I had a baby and lost my ability to write and publish things. So here is the unedited notes for last years (2015) album of the year list. As its SO LATE I haven't bothered to make it pretty - its exactly as it was in my notes folder.
10 Fōllakzoid
There's something comforting about something done simply and well. There's a saying in Italian cooking about how you only ever really need three ingredients in any dish, that way you leave room on the pallet to tastes everything individually and in combination with the other ingredients. Fōllakzoid are the carrots, tomatoes and onion of modern day drone rock. They avoid the temptation to become ever more intricate and rely on the bare essentials, space, repetition and style.
9 Snow Ghosts
This album seems to have slipped through the cracks somewhat - often the fate of albums released early in the year. Lost at sea it may be but there is treasure to be found in its creaking timbres. Having expanded from a two piece to a trio Snow Ghosts have added a plethora of strings to their bow this year. I've been entranced by their uber-moody soundscapes for a few years now no was very pleased to see their track "xxxxx" from their first lp a small murmeration has been picked up and for the new Transformers film. I these Grimm storytellers get the fairytale ending global exposure can bring.
8 King Midas sound & fennesz
Fennesz is a master of industrial ambience, his Black Sea album provides the kind of solace normally only afforded to someone recovering from post traumatic stress. It's not an easy listening chill out record but it's all the more gratifying for its ability grind away the rough edges of upset. King Midas Sound are the vocal offshoot of Kevin Martins notorious Bug project. Best known for earthquake inducing raga bass it's a curious pairing on face value but Christian Fennesz knows how to hold your mental gaze in perfect stillness while Martin and his cohorts apply narrative and rhythm to this impossibly deep pool of electronica.
7 FFS
Sometimes two irregular shapes just fit together beautifully. The FFS project is just such a jigsaw fluke. Franz Ferdinand have often flattered to deceive my ears with their art school smuggery but I've always kept one eyebrow raised in interest at their sub-Televison staccato stabbing. Sparks on the other hand are one of my obsessive bands, I have musical lost weekends with sparks when for no discernible reason I find myself compulsively drawn to the operatic kaleidoscope. When under the spell no other music will do, however like rich food I entirely understand why I can have it everyday and why some people are physically repulsed by their overwhelming sound. But these two flavours compliment each other perfectly, like Brie and chilli sauce. FFS may be an unsearchable band name but that's fitting for two oddball projects that you would never have expected to compliment each other so well.
6 Fortet - Morning
One of the reasons I love walking into a record shop is there is always the possibility that you will exit with something much better than what you went in for. This isn't down to an algorhythm leeching your personal information with every clock, it's down to the fact you know the people working in a real record shop are all looking for that perfect beat whether you're there or not. I had grown a bit tired of Fourtet and had no designs on the latest release but on hearing this mesmeric Indian vocal placed so delicately over a ripple of subtle house rhythms I was instantly hooked. I don't know if you could claim this is the most important release of the year but it's definitely one of the ones I've listened to the most.
5 Loop
Robert Hampsons loop project has a very special place in my heart/minds eye. They provided the soundtrack to my late teenage years. Add the lines from the review about ticket numbers and wood in shjips. Only when you fully submit to a Loop record will you feel it's full genius. Then and only then. For best results apply headphones and disengage with the universe. Understand you aren't going to partake in some snazzy sing along and point your blinkers at the endless inky black void that provides the gulf between perception and reality. Then Strap your ass in, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
4 Sleaford Mods Key markets
The most vital band in the UK, your protestations will only make them stronger. I love the way Sleaford Mods make people angry, you know you have something when people feel compelled to either love or loathe. There's no industry campaign pushing these lads forward. There's no chasing airplay, sponsorship deals or cosy retail tie ins.
3 Kendrick lamar
This is a deceptively complicated piece of work. In many ways it's closer to jazz than hip hop. Contributions from Flying Lotus ensure that the marrowbone of hip hops repeating breakbeat is acknowledged if not adhered to. There is a narrative structure to this lp that few rappers have matched. The fact Lamar manages to convey episodes of serious self doubt and reflection whilst maintaining the poise and control an MC needs to confidently guide the listener through 70 minutes of prose is impressive. The upshot is an album that revels in genuine emotion whilst still retaining the kind of swagger that allows Kendrick Lamar to drop the effortless funk of King Kunta when required. Often (especially in recent years) the big players in hip hop become so far removed from real life that they appear cartoon like, Kendrick Lamar couldn't really claim to be an ordinary kid anymore but he retains his humanity and that gives this wildly adventurous album real gravitas.
2 Floating Points - Elaenia
Every floating points release seems to elevate their status higher and higher in my estimations, there's a unique organic characteristic to every release even the minimal record store day special captured a unique perspective on the scene. No after thoughts with FPs. At times the evolution is so insistent that Floating Points seem closer to Krautrock legends Can than the usual electronica suspects. Certainly when the rug is pulled from underneath you during "xxxx" it feels like the last bad acid before punk just wore off. Progressive it may be but it is also lean and spacious. What Floating Points promise in ambition they deliver in spades. Deliberate, definite and yet constantly evolving Elaenia is worthy of anyone's attention.
1 Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Few descriptions could convey greater trepidation to my ears than 'Triple jazz funk concept album'. I mean that just sounds horrific doesn't it? There is an extra chill as you process the numbers ... triple threat... Like a genetically modified coffee table monster ready to chew you up and spit out a guardian weekend supplement. Oh gosh has it come to this? Well yes and no. It really is a shameless jazz funk odessey played out of three full length LPs but there isn't a hint of dinner party about it. Every time you settle back into the comfortable tropes of jazz it swirls around you and lifts your feet off the bottom of the pool. This is an album with depth, breadth and poise. It's at once familiar and confrontational. It is in fact a stone cold classic that not only rises like cream to the top of the modern scene but also transcends the genre adding choral scale and an itchy musical ambition that crosses over when it wants to and drags you in when it doesn't. It won't work for everyone but it will change the lives of those who accept it unconditionally.
Single of the year
Taxie - Rock don't stop
This cheeky, cheery little record has brightened up nearly every set I've played this year. It's a 2 minute wonder I can't see myself tiring of for some time.
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