It was a year that divided us in politics and then united us
in grief for the many we’ve lost. It shocked us with each week and in some
cases each day that passed; Bowie must have known something when he bowed out
at the start of the year.
However, like each year before and each year that will
follow, the music we listen to scores the scenes that play out in our lives. We
all heard ‘Black Star’ and ‘Lemonade’ and agree they are fantastic, so rather
than another list that highlights the hits and then champions the
aforementioned; in no particular order, these were my favourite sounds that played through my 2016.
Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost
I read about the release of ‘Holy Ghost’
and decided to check it out on Spotify. Modern baseball was a band I was aware
of but hadn’t really listened to for some reason, but upon listening to the
album from start to finish I then went on to listen to their back catalogue
the same day. I found their music and lyrics relatable, an image of suburban
issues and similar experiences of growing up. Their sound is awesome too, like
post punk meets death cab, melodic with pit worthy songs you can lose yourself
within. They are a band I will always follow closely from now and will be one
of the few saving graces of 2016.
LvL Up – Somebody Kill Me Please
I shared this track in March 2015 but have
continued to listen to it throughout this year. To me it’s one of the greatest
tracks to begin with (seriously) but then LVL UP brought a band to it and a
melody and substance and just… This might make the list every year.
Alexander Bent + The Emptiness – Dead, In The Water
I am not sure how I ended up on Alex’s
Instagram, I think I was lost in a scroll session. I followed some links and
soon enough I was on his Soundcloud listening to his output. What struck me
first was the production quality; it’s flawless and immediately validates
everything that has gone into the tracks. Since that first listen I’ve spoke
with Alex a number of times and he’s a truly humble guy. His tracks lay everything
bare and he shares his raw emotions with you through each piece. Apart from ‘Hold
On To Me Forever’ the music rarely follows a standard structure, and is often
comprised of several songs within the song. When I asked Alex about this he
said his music is influenced by the ambience of dreams. This is most clearly evident
in my favourite track ‘Interlude for the Mood’ which takes you through
different scenes in a very dream like manner. This album didn’t receive any
mass recognition, but the listens are there and hopefully these will grow. I
honestly believe this has the potential to be an album that’s looked back on as
the start of something great.
This year I started using Instagram to find
new music online and thankfully so as without it I would likely not heard ‘Summers
End’ by Milan duo Surf Cassette. It takes clear influence from 60’s pop with
simple chord structures and a train like drum beat, all touched with a lo-fi
feel that cements the song together. It’s a format that has seen resurgence
with the likes of Burger Records and the artists they represent, and you would
be hugely mistaken if you thought it was an easy one to recreate… Not everyone
can get it just right like Surf Cassette have here.
Let’s Eat Grandma – ‘Sax In The City’
The creativity behind this track is
unfathomable. Imagined by the young multi-instrumental duo ‘Let’s Eat Grandma’,
the track has depths and textures to make the most established acts enviable.
Silk vocals and a myriad of sounds are layered to create a fantastic end
result. I particulate like the solo which comes in at 3:50 and carries the
track out, it reminds me of Soft Cell and how seemingly simple sounds can be
used to create the most beautiful of melodies.
Isolation Party – Be Easy
I have been gripped by ‘Be Easy’ since first
hearing it. It’s HUGE, weighty and uses all the right chords to give me that
feeling right in the middle of my chest. It’s the all-consuming feeling you get
when you know you are hearing something magical. Some tracks have that effect
and for me this really is one of those tracks. I think I will always listen to
‘Be Easy’ and somehow it feels like I always have.
Music is always best shared, thanks for reading.
Matt