2020 The Albums: Top 10

 

via GIPHY

What a long strange year this has been but in trying to find a silver lining in it all, the music has been amazing. Some of the best records from artists old and new arrived making it so hard to come up with not just 10 albums for this list but editing down and selecting our Honorable Mentions. We hope these albums are not just a reflection of the era in which they were born but something to carry you over if you missed anything this year because there was just oh so much to miss and overlook. 

2020 League of Their Own Album Pick 

Here are our picks for the 10 best albums of the year:

2020 Honorable Album Mentions 

10) Dreamwife - So When You Gonna
9) Nation of Language - Introduction, Presence
8) Richard Russell - Friday Forever
7) Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony
6) Algiers - There is No Year
5) Greg Dulli - Random Desire
4) Thundercat - It Is What It Is
3) Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
2) Fontaines DC - A Hero's Death
1) Run the Jewels - RTJ 4

Now, in long form:

 10) Dreamwife - So When You Gonna

 An exciting sophomore from a London garage trio that simply do not hold back or care less what you think of them. A thrashing and frolicking good album from star to finish that makes recalls the glory days of early 2000s garage rock but brings more substance than most new releases from bands from that era. A record that makes us miss live shows even more during lockdown because So When You Gonna sounds like it could seriously own on stage. 

9) Nation of Language - Introduction, Presence

The debut album from this Brooklyn trio is perfect. Simply put. Take everything you love about 1980s new and dark wave and give it a modern spin. As they work with Fab from The Strokes and Nick of Static Jacks, garage rock drummers known to pound this kits, gives them a whole new genre and space to play in as Introduction, Presence, is new for all listening. It feels familiar but is different, which is the best recipe for albums. 

8) Richard Russell - Friday Forever

The sequel to his brilliant and League of Their Own winning, Everything is Recorded, the XL Records owner comes back with a new solo record that has a whole different concept to it. Friday Forever is a concept record made to listen to at certain times of the night as you enter the weekend after a long night of work. Friday Forever is meant to be listened to if you work in a big city and instead of going home, you go out and starting the weekend off right by not rushing to be anywhere and letting it take you somewhere you didn't plan. With guest appearances from Ghostface Killah, A.K. Paul, Infinite Coles, among others, the album becomes more special the more you listen unlocking new levels and layers of sound. 

 7) Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony

The long-awaited debut from one of hip-hops biggest enigmas didn't disappoint. Jay Electronica's debut was finished as the pandemic was getting started allegedly after Jay-Z, who is prominently featured on the album, encouraged and pushed his close friend and mentor to finally get it done and release it. Jay-Z isn't the only guest as James Blake, Travis Scott, and various production from  Swizz Beatz, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist, No I.D. bring the record to life.  

6) Algiers - There is No Year

 Rock and soul are always a good combination but when they join forces to discuss impending doom, the end of the world, and time stopping, no one could have predicted that weeks after the release of There is No Year that Algiers predicted some of the future. This album is like going to Sunday church but with the best band leading the chorus as rock and soul mix with gospel and punk to bring us one of the most interesting and powerful albums of the year. 

5) Greg Dulli - Random Desire

The Afghan Whigs frontman released his second solo album and first since the band reformed in 2012 and like everything else he has done in his career, Dulli shows just how great he is at songwriting, arraigning and evoking emotions you were not expecting to feel while listening to a rock and roll record. A powerful album filled with the things that have guided him his whole career -- passion, soul, and fury. 

4) Thundercat - It is What It Is

Nobody makes albums like Thundercat and that is probably because there is no one like Thundercat. The California bassist and producer returned with his latest acid jazz / doom pop record that is filled with irreverent and comical lyrics but also epic party anthems and in a year where we could not celebrate together, here was an album that made you want to have a dance party in your own home. 

3) Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You

At 71 years old and nearly 20 albums under his belt, what more could Bruce Springsteen have to say? Turns out, a lot. Letter To You is his best album since 2002's The Rising, which was his landmark comeback record with the E-Street Band following 9/11, so that means that endorsement doesn't come lightly. Letter to You is a rip roaring rock and roll record made in just a week during the height of the pandemic and hears the iconic songwriter coming to face his own mortality and the mortality of his band as well as the legacy he hopes to leave behind. The burning fire and desire in Springsteen's heart still burns and we thank him for it. 

2) Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

The best new band of 2019 who had last year's album of the year return with a sophomore LP just as epic as their debut. A Hero's Death is a record that feels familiar but is different in scope and sound from one of the world's finest new artists. This record, unlike Dogrel, is bigger in production and sonics which is expected for a second record but not like this. Fontaines D.C. are more than just a rock band from Ireland, they are the rock band of our era and music like another pack from Dublin which formed 40 years ago, could be the voice of this generation as this record helps make the case. 

 1) Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 4

Much of America and the world woke up to the Black Lives Matter movement as they sat home to finally pay attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. As unemployment shot through the roof, a financial crisis that was supposed to happen once in a generation in 2008 happened again this year. There was much to be afraid of and much to understand and learn and take action to change. In all of that was the rally cry and anthems provided by Run the Jewels on their spectacular fourth album proving that they are the most important music artists of this generation. RTJ4 is as powerful as one would expect in size, sound, sonic, style and substance. Some of these songs were written between Run the Jewels 3 release in 2016 and present day but feel like they were written just days before the records release. As Killer Mike and El-P take headlines and history lessons from the past and prove we have not learned anything and the time to educate is long overdue but needed. They are giving today's audience what their friend Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine did to his audience in the 90's, and informing with a powerful rhythm and an in-your-face lesson you cannot avoid. Featuring guests like 2 Chainz, de la Rocha, Pharrell, Mavis Staples, Greg Nice, DJ Premier, and among others, RTJ 4 is 2020 in 39 minutes. A time capsule for future generations and a new form of punk rock for the current one.

100 Best Albums of the Decade

via GIPHY


This list has been 10 years in the making. Here are my picks for the 100 best albums of the decade.

1	To Pimp A Butterfly	Kendrick Lamar	2015
2	DAMN.	Kendrick Lamar	2017
3	Run The Jewels 2	Run The Jewels	2014
4	Transgender Dysphoria Blues	Against Me!	2014
5	Black Star	David Bowie	2017
6	Body Talk	Robyn	2010
7	James Blake	James Blake	2010
8	Plastic Beach	Gorillaz	2010
9	The Epic	Kamasi Washington	2015
10	We Got it From Here…	A Tribe Called Quest	2016
11	Suck It and See	Arctic Monkeys	2011
12	Overgrown	James Blake	2013
13	21	Adele	2011
14	Ceremonials	Florence & The Machine	2011
15	In Spades	The Afghan Whigs	2016
16	Until the Quiet Comes	Flying Lotus	2012
17	The Suburbs	Arcade Fire	2010
18	Beyonce	Beyonce	2013
19	Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City	Kendrick Lamar	2013
20	The Far Field	Future Islands	2017
21	Recovery	Eminem	2010
22	4:44	Jay Z	2017
23	High Violet	The National	2010
24	A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings	Beach Slang	2016
25	The Magic Whip	Blur	2015
26	Post Pop Depression	Iggy Pop	2016
27	Adore Life	Savages	2016
28	Channel Orange	Frank Ocean	2012
29	Wasting Light	Foo Fighters	2011
30	AM	Arctic Monkeys	2013
31	Everything is Love	The Carters	2018
32	Everything is Recorded	Richard Russell	2018
33	LP1	FKA Twigs	2014
34	Dogrel	Fontaines D.C.	2019
35	Remind Me Tomorrow	Sharon Van Etten	2019
36	Songs of Innocence	U2	2014
37	DAYTONA	Pusha-T	2018
38	The King of Limbs	Radiohead	2011
39	Koi No Yokan	Deftones	2012
40	Biophilia	Bjork	2011
41	Well Done	Action Bronson	2011
42	Life Is Good	Nas	2012
43	Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds	Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds	2011
44	My Beatiful Dark Twisted Fantasy	Kanye West	2010
45	Reflektor	Arcade Fire	2013
46	Ghosteen	Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds	2019
47	III	BADBADNOTGOOD	2014
48	MASSEDUCATION	St. Vincent	2017
49	The Skeleton Tree	Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds	2016
50	Do to the Beast	The Afghan Whigs	2013
51	Vulnicura	Bjork	2015
52	Cuz I Love You	Lizzo	2019
53	Hamilton	The Cast of Hamilton	2015
54	This Is Happening	LCD Soundsystem	2010
55	El Pintor	Interpol	2014
56	Cocoa Beware	Young Fathers	2018
57	Run The Jewels	Run The Jewels	2013
58	Nightmare Logic	Power Trip	2017
59	Everybody	Logic	2017
60	Kill For Love	Chromatics	2012
61	Sweet Heart, Sweet Light	Spiritualized	2012
62	Otta	Solstafir	2014
63	The Monitor	Titus Andronicus	2011
64	CTRL	SZA	2017
65	Awaken, My Love	Childish Gambino	2016
66	House of Balloons	The Weeknd	2011
67	St. Vincent	St. Vincent	2014
68	Chasing Yesterday	Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds	2016
69	IV	BADBADNOTGOOD	2016
70	Skying	The Horrors	2011
71	In Colour	Jamie xx	2015
72	David Comes to Life	Fucked Up	2011
73	Royal Blood	Royal Blood	2014
74	El Camino	The Black Keys	2011
75	Infest the Rats Nest	King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard	2019
76	… Like Clockwork	Queens of the Stone Age	2012
77	What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?	The Vaccines	2011
78	American Ghetto	Portual. The Man	2010
79	Apocalypse	Thundercat	2013
80	We're New Here	Jamie xx & Gil Scot Heron	2011
81	Czarface	Czarface	2013
82	Black Messiah	D'Angelo	2014
83	2014 Forest Hills Drive	J. Cole	2014
84	Diamond Eyes	Deftones	2010
85	Coloring Book	Chance the Rapper	2016
86	Go	Jonsi	2010
87	Hurry Up, We're Dreaming	M83	2011
88	Handwritten	The Gaslight Anthem	2012
89	Coexist	The xx	2012
90	Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2	Beastie Boys	2011
91	Gang Signs and Prayer	Stormzy	2017
92	12 Reasons to Die	Ghostface Killah	2013
93	Bloodsports	Suede	2013
94	The Hunter	Mastodon	2011
95	Everyday Robots	Damon Albarn	2014
96	You're Dead	Flying Lotus	2014
97	Ukulele Songs	Eddie Vedder	2011
98	The Last Days of Oakland	Fantastic Negrito	2016
99	R.A.P. Music	Killer Mike	2012
100	The 1975	The 1975	2013

Great Soundtracks: 'Black Panther'

Black Panther continues to dominate the box office and we can tell you, if you haven't seen it yet, it is one of the greatest comic book to movie adaptations ever. Believe the hype. While the film brings in ticket sales, its soundtrack also delivers in ways you would and would not expect.

Listen to Our Essential Kendrick Lamar Playlist on Spotify

Executive produced by Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment, the soundtrack to Black Panther features heavy hitters like Lamar, SZA, James Blake, The Weeknd, 2Chainz, Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, among others. The soundtrack has its moments where it gives direct shoutout to characters in the film like T'Chala, Kilmonger, and the fictional nation of Wakanda. More importantly the record not only fits in the universe of the film but TDE's as well. Lamar's thumbprint is on every song and each track feels like you are on a roller coaster ready to go on your own mission to save the world. If you were to just play the record straight and not know it was from a movie, you would think that TDE was assembling a victory lap with this record, which makes it that much more special. Each track could and should be a single, while not taking away from movie it simply adds to it.

2017 Best New Artist: SZA

This superlative and tradition began in 2011 when a little British artist made a lasting impact on us, that artist James Blake, has gone on to release a handful of superb EP's, two more strong LPs, won the Mercury Prize and was nominated for a Grammy. Needless to say, we feel like we were correct in picking him and starting this award with him.

 

Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Named Our 2017 'League of Their Own' Winner

 

Other winners in following years included artists that were picked:

 

2011 - James Blake

2012 - The Heartbreaks

2013 - The 1975

2014 - Royal Blood

2015 - Kamasi Washington  

2016 - The Lemon Twigs

 

This superlative is awarded to an artist who released a stellar debut within the last 12 months and this year's winner is certainly someone special and one to treasure. 

 

See Our Picks for 2017's Honorable Album Mentions 

SZA, who released her brilliant debut, ctrl, earlier this year, was someone who came on our radar in 2014 and we named her a Rising Artist in March of that year. Since then, we have kept an eye on the TDE artist and after three years of waiting, ctrl arrived and it was worth the wait. Arriving with one of the best debuts in recent memory, the rapper blends R&B, soul, funk, into her autobiographical LP. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Isaiah Rashad, among others, she pulls her influences from Tupac to the Fugees to Odd Future to give the new school a taste of the old in an artistic manner. If this is her first step towards stardom, we are strapped in for the ride forever. 

St. Vincent is 2017's Officially A Icon 

Quick News

Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw's other band, aside from Head Automatica, sometimes United Nations, so, ok, his other, other, other band, Color Film, will release their debut album, Living Arrangements, in June.

Royal Blood will release their second record, How Did We Get So Dark? in June. Take a look at another teaser for it, below:


Kendrick Lamar released the title, cover, and tracklisting to his fourth album which arrives Friday. The record, Damn., will feature Rihanna and U2 and have production from Mike Will Make It, The Alchemist, BADBADNOTGOOD, James Blake, and others. Take a look:

DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar. pic.twitter.com/ucQcg0PuzG

— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) April 11, 2017

Sad news to report, J. Geils, the founding member of J. Geils Band was found dead in his home at age 71. Police say he passed from natural causes.

Lana Del Rey released the cover to her new album, Lust For Life. The record arrives in June.

Lust for Life Album cover

A post shared by Lana Del Rey (@lanadelrey) on Apr 11, 2017 at 9:32am PDT

2016 The Albums: Top 10

via GIPHY

As we close the chapter to what was a brutal year in so many ways, we look back at the music that was. 

Josh Homme Named Officially A Icon

In a year where we lost David Bowie, Prince, Phife Dawg, Sharon Jones, Leonard Cohen, and so many others, 2016 will be marked like someone with a scarlet letter. It wasn't a particularly great year by any means and the music echoed that. 

See Our Pick for 2016's League of Their Own Album

It felt as if the year took a while to cook up great records by brilliant artists. Some of the heavy hitters like Beyonce, Rihanna, Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Richard Ashcroft, and Kanye West released albums that achieved much acclaim straight away but quickly faded off as the year trickled on. Everything seemed to be fly by night and as we close out 2016, we look back at our picks for the 10 Best Albums of the Year. 

Meet 2016's Best New Artist

These records not only made an impact to our ears but also have a welcomed longevity where we will be listening to them for years to come. 

See Our Picks for the 2016 Honorable Album Mentions

Here are our picks for the 10 Best Albums of the Year: 

10. James Blake - The Colour in Anything

9. Slaves - Take Control

8. Czarface - A Fistful of Peril

7. Kendrick Lamar - Untitled. Unmastered.

6. BADBADNOTGOOD - IV

5. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree

4. Iggy Pop - Post Pop Depression

3. Savages - Adore Life

2. Beach Slang - A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings

1. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service 

Now in Long Form, With Explanations:

10. James Blake - The Colour in Anything

In May, the digital generations “King of Pain” released his surprise third album. Sonically, it picks up where Overgrown left off, however, lyrically, it is Blake at his best. With a slew of guests including Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and help from Rick Rubin, Blake is maturing before our eyes and revealing more of his mysterious deck of cards with every release.

9. Slaves - Take Control

No other record in 2016 captured the social anger of Brexit and Trump's election win more than Slaves' Take Control. The UK punk duo  returned with help from Mike D. of Beastie Boys on deck as the producer for their sophomore album. The record is a loud bash of fuck you to the system and brings forth the attitude of the genre’s yesteryear.

8. Czarface - A Fistful of Peril

The indie hip-hop supergroup featuring Inspetah Deck, 7L and Esoteric returned with their third record and unlike their previous efforts, A Fistful of Peril, relies heavy on the lyricism of the crew rather than the samples, production and special guests. Each album furthers the adventures of the fictional comic book character and the latest shows that these guys are here to stay to see their superhero take over the game.

7. Kendrick Lamar - Untitled. Unmastered.

Nearly a year after releasing last year’s best album, the groundbreaking To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar gives fans the tracks that hit the cutting room floor with a collection of unmastered and untitled tunes. These songs, which hit the cutting room floor, showcase his thought process. It is a behind the scenes look into what and why Lamar is the future of the genre.

6. BADBADNOTGOOD - IV

The best music from Canada usually comes from oddball collectives and BADBADNOTGOOD are no different. The acid jazz group has released a collection of fascinating and brilliant songs that transcend the genre into pop, rock, and of course, hip-hop.

5. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree

If Nick Cave stopped making music after the tragic death of his teenage son last year, the world would have understood. However, for Cave to take the darkest chapter in his life and turn it into his greatest album in decades is something else. This album plays like an Academy Award winning film that features such heavy subject matter it leaves you tattered, torn and in hysterics and the fact that he can do this without shedding a tear playing the songs is something else. A remarkable, heavy record that needs to be heard and experienced. 

4. Iggy Pop - Post Pop Depression

Listen To Our Essential Iggy Pop Playlist on Spotify

In what might be the Godfather of Punk's swansong, Iggy Pop goes out with a bang with his best album in decades. Recruiting Josh Homme to play and produce the album as well as Matt Helders of Artic Monkeys on drums and members of Queens of the Stone Age, Pop assembled a band that is indebted to his career and makes them shine as they still make the star of the show a spectacle. It has been a long time since Pop has sounded this raw and uncharted without sounding frivolous. It also is the first time Pop has sounded this polished without being overproduced. If this is how the master wants to hang up his career, then he did it in all the right ways.

3. Savages - Adore Life

The London based post-punk band returns and defies the sophomore slump. Building on the critically acclaimed debut they unleashed to the world two years ago, they fired back with Adore Life. A record that mixes the hop of new wave, the despair of cold wave and the attitude of the 21^st Century post-punk sound they are after. If Ian Curtis were alive today, this would no doubt be his favorite band. 

2. Beach Slang - A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings

Following their sublime 2015 debut, The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us, Philly’s Beach Slang return with a record so good, it defies the sophomore slump idea. A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings is raw emotion over a punk rock score. This band is quickly turning out to be a modern version of The Replacements and we are more than fine with it. 

1. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

The first album from the mighty Tribe Called Quest in 18 years does not disappoint, in fact, it lets the legends go out on a high note. Following their on-again, off-again reunions since 2008, Tribe reconciled fully in 2015 to perform on The Tonight Show which sparked the idea of a new album. After a series of intense recordings and founding member Phife Dawg traveling back and forth from California to Jersey to work on the record, he unexpectedly passed in March. The record is a love letter to his life and legacy. The remaining members of Tribe finished the LP inside Q-Tip’s Ab-Soul Studio in New Jersey and released it to the world. It became their first No. 1 album in 18 years and above all, one of the greatest achievements. Using the jazz and rock samples that made them instant icons, they also push forward to a whole new generation. Getting help from Jack White, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, Consequence, Andre 3000,  Talib Kweli and more, the Tribe has spoken and we are all at their feet saying “we are not worthy.”

Listen to Our Essential Tribe Called Quest Playlist on Spotify

2016 Best New Artist: The Lemon Twigs

This superlative and tradition began in 2011 when a little British artist made a lasting impact on us, that artist James Blake, has gone on to release a handful of superb EP's, a magnificent sophomore LP, won the Mercury Prize and was nominated for a Grammy. Needless to say, we feel like we were correct in picking him and starting this award with him.

See Our 2016 Honorable Album Mentions 

Other winners in following years included artists that were picked by us and voted on by you the fans, which were:

2012 - The Heartbreaks

2013 - The 1975

2014 - Royal Blood

2015 - Kamasi Washington  

Glam and classic rock has returned and it is thanks to two brothers from Long Island -- The Lemon Twigs. The band, who we picked as our September Rising Artist,  signed to 4AD over the summer and released their stellar debut, Do Hollywood. The glam-meets-baroque duo are a band that have been inspired by the 1970s and early 80s as well as the dangerous New York City-era their parents told them about. The teenage duo also write hooks that would make Brian Wilson and Lennon / McCartney proud. The harmonies, ideas and clever art they are crafting certainly makes them ones to watch and listen.

Their live shows are also something else. In an era when people say "rock is dead" a handful of teenagers from the same town as Bill Joel are out to prove everyone wrong. 

James Blake on 'Seth Meyers'

Watch James Blake perform "My Willing Heart" on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Playlist

September's 27-song playlist of random musical musings is here! Take a listen on Spotify!

Playlist

July's 27-song playlist is here, take a listen!

Quick News

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So, this could have been awkward. The upcoming Pixies album, Head Carrier, which features Paz Lenchantin on bass, has a song where she sings about former and original bassist, Kim Deal. In a recent interview with BBC6 Radio, frontman Frank Black said the song is a "thank you letter" to Deal and penned it only if his new axewoman agreed to sing it.

It is being reported that Broken Social Scene will perform new music on their upcoming summer tour and are working on a new record.

Mike D spoke to Rolling Stone about his upcoming Beats 1 Radio show, The Echo Chamber and also discussed the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the Beastie Boys debut, Licensed to Ill.  He said he hasn't listened to the record recently and in fact, doesn't listen to his own material. "I don't listen to any of our records. But once in a while, if I'm DJing, I'll go and try to see and listen to the instrumental or something or an a cappella or something and see what's there. I'd say the last time I did it, it was interesting. I don't know. I guess what stood out to me about it … you know, there's obviously a lot of stuff on there that I'd like to never hear again. But there's production on it and songs, we were really on top of something," he said.

Hip-hop duo, The Cool Kids have reunited. In a press release, Chuck Inglish said: "I called Mikey and realized nothing would feel better than us being the originators again." Inglish confirmed that once his is finished with his solo album, he and Mikey Rocks will head back to the studio to record a new album.

Speaking on the Spotify series, Secret Genius, James Blake said he once turned down Drake and ignored rules laid down by Beyonce's people. On her new album, Lemonade, Beyonce and Blake have a song called "Forward," and her camp allegedly gave him lyrics to sing, but he sang his own. "It ended up just being me and an engineer in a room. Him playing me something that just sounded—like the start of something—and I wrote something that was completely against the brief... I've never sung anybody else's lyrics. So I just assumed that's not I was going to be doing. So I got my phone out and sang some of my own lyrics that were about something else and about somebody else. But it fit somehow into the song and it fit into the album, and I'm just honored that they used it," he said. As far as the Drake front, the rapper once asked him for an old beat he had made and Blake said no. Now, the English singer comes clean, saying: "I remember having a conversation with my publisher later, and saying: What did you think of that decision? Because you know that was a massive album. I asked how much money exactly I turned down by doing that. I spat out my drink. But I could have made far more money if I had taken certain opportunities, or gone to the right parties. And actually, I a little bit regretted, because it is good, it sounds good on the track. I just did it as a matter of principle at the time. I really liked it. And I think had they come to me beforehand and said we really want to use this what do you think I probably would have said yes."

James Blake at Glastonbury

Watch James Blake perform "Radio Silence" plus his song "Timeless," where he brought out Vince Staples during his Saturday night set at Worthy Farm in England.

QUICK SPINS

James Blake – The Colour in Anything

Earlier this month, the newly crowned “King of Pain” released his surprise third album. Sonically, it picks up where Overgrown left off, however, lyrically, it is Blake at his best. With a slew of guests including Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and help from Rick Rubin, Blake is maturing before our eyes and revealing more of his mysterious deck of cards with every release.

FINAL GRADE: A

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Emotive, vigilant, indulgent, creative, pragmatic, these are all words to describe Radiohead, they are also words to describe their surprise new album. The record, which contains songs that they have been kicking around live for years plus a hand full of new tracks is not the strongest Radiohead release but it is not the worst. This band doesn’t have the strength nor the audacity to release a bad record, however, A Moon Shaped Pool is one like Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief that takes a few listens and time to grow on the listener.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Gallant – Ology

The beautiful debut from singer Gallant features as much soul and sexy finesse as a Prince release. It is not only impressive it is a sign of things to come.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Pantha Du Prince – The Triad

For his first solo record in six years, German producer Pantha Du Prince takes listeners to a further space of musical darkness and ambience. This is the soundtrack to astronauts floating in space.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Eagulls – Ullages

The Leeds, England band returns but this time much more melodic and fascinating than the post-punk noise rock they delivered on their debut. An impressive step forward into what could be a sharp new direction.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Catfish & The Bottlemen – The Ride

The Welsh band returns with more catchy hooks, driving riffs and earnest songwriting. It picks up where their impressive debut left off and is here to save radio rock and roll.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Aloha – Little Windows Cut Right Through

After six years away, the Ohio indie rockers return recharged and refurbished after their hiatus and bring with them a brilliant melodic and catchy comeback album.

FINAL GRADE: B+

So So Glos – Kamikaze

The So So Glos came about in the wrong era but these New York punks make their DIY aesthetic dangerous, creative and fun. Kamikaze is their way to bring rawness back to a musical world so polished.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost

Philly’s emo punk revivalists come alive on their third record. Holy Ghost takes listeners back a decade to a sound that dominated college rock radio and then faded as fast as it came. This band holds onto what the scene was about and brings a new energy for all fans to come together and enjoy.

FINAL GRADE: B

Twin Peaks – Down to Heaven

The Chicago slacker punks return with a new album of the raw energy that has made them heroes from the Midwest and beyond.

FINAL GRADE: B

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid

The lyrical wordsmith that is Aesop Rock returns with his latest offering of microphone destruction. While his tongue is the weapon that engages listeners the album falls a bit flat on the production end.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Holy Fuck – Congrats

The electronic duo returns with new sounds to make the summertime relaxation come into full effect.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Vinnie Caruana – Survivors Guilt

The I Am The Avalanche and MoveLife frontman is back again with another solo offering that hears him tearing another layer of his soul out and putting it on wax for fans to endure.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Mudcrutch – 2

Tom Petty has reactivated his first band for a throwback rock and roll fest for the ages.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Richard Ashcroft – These People

Since going solo, the former Verve frontman’s records are hit or miss – These People unfortunately misses. Many of the songs are just far too long for their own good and don’t go anywhere. Lyrics are still the singer’s strong point, which saves the album from being a total disappointment, but after five years ago, fans would have expected something far greater and poignant

FINAL GRADE: C+

Drake – Views

The surprise release from Toronto’s most obnoxious son (Rest in Peace Rob Ford), is just another record of him showing off what he has and what you don’t. It is a record, like his others, where his best songs are when he is singing and his worst is when he attempts to be a rapper that has something to say.

FINAL GRADE: D

A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper

Three years after his impressive debut which laid the foundation for trap to come into the mainstream, Ferg returns. This time, instead of pushing the boundaries of the genre he helped create, he falls victim of it. His latest is uninspiring and complacent, which is upsetting since his debut was fresh and invigorating.

FINAL GRADE: D

Quick News

The Hold Steady have reunited with keyboardist Franz Nicolay for an upcoming series of concerts to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their landmark third album, Boys and Girls in America. Nicolay left the band in 2010 to pursue a solo career. The band are also planning on reissuing their first two albums, Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday, later this year.

The National have confirmed that they will begin work on their new album "soon." Guitarist Aaron Dessner told the news to Pitchfork.

Liam Gallagher has praised a rough cut of the upcoming Oasis documentary that is being done by the same team that did the award winning Senna and Amy. Gallagher tweeted his review:

Just seen the 1st cut of the OASIS film BIBLICAL what ever happened to my ROCKNROLL LG x

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 5, 2016

A REAL FILM ABOUT A REAL BAND FOR REAL FANS NONE OF THEM FAKE 1s YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE LG X

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 5, 2016

Warner Bros. will being rolling out Prince reissues later this year. The label plans on reissuing many of his records between 1985-1992. Here is the official list:
June 21st: “Around the World in A Day” (1985)
July 19th: “Parade (Under the Cherry Moon soundtrack)” (1986)
August 23rd: “Sign o’ the Times”(1987)
September 20th: “The Black Album”(1987 recorded; 1994 released)
October 18th: “Lovesexy” (1988)  and “Batman” soundtrack (1989)
November 22nd: “Graffiti Bridge” soundtrack (1990) and “Diamonds and Pearls” (1991)
December 13th: “The Love Symbol” (1992)

James Blake has surprised fans by releasing his third album, The Colour In Anything, this evening. Take a look at the cover, below: