Best of 2019 - The Album List

It's time for a debrief on 2019, and as per tradition, we are excited to unveil our favorite albums of the year. Moreover, with 2019 being the conclusion of the decade, we've had the opportunity to draw comparisons with previous years, setting the stage for our upcoming Top 100 singles and albums of the 10's.

This year has been a showcase of musical artistry, genre fusions, and influences from the past decade, evident in many of the albums on our list. Notably, female artists took center stage, with Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, and Weyes Blood paving the way with their distinct styles. Surprising comebacks were also witnessed, including the unexpected reunion and new material release from Shakespeare Sister. On a somber note, the music world bid farewell to Mark Hollis of Talk Talk, Keith Flint of the Prodigy, and most recently, Marie Fredriksson of Roxette.

Our album presentation for this year features 40 albums spanning various genres and sub-genres, exploring diverse musical forms and venturing into new territories.

WAW: MGMT - In the Afternoon

MGMT have revealed the video for the song "In the Afternoon" which could also be the first single from their upcoming album to be released in 2020. So far we only know that the album will be released on their own label MGMT records. It seems that Tame Impala will have a strong competition in 2020.

Year in Review - 2019

Thirty one days divide us from the end of the year 2019 and this also the last year in the 10's decade. As every year, we are in the process of preparing the year end lists which will include Top 40 Album List, Top 50 singles list, Top 10 EP List and Top 20 Videos list. Starting off from today, we will feature the countdown of our favorite releases.

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album for January 2020

Pet Shop Boys today announced details of their highly anticipated new studio album, 'Hotspot', which will be released on January 24th 2020 on x2 Records/Kobalt. The album was mostly recorded in Hansa Studios, Berlin, and mixed in The Record Plant, Los Angeles. It was produced and mixed by Stuart Price and features ten brand new Tennant/Lowe tracks including the single “Dreamland” featuring Years & Years, which was released in September. Another of the songs, “Burning the heather”, features Bernard Butler on guitar and was recorded at RAK Studios in London. A radio edit of “Burning the heather” is available to buy/stream now from the link below. 

WAW: Moses Sumney - Virile

Written & Directed by Moses Sumney

Next Wave: Riki

Contracted through DAIS records and sharing the label with the likes of Body of Light, Cold Cave and many more in the similar vein, Riki is one of the new additions to this already exciting roster of artists. Based in Los Angeles, Riki has been around in the LA scene as visual artist and musician before she went on to launch her own career and started experimenting with rhythm and sound. Also known as Niff Nawor, when she started her solo career in 2017, she released a Hot City Cassette tape and also toured with Light Asylum and Black Marble. Her official self-titled debut album is announced for release in DAIS in 2020. According to some info from the artist presentation on the label, the album will be modern electro-pop with lot of influences from NDW, Italo disco, ZYX and classics from Kate Bush, Madonna and Pat Benetar. this week she has premiered the video for the possible first single from the album "Napoleon" which can be watched below.

WAW: Meg Myers - Running Up That Hill

This certainly is the best cover version released this year and one of the best from the running decade. In particular the idea behind the video is great and features hand-colored frames by 2,130 children from all over the United States and Canada set in animation. The video was directed by Jo Roy. 

October Singles Round Up

October Singles Round Up

CHVRCHES - Death Stranding


Rufus Wainwright – Trouble in Paradise


The DMA’s- Silver


Golden Features x The Presets – ‘Paradise’


Pond - Hand Mouth Dancer


Låpsley - My Love Was Like The Rain


Allie X- Rings The Bell


Beck - Uneventful Days


Steven A. Clark - Happiness

La Roux Reveals New Single and Announces New Album

La Roux is back after more than five years break with a new single "International Woman of Leisure". Her third studio album 'Supervision' is set for release in February 2020. 

OMD Release a Career-Spanning Boxset

Orchestral Manouvers in the Dark have released their first singles compilation since 1998. this one is very special as it also marks the 40th anniversary and this comprehensive collection includes OMD's hits from four decades, from "Electricity" to "What Have We Done", plus a brand new 40th single, "Don’t Go". 

A limited edition 5CD+2DVD career spanning boxset will also be released. Discs 1 and 2 are the same as the 2CD format – the 40 singles in chronological order. Disc 3 is a collection of 22 unheard and unreleased tracks from the OMD,  Disc 4 is a full live recording from the Mermaid Theatre in London, February 2011. Disc 5 is a newly discovered full live recording from the Hammersmith Odeon in May 1983 in support of the Dazzle Ships album. Disc 6 is a DVD featuring 23 OMD performances on the BBC. Disc 7 is a DVD featuring a live recording from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in December 1981 in support of the Architecture & Morality album.

Accordingly the compilation is entitled 'Souvenir - The Singles 1979- 2019' nd it was released on October 6th. 

More details here.