Iso-listen

Yikes, it’s been a while hasn’t it?

You’d think that a lockdown would provide ample opportunity to really knuckle down and prompt a writing frenzy, but in truth it has been the opposite. I’ve been working from home for 9 hours a day, on the same laptop I use to write these posts on. It turns out that spending all that time dealing with admin and emails, really dampens the desire to sit and use it as a creative outlet. However, working from home has come with its benefits. For me, the most important of these is that it has allowed me to indulge in listening to a wealth of good music.

For the first few weeks of lockdown, I was growing more and more frustrated at myself for not having the discipline to sit down and at least write something. The third in my six-part album write up of my favourite records from 2019 has been segued slightly, as I’ll be honest in that one or two of the picks may need some revision. So, I thought rather than stew over a few posts that have been condemned to the drafts purgatory, I would blow the dust off this blog with something slightly different.

I’m sure we will all agree that lockdown has been tough. Whether it’s not being able to see loved ones, visit your favourite restaurant or perhaps even more personal struggles, it’s safe to say this is like nothing anyone has ever experienced. So, I think music is more important now than ever. Finding solace in an album, playlist or even a single track can make these dark days brighter, and if you are struggling, I would encourage you to perhaps go back to an album you haven’t listened to in a few years. Remind yourself of how good everything can be, and will be again soon. Failing that, I would be happy to recommend some albums, and that is how I lazily stumble into the purpose of this post.

I have picked four albums that have been released this year that I have really enjoyed, along with a brief bit of spiel about why.

Georgia – Seeking Thrills

I have picked Seeking Thrills first, as I was lucky enough to see Georgia back in January as this album released. It was a fantastic gig in an intimate setting which suited her lone performer style brilliantly. However, the album is equally as impressive due to the staggering number of cheery floor fillers that are present. Namely, the lead single “About Work the Dancefloor”, which perfectly balances Georgia’s softer vocals with a pulsing 80’s synth-pop groove. Equally as good is the album opener “Started Out” which perhaps best demonstrates the 80’s aesthetic. The M.I.A-esque track “Ray Guns” is also definitely a high point. Get this one loaded up for your inevitable lockdown 5k or home workout.

Sam Lee – Old Wow

Second up, and a real change of pace is “Old Wow”, released by Sam Lee back at the end of January. This one is a rich collection of english folk songs from an artist who has a seriously impressive collection of accolades and credits. Rather than a one-pace musty folk record, expect a varied collection of instrumentation and wonderful vocal performances as Sam Lee affirms the importance of nature around us. There are some surprising features on the album too, including Suede’s (Bet you’d forgotten about them) Bernard Butler who pops up on multiple tracks. Listen to this album just for the haunting a cappella vocals that introduce the track “Soul Cake”, and then listen to the rest of the track too, because it’s a masterpiece.

Denzel Curry, Kenny Beats – UNLOCKED

Ok, this is actually an EP but warrants a place over a lot of albums to be honest. Denzel Curry for me, is one of the most exciting rappers around at the moment, “ZUU” from last year was a close contender for my top 6. Additionally, if you have a passing interest in hip-hop you will have heard Kenny Beats’ signature production at some point. The man’s list of production credits is as long as it is impressive. UNLOCKED just works, right out the gate. It’s a near perfect collaboration between two entities that are at the forefront of hip-hop. I’m not going to recommend a stand out track. It’s an EP. It’s 17 minutes long. Just go and listen to it.

Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now

This is the most recent album on this list, in that it was released less than a week before I’m putting this post out. I’m a few listens in, but I feel that this needed to be on the list because of the story behind it. If you follow Charli XCX, you will know that this album is primarily a challenge that she set herself, to write, produce and release an album during the lockdown. It therefore feels fitting that this rounds off the list. However, in itself it will easily be a contender for one of the albums of the year. Fresh off the back of the fantastic “Charli” which she released last year, this album goes further in allowing the British artist to flex her creative muscle. It has all of her trademark vocal delivery and dance pop, with a nice variety of industrial influences and EDM energy. It’s a fantastic pop album that will definitely get a lot more plays before the year is over, but above all, it is testament to what can be accomplished during difficult times.

Whether you have created a potential album of the year, or you just got yourself out of bed and had a coffee whilst on furlough, you’re doing great. The frustration I was feeling at not being able to express some creativity during those first few weeks of lockdown quickly subsided when I realised that I was still fortunate enough to be healthy, along with everyone around me. It’s a weird time and things will be different for a long while, but music is always there, and hopefully you can get some enjoyment out of at least one of these albums.

How’s your lockdown going? What have you been listening to? I’d love to hear from you! All of the albums I have listed can be found on all good music platforms. I would also encourage you, now more than ever, to support artists. Whether it’s a stream on Spotify or buying a bit of merchandise, it’s harder than it ever has been for artists to keep thriving.

But most of all, I hope you are healthy and keeping well!