ALBUMS
1. Skeleton Tree - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Our favourite album of the year without a doubt, had to be Nick Cave’s “Skeleton Tree” – which was inspired by the tragic loss of his son in 2015. Cave has always been an artist who toys with the notion of death in his work, but this is where we see him as exposed as we may ever see him as he wears his heart on his sleeve and tackles the issue head on; through the medium of his beautifully melancholy lyrics that are perfectly complimented by fragmented piano fills, and the deep swoops of Warren Ellis’ woeful string arrangements. This is a record that could only be conjured up in the head of a man who has been through something unspeakable – only Nick Cave could execute an album with such a dark subject matter, with such beauty and grace. It is undoubtedly one of the hardest, most emotive albums I have ever listened to but also one of the greatest in the Bad Seed’s endless back catalogue.
2. Blackstar - David Bowie.
Bowie’s final and perhaps, most surprising album was released on his 69th birthday with the world blissfully unaware of what was going to happen just two days later. The title track epitomises just how much of a musical labyrinth ‘Blackstar’ really is – He hails back to his jazz roots, in a track so heavily lead by saxophone, which was the first instrument that Bowie learnt to play of course. Right up to more contemporary influences like Kendrick Lamar. Bowie’s final effort is a complex, challenging listen especially with the context of his death hanging so heavily over the album; but what an end to a career so filled with ups, downs, twists and turns at every corner. Blackstar is living proof that Bowie was the embodiment of his art right up to the very end.
3. Night Thoughts- Suede.
Brett Anderson delves into the dark, murky world of insomnia and impending dread on the Britpop pioneer’s seventh album. Night Thoughts tells the tales of the thoughts that keep so many of us awake at 4am. Anderson has even said that its almost like his own take on Frank Sinatra’s “In the Wee Small Hours” – which he hailed as the first real concept album. Night Thoughts seems to be the comedown from the hazy, drug induced nightmare that was 1994’s Dog Man Star. It explores parenthood, growing old and modernity and the anxieties that inevitably come along with it. Suede’s latest album is a showcase of the continuous evolution of the bands talent and sound – from swooping to crunching guitar riffs, euphoric choruses and blissful orchestral arrangements that is all beautifully drawn together by Roger Sargent’s dismal accompanying film of the same name.
MUSIC.