Alright, been a while, but here's what's been making my ears bleed for the back end of 2020 and beyond.
Delain 'Apocalypse & Chill' (2020), Ad Inifinitum 'Chapter I: Monarchy' (2020), Beyond The Black 'Horizons' (2020)
God but I love orchestral metal. It's so loud and fast and a tiny bit silly. These three all do pretty much the same thing and it's great. Delain had the standout record for the genre for me last year. There's a bit more light, shade and nuance to the bombast with them. Great stuff!
Wire 'Mind Hive' (2020)
I am quite cheered that Wire are still about. Always one of the greatest post-punk bands, doing something a bit off kilter and bleak. Kind of like a windswept Joy Division, minus the suicide (obviously). Most of this record was all over 6Music like a pox last year, and it with good reason. It's fantastic. Lovely dark, clattery cinemascopes.
A.A. Williams 'Forever Blue' (2020)
Fatalistic folk which is nice and dark and twisty. Good to listen to when it's cold and miserable and dark outside, and you're inside with candles and green tea. Er, probably.
Puscifier 'Existential Reckoning' (2020)
Part electro, part industrial synth pop. One of those annoying albums that starts off strong, then sort of peters out. Stupid Peter.
Roisin Murphy 'Roisin Machine' (2020)
Fantastically slutty disco. Probably the best disco record since that one of Donna Summer's I've got that has 'Bad Girls' on. Can't remember what's called, but it's right good and so is this.
Scarlet 'Obey The Queen' (2020)
Brash 'f**k you' bubblegum metal that pulls your hair (yours, not mine. I'm bald) and kicks you in the balls.
A Certain Ratio 'ACR Loco' (2020)
Excellent punk-funk. Another genre that can tip into everyone sounding like Gang Of Four (hello Radio 4), but A Certain Ratio smooth out the abrassiveness with some sleeker lines. I'd love a remix album of this; it's just primed and ready for the dancefloor. Sigh. Dancefloors. I remember those.
Oceans Of Slumber 'Oceans Of Slumber' (2020)
Slightly more commercial sounding outing from the progressive sludge metallers. Not a bad thing, as it gives Cammie Gilbert's sublime vocals more chance to show off. Less impressive is the pointless cover of Type O's 'Wolf Moon'.
Lady Gaga 'Chromatica' (2020)
After a few interesting diversions, Lady Gaga restakes her claim to the pop throne with this full throated dance pop work out. It's a grand record, but a bit of a step back in some ways.
Myrkur 'Folkesance' (2020)
Daylight hours black folk outing for Myrkur. Nice.
Paradise Lost 'Obsidian' (2020)
More Yorkshire miserablism from the lads. Basically this guy set to music:
https://youtu.be/OFCdWgFziN4
Dua Lipa 'Future Nostalgia' (2020) 2CD fancy edition
Marvellous and rightly celebrated pop album, here enhanced with a pile of excellent remixes and bonus tracks.
Working Men's Club 'WMC' (2020)
Neat disco-punk debut. Stand out is 'John Cooper Clarke'. Check it!
Haim 'Women In Music Part III' (2020)
Another slice of sunny 'Tusk' era Fleetwood Mac. Did well at the Grammys, but not quite as lively and distinctive as their last two outings.
It's 2021 now and we're getting vaccinated... oh, no wait, there's a kerfuffle with EU. Sigh. Anyway, ahead of some potential excitement being allowed back outside to avoid people in the street, I've been listening to (so far):
The Pretty Reckless 'Death By Rock 'N' Roll' (2021)
After the more country-fried efforts on their last one, TPR go back to kicking out the jams on their fourth one. Another consistently excellent record, but not really doing much to push their sound on like the third one did. Who cares though, when you rock out as well as these guys? Also comes with naked picture of Taylor Momsen, if that's your thing.
Zara Larsson 'Poster Girl' (2021)
Charming cracked voice modern pop. Good work from start to finish. Nice.
Epica 'Omega' (2021)
Another overwrought explosion of orchestral kitchen sinks from Epica. Of more interest are the acapella and acoustic versions on the second disc of the fancy book-box release I got.
Architects 'For Those That Wish To Exist' (2021)
I've always felt I should try harder with Architects. I have 'Daybreaker', but couldn't quite get into their modern mathrock metalcore. It made me feel old. A bit like listening to Asking Alexandria. Anyway, they're now massive and filling out arenas and, as such, this one sounds a bit more accessible to me. And I love it.