June 2018 | Top 5 Albums of the Month

Matt Maltese and Boy Azooga burst into the Top 5 for the Month of June!

5) Boy Azooga – ‘1, 2 Kung Fu’

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.

Top 3 Tracks : ‘Breakfast Epiphany’ , ‘Taxi In Your Head’ and ‘Hangover Square’

4) Florence and the Machine – ‘High As Hope’

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.

Top 3 Tracks : ‘South London Forever’ , ‘Grace’ and ‘Sky Full of Song’

3) Ben Howard – ‘Noonday Dream’

Since Ben landed onto the music scene he’s drawn attention from people who listen to all types of music, really opening the door for everyone to enjoy his music, especially with his debut ‘Every Kingdom’. However since then he’s stepped further and further away from his debut, and really created some new and inventive material. ‘Noonday Daydream’ is the album which showcases this best as Ben immerses himself in the weird and wonderful, crafting some beautiful lengthy tracks which proves Howard’s genius. Read Full review here.

Top 3 Tracks : ‘Nica Libres At Dusk’ , ‘The Defeat’ and ‘There’s Your Man’

2) Matt Maltese – ‘Bad Contestant’

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.

Top 3 Tracks : ‘Greatest Comedian’ , ‘Nightclub Love’ and ‘Mortals’

1) Father John Misty – ‘God’s Favourite Customer’

After a short year since he dropped ‘Pure Comedy’, FJM delivered his follow up album ‘God’s Favourite Customer’ at the start of the Month. The album was a short and snappy ride with plenty of highlights as he reflects on his life while delivering some of his most cutting edge lyrics. This was a complete contrast to his lengthy last album, but it was a welcome change. This album lit up the start of Month and there’s a strong chance it will be in the memory come the end of the year. Read full review here.

Top 3 Tracks : ‘Please Don’t Die’, ‘God’s Favourite Customer’ and ‘Mr.Tillman’

Album Review | Ben Howard – ‘Noonday Dream’

Ben Howard once again evolves his music on ‘Noonday Dream’

Ben Howard is back with his third album Noonday Dream.  I’ve crowned him the king of mournful optimism.  Not something I would pick up from my local record store, I was generally whelmed at being given the task to review his latest album.  Scarred by my many years on the local live music scene, I’ve had my fill of blokes playing acoustic guitars whilst straining something, something, broken heart, something, something, too late…down the mic.  So, perhaps because my expectations of this album were lowered, it has ended up far exceeding my expectations. Dear lord, this is my favourite album of the year so far. Noonday Dream is beautifully crafted, multi-layered, interesting, thoughtful, melodic, catchy yet brooding, accessible, yet unpretentious.  

Opening track ‘Nica Libres at Dusk’ sounds remarkably influenced by Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool.  Not to say that it’s purely derivative.  A compliment in fact. This is one of the stand out tracks of the album, starting with bare percussions, dancing with monotonous, syncopated lyrics.  Howard has a real knack for writing the most beautiful and complimentary choruses. They’re a real stab of warmth and comfort nestled between quite adventurous verses.  By the time the track has built up its layers of instruments it gives me that sunny Morcheeba vibe. Connan Mockasin, he ain’t but you do get more than you expect for with this male solo-artist with a guitar.  The corresponding music video encapsulates the sound perfectly: dusty, arid, hot. Steel brushes on the drums swirl like the wind whipping up some tumbleweed.

‘Towing The Line’ has a river cruise vibe, reminds me of The Doozer.  Abstract lyrics, a deceptively simple track. ‘A Boat To An Island On The Wall’ is the first single to be released from this album.  It carries with the water theme. Moaning synths ebb and flow from ear to ear behind quiet sounds.  Out of the noise, comes chugging the verse like a river boat approaching. Close your eyes and you could be the Lady of Shalott floating through marshes.  Vocals pitch around like a lighthouse lamp revolving over a hazy sea.

‘What The Moon Does’ sounds like Nick Drake has been resurrected.  The guitar provides the percussion. Echoing from a wall under Howard’s voice.  By the end, it sounds like a dream you’d have whilst asleep in a car. It’s an ethereal and acceptably bizarre experience.  ‘Someone In The Doorway’ has that ambient rock vibe, a scantily clad verse contrasts against one of those lovely choruses he’s so good at.  It’s like jumping into a bed of feathers, feels good.

‘Defeat’ is another track which I absolutely adore on this album.  I promise, it’s going to be your latest earworm. It’s a perfect marriage of that ambient, rock, folk sound he has come to make his own.  It encapsulated the whole album in one. It’s simultaneously discordant yet satisfying. It’s probably down to the alternative tunings he uses and being a left-handed guitarist.  He’s a mirror image of the conventional dude-with-guitar, but the flip has somehow made him the right way up. It all sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does.  Forget your traditional chord structures, this is a lesson in how to be the other.

9/10

Words by Jasmine Robinson @halopygian