Monthly albums

The album I've listened to the most each month - and my favourite track or a track that I think best represents the album when you want a taster.

Mainstream Meme 2

Billy Marchiafava

Feb 26

Favourite Track: Stewart Little

Notes: Truly don't know how to introduce this. This is a list of what I listened most to each month, which does not equal a recommendation. I just love the vibe of these tracks, so many earcandy moments and his lyrics are crass and often funny.
Pink Noise

Laura Mvula

Jan 26

Favourite Track: Got Me

Notes: Almost any track of this album could be my favourite, but "Got Me" is what hooked me in and where you should start too. I remember Laura being upset missing out on winning the Mercury Prize to Arlo Parks, and a few years later I really understand why. This album is astonishingly good start to finish and so original throughout.
Flyte

Flyte

Dec 25

Favourite Track: Even on Bad Days

Notes: I discovered Flyte as part of my research for my folk project. This song brings me to tears most times I hear it. It taught me the importance of plain, simple language in writing moving lyrics.
Self Titled

Kae Tempest

Nov 25

Favourite Track: Statue In The Square

Notes: I saw Kae live for the first time at Brixton in November and it transformed this album for me into an absolute favourite. Their passion on stage was ridiculous. Standing there in a sick suit, an orator. I will never understand how so many words could be held and delivered by one person like that.
3, 10, Why, When

Jamie Woon

Oct 25

Favourite Track: When

Notes: I've followed Jamie Woon since the BBC Sound of 2011 and got to meet him in October at the Rough Trade signing, as part of the Artist Way's "Artist Date" series. Basically you go out and do something each week to cultivate a better relationship with your artist self. His set was live on his acoustic guitar which was such a relief because it meant I could listen without earplugs. At the signing table I was so in awe that instead of asking "any tips for an aspiring musician" I repeated "you were so so good" until he'd finished signing.
Pillars

Jack Garratt

Aug 25

Favourite Track: Love Myself Again

Notes: I was lucky enough to be at a listening party in BTW for this album before it was released. Jack's super vocal about his opinion of the music industry being unsustainable for individual artists and it really made me pay attention to stream numbers and how that translates to payments. Artists really deserve so much more than they get - the world would be missing something without this album and his art,
onion

hard life

Jul 25

Favourite Track: Othello

Notes:
Quit to Play Chess

Cola Boyy

Jun (2) 25

Favourite Track: Walk Again

Notes: Found Cola Boy on an NTS set, and got into this album - before learning that he'd passed away. Unique voice and story, and I love that his music is out there and getting plays, even finding new ears.