IDLES smash the Top 5 List, Along with Two Debut Albums!
5) Muncie Girls – ‘Fixed Ideals’ – LISTEN HERE
This was the second album released by Exeter trio Muncie Girls. Working up to the album I went and listened to their debut record again just to see how this one measured up and it’s clear that ‘Fixed Ideals’ is a step further for the band. Their lo-fi riffs are brilliantly under produced giving a raw feel. The hard hitting tracks are opinionated and fun to listen to, with wild drums throughout. FULL REVIEW HERE.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Jeremy’ , ‘Locked Up’ and ‘Bubble Bath’
4) Slaves – ‘Acts Of Fear and Love’ – LISTEN HERE
Over the past five years Isaac and Laurie have continued to grow and develop as a band while keeping their core sound – and this album they offered something a bit different. Of course you still have that raw aggression from the vocal delivery and tireless guitar riffs, but this album had something different which is shown in the song ‘Daddy’. Throughout the album you hear the bands wicked wit, which never gets boring and keeps the album at their high standards. FULL REVIEW HERE
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Photo Opportunity’ , ‘Daddy’ and ‘Magnolia’
3) Bad Sounds – ‘Get Better’ – LISTEN HERE
Bad Sounds debut album promised the World to us, from new and innovative sounds and limitless creativity, and they delivered. After a lot of build to it with ‘Wages’ and ‘Evil Powers’ the band really did had a lot to live up to, and it was a relief to hear they done just that throughout the album. Listening to the album is a complete joy, and will have you bopping around the room and whistling those sweet little hooks that they deliver with ease. FULL REVIEW HERE
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Wages’ , ‘How You Gonna Lose?’ and ‘Evil Powers’
2) Our Girl – ‘Stranger Today’ – LISTEN HERE
Since they announced their debut album I was waiting with high anticipation, as everything up until then had moved me and left a mark. From songs ‘I Like You’ to ‘Our Girl’ they had it down. With this release they managed to do that at numerous points in the album, with distant sound of ‘Being Around’ to the mumblings on ‘Two Life’, their sound just throws you around room, and it was everything that I wished for on this album. FULL REVIEW HERE!
Top 3 Tracks : ‘I Really Like It’ , ‘Being Around’ and ‘Our Girl’
1) IDLES – ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ – LISTEN HERE
IDLES completely blew us away last year with their debut album ‘Brutalism’ (Album Review Here) which seem to come out of nowhere. Now with expectation resting on their shoulders, it was interesting to see how the band would fair with a second album. The band proved that they did not suffer with second album syndrome, as they made an equally good, if not better, successor. Much like their first album it’s completely packed with piss and vinegar, and the band will not rest until they’ve got everything off their chest. An excellent listen which firmly puts IDLES as one of the best bands the UK have today, cannot wait for the third release! FULL REVIEW HERE.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’ , ‘Love Song’ and ‘Great’
That’s it for this Month, what did you make of the albums in the list? What would you have put in the Top 5? Let us know, in the comments below!
Enjoy!
After the self entitled album which was released last year, the Dirty Projectors project has been something to keep an eye on. Although this album never hit the heights that last years did, it was still a good outing. The album has some impressive features, with Haim jumping on for track ‘
I was pleasantly surprised when listening to the debut album from Mikaela Davis, as I didn’t think I would’ve enjoyed it as much as I did. The album has a tinge of grit drizzled around it, and when it has Davis’ delicate vocals sit over the top, it makes for some tasty sounds. With the mix of the harp and guitars you have some interesting elements across the whole album. The album wraps up just over half hour which is just enough for you to grasp what Davis is all about, another solid breakthrough act this year.
This was another album which really went above my expectations. After not listening to much of The Internet, 
This is another debut album to make the top 5 and it comes from Cardiff band Boy Azooga, who have been gaining some heavy recognition from this release. As soon as the album opens up with ‘Breakfast Epiphany’ you’re thrown into the Azooga universe and you find it very hard to leave. The stoner/Tame Impala sounds that the album inhibits brings a fresh type sound to the indie scene that they’ve been lumped into, but they are very much a stand out act in that category.
Florence has an innate ability of churning out consistently good albums, and this one doesn’t break the streak as it’s another gem. Her albums always have serious depth to them lyrically and melodically, just hearing ‘South London Forever’ can send shivers down your spine. Instrumentally Florence stays well within her wheelhouse as she once again opts for the floaty and atmospheric tones which blend so well with her vocal style. Thoroughly enjoyed this album, and can see a lot of Florence fans falling head over heels for it. Of course it doesn’t hit the heights of her earlier work in ‘Lungs’ but it definitely hold its own.
This is the debut for Matt Maltese however you wouldn’t have guessed it from listening to this album as he sounds like a seasoned veteran. The lyrical depth in this album is something to behold, as each songs paints a wondrous picture direct from Matt’s mind. His sarcastic and quirky lyrics provide the brightest moments on the album, which play off so well to the sound of his piano-’Nightclub Love’ being the perfect example. Although this is only the beginning of Matt’s career it seems that he’s already has a firm grasp on songwriting, which means we’re in for something special moving forward.
Seeing Peace grow since their debut EP release 
After a very well received debut album, Courtney really did have a lot of people building up the expectation for this release. Barnett really delivered with this album, the loud guitars combined with the complete raucous vocals helped it inhibit a very raw and real vibe. From the amazingly catchy ‘
This was the Monkey’s sixth album release, and it caught a lot of attention due to the polar opposite opinions it drew from the bands core fan base. Some admired and enjoyed the release, some admired and disliked the release and some just flat out hated it. For me the album was a great turn for the Arctic Monkeys, one which saw them delve into the grounds that Bowie wasn’t too unfamiliar with. The album was filled with sleek, crooning tunes which just invited you into listen. Of course some people still yearn for the days when Turner would sing about waiting a bus stops and going out to town, but the fact is his influences have changed, and he’s leading a much different life now which will bleed into his music. All in all I’m glad the band were bold enough to take on something new, and they made it work in my eyes.
Parquet Courts really made an exquisite album with ‘
5. Blossoms – ‘Cool Like You’
The first of two debut album enters the Top 5 for the month, this time it’s South London’s Goat Girl who have been making a name for themselves for a few years now. The album has a lot of passion fuelled into it, with a lot of the songs being politically driven which can be heard on ‘
This is the debut album from Bristol’s own Fenne Lily and at the age of 20 she’s managed to create a fine piece of work. Her songs are emotionally driven and delivered with poise, giving the songs their own life. The acoustic heavy album has a laid back sound to it as Fenne strums the guitar with as if she was sitting alone with noone around her. She provides some very delicate breathy vocals giving it an angelic touch, I can only see Fenne growing as an artist from here. 
This is the third album Speedy Ortiz have released, after their previous two albums 
This was the sophomore album from the Spanish, and after listening to their first release prior to this I was looking forward to what they had to offer.
This is Gengahr’s second Album after their debut release 
After the emotional release of 
Fans of The Magic Gang have been waiting for an album for such a long time. After several triumphant EP releases it was clear they had the talent to easily cover an album, and March 2018 it happened. The band put together all their greatest songs from their EP’s, (Along with a few new ones) making a great album. The whole tracklist is full of sing-along songs, with melodies and hooks that will whirl round your head for weeks. They made subtle tweaks to their old time favourites which gave them a fresher sound, and new track ‘
This album really made me realise how great Camp Cope are. After their debut they featured a light of bright spots with some great songs, but this album they picked it up a level. Their gritty style combined with the very real voice of lead singer Georgie Maq creates complete magic over a song. The album still has that lo-fi feel which endearing and is pivotel to tracks like ‘
After seeing Demob Happy support The Cribs last year, they have been a constant figure on my radar. I was aching to hear their new album as their explosive live performance that night just fuelled me with energy, and I needed more. The album is blast from start to finish as it rich with heavy riffs and sumptuous vocals which reeks of just classic rock. The band have everything, if you want a catchy number you can sing along to you have ‘
It pains me to put this last, but it has to be. The album has so many great songs like ‘
The message that this record gave was huge, as it’s turned many people vegetarian and I’d hazard a guess that this is still the case today. The picture Morrissey paints in the title track is ominous, and I can still hear him sing over the carving of an animal, a very powerful message indeed. On influence and message alone this album achieved such a lot, yet there were also so many other highlights your ears can get into. From the delightful ‘
The Smiths debut is considered to be the worst of all their albums by some people, as their sound was truly discovered yet. However it’s that rough edge which makes this album so moreish. The fact that they were still finding themselves and producing such quality has to be appreciated. ‘
I’m sure it was obvious when the list started, but The Queen is Dead quite frankly Mr.Shankly the best piece of work The Smiths ever did. The record has everything from the serious and morbid side with ‘
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