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2023 saw a relative return to normality in the world of music, and a huge amount of great stuff was released once again from Scotland and way beyond. As ever, I tried to keep across as much of it as possible on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds each week. Here is a list of some of the albums I reckon you should investigate and dig into, across genres and styles – indie, punk, rock, electronica, folk, world, reggae, jazz, classical and minimalism. A mere snapshot of a brilliant musical year in turbulent times…

Albums of the year

• Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy (Ninja Tune)

Taking the #1 spot for me this year is… a band I have championed from the very beginning, when they were unsigned. They have had their best year yet, and it has been a total pleasure watching their trajectory over the last 15 years. They are now truly one of the most exciting bands on the planet, both onstage and on record…. And it’s lovely to know they are just around the corner from me in Edinburgh too! They emerged from lockdown with ‘Heavy Heavy’ and a new LIVE stage-show that captured everyone’s hearts and minds. Not only that, but they seized the enviable title of ‘Scottish Album of the Year’, for the 3rd time as well! What more can I say? Young Fathers are now world-renowned, world-respected artists and it is totally and completely 100% deserved.

Then in alphabetical order:

• African Headcharge – A Trip to Bolgatanga (On U Sound)
• Altin Gun – Ask (Glitterbeat)
• Arborist – An Endless Sequence of Dead Zeros (Kirkinriola)
• BC Camplight – The Last Rotation of Earth (Bella Union)
• Benefits – Nails (Invada)
• Brighde Chaimbeul – Carry them with Us (tak:til)
• Cloth - Secret Measure (Rock Action)
• Constant Follower and William John Urquhart - Even Days Dissolve (Golden Hum Recordings)
• Corto Alto – Bad With Names (New Soil x Bridge the Gap)
• Creation Rebel - Hostile Environment (On U Sound)
• Cru Servers – EEL (12th Isle)
• David Holmes featuring Raven – Blind on a Galloping Horse (Heavenly)
• Django Django – Off Planet (Because Music)
• Dot Allison – Consciousology (Sonic Cathedral)
• Eyes of Others – Eyes of Others (Heavenly)
• Faex Optim – Crystal Pleasures (Faex Optim)
• Flamingods - Head of Pomegranate (The Liquid Label)
• Free Love – Inside (Lost Map)
• Gabriels – Angels and Queens (Atlas Artists) /
• GOAT – Medicine (Rocket Recordings)
• Gurry Wurry – Not as Bad as it Sounds (Gurry Wurry)
• Hamish Hawk – Angel Numbers (Post Electric)
• Joesef – Permanent Damage (Bold Cut)
• John Cale – Mercy (Domino)
• Joseph Malik – Proxima Ebony (Ramrock)
• King Creosote – I Des (Domino)
• King Khan - The Nature Of Things (Ernest Jenning Record Co)
• Kosmischer Läufer - Volume Five (Unknown Capability Recordings)
• Lankum – False Lankum (Rough Trade)
• La Sécurité – Stay Safe! (Mothland)
• Little Dragon – Slugs of Love (Ninja Tune)
• Logan’s Close – Heart Shaped Jacuzzi (Logan’s Close)
• Lost Map Presents Weird Wave (Lost Map)
• Meursault – Meursault (Common Grounds)
• Mungo’s Hifi – Past and Present (Scotch Bonnet)
• Neon Waltz – Honey Now (Fierce Panda)
• OSEES – Intercepted Message (In The Red)
• Penguin Cafe – Rain Before Seven (Erased Tapes)
• Priors – Daffodil (Mothland)
• Queens of the Stone Age – In Times New Roman (Matador)
• Raveloe - Exit Light (Olive Grove)
• Rudi Zygadlo – Doggerland (Rudi Zygadlo)
• Sleaford Mods – UK Grim (Rough Trade)
• Slime City – Death Club (Last Night From Glasgow)
• Spare Snare – The Brutal (Chute)
• Steve Mason – Brothers and Sisters (Domino)
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra – V (Jagjaguwar)
• WITCH – Zango (Desert Daze Sound)
• Withered Hand – How to Love (Reveal Records)

Music isn’t a competition of course… and as I say every year, this is just MY own personal list! Have I missed out your favourite? Please don’t harass me! Why not make your own list? But if you do listen to this lot, I sincerely hope you discover something you like. They’re all great…

Track of the Year

• King Creosote – Blue Marbled Elm Trees (Domino)

EP of the Year

• Redolent – Make Money Fast Online Now (Post Electric)

Compilation album

• The Soup Dragons – RAW TV Products – Singles & Rarities 1985 – ‘88 (Last Night From Glasgow)

Reissue

• De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising (Chrysalis)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hogmanay and all the best for 2024…

Cheeers,

Vic xxx