the voice' as an instrument throughout the record, it's really interesting. Will give that SAULT record a listen as well.

The handful of singles released prior to the new Flying Lotus record (out tomorrow) have also wet my appetite that for that.

Cate Le Bon is the one I'm excited for tomorrow. I really like the singles from it so far.

i don't even consider tyler a rapper anymore. actually not sure who of relevant, boundary pushing artists i do think of as pure rappers. the new generations are far too immersed in so many influences that just pure spitting kinda makes you seem as outdated as someone like eminem. which probably explains why there haven't been many 'pure hip hop' albums of quality this year, the best music expands upon that. even my favourite of that ilk, the 21 savage album 'i am>i was' is a sign of him broadening his sonic palette and structures to wrap his monotone, chilling flow.

it's what i've loved about 'hip hop' culture since the start, everything is up for grabs, nothing is precious. evolve or die.
music is simply wonderful in how it always mutates, ennit.

thanks for the flying lotus reminder! hoping that the newie doesn't balk under all the guest spots and artistic worthiness...

would love to hear yours, karl's, tithchjuicys and jp's thoughts (and others i guess) on new slowthai. gives me some buzz as original pirate material or boy in da corner, but it's so clearly a 2019 record. think he's pulled of a bit of a blinder here.

Hawley's new one is album of the year. Lock it up.

Absolutely loving the Tyler album. As Baz points out, it’s a mash up of styles. Not even really a rap LP.

Also spent a bit of time listening to the new Clinic album, their first in years. It’s like they’ve never been away. It sounds exactly like a new Clinic record should. Few bands this century with such a singular sound.

Anyone get round to listening to the SAULT album?

It's so so good

I listened to it this morning & there's definitely something there, though musically I thought it was a little stale & lyrically he lacked the personality on show with Boy in Da Corner & the playfullness of Pirate Material.

I really love the new Tyler record though, I couldn't get into the last one that everybody was raving about, but this one is so playful, literally all over the place in the best possible way.

Flying Lotus I need to spend some more time with, though first impressions were it felt like a lot of interludes & ideas that fail to really stand out.

really surprised that your initial thoughts were that it was musically a bit stale, i actually thought one of the strengths was how he builds and restrains on beats. i like his words and delivery too. it's not up to the level of boy in da corner or OPM but those are 2 of the best debuts in history. hope it grows on you!

new tyler is fabulous. i probably prefer the last one a smidgeon, but they are both the same level for me. they way he has used his sexuality and aesthetic as a playful character arc throughout his career, without lacking substance, is really something unique i think. it's easy to forget this newie is a break up album but he doesn't skimp on any of the process. mature without taking itself too seriously. i know i keep saying it, but i adore him.

same thoughts on flying lotus, for this album and in general. pleasant enough but it's not digging its way in yet.

i'm currently falling in love with the new cate le bon album, beautifully balanced and effortlessly heart-rending.

Yeah, Flying Lotus just felt very messy to me, which I know is what he sort of does, but at over an hour long, this album just does't seem to work. As Karl said, lot's of seemingly half interesting ideas with a scatter of decent songs.

And yeah, the Cate Le Bon album is real good. Fantastic arrangements, she has a real knack for that particular craft.

I feel the same at MT about the Tyler album. I think the last album had a little more overall going for it. Perhaps because it felt revelatory in terms of content. But love both of them.

I've given Cate Le Bon one listen through and like, rather than love it on first listen. But needs more time.

I reckon once i sit down and give the Slowthai album the undivided attention it deserves I'll fall in love with it. I undoubtedly like the overall message, and would probably compare it in it's own way to Kate Tempest's album from a couple of years ago (listen to Tunnel Vision again....that track still gives me goosebumps). But again, needs more time.


In terms of new Hip Hop, i'm really liking the Injury Reverse self titled record. It manages to sound new but steeped in Hip Hop history at the same time.

Also totally love the single by Purple Mountains, which is David Berman of Silver Jews new project.

new bill callahan lp is great

I've only heard it once JP - it didn't grab me, though wasn't the ideal record to hear whilst out and about.

Baz, when you made your infamous hip-hop 101 playlist all those years ago you tagged the songs under the year 2020, did you imagine flying cars & hoverboards? Or did you know deep inside that those songs would still be sitting in my Itunes library on my PC that now takes at least 20 minutes to boot up properly before even opera will open?

My beloved Bob Dylan just released a 14-disc retrospective of the 1975 rolling thunder revue, including 5 complete shows from the tour in *amazing* sound. They ended every night with everyone onstage each taking a verse of 'this land is your land', and all it's done is to reiterate just...how much...I LOATHE Joni Mitchell. I. CAN'T. STAND. HER.

Serge Kasabian has a solo album coming out this year. (clears throat...) LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Age of Immunology by Vanishing Twin is one of the best things i’ve heard this year.

It defies categorisation but I’ve seen it described as experimental psychedelic pop.

It’s sodding gorgeous.


And after a few listens, i’m properly digging the Black Midi album. Wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first. It felt too much. Trying too hard to be clever. But they just are very clever I think. And they can write. With a bit of experience and editing/focus (although I think the approach is part of the charm of this record) they could make great albums.