TOP 10 ALBUMS NOT FROM 2019 THAT I LISTENED TO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2019 AND REALLY LIKEDI spent the early part of the year listening to a lot of compilations. I especially got into a lot of the soul jazz records compilations so they make up a decent part of this list. They are such a great way to discover new music and I'm yet to hear a bad one.
1, Various Artists – Basement Beehive, The Girl Group Underground (2018)
2, Various Artists – Soul of a Nation: Jazz is the Teacher, Funk is the Preacher: Afro-Centric Jazz Street Funk and the Roots of Rap in the Black Power Era 1969-75 (2018)
3, Albert Ayler – Albert Ayler in Greenwich Village (1967)
4, Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (1970)
5, Alice Clark – Alice Clark (1972)
6, Various Artists – Soul of a Nation: Afro-Centric Visions in the Age of Black Power (2017)
7, Archie Shepp – Fire Music (1965)
8, Bill Orcutt - A History of Everyone (2013)
9, Alice Coltrane - Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)
10, Various Artists - Studio One Funk (2004)
TOP 10 GIGS OF 20191, Ride @ Norwich WaterfrontMy last gig of the year and the best. Not as good as them doing Nowhere in full the other year but my 3rd time seeing them was actually my first time seeing them do any new material and the tunes from the 2 post comeback albums all sound strong live. Ride are one of my favourite bands and live is where they are in their element.
2, Noel Gallagher @ Earlham Park NorwichI know this is about the most unpopular thing I could post on here, but I had a fucking great time at this gig. Went with a big group of mates, bumped into a few old mates I’d not seen for years, sun was shining, I even enjoyed some of Razorlight in support. Noel’s band has improved since adding the scissor player and additional female vocalists and I was well happy to finally hear Dead in the Water live. He may be a potato, but he can still put on a great gig.
3, Sleaford Mods @ Norwich WaterfrontAlways a brilliant gig when Sleaford Mods are in town and it was good to see them back at the smaller Waterfront venue after they sold out the much bigger UEA last time out. Jason had some new moves and they played plenty of the new album which is up there with their best.
4, Idles @ Norwich UEAI’d been dying to see them and was excited to finally get the chance. It was everything I’d hoped it would be, the energy and noise they create is mind-blowing. Would potentially be higher if it wasn’t for the fact, I had to miss the last few songs due to transport home.
5, The Comet is Coming @ Norwich Arts CentreNearly didn't go to this as I was feeling like shit and it was sandwiched between Primal Scream and Ride in a 3 day run. So glad I did go as it was fucking brilliant. Felt more like a rave at times than a gig and the energy in the room was incredible. Always a pleasure to watch Shabaka play but the two others guys were brilliant too. I much prefer Sons of Kemet to The Comet is Coming on record but having seen both live this year it was these who won that battle hands down.
6, The Good the Bad and the Queen @ Norwich UEAEasily the biggest surprise of the year for me. I had no intention of going to this gig but the day before I found out I had won a pair of tickets in a competition. I found the albums fairly forgettable and had seen them headline Latitude years ago and felt Albarn hid behind the piano too much and it just didn’t work too well live. This time around it was completely different and from the very start he brought the charisma and showmanship he does to his Blur shows to this band too. Musically the band were astonishing and it was a pure pleasure just watching Paul Simonon play bass.
7, Paul Weller @ Thetford ForestSeen Weller numerous times over the years. I always find with him it’s a very good 8/10 kinda night but nothing more. This was probably the closest things have got to that next level. The setlist was excellent with a few different Style Council numbers along with some Heavy Soul tracks I’d not heard live before. It also took on extra significance as I went with my Dad who passed away a couple of weeks later. Weller was his favourite musician and it will always be a nice final memory of my Dad.
8, Dry Cleaning (supporting Bodega) @ Norwich Arts CentreLife Without Buildings are one of my favourite ever bands and I never got to see them live. Dry Cleaning are basically that band reincarnated though and they sound fucking brilliant. Blew Bodega off the stage completely for me. First time I’ve felt like that about a support band in a few years.
9, Squid @ Latitude FestivalLatitude was all about the smaller acts for me this year and Squid were the highlight. Great tunes and look like they’re having great fun onstage. Always a fan of a singing drummer too, well, apart from Phil Collins. It’s great to see a new wave of exciting British guitar bands finally breaking through this year and Squid are at the forefront of that.
10, Julia Jacklin @ Latitude FestivalJulia has released one of my favourite albums of the year. I was a bit concerned her style of music might get a bit lost in a mid afternoon 2nd stage festival set but this was utterly captivating and beautiful. Made me love the album even more.
TOP 40 ALBUMS OF 201940,
W.H Lung – Incidental Music 
Members of the Latitude forum go crazy about this lot and they’ve topped a couple of the record store end of year lists too which was nice to see. I quite enjoyed them live but did click a lot more thanks to the release of this album. It’s got that epic vibe combined with a bit of weirdness that Funeral era Arcade Fire and mid-career British Sea Power had, also a bit of krautrock influence thrown in too.
39,
Khana Bierbood – Strangers from the Far East 
About this time last year, I got into the Guruguru brain label in a big way. This was their only new release of 2019 and it maintains the quality of their previous releases. Garage rock from Thailand isn’t something I’ve had a lot of experience of before, but this is a really fun album. The tune “Bad Trip” is the big standout for me and the album is nice and short which is how I prefer my garage rock unlike say King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard who string stuff out way too long for my liking nowadays.
38,
Jenny Lewis – On the Line 
The Voyager was excellent, and this is a really worthy follow up. Loads of big tunes on this with “Red Bull and Hennessey” being a standout. I think the only reason this hasn’t placed higher is that I’ve not particularly been into listening to this style of music that much this year after hammering it a few years ago. Bonus points for the cover artwork thought.
37,
Yungen Blakrok – Anima Myserium 
Female hip hop artist from South Africa who has released an absolute banger of an album. It’s pretty dark and atmospheric and is consistently good throughout. I know little about her other than this album and that she was on the Black Panther soundtrack. Need to check out her previous album.
36,
The Murder Capital – When I Have Fears 
Really enjoyed this. They seem to get the same irrational hate from people that Idles get but they are proper. This is the album I was hoping Fontaines DC would make but while they were a bit of a let down this ticks all the boxes. Also reminds me a bit of Interpol when they were good in places.
35,
Ruby Rushton – Ironside 
British jazz group who are clearly influenced by all the classics – Coltrane, Davis et al. Not massively original but the artwork is cool and the music sounds great.
34,
Bill Mackay and Katinka Kleijn – Stir 
I got into Bill through his Ryley Walker collaborations and have been a fan of his work since. I’d never heard of Katinka Kleijn before but she is a Dutch cello player based in Chicago. Together they have made an album that crosses through numerous genres including folk, jazz, prog and classical and it’s pretty far out. I’ve been listening to this kind of thing more and more lately and these type of collaborations seem to allow artists to really lose their inhibitions and go for it.
33,
Solange – When I Get Home 
A Seat at the Table seems to be the album that gets all the critical acclaim but I actually prefer this. It’s a bit more abstract and experimental but continually hits the spot with it. The short length of the tracks works for me too.
32,
Glad2mecha and Ill Treats – The Return 
Jazzy hip hop with an old school vibe. Don’t know much about these at all but it fits my old man taste in hip hop perfectly where I want everything to sound like it was released in the early 90s.
31,
Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah – Ancestral Recall 
In recent years I’ve developed a big love of jazz and also a big love of Saul Williams. This is a jazz album that Saul Williams features heavily on so is perfect for me. Loads of energy here and a big African influence. Only criticism would be that I do much prefer the tracks Williams is on.
30,
Jake Xerxes Fussell – Out of Sight 
I loved his last album, and this is a great follow up. He combines original tunes with traditional folk songs that he totally makes them his own. The opening tune is based on an old recording of a fishmonger and he turns it into the most beautiful Americana/folk tune. I find his work to have a real timeless feel to it and the quality is consistently excellent throughout.
29,
William Tyler – Goes West 
I was a big fan of his last album but must admit on first listen I wasn’t quite so sure about this one. It seemed like a slightly blander version of Modern Country and almost veering on lift music in places. After a few listens it really connected with me though and has been something I’ve constantly returned to throughout the year. He carries the American Primitivism sound into the modern day perfectly while honouring the likes of Fahey but keeping things fresh.
28,
Health&Beauty – Shame Engine/Blood Pleasure
I came across these guys as they supported Ryley Walker on one occasion when I saw him and sometimes play as his backing band. I wasn’t that fussed by their last album but this is great. Clocking in at just over an hour long it has an epic sprawling feel and has a slight Neil Young vibe but with some prog and jazzy moments too. The song “Clown” is just stunning.
27,
Bill Callahan – Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest 
It’s felt a long 6 years since his last album, so I was eagerly anticipating this. There are some great tunes on this but at 20 songs feels a bit much at times. Had it been trimmed slightly this could have been really special but as it stands it is another fine addition to a pretty excellent canon of work.
26,
The National – I Am Easy to Find 
I know they’re pretty unpopular on here nowadays, but I still consider them to be one of the acts of the last decade. This is another album that feels a bit too long, but I still found myself returning to it time and time again. The fact they’ve freshened up their sound by focusing more heavily on female vocals actually really works. I was a bit hesitant about that at first because Matt’s vocals are one of the big standouts of The National’s sound for me but as I said, it works. It’s one of those albums where I seem to have a new favourite song each time I listen to it. Great band!
25,
Charles Rumback and Ryley Walker – Little Common Twist 
A fairly new release so I’ve not had loads of time to get familiar with this but anything Ryley Walker is involved with will appeal to me. An instrumental album that follows up their collaboration from a few years back this is slightly more ambient but still combines Rumback’s jazz drums with Walker’s folk guitar. Some real beautiful moments on this.
24,
Craig Finn – I Need a New War 
When Craig Finn started releasing solo albums my viewpoint was, I always enjoyed them but would rather listen to a new Hold Steady album. This year we had both and SPOILER Finn’s album has charted for me and The Hold Steady hasn’t. He really seems to have found his niche as a solo artist and some of the cheesiness that creeps into The Hold Steady at times is missing from his solo work. I think his voice and lyrics really suits the slightly more reflective nature of these songs and he is a brilliant storyteller.
23,
Ride – This is Not a Safe Place 
Similar to Weather Diaries, I was initially a bit disappointed with this only for it to grow and grow throughout the year. It was seeing them live again recently that really helped me to click with this. Future Love is my most played song of the year and I love everything about it. There’s still some moments that don’t work (15 minutes being particularly awful) but overall the good outweighs the bad and when it is good it is really quite something.
22,
Jessica Pratt – Quiet Signs 
Another of my most anticipated albums this year and she totally smashed it. Only criticism is that it’s only 27 minutes long. It’s a beautiful, haunting 27 minutes but it flies past so quickly it would have been nice to maybe have another song or two.
21,
Drahla – Useless Coordinates 
There’s been a refreshingly decent number of great new young guitar bands emerging in Britain this year such as Squid, Dry Cleaning, Black Midi, Black Country New Road and Drahla. These lot immediately grabbed my attention as the comparison with Sonic Youth is clear for all to see. The addition of saxophone gives them a bit more originality and reminds me a bit of some of the no-wave acts like James Chance and The Contortions. It’s another album that flies by but is full of youthful energy and I can’t wait to see where they go from here.
20,
The Good People – Good for Nuthin’ 
I knew I’d love this as soon as I saw the artwork. Another hip hop album steeped in 90s influences and even includes guest appearances from legends such as Large Professor and Lil Fame. They also released an EP this year that I didn’t like quite as much but this is brilliant.
19,
Florist – Emily Alone 
It wouldn’t be an end of year list without at least a couple of overly earnest folky female singer songwriters in my list so here is another! This came out on the day my Dad died and I was listening to it a fair bit around that time. I believe she wrote this album around the time her Mum died so I guess thematically it kinda clicked with me. “Moon Begins” is one of my most played tracks of the year.
18,
Liam Gallagher – Why Me Why Not 
It’s fucking Liam Gallagher. It’s still inconsistent but the highs are really good. The likes of Once and Now That I’ve Found You haven’t left my turntable all year. My daughter also really loves this album and watching Liam Gallagher footage on YouTube so it’s been a good bonding experience for us.
17,
Bill Mackay – Fountain Fire 
Bill’s second entry on my list this year after his collaboration with Katinka Kleijn earlier. This is a bit more of a straightforward psychedelic folk album and the best thing he’s put his name to in his career so far for me. Great to hear more tracks with vocals on this time around too as they really suit these tracks.
16,
Gang Starr – One of the Best Yet 
What a massively unexpected surprise this was when it was announced only a few weeks prior to release. Like with a lot of posthumous albums my expectations were pretty low but this is pure gold and right up there with the albums from their prime. It’s so good to hear Guru again and DJ Premier does a great job with the beats. Some decent guests appear too and the track with J Cole is especially moving.
15,
Eli Winter – The Time to Come 
I discovered this fella on a compilation album Ryley Walker had put together for the Tompkins Square label. He’s a young guitarist doing the American Primitivism thing and this album is just stunning. The guitar playing is top notch and the way the drama builds in each song is expertly done.
14,
Durand Jones and the Indications – American Love Call 
Proper retro sounding soul music. Every song on this is a winner and while it hasn’t been on rotation for me quite so much recently, I hammered this for the first half of the year. Part Al Green, part Sam Cooke and a definite Gil Scott Heron vibe too. Can’t recommend this enough.
13,
Cate Le Bon – Reward 
I’ve always admired her older work but this is a real step up. It’s maybe slightly more melodic and a little less weird than some of her other material but gets the balance right for me. There’s actually some really quite touching moments on this.
12,
Richard Dawson – 2020 
He’s been getting rave reviews from people whose taste I trust for years but I’ve just never got him. Even on first listen to this album it just didn’t work for me but I’m so glad I persevered. Lyrically it is stunning, totally real and musically inventive too. I definitely need to revisit his back catalogue.
11,
Thurston Moore – Spirit Counsel 
As you can imagine, a 2.5 hour long album consisting of 3 songs wasn’t the easiest thing to get into. On first listen I was intrigued but didn’t see myself coming back to it anytime soon. Despite this, I found it to have a weird addictive quality and I came back to it time and time again. This coupled with the Kim Gordon album (spoiler, it’s still to come in my list), made me revisit Sonic Youth and Thurston’s previous solo work and have a bit of a phase obsessing with them again. I think this is quite special and would love to see Thurston exploring this avant garde sound further.
10,
Steve Gunn – The Unseen Inbetween 
Another artist I have enjoyed the work of over the years, but this has really taken things up a notch or two. This was released pretty early in the year, but I have continuously come back to it and it sounds better and better each time. It gives me the same vibe Kurt Vile at his best does and makes me want to go on a massive road trip across America.
9,
Julia Jacklin – Crushing 
I thought this album was decent but nothing more to begin with. It really gets under your skin though and has continued to grow over the year. Seeing her at Latitude made it click even more and it is a subtle gem of an album. Definitely her best work so far.
8,
Michael Chapman – True North 
This album gives me the same vibe I got from the last Leonard Cohen album he released shortly before his death. It’s very much written from the perspective of an older man becoming aware of his own mortality and realizing he doesn’t have too long left. Thankfully Michael Chapman is still with us though and while I find his career somewhat hit and miss, this is definitely a late career masterpiece.
7,
Kim Gordon – No Home Record 
I still can’t believe this record is released by someone in their late 60s. This album has more ideas, attitude and creativity than just about any other album on my list. Gordon manages to keep some of the sound that made Sonic Youth one of my favourite ever bands but combine it with a more modern sound incorporating some electronic beats. I hear something new that grabs my attention on every listen still at the minute. I completely love this album and had it been out for longer it would be potentially be even higher in my list.
6,
Bill Orcutt – Odds Against Tomorrow 
Bill Orcutt is one of those names I’d seen about but never listened to until this year. His earlier work is sometimes a tough listen takes the instrumental blues guitar he plays into Beefheart/Zappa type territory. This new album though tones down the experimental sound and is actually quite beautiful. I can imagine some of his long-term fans finding this a bit of a sellout record (don't think that's actually true though) but I totally love it. The guitar playing is incredible and still goes off on enough tangents to keep things interesting. I can totally see the influence this has had on the likes of William Tyler too.
5,
Sleaford Mods – Eaton Alive 
I love everything about Sleaford Mods and chances are if they release an album it will be high up on my end of year list. This kind of reminds me of their earlier sound but with bigger more electro beats. Jason seemed to have a bit more vitriol to his lyrics again and the tunes are there. Shocking album title though.
4,
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Ghosteen 
Most years when it comes to compiling my end of the year list, I have a pretty clear idea of what my number 1 record will be. 2019 was a complete exception to this rule. Any album from this point onwards could easily have been my number 1 and it has been a painful decision over the last few weeks placing these 4 in order. The first 3 songs on this album are pretty much perfect. It’s Nick Cave at his most emotive, powerful best and if the rest of this album continued like that it would easily be my album of the year, if not decade. While the quality never really dips too much, I do feel as if there is a slight lull in the second half of side 1, especially against Cave’s stupidly high standard. The final tracks bring the quality back up and this is another stupidly good addition to the back catalogue of probably my favourite musician in the world right now (sorry Neil Young).
3,
Black Midi – Schlagenheim 
Black Midi are technically superb and this album is full of vibrancy and ideas that you only tend to find on a young band making their debut LP. There’s so much going on that maybe it doesn’t always quite hit the spot hence it missing out on my top spot in the end but for the most part this is an absolute killer debut album.
2,
Dry Cleaning – Sweet Princess/Boundary Road Snacks and Drink 
Yeah, I know this is technically 2 Eps but fuck it, they released it as basically an album in the end so I’m having it. What a band, what a fucking band. Life Without Buildings put out one of my favourite ever albums and this is the closest thing I’ve ever heard to recapturing that sound. Everything about this just works for me and is exactly the kind of music I want to be listening to. So exciting to have a flurry of new British guitar bands like this in 2019.
1,
Little Simz – Grey Area 
I’d never even listened to her before this year and was gutted to find out I had missed her do a Norwich gig a while back. This album is just hit and after hit though and it is impossible to pick a highlight because every track sounds like a single. A faultless record from a young rapper at the top of her game and a worthy album of the year.
It is hard to rank GBV, I had an incredible time but they did a ton of new stuff out of the 7000 songs they performed plus ended with Baba O'Riley which I fucking hate. It was a dream come true to finally see Pollard and as wonderful as it was that Janelle gig was just utter perfection from the second she came on until the very end when she caked her face with mud 
