It's that time of the year again, well halfway towards that time of the year. It's when people like myself start feeling the need to spew their opinions on what they think was the best music of the year. I've compiled the list into a 'top 10' of sorts of albums that I've not necessarily given the best rating of the year but instead the albums I've listened to very, incredibly regularly. So let's get this show underway...
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If you've read my review for this album then you'll know that I love it so incredibly deeply. Jamie XX's deeply crafted beats and Romy and Oliver's soulful and emotional vocals combine as well as they ever have to produce an album where if I had to compile a top 10 then this would undoubtedly be at number 1.
Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 3
I kind of feel like I'm cheating a little bit with this one, because technically it was released in 2016 and I did place it on my favourite albums list for last year, but it's actual, official release date was in january, so I'm including it here because it's incredible. Killer Mike and El-P's ability to bounce off each other with such creativity and preciseness is astounding.
Easily the pop album of the year so far. Lorde mixes her unique view of life with expertly produced songs and lyrics. All of this together creates an album that I've grown to thoroughly love since it was released not long back, hence it's position on this list.
In terms of albums that have delivered on hype and were thoroughly thought provoking then this album would be album of the year. And Kendrick delivered such a thought provoking and open to interpretation album that left us all wanting so much more that we made up a second album. How often does that really happen?
Royal Blood - When Did It Get So Dark?
The rockers from Brighton recently released their second album, and it is truly magical. I'm yet to review this record and I do want to still write about it despite it being a few weeks old now. But this album is on course to break into my top 3 albums of the year, depending on it's longevity. It's heavy, sweaty and massive. I love it.
Punk isn't dead it's just been in a very deep slumber. And Cabbage are only adding to that revival with their debut album consisting of their first 4 EP's it's still incredible. With a low-fi sound and some very witty and clever lyrics it leads to you wanting more, and we shall have more with their new EP being released soon.
I was very harsh on this album when it came out, giving it only a 5 in my review of it, but in hindsight I would probably raise that to a 6 or a 7 as songs like Kiwi have grown on me over time. However, that is not to say that this album is not clinging on to its spot in the top 10, because it's sp incredibly inconsistent.
Sundara Karma - Youth Is Only Fun In Retrospect
Sundara Karma are a band who have swept under my radar for a while and then I listened to this album a while back and I was astounding by their ability to utilise their uniqueness and craft such an amazing and well written album. Songs like Happy Family and Young Understanding are personal highlights but I love the capability of the song Olympia. Overall it's a fantastic album.
Depeche Mode - Spirit
80's electronic rockers return with their 13th studio album, Spirit and it harks back to their roots with their overblown choruses and hard hitting lyrics. It reminds me very much of their 1990 album, Violator. With Dave Gahans voice still clinging onto that soothingly low baritone, and Martin Gore's incredible songwriting talent we are treated to one of my favourite albums this year so far.
I'm just as surprised as you are that this album has made it onto the list. But ever since I listened to this album I have been absolutely in love with it, leading to it creeping on to this list at the last second. Types' mix of low fi instruments and lyrics creates such a ghostly and eery sound that it's one of my favourite listening experiences of the year.