30. SOAK – ‘If I Never Know You Like This Again’
What We Said…
In the wake of their stunning breakthrough debut album 'Before We Forgot How To Dream' in 2015, Northern Irish singer and songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson found themselves riding a wave of praise and acclaim that almost seemed never ending. Dubbed as the future of British bedroom-pop music, their sophomore collection 'Grim Town' continued this vibrant trend in 2019, offering a more dynamic direction to their guise. And after a few more years of figuring out their next move, they return with the third studio album 'If I Never Know You Like This Again', a record that looks to reach a peak of creativity so far.
Moving further away from the lo-fi folk aesthetic that littered their earlier work, 'If I Never Know You Like This Again' sees the artist develop into a rawer and more textured entity. Bringing a deep and atmospheric production behind them almost every step of the way, it feels like their songwriting has been moulded into a bigger and more expressive avenue, focusing more on the passionate emotion throughout. It creates this wonderfully rich and vivid world for us all to explore, and lends a new and interesting angle to what they have produced so far.
While it is certainly a bold step forward in musical evolution for the artist, 'If I Never Know You Like This Again' still maintains plenty of captivating tones and textures as it plays. Breaking out of that conventional singer-songwriter shell, SOAK is growing into something far more adventurous that really highlights the power within their words.
29. Arctic Monkeys – ‘The Car’
What We Said…
Throughout their first decade on the scene, Arctic Monkeys were one of the most impactful indie-rock bands that had ever graced the earth. With five impressive and anthemic studio albums under their belts, they carved a path across the world that brought them huge international acclaim, the likes of which rarely happens to artists in this modern era. But after turning the tides of their sound to something more sombre on their previous outing 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino', it was clear that a new dawn was breaking, and now they return with their seventh LP 'The Car', a record that looks to refine their more atmospheric direction.
From just an initial listen, Arctic Monkeys seem to have found a middle ground between that of the lounge-inspired texture of 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino', and their more guitar-driven sound. Alex Turner's sultry vocals seems the most compelling and distinctive part of their newest collection, as his backing band creates a smooth yet illustrious array of light and ethereal works that feel far more suited to their overall aesthetic. Those that felt their previous full-length was a bit too much of a step into the unknown will feel far more at home with 'The Car' as they perfect that sweeping intention they were originally searching for, and offer up a fresh and enticing release throughout.
It may still feel jarring in places to think that this is where Arctic Monkeys are taking their sound these days, but the sheer reverence and shimmering concepts throughout 'The Car' makes for mesmerising listening. Their party days may be over, but they are slipping into something with far more longevity than we have heard from them before.
28. Working Men’s Club – ‘Fear Fear’
What We Said…
Since releasing their self-titled debut LP in 2020, Yorkshire's Working Men's Club have been quick to cement themselves as one of the more innovating and daring names on the rise right now. While so many in their field of post-punk-inspired aesthetics opt for a more organic direction, this lot are unashamedly focusing on the raw and powerful electronic element of their genre, giving them an instantly recognisable feel throughout. And after a few years to build up their notoriety, they return with their sophomore studio album 'Fear Fear', a record that continues that uncompromising pursuit.
For a sound that has so much affiliation with the more nostalgic and retro side to the scene, Working Men's Club have managed to pull off something wildly fresh and explorative throughout this new collection. While they are ones who clearly prefer to wear their influences on their sleeve, 'Fear Fear' has this brilliantly distinctive and progressive texture to it. Coming across as a darker and more atmospheric version of early Prodigy-meets-Joy Division, there is this visceral tone to all of their work throughout this new collection, showcasing it as one of their more subdued yet expressive works to date.
There has never been any doubt that Working Men's Club would continue to impress on 'Fear Fear' given the singles they had dropped from it previously. But hearing all of their forward-thinking and post-modern approach to electronica all in one place really highlights their innovative spirit throughout.
27. SASAMI – ‘Squeeze’
What We Said…
When Sasami Ashworth delivered her stunning breakthrough debut album 'SASAMI' in 2019, many were lauding praise on her but not really able to define her in any way. Despite churning out one of the most impressive debut records of the last decade, she pursued a sound that was so distinctive and varied, it was near impossible to figure out how to label her work. And after a couple of years to decide on her next move, she has leant hard into this unique aesthetic as she returns with her sophomore full-length 'Squeeze', a record brimming with broad and inventive ideas.
Opening up with the nu-metal inspired belter 'Skin A Rat', it is clear right from the very start that this is going to be another adventurous venture into the unknown for both the listener and artist at the helm. From there, we are treated to an array of bold and euphoric alt-rock and indie-rock anthems that all seem to push the boundaries of her sound to date. With this blistering mix of thunderous and pulsing cuts running the length of this new collection, 'Squeeze' is not only a bold step forward for her, it also adds another enigmatic layer to her direction and creates yet another wonderfully distinctive listening experience.
SASAMI is quickly becoming known as one of the most chameleonic artists of the moment, and given this new offering, that reputation looks well deserved. 'Squeeze' is an uncompromising and unrattled descent into her own explorative intent, filled with rich and vibrant textures that rarely falter.
26. Daniel Avery – ‘Ultra Truth’
What We Said…
Since the release of his groundbreaking debut album 'Drone Logic' in 2013, producer Daniel Avery has always been seen as one of the more forward-thinking names on the electronic music scene. While his origins lay within the hard and progressive techno arena, over the years he has begun to round the corners of his world and regularly adopt a more inventive and varied approach to his sound. Now after a flurry of exciting and diverse offerings these last few years, he returns with his latest studio LP 'Ultra Truth', a record dubbed as his most ambitious to date.
While the bold and intense flavours of his earlier work seem completely stripped down within this new collection, 'Ultra Truth' is more about building a warm and welcoming atmosphere that still reflects his own innovative presence. While this new release does feature far more guest artists than his previous endeavours, Daniel Avery still stands very much at the centre of his newest material as he looks to break away from the escapism that formed his initial work, and delve headfirst into the dark and haunted abyss that has always been an essential part of his aesthetic.
Although it does feel like a separation from what we are used to, 'Ultra Truth' has this brilliantly woven evolution to it, allowing itself to wash over you without too much distraction. A solid and confident return from an artist that always seems to be ten steps ahead of almost anyone else out there right now.
25. Alex G – ‘God Save The Animals’
What We Said…
Throughout the last decade, Alex G has stood as one of her more heartfelt and alluring names on the scene. Previously working under the name (Sandy) Alex G, he has now refined his moniker, heralding the beginning of the next phase within his impressive guise so far. And while his previous outing 'House Of Sugar' in 2019 proved to be his most high-profile release to date, he is now following it up with his ninth studio album 'God Save The Animals', a record that looks to cement him as one of this century's most captivating songwriters.
From the very start of 'God Save The Animals', it is clear that he is yearning to create something with far more vigorous and shimmering ideals than his contemporaries. While sonically he has remained largely in stasis, there is this wonderfully rich feeling running the length of his new full-length as he reflects the damaging state of the world with a off-white sheen. Humbled and enigmatic at almost every turn, his latest collection not only feels like a bold step forward for him, but offers an insight into where he plans to go and how much he has grown as an artist in such a short space of time.
Alex G has always been one to crack through his own veneer and open himself up within his music, but 'God Save The Animals' goes so much further than focusing on himself. There is this beautifully relatable tone that floods his latest release, allowing the listener to get right until his skin and feel his most scorched emotions.
24. Ibibio Sound Machine – ‘Electricity’
What We Said…
Ever since they first emerged, Ibibio Sound Machine have stood as one of the most unique and enticing outfits of the last decade. While all members call the UK their home, their influence lies largely rooted in West African rhythms and the Nigerian Ibibio language, the native language of vocalist and co-founder Eno Williams. But after three studio albums, delivering a bold and exciting array of offerings, they have now recruited Hot Chip to produce their fourth full-length 'Electricity', a record that sees them enter a new era within their direction to date.
The outside production on this new collection is evident from the very beginning as the group almost entirely reject their more organic roots in pursuit of something more electronic in nature. While still maintaining plenty of the rich and absorbing grooves they have always managed to cultivate with ease, 'Electricity' feels like the dawn of something new within their sound. There is this simple and refined confidence about each of the songs on here. Each one has an incredibly inviting aura to it, perfectly blending their core identity with this forward-thinking and adventurous spirit at its centre.
Ibibio Sound Machine have never faltered on their offerings to date, and 'Electricity' feels like it could be one of their most succinct and cohesive releases so far. The album is brimming with fresh and inventive ideas that is not only fun to listen to, but also leaves you wanting more by its end.
23. Benjamin Clementine – ‘And I Have Been’
What We Said…
After winning the Mercury Prize for his breakthrough 2015 debut LP 'At Least For Now', Benjamin Clementine went from a bright and compelling upstart to one of the most in-demand new artists of that year. His distinctly haunted approach to both his songwriting and production gave him an instantly definable direction, and allowed him plenty of creative freedom when he followed it up with his highly-praised sophomore offering 'I Tell A Fly' in 2017. But with five years away from his music, he is looking to venture onto a new path with his third studio album 'And I Have Been', a record that he has already hinted marks the beginning of his end within music.
Now signed to his own Preserve Artists label, Clementine feels far more as ease and unabated throughout this new collection. Allowing himself to try and experiment with new and interesting ideals has made 'And I Have Been' one of his most captivating bodies of material to date. While still honing his dark and atmospheric intentions throughout, there are plenty of moments that see him embark on a more carefree and jubilant aesthetic, giving this release a far more multifaceted feel from start to finish, and allowing both himself and ourselves the chance to see him in a more adventurous light.
While there is already news of a companion full-length arriving next year, a record that could very well be his last for a long time, Benjamin Clementine is clearly still laser-focused on his rich and inviting sound. 'And I Have Been' may have been a longer wait than many would have wanted, but it is certainly worth it.
22. Rina Sawayama – ‘Hold The Girl’
What We Said…
Upon the release of her stunning debut album 'SAWAYAMA' in 2020, Rina Sawayama was quickly dubbed as the future of the British pop scene. While her sound largely fell into the commercial realm, the broad and diverse approach to its aesthetic gave her an instantly identifiable feel that cemented her as one of the most exciting names to have emerged from that year. And while her time since has revolved around collaborative efforts, she has now returned to deliver her highly-anticipated sophomore LP 'Hold The Girl', a record that looks to continue that progressive flair.
Throughout 'Hold The Girl', Sawayama is proving herself just as adventurous and unshakable as ever. While this new collection veers a little further away from the radio-friendly gloss of her initial effort, it still very much roots itself into a pop dynamic, largely embracing a flurry of outsider genres in order to keep the momentum moving forward. Although there aren't as many tender or truly heartfelt moments on this new offering, she is clearly building a repertoire designed for stadium-filling shows to suit her ever-growing fanbase, and create a wonderfully vibrant experience from start to finish.
Given how innovative her initial releases were, there was never any doubt that 'Hold The Girl' would look to follow the same formula. Brimming with fresh and exciting production that wears its influences firmly on its sleeve, she feels far more confident and assured within herself this time around, showing us a far more inviting side to herself.
21. Loyle Carner – ‘hugo’
What We Said…
Ever since he first introduced himself with his breakthrough debut LP 'Yesterday's Gone' in 2017, London's Loyle Carner has always looked to carve his own path within the UK's rap scene. While many of his contemporaries tend to lean toward the commercial and fashionable aesthetics of the time, he has been developing his own distinctive style that adds more levity and emotion to his work than most. And with three years passed since his highly-impactful sophomore offering 'Not Waving, But Drowning', he returns with his third studio album 'hugo', a record that looks to continue his progressive guise to date.
Throughout this new effort, we are treated to more of the same broad and adventurous direction he has cultivated for himself, building upon the foundations of what he has already established. Much like his last outing, 'hugo' sees him focus his sound on the raw and euphoric side of modern hip-hop, developing a warm and inviting feel that perfectly elevates his powerful flow throughout. While Loyle Carner has been one of those names just bubbling with possibilities, it is beginning to feel like he is truly enveloped within this style and growing ever more confident with each release.
Fans of his previous material will have plenty to wrap their teeth around on this new collection as 'hugo' is very much placed as the next step within his musical evolution. And while he has yet to break into that international superstar arena, it feels like only a matter of time that he unveils his undeniable masterpiece.