大象传媒

The album… surviving as a viable concept, despite ongoing talk of its tragic demise. I still don’t think there’s a better showcase for an artist’s work. But what makes a good one – well for me it’s personal taste. My personal taste is diverse and inclusive so this list of 50 contains indie, rock, punk, soul, hip-hop, electronic, acoustic and global flavours. And for the first time since compiling these lists… one band has done the triple-whammy of seizing best album, track and LIVE act – . Well done to them - enjoy at your leisure!

Albums of the year:

1. – Cocoa Sugar (Ninja Tune)

Then in alphabetical order:

• – Jellies (Heavenly)
• – Fire behind the curtain (Song, By Toad)
• – Here lies the body (Rock Action)
• – Radio Highlife (Brownswood)
• - 3 Chevrons (Invada)
• - Massive Aggressive (Good Gear)
• – Tell me how you really feel (Milk!)
• – Marble Skies (Because)
• – Sum of all your parts (Easy Life)
• – Open Here (Memphis Industries)
• – Suilven (Finiflex)
• – The year dot (Lost Map)
• – Always Ascending (Domino)
• – Istikrarli Hayal Hakikattir (Glitterbeat)
• – Le Kov (Heavenly)
• – Vessel of Love (Merge)
• – Temet (City Slang)
• – Diverse Part 2 (Ramrock)
• – From when I wake the want is (Rock Action)
• – Volume 4 (Unknown Capability)
• – Floating Features (Hardly Art)
• – Self-titled (Sub Pop)
• – Double Negative (Sub Pop)
• – Post Era (El Rancho)
• – Loud Patterns (Secretly Canadian)
• – Dance Music (Physical Education)
• – Grindshow (Vineland)
• – Smote Reverser (Castle Face)
• – Wide Awake (Rough Trade)
• – Insula (Hyperdub)
• – All these people are me (A Modern way)
• – Oil of every pearl’s un-insides (Transgressive)
• – Soul Searchin’ Volume 1 (SFSB)
• – Sounds (Chute)
• – On Top (Agitated)
• – Sparkle Hard (Domino)
• – Quit Now (Nice Swan)
• – Evil Spirits (Spinefarm)
• – Silver Dollar Moment (Heavenly)
• – Could it be different? (Slumberland)
• – Self Titled (Merge)
• – Time & Space (Roadrunner)
• – Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City)
• – Ancient Lights (Tru Thoughts)
• – Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar)
• – The more I sleep, The less I dream (Big Scary Monsters)
• – Performance (City Slang)
• – The louder I call, The faster It Runs (Merge)
• – A Ghost, A Beast (Song, By Toad)

Plenty more superb titles were released this year of course; please don’t get upset if your own personal favourite isn’t in there – remember this is my humble selection. More than anything, I hope you find some inspiration within.

Track of the Year:

Young Fathers – Toy

Compilation album:

(Triassic Tusk)

LIVE Act of the Year:

Young Fathers

Merry Christmas, Happy Hogmanay – and all the best for 2019!

Cheers,

Vic xxx