10. Maggie Rogers – ‘Surrender’
What We Said…
In the early days of Maggie Rogers' career, she was seen as a fresh and inventive name arriving on the scene. With a number of viral offerings that led up to her breakthrough debut album 'Head It In A Past Life' in 2019, she was seen as an artist working her way through the sludge of commercial pop at the time to deliver something far more rousing and interesting. And after a few years of figuring out what worked and what didn't from that initial collection, she is now looking to refine herself with her sophomore studio album 'Surrender', a record that makes far braver choices.
While 'Heard It In A Past Life' certainly showed promise for the dynamic artist, 'Surrender' feels the far more confident outing of the two. Still maintaining much of that same bright and forward-thinking approach to the mainstream ideal, she has blended her captivating songwriting with some brilliantly engaging production that hits all the marks. Choosing to self-produce this new release alongside Kid Harpoon has certainly given her an artistic freedom she seldom showcased before, gifting us a truly vibrant and imaginative array of pulsing pop delights.
It is very rare that we get to hear a pop record that is just as much about sound and texture as it is the voice and lyrical content, but 'Surrender' finds a perfect middle ground between the two. Progressive and inventive as often as possible, Maggie Rogers has delivered a juggernaut of adventurous aesthetics here.
9. Soccer Mommy – ‘Sometimes, Forever’
What We Said…
Ever since she first emerged with her incredible debut album 'Clean' back in 2018, singer and songwriter Sophie Allison aka Soccer Mommy has always brought something new and inventive to the scene. Showcasing her well-rounded and matured songwriting within a bold and intense indie-rock aesthetic has been the hallmark of her releases to date, and continues to shine as one of the world's most enigmatic acts. But for her third full-length 'Sometimes, Forever', she is embarking on something more euphoric and tender in equal measure as she confronts the demons inside her.
Dark and unwanted thoughts have always played a part in her lyrics to date, but on 'Sometimes, Forever', we see her bring those concepts to the forefront, almost in an attempt to vex them from her psyche. Working with producer Oneohtrix Point Never, who normally works in a very different arena than Soccer Mommy's guise, the pair have brought this wonderfully deep and sprawling direction to her work. Largely following up what we have heard on previous albums, these new offerings have this bigger and more passionate feel to them, something that really heightens the raw emotion within her words.
Soccer Mommy has rarely faltered over the years, but 'Sometimes, Forever' sees her take a fresh and innovative step forward in her work. With Oneohtrix Point Never's production seeing him focus solely on bringing out the best in her sound, there is something brilliantly mystical about this new effort, delivering something even more progressive and adventurous than we could ever think possible.
8. Kendrick Lamar – ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’
What We Said…
If there is any artist in the world that almost everyone agrees is pushing the progression of popular music right now, it is Kendrick Lamar. The rapper has been countlessly applauded for his brash and confrontational approach to social and political lyrics, becoming an almost unofficial commentator on the current state of the world today. But with his last studio album 'DAMN.' earning him a Pulitzer Prize, he has been isolating himself away from the limelight, readying his next move. Now he drops his fifth full-length 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers', a record that continues to build on his captivating direction.
Throughout his releases so far, he has always looked to place one foot in the commercial charts, and one in the more grounded underground movement. His records have looked to appease both sides of his fanbase; the ones looking for spiritual and intrinsic flow, and the others just looking to have a good time. But on 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' he focuses himself more on the former, unveiling a broad and forward-thinking release that wouldn't sit too well in a club setlist. It feels like the true poet within him has come out to play and has taken over this new collection, offering up smooth and shimmering grooves that go down real easy.
It may not have the same brutal anger that he has been known to show in the past, but 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' is a fresh and enticing continuation of his sound to date. Keeping a handle on the light and driven texture within each of these singles, he takes his time throughout this new release, slowing letting it build and ebb away when it needs to.
7. Perfume Genius – ‘Ugly Season’
What We Said…
Since his emergence with the brilliant 2010 debut LP 'Learning', US artist Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius spent much of his early beginnings on the peripheries of the outer alternative pop realm. His broad and passionate textures earned him countless accolades, but since the release of his 2020 studio collection 'Set My Heart on Fire Immediately', he has found himself in more demand than ever and built an impressively devout fanbase as a result. Now returning with his sixth album 'Ugly Season', he looks to recapture the ethereal tendencies of his earlier self and bring a more emotionally-charged effort to the forefront.
Perfume Genius has always looked to harness an enigmatic and chameleonic identity, but on 'Ugly Season', we see him in one of his most transcendent guises to date. Largely made up of bold and atmospheric works that present him at his rawest moments, we see him rebuild the captivating name of his infancy, and offering up something a world away from his last full-length. With a sparse approach to instrumentation and production, his eerie vocals spread themselves throughout this humble yet euphoric release, channelling some beautifully riveting and inventive ideals throughout.
It may not be the return that fans of his previous album were expecting, but 'Ugly Season' showcases Perfume Genius at his most adventurous. Wistful and magnetic all at once, he builds this brilliantly enticing world of sonic appeal around him, leading us down an avenue of sweet yet haunted aesthetics that sound like no one else right now.
6. Beabadoobee – ‘Beatopia’
What We Said…
Throughout her earliest beginnings, Beabadoobee had built up a reputation for fresh and inventive bedroom-pop ditties, spread amongst a flurry of impactful EPs in her teenage years. The arrival of her debut LP 'Fake It Flowers' in 2020 saw her emerge from the outer peripheries of the pop-rock scene to become the darling child of future mainstream pop. But now twenty-two years old, she feels far more reassured within her newfound fame as she returns to deliver her easygoing sophomore studio album 'Beatopia', a record that sees her continue to shine harder than most.
While the sonic appeal of 'Beatopia' remains very much in the same vein as 'Fake It Flowers', her general demeanour and approach to songwriting feels far more effortless this time around. Each song is embroiled in a warm and effervescent atmosphere that opens her up to these wonderfully bright and absorbing textures, giving us this incredibly alluring and engaging listen throughout. And while it may not have the same instant grab-factor her previous outing possessed, she still manages to create a beautifully loveable and compelling array of delights once again.
Beabadoobee is quickly growing into one of those artists that feels too good to be true. While the buzz and acclaim is one thing, the overall joy that 'Beatopia' is to listen to really resonates with her general presence and persona on here, showcasing her as an act that is always looking to find the most distinctive yet uplifting direction possible.
5. Ezra Collective – ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’
What We Said…
After the release of their breakthrough debut LP 'You Can't Steal My Joy' in 2019, London's Ezra Collective became one of the few notable jazz outfits to make their way to a mainstream audience. With a sound that dabbled in afrobeat and hip-hop energy throughout, their diverse and varied approach brought them countless praise and acclaim, earning them a place as one of that year's most exciting new acts. Now after a few years to figure out their next move, they return with their eagerly-awaited sophomore studio album 'Where I'm Meant To Be', a record that continues that vibrant ascent.
While on the surface not much has changed for them sonically, there is definitely a more refined feel in what they are looking to achieve this time round. With the likes of Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, and Emeli Sandé lending their vocals to this new collection, Ezra Collective sound far more reassured and at ease within their chosen aesthetic. Regularly keeping the vibes and pace as fast and fresh as possible, 'Where I'm Meant To Be' sees them return with a wonderfully infectious pursuit of bold and hip-shaking offerings, brimming with an enticing aura throughout.
It may have only been a few years since their last outing, but 'Where I'm Meant To Be' signifies a strong and driven progression. There is a flair of creativity and confidence running throughout this new collection, something that we can see ourselves coming back to again and again.
4. Beach House – ‘Once Twice Melody’
What We Said…
Since their infancy, Beach House have remained one of the more captivating names on the dream-pop scene. With a sound that blends rich and soaring atmosphere with a driven pursuit of warming textures, they have quickly made themselves figureheads of the genre as a result. But while many others have jumped on their bandwagon over the last decade, the duo themselves have already begun moving onto the next phase of their direction as they unveil their eighth studio album 'Once Twice Melody', a record that has a far more forward-thinking approach than most.
Throughout the ventures they explored on their previous collection '7', it was clear that Beach House were beginning to move away from the safer and more expected angles of what they have done before, almost reinventing themselves in the process. Now that more adventurous spirit is the hallmark of 'Once Twice Melody' as they work to create a more refined aesthetic throughout. Divided up into four chapters, this new release marks a wonderfully bold and effervescent addition to their growing catalogue, delivering a beautifully well-rounded return with effortless songwriting from start to finish.
They have rarely found themselves faltering over the last two decades, but 'Once Twice Melody' feels like they are at their most perfect to date. There is a smooth and easygoing vibe running the length of this new album, making it so easy to get wrapped up in it, you almost lose yourself several times as it plays.
3. Beth Orton – ‘Weather Alive’
What We Said…
Throughout her tenure, Beth Orton has been seen as one of the most progressive and proficient artists working today. Although most of her high-profile notoriety arrived back in the 90s, including back-to-back Mercury Prize nominations for her LPs 'Trailer Park' and 'Central Reservation', she has still maintained a warm and lofty direction that has suited her ageing spirit. And after a six-year hiatus since her previous outing 'Kidsticks', she now returns with her eighth studio album 'Weather Alive', a record that looks to see her enter a new era within her sound.
Now in her fifties, Beth Orton is more keen to create a truer and more longer-lasting legacy than on her previous records, which is probably why 'Weather Alive' has this instantly timeless feel from the very start. Always one to capture the raw and heartfelt emotion within each of her songs, this soft yet exuberant return makes for a wonderfully alluring listen throughout. While she isn't one to adopt bold and euphoric production to aid her songwriting, the wistful nature of this new collection perfectly elevates her passionate direction, and delivers one of the most captivating releases of her career so far.
She may not be as prolific and diverse as she once was, but this contemplative and honed Beth Orton is one that really packs in the magic. 'Weather Alive' could easily go down as her best album to date, depending on your state of mind at the time. There is so much to unpack and unravel here, a single listen would never do it justice.
2. Black Country, New Road – ‘Ants From Up There’
What We Said…
When the vibrant and experimental group Black Country, New Road released their breakthrough debut album 'For The First Time' last year, they instantly started people talking. With a sound that had rarely been explored before, the unusual and unconventional approach became an almost love-it-or-hate-it concept, as the group found themselves with a devout fanbase that praised nearly everything they produced. And now returning almost exactly one year to the day, they deliver their sophomore studio album 'Ants From Up There', a record that builds upon the foundations of that glittering initial effort.
It may have arrived just one year after its predecessor, but the steps forward Black Country, New Road have taken on this new collection are quite simply exceptional. Rejecting some of their more outlandish ideals in pursuit of a warmer and more baroque direction this time around, 'Ants From Up There' is a beautifully constructed work that already makes a stake for album of the year. The wonderfully conceived songwriting and adventurous spirit has become the driving force behind this new release, and sees the group become focused and more well-rounded as a result.
It feels like a very exciting time for Black Country, New Road right now. Despite the sudden departure of frontman Isaac Wood just days before this release, there is a progressive and cohesive light around the band at the moment, something that feels like it is only just beginning to emerge.
1. Wet Leg – ‘Wet Leg’
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There has not been another band this year that has excited the new music community as much as Wet Leg. With the release of their breakthrough debut single 'Chaise Longue' last summer, they have been on a whirlwind journey of praise, radio play, and TV hype, regularly cracking out even more intriguing offerings as they go. And just at the point when it feels like their saturation has reached its peak, they deliver their highly-anticipated self-titled debut album, a record that looks to bring something fresh and original to a weary indie-rock scene.
Throughout 'Wet Leg', we get to hear the duo's multifaceted influences, which include the self-conscious and sometimes sarcastic flair of Sonic Youth, Pixies, and The Breeders, all while looking to strive for something more contemporary and interesting to explore. The result is this brilliantly self-aware collection of breezy anthems that almost take on an eclectic yet succinct feel. Each cut has its own distinctive hook and texture, but all sound extremely comfortable played next to each other, something that is rarely heard these days and hardly ever done as well as this.
The buzz surrounding them has been well-deserved, but 'Wet Leg' cements them as one of the most inventive and compelling new acts of the year. They have this incredible drive to not only stand out from their contemporaries, but also offer something genuinely fun and enjoyable from start to finish. A roaring success throughout.