Here we go. The most important and revered (by me) end of year list. Let’s have 5 for now, 5 tomorrow, another 5 Wednesday and then spread the top 5 shall we? Ok then:
20. Zola Jesus- Conatus
Gothic pop has never sounded better than from Zola Jesus. Conatus has a host of incredible songs, which are dark, catchy and powered by Zola’s incredible voice. From the atmospheric Vessel to the tender, piano based Skin, this album is a major success.
19. I Break Horses- Hearts
A classic example of an album I was unsure about but grew on me rapidly. Hearts is a brilliant debut. It features some gorgeous haze electronica and indie pop, forming a cool niche in the shoegaze market. It’s extremely soothing and just simple beautiful.
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Belong
Pains must have realised that their debut album was a bit too twee in places cos Belong rocks out. There are tracks which are almost Smashing Pumpkins-esque with huge walls of sound (the title track, Even In Dreams) whilst there are synth led pop songs to even the sound out (Anne With An E, My Terrible Friend). Much more mature and better structured, Belong is an album that shows a band only getting better.
17. Elbow- Build A Rocket Boys!
It’s difficult following up any massive album, but Elbow followed up the huge Seldom Seen Kid with an album that was more reflective and still contained their strong signature sound. There’s nothing that can be called an out and out rocker on this album, but the album is full wonderful and beautiful tales of loss, regret and reflection. Guy Garvey’s lyrics are some of his best and overall, the album shows you can still make great albums after making a massive one.
16. Wild Beasts- Smother
Maybe the most sensual albums I’ll have on my list, Smother is a minimal masterpiece. It’s an album that quietly whispers its secrets into your ear with its slow arpeggio’s and quiet keyboards offer dimensions to its dark world. Incredible vocal performances just top the album off nicely. If only all indie rock could be this imaginative and brilliant.
That’s it for now, tune in for more of my top albums tomorrow.
