Jesus fucking Christ...The Rolling Stones. I was blown away by their 2023 return to form, Hackney Diamonds. Apparently that was a massive tone setter because their latest record, Foreign Tongues, is even better.
It is shovel to the head stunning to me that these octogenarians are making music like it's 1972.
Opening track...
The magical hooks...conjuring...
And it wouldn't be a Stones album with some Mick falsetto...
Folks these are just the first three songs of fourteen complete fucking gems. Get this album in heavy rotation immediately. The Stones still have it. Big Time!
The band that has launched indie music into universal appeal released their finest offering yet this year. A completely stunning achievement that tears down any remaining walls between alternative music and mass appeal
The future of psychedelic pop is fine hands with Kettering's own Temples. A cosmic journey awaits anyone who chooses to play this record from start to finish.
The multi-layerdd pop of Dundee's own The View clocks in at number seventeen this year with a very fine record about the trials and tribulations of being young at heart while growing old.
16. The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We by Mitski
Gem of the universe Mitski released an absolute corker of a record this year with one of the best opening tracks of all time (see below). Her music speaks to and of all peoples of our fair planet.
West Midlands folk should be proud that their lad Bibio makes such fantastic pop music. His latest clocks in at number fifteen this year. What a psychedelic treat!
The incomparable Durand Jones released a solo record this year which pushed the boundaries of soul music while expressing the deep pain of social justice challenges. He is our modern day Ray Charles!
Soul icon Smokey Robinson released a gorgeous record this year that spoke directly to his roots as a musician and artist. I close my eyes when I listen to it and feel like it's 1968 again. Soul=Love.
It's quite heart warming to see the Brit Rock style spread around the world. Sydney, Australia natives DMA's are carrying the torch of this fab music with their latest offering.
Noel puts out his darkest and yet most uplifting album to date. It's nice to know that we all are together in experiencing the sadder aspects of life. I commend his dedication to being so serious about it all.
Let me take you back to the early 1970's...except it's not that time period...it's this year...and a beautiful soul record that sounds like that era was released by this wonderful artist.
One of the great musical power couples are back with yet another magical album. It's well worth the twenty four year wait. Her voice is so beautiful it makes me cry...
He's a self proclaimed low key R&B legend and his latest record is simply amazing. This record will change you and a loved one that you hopefully have close by...
Dave and the lads return with their most personal album to date. Given their recent loss, it makes sense that this one would hit us all straight in the soul. I played it all summer and it was the perfect soundtrack for that sun soaked time.
What the actual fuck, Rolling Stones? You dudes are in your 80s and you make one of the best albums in your sixty year catalog? Hats off to you, mates. I hear you already have another one in the can. Can't hardly wait!
The album of the year goes to Laufey, the bedroom jazz chanteuse from Iceland, who has truly dazzled and mesmerized me since bursting on the scene a year and a half ago. Like me, she is a dreamer who enchants us all into her world of blissful romance.