10. The Colour in Anything - James Blake.
The Colour in Anything” is perfectly in sync with Blake’s last two albums; it’s a rich, frank, sparse listen that you can effortlessly glide through as a listener. But if you listen closely you can hear the thickening of the albums texture as opposed to his older work; A new medley of voices and sounds have seeped into an otherwise rigid album, overall making it a far easier listen
11. The Life of Pablo - Kanye West.
Kanye West is the only man on the planet who can make a song about bleached assholes accessible. Now that I’ve got your attention; Kanye’s ‘Life of Pablo’ is a confusing montage of songs that appear to be carelessly scattered around the album in comparison to the rigid structures of ‘Yeezus’. West seems to have covered an array of subjects in his latest work, even the birth of Christ; where he contemplates how it would have been if Mary and Joseph had met in the club. The album is a very frustrating listen but is totally worth it in the end if you have the patience for it.
12. Third World Pyramid - The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
The whole album has a Jesus And Mary Chain circa Darklands feel to it. It’s full of musically uplifting moments accompanied by lyrical darkness and emotive vocals. It’s this contrast that makes this album in particular – along with some of the bands greatest work like Thank God For Mental Illness – so interesting. It forces you to step up as a listener and allow yourself to wander into every corner of this musical labyrinth. Newcombe has always said that he’s heavily influenced by the Stones’ psychedelic phase, but Third World Pyramid seems to mirror The Beatles’ psychedelic stage more so; Especially the beautifully self-indulgent ‘Assignment Song’. Instrumentals are always crucial parts to any BJM album – but even more so on Third World Pyramid. ‘Oh Bother’ teases us for an almost painful four minutes with a flirtatious bassline, rigid guitars and disorientated horns which see us anticipate its every move, making it the perfect bridge to title track, ‘Third World Pyramid’.
MUSIC.