And we're back in action! Following a slight hiatus from the eternal throes of writing and covering music in this vociferous day and age, I've returned with my very favourite albums of the year thus far. Some a joy, others a tribulation to see through to the end but I promise one thing - you'll come out the other end a new person. See my below the cream of the crop from this year's illustrious little-more-than-half-year in music.
Backxwash:
I Lie Here Buried in My Rings and Dresses
(UglyHag)
The pain and anguish felt throughout this record by Canada’s Backxwash is beyond palpable. Having garnered a reputation for her brand of experimental underground rap, Backxwash's repertoire has suitably promoted her to another ether of awe and inspiration - guided by the industrial workings and horrorcore trappings reminiscent to the likes of Clipping. I Lie Here will bring you in; chew you up; and spit you back out into the cavernous affairs of everyday life as a mere shell of your former self.
Favourite track:
Black Country, New Road:
For the First Time
(Ninja Tune)
The prolific underground 7-piece have emerged at last with their highly-anticipated debut album, delivering an equally mesmeric yet challenging piece for every listener. Crooning their way through 40 minutes of cacophonous, pressurising post-rock, tinged with krautrock, post-jazz, and spoken word, the Cambridge-based act prove exactly why it’s an imperative to keep every eye astutely focused on the British post-rock scene of late.
Read the full review here.
Favourite track:
Cavalcade
(Rough Trade)
Yet another British act who’ve recently paved the way for such hardcore experimentalists within the underground scene of late, Black Midi, pull through with yet another ferociously dazzling and inspiring sophomore LP. Cavalcade forms the second part of Black Midi’s journeying status as one of the most prolific acts burgeoning the UK currently, stepping from the throes of Mercury Prize-nomination, to sold-out shows and tours across the world.
Favourite track:
Brockhampton:
Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
(RCA / Question Everything)
As an avid fan of "the best boy band since 1 Direction" dating back to their Saturation trilogy last decade, Brockhampton have embarked upon a treacherous yet strengthening journey, gaining confidence and new members along the way. Whilst this LP may not suffice as much as those earlier days, the features strewn throughout this project prove enlightening as ever, as well as the brazenly brash production bolstering the numerous and eclectic voices of modern hip-hop's go-to boy band.
Favourite track:
Floating Points:
Promises
(Luaka Bop)
From the dexterous hands of IDM producer Sam Shepherd, comes one of this year’s most scintillating and beautifully arranged bodies of work, anchored to the orchestral world of music. Once you enter this world and inevitably fall down its rabbit hole, one can very easily get lost in the sumptuous cacophony of classical, ambient and jazz conjured by Shepherd and his majestically poised entourage.
Favourite track:
Slowthai:
Tyron
(Method)
Following his explosive debut just a couple years ago, many pontificated the follow-up to this young’s rapper’s already-glowing career. Evolving his explosive repertoire, Slowthai buries an insurmountable number of hatches with an equally insurmountable number of features on this tenacious yet emotionally burdened ride through the British rapper’s trials and tribulations.
Read the full review here.
Favourite track:
Spellling:
The Turning Wheel
(Sacred Bones)
California's Chrystia Cabral has surged back into the fray with her 3rd LP, The Turning Wheel, a spellbinding experimental pop phenomenon which cascades such warming, glowing showers of modern chamber pop. In spite of some stumblings through the near-hour long experience here, Spellling lays before us an LP which proves well-produced, creative and bizarre in the most delightful of ways.
Favourite track:
St. Vincent:
Daddy's Home
(Loma Vista)
In order to move forward, Annie Clark must go back in time. To a rose-tinted, vintage era of 70’s soft and psychedelic rock, Clark encompasses the finer, well-established tropes of this beloved moment-in-time and revamps it all into a cohesive, enticing 43 minutes. Forever refining and curtailing her appearances and sounds, Clark has effectively redefined her very nature and all the preconceptions we had of her through this record. And all for the better.
Favourite Track:
Tyler, The Creator:
Call Me If You Get Lost
(Columbia)
Lastly, featured here is yet another highly-anticipated follow-up, adding to Tyler's impressive repertoires. For Tyler, it seems as if his preceding record Igor arrived mere weeks ago along with the flurry of emotional turmoil, witnessing a convoluted break-up. Yet things have changed since then. Whilst Tyler clings onto a softened 90's R&B approach, the masterful production and knack for drawing in a listener to escape their own world proves second to none. An exciting, emotive and rambunctious listen for those who care to get lost.
Favourite Track:
Honourable Mentions:
Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever
Feu! Chatterton: Palais d'Argile
Genesis Owusu: Smiling With No Teeth
Godspeed! You Black Emperor: G_d's Pee at State's End!
Natalia Lafourcade: Un Canto Por México Vol II
Porter Robinson: Nurture
Squid: Bright Green Field
Tune-Yards: Sketchy
Weezer: OK Human