‘Ants From Up There’ is an impressive second album from Black Country, New Road, if perhaps less immediate and more ephemeral than their debut.
The meteoric ascent of Leeds’ own Yard Act culminates in ‘The Overload’, a fine example of sprechsegang post-punk but one that doesn’t forget the human touch.
‘Thirstier’ is a dazzlingly executed power move into the mainstream for Mackenzie Scott’s TORRES project.
Bringing out different textures in her sound, Billie Eilish’s songwriting and production is as sharp as ever on second album ‘Happier Than Ever’.
Compelling and empathetic storytelling is key to ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’, which sees Dave exploring identity and belonging more closely.
Surprisingly effective country-influenced duets from Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and Savages’ Jehnny Beth on ‘Utopian Ashes’.
John Grant journeys through elation and devastation with impactful songwriting and atmospheric production on ‘Boy From Michigan’.
John Darnielle and The Mountain Goats excel once again on 20th album ‘Dark In Here’, telegraphing pre-pandemic dread and anxiety.
Wolf Alice deliver a supremely confident, consistent and mature album for their third outing with ‘Blue Weekend’.
Aria Wells’ first full-length Greentea Peng album ‘MAN MADE’ lives up to the hype, a refreshing blend of psychedelic R&B cut with dub and reggae influences.
