A great year for new music in my humble opinion, here’s my annual rundown…
1.) Indoor Pets – Be Content
This delightfully dorky debut album is absolutely brimming with shout-along choruses, clever hooks and distinct personality from the band formerly known as Get Inuit.
2.) Jimmy Eat World – Surviving
Their best record in over a decade, encompassing everything from cheesy saxophone solos to six-minute riff monsters.
3.) Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride
A diverse and sprawling record that shows off the maturity of Ezra Koenig’s songwriting skills.
4.) American Football – LP3
From emo revival to full-blown renaissance, American Football are back for good and their third self-titled album adds a new dimension with the female guest vocals supplied by Rachel Goswell, Elizabeth Powell (Land of Talk) and Hayley Williams (Paramore).
5.) Band Of Skulls – Love Is All You Love
Few bands can balance two styles so evenly as Band of Skulls, veering from a glam-rock strut to a reflective saunter and back without ever jarring in your ear. This is another fine addition to their increasingly impressive back catalogue.
6.) Get Up Kids – Problems
The emo pioneers roll back the years on this hugely satisfying record, their first in eight years, but their best in 20.
7.) The Amazons – Future Dust
“This is how Arch Rivals* would sound if you were in charge,” said Helen**. I’m gonna take that as a compliment…
8.) Idlewild – Interview Music
As subtle and diverse as you’d expect from Idlewild, this wonderfully poetic album rewards repeat listens.
9.) The Flatliners – Inviting Light
Chris Creswell’s voice leapt out at me from Spotify album radio and I still haven’t got over it. This fifth album from the Canadian quartet is a true revelation.
10.) Elbow – Giants Of All Sizes
Lead singles Dexter & Sinister and Empires set the bar very high indeed, and while the rest of this album doesn’t quite live up to that standard, it’s still a delightful record.
11.) Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost p1
12.) Foals– Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost p2
13.) Biffy Clyro – Balance Not Symmetry OST
14.) Whenyoung – Reasons To Dream
15.) Rival Sons – Feral Roots
16.) Weezer – The Teal Album
17.) Millencolin – SOS
18.) Dinosaur Pile-up – Celebrity Mansions
19.) Human Pyramids – Power Pose
20.) Dive Dive – The Waves Behind
There are plenty of new records to get excited about in 2020 from the likes of Green Day, Twin Atlantic and Weezer (yes, another one!) But for now, I leave you with my video of the year…
Chris Jefferies' Blog 