Best Albums of 2019

Its been a fine year for new music. Here's our picks for the best albums of 2019. 

20. Cowboy Flying Saucer - Travel Lodge

​If Mark E Smith and Andrew Weatherall got together, I reckon they'd sound like Cowboy Flying Saucer. Travel Lodge is a highly entertaining mix of dub, indie, funk, acid and krautrock spiced with tales of everyday living

19. Cross Wires - A Life Extinct

This self-financed debut album by Cross Wires contains a fine array of tunes. Yes its raw, but is shows lots of promise and we look forward to hearing more from them in the new decade. Full album review here

18. White Denim: Side Effects

Ever since 2016's 'Stiff' its felt like White Denim have been trying too hard to achieve mainstream success from their music. 'Side Effects' feels like the band cutting loose from their commercial shackles and making music more freely. Its not perfect, but its a step in the right direction. ​For more on the band click here

17. Josefin Ohrn and the Liberation - Sacred Dreams

​Their third and last album continues their love affair with psychedelia, the Velvet Underground and Alan Vega/Suicide but also brings in glam to great effect on tracks like Baby Come On. Such a shame they decided to call it a day. For more on the band click here

16. Automatic: Signal

The debut album by Automatic, a band influenced by David Lynch and film in general, and Lynch's dissonant approach can be clearly felt here. Poppy, spooky, intriguing. For more on the band click here
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15. L'Epee: Diabolique

L'Epee brings together members of the Limininas, Brian Jonestown Massacre and actress/chanteuse Emmanuelle Seigner. Diabolique pairs 60's French Pop with Psych Rock to great effect. For more on the band click here
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14. Snapped Ankles: Stunning Luxury

Snapped Ankles second album is less tribal, more manic disco than its predecessor, with shades of Moloko, the Fall, Age of Love, Hexstatic, Devo and Faust. A dizzying ride. For more on the band click ​here

13. Modern Nature: How to Live

Combining elements of jazz, folk and krautrock, ‘How to Live’ is a fine listen and thoroughly enjoyable if you’re looking to sit back, relax and take it easy. For more on the band click here

12. Psyence

The debut album from Psyence features 10 hook laden numbers that proudly wear their Hendrix and Led Zep influences on their sleeves. Great stuff. 
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11: The Utopia Strong

‘The Utopia Strong’ feels like the coming together of three talented friends who have each brought their love of music to make something quite special. Put the album on, sit back, close your eyes and enjoy. For more on the band click here

10. Avalanche Party: 24 Carat Diamond Trephine

24 Carat Diamond Trephine is an album bursting with creativity that celebrates its influences with style. Where Avalanche Party go next is anyone’s guess, but with this album they’ve certainly made their mark. Full review here
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9. Life: A Picture of Good Health

A Picture of Good Health covers a wide range of subjects, from mental health, break ups (and subsequent child access issues) to consumer culture. A very impressive album, and one that sees the band maturing at pace. For more on the band click here

8. Pip Blom: Boat

Boat is proper C86 style jangly / classic indie music, and it’s not unsurprising to hear from listening to it that Pip’s father was in a post punk band, and by all accounts was friendly with John Peel at some stage. No doubt if JP (RIP) was still around now he would definitely be championing Pip Blom’ cause (probably on 6 music). Alongside the jangle there is Pip’s vocal, which sounds uncannily like Edie Brickell, very distinctive and entirely mellifluous. For more on the band click here
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7. Vanishing Twin - The Age of Immunology

A brilliant, unique album that twists and turns, combining jazz, psychedelia, folk and pop. For more on the band click ​here
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6. The Murder Capital - When I have Fears

An excellent post punk album from one of the most exciting bands out there at the moment. Powerful and emotionally charged, it gets better with every play. ​For more on the band click here.​

5. Gnoomes: Mu

Epic noisiness reminisicent of the Chemical Brothers and My Bloody Valentine. A beautiful cacophony. For more on the band, click here.

4. Feet: What's Inside is More than Just Ham

An album that immediately hits the spot - well constructed and handsomely written tunes that sit somewhere between baggy and britpop. For more on the band click here​

3. Crows: Silver Tongues

An excellent album that improves with every play. Silver Tongues is an immersive, broody listen. For more on the band click here

2. Warmduscher: Tainted Lunch

Debauchery, sleaze, unhinged, twisted, sinister. All words used to describe Warmduscher’s music across various media and at different times. Tainted Lunch marks a further expansion in the bands’ sound, taking in p-funk, disco, hip hop, garage-punk and doo wop. For more on the band click here

1: Yak: The Pursuit of Momentary Happiness

Before they split last month, Yak were by far one of the most exciting live bands treading the boards, and that energy really come across in this their second album. Pursuit of Momentary Happiness sees the band take in new directions musically whilst retaining their trademark Stooges-esque steel. A shame that they're gone, but perhaps its better that they burned out than faded away. For more on the band, click here and here