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For no reason other than that we're still in lockdown and have much more time than usual to think about these kinds of things, here's some of the albums and new releases I've enjoyed so far this year. Hopefully you’ll enjoy some of these too. In strictly chronological order...
Bonny Light Horseman: A gorgeous example of how ancient folk tales can be brought back to life and in an entirely refreshed context. This is a wonderful side project from Anaïs Mitchell and others which combines historical references with soaring melodies. https://open.spotify.com/album/5OgTkrQuF1aL0FtsTi5KmV?si=UPXt6FUtTaGF14g3ZhK5LA
John Moreland – LP5: Breaking away from his overtly-country work, LP5 is more experimental but Moreland's emphatic lyrics remain. Ironically my favourite track is the instrumental ‘For Ichiro’ which does as good job as any of summarising the whole album. https://open.spotify.com/album/7tfour0GJH3jpS93pogegc?si=6WNQhAfqRoGoCpX23SWf7g
William Prince – Reliever: It’s Prince’s rich, vibrating vocals which grab you straight away with this album. Heart breaking and offering resilience in equal measure, this is an album which seems to have been written specifically for these hard times. https://open.spotify.com/album/5jPgTebUcZ6KyqNmYEhP07?si=jkRoOVfyQf6FKQCaGaOqLQ
Morrissey – Bobby, Don’t You Think They Know: Despite everything (and the rest), I’m still a sucker for Moz’s ‘90s and '00s work. His new album is patchy but this lead single is a captivating combination of Motown grooves and wailing saxophones. I love it.
Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud: It took a couple of listens to really get into this Americana diversion but, given the new style, I was always going to be a fan. Reminiscent of Lucinda Williams with lyrics that sound like Bruce Springsteen for a new generation. https://open.spotify.com/album/04HMMwLmjkftjWy7xc6Bho?si=iDTzp8W6RWWD-yWku9HQDQ
Brian Fallon – Local Honey: While this collection of sweet reflections on adulthood doesn’t stand up to Fallon's earlier work, it’s still a moving album which warrants repeat listens. ‘Vincent’ is a particularly haunting tale of a domestic violence victim. https://open.spotify.com/album/6WvuOTh1OKRSajaaoGMv1N?si=3qZtQ0SzSOKhnQWprSN_1w
Hiss Golden Messenger – Forward, Children: A surprise release which affirms HGM as one of today’s most consistently strong bands. I caught MC Taylor’s acoustic show last year and, while brilliant, this record captures the cathartic power of the full band. https://hissgoldenmessenger.bandcamp.com/album/forward-children-a-fundraiser-for-durham-public-schools-students
Michael Stipe – No Time for Love Like Now: Even in demo form, this is Stipe's best solo release yet and one which whets the appetite for a full album. Sounding like it could be from Up or Reveal, this is the song we need for these particularly trying times
Anna Burch – If You’re Dreaming: Dreamy soft rock, this second album from Anna Burch is a series of quiet ruminations which, while a bit patchy in parts, is overall a solid release. I need to listen to this more to really get into it. https://open.spotify.com/album/6c9CCPWfqZNDaaJEuMhbkc?si=Fx9qo-_tTt-Z5tyh_Gg0OA
Bruce Springsteen – Detroit 1988/Gothenburg 2012: The live archive series continues to be a revelation. These latest releases confirm 1988 is the most underrated of Bruce's tours (1988 > 1978...), while the 2012 show is just great fun from start to finish. http://live.brucespringsteen.net/live-music/0,24593/Bruce-Springsteen---The-E-Street-Band-mp3-flac-download-7-28-2012-Ullevi-Gothenburg-SE.html
Laura Marling – Song for Our Daughter: A surprise early release, this is a beautiful and well-crafted album which should be savoured on a balmy spring evening – preferably during a lockdown! Listless and dreamlike, this is wonderful for a time like this. https://open.spotify.com/album/0ubXthGSkZfe30Nuj91lcu?si=dHlBnlkvSbu2YMe9832uOg
Bob Dylan – Murder Most Foul: Less of a song and more of a late-night rumination from one of the greatest American icons, this is Dylan’s best release since 2006 and I only hope this isn’t a conclusionary note at the end of a career. One to be savoured. https://open.spotify.com/album/4IynOFuPYOzTzLXBz5UgYo?si=6urFY5guTSK-uGo5qXiR8w
Not sure why Bob appeared so much later than he should have in this list, but anyway. I'm sure there's more great releases this year that I've missed so please, if you have recommendations, send them my way!
