20. Angel Olsen – ‘Big Time’
What We Said…
Since the release of her highly-praised 2020 full-length 'Whole New Mess', Angel Olsen has been on an extremely emotionally and transformative journey. In April last year, she announced to the world that she was gay, which would have been enough to bring a new side to her story so far. But sadly her father died only a few days later, and before the end of 2021, her mother would join him. Since then she has found herself looking for comfort and solace within her work, so has rediscovered her country roots on her sixth studio album 'Big Time', a record that harks for a new beginning throughout.
While the country sound is something she has dabbled in before, it is almost perfectly engineered to resonate the heartfelt turmoil she has endured these last few years. Yet despite coming through such a difficult time in her life, 'Big Time' still manages to harness all of the warm and embracing textures she has always been able to conjure up. Even if you weren't aware of the context in which this record was written, it would still deliver a broad and compassionate array of luxurious songwriting, something that feels like she has perfected over the years and spun into this vibrant web of emotions.
It may not have much of the same Angel Olsen sound we have come accustom to of late, but 'Big Time' is a strong and powerful step forward for her. Her personal life may have struggled recently, but she is reemerging as a bold and confident artist ready to shed her soul once again.
19. Oliver Sim – ‘Hideous Bastard’
What We Said…
After becoming the third and final member of The xx to embark on any solo material with his stunning effort 'Romance With A Memory' earlier this year, Oliver Sim quickly proved his worth as a solo artist with a flurry of enigmatic offerings over the last few months. Embarking on a diverse array of aesthetics in order to separate himself from his formative outfit, he has showcased some wonderfully inviting works and cemented quite the legacy for himself already. And after just a few months focusing on that direction, he delivers his debut solo album 'Hideous Bastard', a riveting shift from what anyone expected.
Within The xx, Sim was never short of a fresh and adventurous spirit in which to explore. His bandmates Jamie xx and Romy Madley Croft had been considered the driving force behind the project, but just a few tracks into 'Hideous Bastard' and it is clear that he has plenty of bold and fascinating ideas of his own. Throughout this first collection, Oliver Sim imprints his warm yet lucid approach to production and songwriting, creating a beautifully sweet and alluring release that feels familiar but with this consistent yearn to surprise and impress as often as possible.
Managing to master a sound that separates you from what you have been known for is no easy feat, but 'Hideous Bastard' offers up one enticing and vibrant cut after another, showcasing the artist as a true talent unto himself. Brimming with cinematic ideals and a progressive flow, it certainly feels like he is not done pursuing this new guise just yet.
18. Danger Mouse & Black Thought – ‘Cheat Codes’
What We Said…
Separately, both Danger Mouse and Black Thought have built up a reputation for forward-thinking innovation within the hip-hop sound. While Danger Mouse has become a renowned producer, transforming the sound of The Black Keys, Gorillaz, and Michael Kiwanuka with his adventurous flair, his heart remains focused on the vibrant beats and aesthetic of his mixtape work, while Black Thought remains the crucial voice behind The Roots to this day. And while this collaboration has been teased for the best part of a decade, 'Cheat Codes' is more of a love letter to both of their formative origins.
While each of them have this incredibly progressive guise to their material, 'Cheat Codes' is more about returning to the humble 90s New York vibe that both had a strong fondness for at the start of their respective careers. Rather than look to invent something new and experimental, there is a familiar groove running the length of this new collection that harks back to the simple majesty of their earliest beginnings. But despite exploring a tried-and-tested sound, they have still managed to find something interesting to explore within every track, resulting in a wonderfully bold and textured release.
There was never any doubt that these two coming together would produce solid gold, but Danger Mouse and Black Thought already feels like a pairing that have spent many years finding their flow. 'Cheat Codes' is a brilliantly fresh and flamboyant slice of hip-hop magic that very few could have pulled off.
17. Alvvays – ‘Blue Rev’
What We Said…
Throughout their initial years, Toronto's Alvvays were extremely quick to establish themselves as one of the breakthrough names within the illustrious dream-pop era of the time. With their self-titled debut LP in 2014 cementing them as a bright and adventurous name on the rise, their 2017 follow-up 'Antisocialites' invited even more accolades their way and allowed them to build upon their vibrant direction to date. Now marking five years since that release, the band have now returned with their eagerly-awaited third studio album 'Blue Rev', a record that sees them return to those heady heydays.
While five years away from the spotlight is more than enough time to figure out their next sonic direction, Alvvays feel more than comfortable within their original guise as 'Blue Rev' looks to continue their blistering eccentricity to date. Emerging from their musical cocoon with just as much fire and intensity we have always appreciated from them, this new collection makes for a wonderfully innovative and expressive listen throughout. Conjuring more of that fresh and energetic appeal they are known for, it seems to hit all the right mark as it thunders through its fourteen-track setlist.
Given the quality of what we had heard prior to this release, there was never any doubt that 'Blue Rev' would mark another enticing run of form for the band. Forever continuing to improve on its riveting aesthetic, Alvvays have returned with a brilliantly inventive gem, and maintained their engaging legacy so far.
16. Julia Jacklin – ‘Pre Pleasure’
What We Said…
Throughout her tenure to date, Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin has always looked to conjure a more emphatic and progressive approach to the folk-pop guise. While very much a storyteller at heart, her music has managed to see her branch away from the sweet and supple tones of her earlier days, leaning further into a more progressive outlook for herself. And with the international success of her 2019 sophomore LP 'Crushing', she has now looked to continue that vibrant ascent on her new studio album 'PRE PLEASURE', a record that builds upon her glittering direction so far.
Harnessing more of that warm and effervescent aesthetic she has built for herself, 'PRE PLEASURE' instantly establishes itself as a broad and inventive release. Keeping the focus of her songwriting firmly on her mesmerising vocals, each track aims to share a moment of power and raw emotion at some point, giving us a more yearning sensation as it plays. Throughout this new collection, we see Jacklin's persona sharing time with its bold and shimmering production that keeps the momentum forever moving forward and delivering a beautifully compelling full-length as a result.
There was never any doubt that 'PRE PLEASURE' would continue her soaring flair given the tracks that had been shared from it prior, but hearing it all in one place really draws you in. She has created a brilliantly memorable offering that hardly falters and always finds a way to leave you wanting more from start to finish.
15. Maia Friedman – ‘Under The New Light’
What We Said…
Maia Friedman originally began work on her solo material more than four years ago while teaching music and performing in bands across New York. But since then, she found herself in high demand elsewhere. Invited to join Dirty Projectors in 2018 left her diary fully booked with tours and studio time, not to mention her recent outfit Coco also breaking through and delivering their self-titled debut LP last year. But finally she has managed to find the time to complete her long-awaited debut album 'Under The New Light', which showcases her as one of the more exciting new talents we have heard in a while.
Not to be overshadowed by her work within Dirty Projectors and Coco, 'Under The New Light' stands as its own distinctive release that allows Friedman to bring her most effervescent textures to the forefront. With her powerfully warm and alluring voice layered amongst a sweeping bed of atmospheric production gives this new collection a fresh and inviting sound. There is this subtle simplicity to her work as she looks to create broad and euphoric offerings, but never doubles-down on bigger and louder instrumentation to achieve it. Always letting the rich beauty of her songwriting remain the focus of the record's core direction.
It is clear why she has riding a wave of acclaim these last few years, and 'Under The New Light' perfectly cements her place in today's scene. Maia Friedman is a wonderfully proficient songwriter with all the hallmarks of greatness laced within her work.
14. Weyes Blood – ‘And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow’
What We Said…
Throughout her tenure, singer and songwriter Natalie Mering aka Weyes Blood has always been one to explore the more tranquil and effervescent side to the alt-pop sound. While her previous endeavours certainly placed her as a fresh and warming artist on the rise, it was her last outing on 'Titanic Rising' in 2019 that saw her surge through the ranks to be named one of the best artists of that year. Now after a few years away to figure out her next move, she returns with her eagerly-awaited fifth studio album 'And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow', a record that builds upon that progressive guise.
While she largely likes to venture down a baroque and chamber-pop-inspired direction from time to time, 'And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow' feels like a far more distinctive piece of work when compared to what has come before. Rather than following a specific idea from start to finish, it feels far more passionate and open than what we are used to. Keeping the production and arrangement as stripped-back as possible, allowing her beautifully endearing voice to lead the way, her newest releases marks one of her most brilliant listens to date, brimming with warm and sensual textures.
There was never any doubt in the quality of 'And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow', given the singles that had already been released from it, but hearing it altogether makes for wonderfully captivating listening. Bright and engaging at every turn, she has returned with one of the most accomplished records of her career.
13. Fontaines DC – ‘Skinty Fia’
What We Said…
When Fontaines DC first arrived on the scene with their stunning breakthrough debut album 'Dogrel' in 2019, it was greeted as a bold and exciting release on the fledgling post-punk scene. Quickly following this up in 2020 with their sophomore collection 'A Hero's Death', it became very clear about what avenue they were looking to pursue and what staple sound they were looking to create. But now returning with their third studio album 'Skinty Fia', the band have broken off into an almost completely different direction, showcasing some of their most adventurous work to date.
While the group have always been outwardly proud of their Irish roots, 'Skinty Fia' sees them lean into them like never before and unveil something both extremely personal and courageously forward-thinking. Unlike what we have heard so far, there is this very broad and absorbing atmosphere running the length of this new record, as each track looks to fulfil the same mission of deepening and progressing their sound. The result is this beautifully rich and passionate return that lures you in with its wonderfully textured atmosphere, conceiving something that truly sets them apart from anything else right now.
Fontaines DC have been riding a wave of buzz ever since they arrived, but 'Skinty Fia' feels like the culmination of a band wanting to go down in musical history. There is a real sense of bravery and ambition on this new collection, and will probably be remembered as their most compelling album to date.
12. Dry Cleaning – ‘Stumpwork’
What We Said…
When Dry Cleaning released their breakthrough debut LP 'New Long Leg' last year, it was greeted as one of the most distinctive and inventive releases of that year. While it was nestled within countless other groups looking to revive the fledgling post-punk sound of the time, their first collection stood out as a bold and adventurous offering that cemented them as a truly unique voice on the scene. And after a whirlwind of buzz and acclaim ever since, they are wasting no time in delivering their sophomore studio album 'Stumpwork', a record that looks to build upon their vibrant direction to date.
What is most notable between their 'New Long Leg' material and this new effort is just how much more innovative they are being with their sound. While their initial full-length focused on the hard and driven aesthetic that bands like Sonic Youth had found success with before, 'Stumpwork' sees itself in a far more mellow light as the production keeps to a calmer touch, allowing frontwoman Florence Shaw to fully take the reins. It may not have the same bite as their previous outing, but this new endeavour is certainly a bold step forward for their direction and makes for similarly impressive listening.
While we have had no shortage of bands looking toward a post-punk feel to revive their overall sound, Dry Cleaning have taken it to new and exciting levels once again and offer up a brilliantly fresh and captivating collection throughout. Built upon their shimmering confidence so far, 'Stumpwork' continues their pursuit of rousing tones and engaging lyrical content from start to finish.
11. Mitski – ‘Laurel Hell’
What We Said…
Throughout her infancy, Japanese-American artist Mitski enjoyed a bold and adventurous stint as one of the most progressive yet seldom admired names on the new music scene. Her output was a regular addition to many critics' personal collections, but it wasn't until her 2018 LP 'Be The Cowboy' that she experienced world-renowned status. Her broad and adventurous style had finally broken out of the underground and brought her more praise and accolades than she had ever garnered before. Now after four years to figure out her next move, she returns with her sixth studio album 'Laurel Hell', a record that continues her enigmatic nature.
One of the things that has truly stood out about Mitski's direction is her ability to create rich and engaging offerings, without resorting to bright and over-the-top fanfare. She has this subtle allure about herself, which quickly makes itself the hallmark of 'Laurel Hell'. With its warm and effervescent texture, married perfectly alongside her own smooth and soaring vocal style, this new collection not only follows on from 'Be The Cowboy' effortlessly, but also sees her evolve out of her previous identity, giving us just enough intrigue to leave us wanting more by the end.
Although this was probably her most high-profile release of her career so far, Mitski has not buckled under the weight of expectation, and instead brought us yet another invigorating release. A strong and proficient artist from start to finish, something we seem to find ourselves in desperate need of at the moment.