Rumours of the album’s death have been greatly exaggerated. It may not be as big as it once was, but then the same can be said of the cinema or television.
This has been a year when music has meant more than ever.
There’s been an exceptional crop of new albums from rising stars and those making revolutionary comebacks.
Here are ten that will bring joy to any Christmas stocking.
Jacob Alon: In Limerence
In a fine year for new albums, Jacob Alon’s In Limerence was the most exciting find of all
In a fine year for new albums, this was the most exciting find of all.
It won the BBC Introducing prize after being pipped to the Mercury by Sam Fender’s People Watching, a good record but an odd choice for a progressive prize because the music is old-school.
In Limerence is more Mercury-ish, being a singular debut by an unknown art-folk singer with a breathtaking voice. This is art that goes straight to the heart.
Rosalia: Lux
Who knew that millions would be talking about a melodramatic pop-classical album from Catalan singer Rosalia’s album Lux
It’s now 70 years since rock ’n’ roll came along, and pop still knows how to startle us.
Who knew that millions would be talking about a melodramatic pop-classical album from a Catalan singer, telling the stories of 14 female saints in 14 different languages?
Give it to someone you love: it will make them cry.
Pulp: More
Artistically the comeback of the year was Pulp’s album More
Commercially, the comeback of the year was the blockbusting tour by Oasis.
Emotionally, it was Oasis too: their crowds generated so much joy that the Gallaghers even managed to put up with each other.
But artistically the comeback of the year was Pulp’s. After a 24-year gap, Jarvis Cocker and friends made their second-best album, full of wit and warmth.
And then they reissued the best one, Different Class, in an expanded edition.
Laufey: A Matter Of Time
Young women find that solace in the elegant songs of Laufey’s album Matter Of Time, which is Iceland’s answer to Doris Day
Today’s young music lovers, brought up with almost everything on tap, are more open-minded than their parents were at their age.
They care less about what’s cool and more about what’s warm.
Young women find that solace in the elegant songs of Laufey, who is Iceland’s answer to Doris Day.
Self Esteem: A Complicated Woman
There was only one problem with Self Esteem’s breakthrough album, Prioritise Pleasure (2021): its feminist fun-fest was a hard act to follow. She made it look easy with A Complicated Woman
There was only one problem with Self Esteem’s breakthrough album, Prioritise Pleasure (2021): its feminist fun-fest was a hard act to follow.
She made it look easy by writing several more songs that lifted everyone’s spirits while hitting the male on the head.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile: Who Believes In Angels?
Elton, at 78, hadn’t made a whole new album for nine years – but, as he tells us here, it’s Never Too Late. His friend Brandi, 44, teamed up with him for the album Who Believes In Angels?
Elton, at 78, hadn’t made a whole new album for nine years – but, as he tells us here, it’s Never Too Late.
His friend Brandi, 44, teamed up with his lifelong lyricist, Bernie Taupin, to supply him with soulful ruminations about heroes, children, ageing and mortality.
He rumbles, she sparkles, and together they rock.
Holly Palmer: Metamorphosis
Holly Palmer’s latest is pop-soul-jazz Metamorphosis with no words but no shortage of vocals
The backing singer who duetted with David Bowie has recorded a series of classy solo albums.
Her latest is pop-soul-jazz with no words but no shortage of vocals.
Palmer uses her experience at the back of the stage to make soaring sounds with plenty to say.
Celeste: Woman Of Faces
For Celeste this was the difficult second album, Woman Of Faces, as she clashed with her record company
For its author, this was the difficult second album, as Celeste clashed with her record company.
For the listener, it’s easy like Sunday morning. A glorious voice goes from desolate ballads to brassy numbers that could be Bond themes.
Lily Allen: West End Girl
Lily’s break-up album West End Girl is brutal, but the tunes are refreshingly breezy
Do look back in anger. This break-up album is brutal, but the tunes are refreshingly breezy.
And people love them: Lily is as popular at 40 as she was at 20.
CMAT: Euro-Country
An Irish singer with a lovably loud personality, CMAT has long been touted as a rising star. With her third album Euro-Country she lives up to the hype
An Irish singer with a lovably loud personality, CMAT has long been touted as a rising star. With her third album, she lives up to the hype.
Her little jokes now come with great big choruses.
Six Of The Best Box Sets
David Bowie: I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002-2016)(18 LPs or 13 CDs)
This set charts David Bowie’s return to form, culminating in the last, fine, careless rapture of Blackstar. It could have been called Olden Years
A decade after his death, Bowie’s lustre lives on.
His archive has opened at V&A East in London with a slender but inspiring exhibition and other items available to view free on request – all 90,000 of them.
This set charts his return to form, culminating in the last, fine, careless rapture of Blackstar. It could have been called Olden Years.
The Beatles Anthology Collection (12 LPs or 8 CDs)
Returning after 30 years, Anthology includes a new double album, Anthology 4
Even retrospectives now get to celebrate their birthdays.
Returning after 30 years, Anthology includes a new double album, Anthology 4.
Don’t miss the Fabs’ first stabs at I Need You and In My Life, or the fun they had making Octopus’s Garden.
Wings: Wings(3 LPs or 2 CDs)
Paul McCartney’s other band were quirky, inventive and often underrated – except by anyone who spent long afternoons with Wings Over America
Paul McCartney’s other band were quirky, inventive and often underrated – except by anyone who spent long afternoons with Wings Over America.
Rolling Stones: Black And Blue Super Deluxe (5 LPs or 4 CDs)
Rolling Stones: Black And Blue Super Deluxe (5 LPs or 4 CDs) Now with a live album attached
Rolling Stones: Black And Blue Super Deluxe (5 LPs or 4 CDs) Now with a live album attached.
The Stones have done a few of those, but this one, from Earl’s Court in 1976, captures their ramshackle magic.
Now with a live album attached. The Stones have done a few of those, but this one, from Earl’s Court in 1976, captures their ramshackle magic.
Nick Drake: The Making Of Five Leaves Left(4 CDs or 4 LPs)
Drake’s 1969 debut made few ripples until the 1980s, when it established itself as a folk classic. This expanded edition gave him his first week in the album chart, 51 years after his death
Drake’s 1969 debut made few ripples until the 1980s, when it established itself as a folk classic.
This expanded edition, which includes early demos, gave him his first week in the album chart, 51 years after his death.
It may be the first record ever to feature song titles like Blossom – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968.
Jimi Hendrix: Experience Bold As Love(5 LPs or 4CDs and 1 Blu-Ray)
Like Drake, Hendrix released only three studio LPs in his lifetime. Here’s the second, with 40 extra tracks and about as many gleaming guitar solos
Like Drake, Hendrix released only three studio LPs in his lifetime.
Here’s the second, with 40 extra tracks and about as many gleaming guitar solos.
