Because the year wouldn’t be complete without looking back to our favourites, here is an obligatory list of the records that kept me going all year round.
Canterbury – ‘Dark Days‘
2014 kicked off with Canterbury‘s release of ‘Dark Days’. Personally, this album was everything for about three months straight, and that’s why it hurt when it didn’t get the recognition it deserved, which eventually led to Canterbury playing their final shows earlier this month.
Blitz Kids – ‘The Good Youth‘
Another great January release was ‘The Good Youth’ by Blitz Kids. It’s one of those albums you must hear live first to get that energy from the band on stage, and then you won’t be able to get rid of it from your playlist.
Ivan & The Parazol – ‘Mode Bizarre‘
Ivan & the Parazol took us on a virtual trip through rock music’s heyday with their sophomore record, ‘Mode Bizarre’ in March. It is definitely a step up from the first release and looks like the boys are finally finding their own sound, instead of sounding like XYZ-big-name-rock-band out there. They even provided the soundtrack to our summer, with ‘Together‘ being the official song for a major music festival.
Royal Blood – ‘Royal Blood‘
Similarly to what happened to The 1975 last year, Royal Blood suddenly gained huge international following this autumn with their self-titled debut. Becoming number one on the week of the release, it restored our faith in both music and its buyers while filling our ears with sweet, unique rock music.
Lower Than Atlantis – ‘Lower Than Atlantis‘
While Lower Than Atlantis‘ fourth self-titled record isn’t what those who follow them since the early days expected, it still has few memorable tracks. ‘Here We Go‘ sets a quite heavy start, but the band also experimented with a more pop-rock sound to match their bold lyrics about life. I wouldn’t call this album entirely complete thanks to the sharp differences in the genre on certain songs but I’m definitely all in for massive choruses like ‘Stays The Same‘, ‘Damn Nation‘ and ‘Emily‘.
Black Veil Brides – ‘Black Veil Brides‘
The also self-titled, and also the fourth Black Veil Brides album was something I felt quite anxious about because the previous album was brilliant but I did not like anything from them beforehand. This may not be a concept album but the songs combining cryptic lyrics with modern rock and old-school metal couldn’t make a more full-blown release than this.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – ‘Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness‘
Andrew McMahon’s new project, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, proves that he is just as good, if not better, in solo than with one of his pop-rock/emo era bands. Joining the self-titled band-wagon, this record is a great collection of pop songs that somehow missed out on becoming international super hits – looking at you, ‘Canyon Moon‘, ‘Halls‘ and ‘Cecilia and the Satellite‘!
Hozier – ‘Hozier‘
Hozier‘s debut was expected to be the perfect R’n’B album for rainy days but it turned out to be one of those you can actually sing along to. It provides both quality music and entertainment for long drives through the country for example. You also get Karen Cowley guest appearing on the most beautiful track, ‘In A Week‘.
The Carbonfools – ‘Carbonbliss‘
New releases in December are the best possible to way to end the year. The Carbonfools‘ ‘Carbonbliss‘ is one big favourite of mine. From the more melancholic songs (‘Closer‘, ‘Freckles‘), earworm radio (‘Give It To Me‘, ‘Easter Song‘) and hilarious tracks about your personal interest (‘Cats‘, ‘Chocolate Factory‘), to MGMT-like experimental electronic masterpieces (‘Krapulax‘), everyone can find something to like on this record.
Charli XCX – ‘Sucker‘
Though, her new album, ‘Sucker’ isn’t officially released in the UK until January, Charli XCX bloom-clapped her way into everyone’s ears and heart this year, and we’re so ready to dance ourselves into the new year with the likes of ‘Doing It‘ ‘Hanging Around‘ and …well, the whole album basically.
2014 was another great year for music. This list is far from complete but one can only have that many significant records at a time.
A note to the artist: Please, make less self-titled, and more individually titled albums for 2015. No book has ever been created that way, so why would you strip an album from its identity as well? [Ed’s note: agreed!]
