This was a tough list to collate because despite a litany of really good albums there was no out-and-out clear winner unlike 2024 with Mutants by Mutoid Man. I went back-and-forth on my No.1 and after much reflection, and fighting my distaste for feeling that I’m going along with the crowd I landed on this:
For a while it was neck-and-neck with Cutting the Throat of God by Ulcerate but the more I listened to Absolute Elsewhere the more I enjoyed it’s Eric Rutan-era Morbid Angel-meets-Pink Floyd brand of proggy death metal. Is it original? Not really but what it does it does very, very well.
Runner Ups/Didn’t get a chance to listen to the albums as much as I would have liked:
Devin Townsend - Powernerd Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Pestilential Shadows - Devil’s Hammer Suldusk - Anthesis Witch Club Satan - Witch Club Satan High Parasite - Forever We Burn Ulver - The Red Light Aara - Eiger Ministry - HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES Lowen - Do Not Go to War With the Demons of Mazandaran
I have been listening to Brat by Charlie XCX as it looks to be the favourite album of forum members.
It’s not my cup of tea at all although it seems to be highly rated in other album of the year polls also.
Hey Ho gonna listen to some more suggestions here to see if I can discover anything more that I like.
I really like the Cindy Lee album recommended so I may have to order the vinyl.
Some of the albums released this year that I have really enjoyed are:
Leon Bridges - Leon
Red Clay Strays - made by these moments
Fat Freddy’s Drop - slo mo
Richard Hawley - in this city they call you love
Hermanos Guiterrez - sonido cosmico
Michael Kiwanuka - small changes
Ezra Collective - dance, no one’s watching
Arab Strap - I’m totally fine with it don’t give a f@ck anymore
But my favourite is (drum roll……)
The Libertines - all quiet on the eastern esplanade
Wasn’t that impressed by the last Kiwanuka and had been warned off this one by friends who have it. It’s very dull in places but overall it’s growing on me.
Ezra Collective is an interesting one for me. I’ve actively resisted the hype until caving to curiosity after a friend in Bristol last weekend told me how much he enjoyed the live experience despite going along only because his wife wanted to go. The new one is really growing on me and the last track especially has hit home hard.
