Author: Leah Godfrey

Coincidentally possessing a name in keeping with the theme of this blog post, Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote released silky new track Red Room a couple of weeks ago, the second single from their upcoming album Mood Valiant. This will be the group’s first album release since 2015’s Choose Your Weapon, a gorgeous project that has been sampled by Anderson.Paak, Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Really excited for this one – I’m sure the 6 year wait will be worth it!

I’ve kept it no secret that Faye Webster’s 2019 album was a massive companion to me throughout lockdown. It’s no surprise that I was delighted when she dropped a couple of singles towards the end of 2020. Last month, she announced the new album! The most recent single Cheers drew on more psychedelic rock influences compared to her other folk-leaning songs. She is such a talented songwriter and I’m pretty sure the new album will be very much rinsed by me.

I am not afraid to admit that I do love a bit of Bruno Mars. He is such a talented performer, and I can’t help but be drawn to his soulful jams on 2016’s 24K Magic. In a Breakfast Club interview, Bruno says one reason for this hiatus is that he felt so under pressure to create songs that top the other huge hits he’s had over his career. This new pairing with Anderson.Paak seems like such a wonderful way to bring Bruno out any creative ruts he may have been experiencing. As songwriter Tayla Parx notes in a Vulture article, this duo have a talent for putting a spin on old sounds to create something nostalgic yet authentically contemporary. Really looking forward to the full Silk Sonic album!

Little Simz recently announced her highly-anticipated next album will be arriving September 3rd, following her last full-length GREY AREA in 2019. Having released a window to her quarantine experience in the form of 2020’s Drop 6 EP, the two lead singles she’s released over the last few weeks have continued to demonstrate how she is a master in her craft. Bring on September.

Australian rapper and singer Tkay released the second volume of her Last Year Was Weird trilogy this summer. She proves that she can produce multiple high quality bangers, from the anthemic and warm hip hop opening My Flowers, to the hard-hitting bassy Awake with JPEGMAFIA, and the smooth funk of the closing track Don’t Call Again. Looking forward to the third volume of these EPs!

Eclectic, weird and unpredictable, this is the duo’s first release since signing to Warp Records, created whilst they were still students at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. It journeys through harsh chaos to cinematic strings and everything in between. By merging Georgia’s songwriting skills and soft singing voice, and Taylor’s experimental electronic input, they have found a sound that is distinctly their own, and it seems to be just a taste of what they are capable of.

On this EP, the supergroup of musicians and producers combines all of their expertise in soul, jazz and hip hop. The smooth and upbeat sound of the project doesn’t come without the exploration of deeper themes, such as reflections on police brutality in Freeze Tag. They also released a remix EP featuring rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Rapsody.

Glasper said, “It wasn’t like we’re four musicians and we’re coming together for the first time. It was like, ‘Yo, this is normal for us.’ Now we’re going to get together and let the world hear it.”

Singer, DJ and producer Park Hye Jin finished off this EP whilst she was travelling the world for the first time. With dreamy synths and Hye Jin’s low-key vocals as well as more urgent and high energy beats, she showcases her capability and versaility as a producer across these six tracks.

Not an EP but forgot to put it in my previous lists so I’m sliding it in here! Jim-E Stack collaborates with a range of artists on this album, and the end product is a set of uplifting, emotional and catchy tracks. My favourites are the opening track with Empress Of and the closing track with Kacy Hill.

“Basically, the album came to be by just not really thinking or essentially not trying to make an album. It was just born out of the scraps of making music with other people over the past three years.”

Jim-E Stack in Forbes

Nominated for 2020’s Mercury Prize, this debut studio album by British jazz drummer, musician and producer explores so much more than what typically comes under jazz. A melting pot of jazz, electronic, hip hop, funk, pop and more, Moses Boyd shows off his forward-thinking creativity and attention to detail on this project.

Dropped right at the start of 2020, just a week before I saw her live in Amsterdam, is 070 Shake with her debut album. Her raspy and eerie yet soothing voice glides over synth-heavy tracks like Guilty Conscience as well as more upbeat melodies like Morrow, mesmerisingly communicating the dark and personal themes of her music.

Moses Sumney is just so talented, masterfully exploring themes of identity, contradiction and morality. This album was initially released in two parts, further demonstrating its “inherent multiplicity” – he refuses to live within society’s binary boundaries. His incredible falsetto voice is enchanting. I recommend watching this performance that he did a few months ago to get a taste of his excellence!

This authentic and multi-faceted debut album by keiyaA expresses and empowers. Appreciating and affirming the creativity of black artists, and black women in particular, and well as giving her own personal perspectives on love and loss, this project is full of collaboration and honesty.

An insightful, intriguing and compelling listen from Duval Timothy, a pianist, producer, designer, businessman and pretty much a jack-of-all-trades who straddles between the UK, where he was born, and Sierra Leone, where his father is from. There is so much beauty across this album and it strikes a balance of experimentation that still remains accessible.

Gorillaz broke away from the traditional way of releasing an album, by randomly releasing songs (‘episodes’) throughout the year with accompanying videos, which culminated in a full length album and a deluxe version with an additional five tracks. Although it may not be the most cohesive album, there is such a variation of incredible songs with an array of collaborators that sprawl across many styles and genres. Has been a go-to for me in 2020.

For Dan Snaith’s seventh studio album under the Caribou name, he wanted it to be “weirder and more personal and intimate” than his previous album. With both high energy pop-infused moments and more experimental pockets, as well as Dan’s own vocal appearances, this one has been a go-to album for me this year.

A mix of delicate as well as more pulsing and textured beats, with guest vocalists including Sampha – shout out to Max for pushing me to listen to Actress!

This project has received a lot of attention since it’s release in the first lockdown, and deservedly so. This project is a snapshot of the lockdown experience, with production from AG Cook and Dylan Brady from 100 gecs. Charli continues to step away from her mainstream pop releases of the past and marches forward as a key face in the new wave of ‘hyper pop’, a growing genre that takes conventional pop and moulds it into a more experimental, sci-fi and futuristic sound. claws is an absolute banger and i finally understand is also a stand out for me.

Even though it was only released this month, this one had to make my list. The dreamy title track featuring Blood Orange was released earlier in the year amongst a string of other singles, and the full album has not disappointed. It is quite a long one (71 mins) but this doesn’t compromise it’s quality – such a range of features and just an overall enchanting and almost comforting listen.

Another shout out is due here to loyal fan of the blog, Olly, who brought this album back to my attention recently! It boasts playful, and at times glitchy and dark, electronic production with flitters of Korean hip hop bars, and an array of guest contributions. This is an ambitious and creative release that has propelled Yaeji’s career as an innovative and exciting artist this year.

Spotify Wrapped revealed Thundercat was my most listened to artist of this year, which makes sense as I have most definitely rinsed this album. From the hilarious lyrics on Dragonball Durag to the touching reflection on Fair Chance surrounding his grief following close friend Mac Miller’s passing, this album takes you through a journey of grooviness and light, as well as enchanting darkness.

I actually remember having a couple of Lianne La Havas’ songs downloaded on my Blackberry back in about 2012! Since then she has only released two albums including this wonderful self-titled project. In my opinion she has one of the best voices in the game at the moment: with one watch of her COLORS performance you’ll know what I mean! Choosing to name her third album after herself represents her finally coming into her own as an artist, making something she is truly proud of without worrying about her label’s expectations. A gorgeous, heartfelt album.

Released just 13 weeks apart, these albums are by SAULT, a collective of artists whose specific identities have never been confirmed or denied. They don’t care for media promotion or climbing the charts, their music is about their message: a powerful protest about the on-going injustice and discrimination faced by black people, and an empowering call to keep fighting, and hoping, for genuine change.

More than any other artist, Sault have, across two albums, conveyed an intelligent and powerful message that will inevitably raise consciousness amongst those who are prepared to listen.

Gordon Rutherford in his review of the album

Having previously acted as teens on Disney channel, and opened for Beyonce following their viral YouTube cover, these sisters show their maturity and musical gift in their own right with this stunning R&B album. I love how their voices sound together, and the title track Ungodly Hour, produced by Disclosure, is the perfect sing-out-loud-in-the-car song for me. Their performance of it at the VMAs further reveals the talent of the pair as incredible singers and performers. For a straight-up quality R&B fix, give this one a listen.

To be honest, boxing this album into a genre doesn’t do it justice – Liv.e calls into question what ‘R&B’ can encompass with this project, by drawing influence from familiar 90s R&B classics to carve out a unique sound of her own. It is a debut album compiled of diverse snapshots of Liv.e’s mind: as she said “It’s like each song is a different character giving a page out of their diary.” Just from learning that the title of the album is supposed to be read as the first half of all the song titles, it is clear that Liv.e is a creative and original artist who isn’t held back by convention or expectation.

This is a beautiful debut album from South Londoner Ego Ella May, filled with her delicate and soulful vocals, honest and authentic lyrics, and gorgeous instrumentals.

“It is music to heal to, I hope the listeners can feel less alone when taking in the album, and also I hope they find it soothing during this very strange time we are all going through.”

Ego Ella May in Atwood Magazine

Despite having consistently dropped solo projects multiple times a year since 2016, this album seemed to throw Westside Gunn at a broader audience, with features from Tyler, the Creator, Freddie Gibbs & Wale. Inspired by his attendance at Paris Fashion Week, where one of his songs started playing during Virgil Abloh’s show, the majority of this album was recorded in the three days at the end of the trip. Amongst Gunn’s instantly recognisable voice, bold ad-libs, and glistening production, this is one of the strongest hip hip albums released this year for me!

Coming in at the 18 minute mark, this short-but-sweet project is brimming with charisma and energy, coming from such a creative pair of artists. The tracks are presented as if they are a set of leaks from Kenny’s computer, and the whole project comes with an epic short film, both of which are a pleasure to listen to and watch.

Between GANG and the longer album EDNA that Headie One released later on this year, the former is much more of a stand out project for me. It toys with experimental beats and vocal manipulation, combining this with vulnerable and hard-hitting verses, solidifying Headie One as capable of mastering more than just drill.

For a debut album, this is so impressive and makes me excited to see how Lex develops in the future. An introspective yet confident reflection into her origins as a Nigerian woman who was brought up in London, this home-grown album was recorded at home and produced by Lex and her friends. A UK talent worth giving some attention!

The brilliant chemistry between these two artists, both remarkably consistent in terms of the quality of what they release into the world, allowed them to craft an exciting, poignant, witty and sharp album – never a dull moment throughout.

An artist hailing from Tottenham, this short album showcases Oscar’s creative potential. I found Oscar #Worldpeace through his feature on The Streets’ release this year, with Mike Skinner’s appearance on Oscar’s project being a highlight. A lot of the lyrical focus centes around his wife and new-born son, with a mix of R&B as well as more grime-leaning beats: he himself said “I wanted to make something my friends & family can play”. Overall I think this project is just a snippet of what Oscar is capable of.

Of course, I had to close this post with Mac Miller. Stripped back and exposed, this project gives the listener an insight into the mind of Mac, however dark. Not entirely fitting into the category of ‘rap’, the tracks are filled with plenty of singing and more low-key instrumentals, providing a complementary listen to Mac’s previous and more upbeat release, Swimming. It is a posthumous album that his family knew he would have wanted to world to hear, encompassing his mental health journey as well as tinges of optimism.

It baffles me that Liv.e (pronounced ‘Liv’) is only a year older than me. This July, at the ripe age of 22, she released her debut album Couldn’t Wait To Tell You…, that is aptly described a collection of diverse, expectation-defying snapshots of Liv.e’s mind. Recorded in only a month, she herself said “It’s like each song is a different character giving a page out of their diary.” Having toured with Earl Sweatshirt last year, as well as featuring in Erykah Badu’s online quarantine concert series, Liv.e’s adventurous and unboxable approach to her music has already been turning heads.

I love the creativity that shines across this album. Having read her outlook in interviews, her originality as well as her spontaneous approach to art became even more apparent. When asked about the abrupt transitions between songs on the album, she remarks “gotta keep people awake”. Also, the title of the album is supposed to be read as the first half of all the song titles – genius!

Lex Amor released her debut project Government Tropicana in September; a vulnerable and introspective, yet confident, dive into her origins and life up to this point. Throughout this home-recorded “100% DIY album”, Lex flows over smooth and enchanting beats produced by her friends. The homegrown nature of her work ties in with the personal story told throughout – an exploration of Lex’s Nigerian roots and upbringing in London:

“Government Tropicana is the story of first-generation working-class London; an attempt to articulate the nuance of my lived experience”

Lex Amor, London In Stereo article

As raw and exciting talent coming out of the UK, I definitely recommend giving Lex Amor some attention!

Australian rapper and singer Tkay released the second volume of her Last Year Was Weird trilogy this summer. She showcases her vast capabilities to produce quality songs, from the anthemic and warm hip hop opening My Flowers, to the hard-hitting bassy Awake with JPEGMAFIA, and the smooth funk of the closing track Don’t Call Again. Tkay glides from providing glimmering vocals to striking rap verses, resulting in an EP that leaves you wanting more.

With a two-year gap between this second instalment and the one that preceded it, it is clear that Tkay has grown and blossomed. In an interview with Anthony Fantano, Tkay expresses how she wanted to achieve a “happy medium of smooth and low-key songs but also still having a lot of energy in a live setting”. Looking ahead to the third instalment of the EP series, she reveals that number three goes into another world, and the evolution throughout the trilogy will be clear. I can’t wait to hear it!

I became aware of Ian because he is a frequent collaborator of Dev Hynes’ (Blood Orange). This short album was released last week and I’m loving it. Themes of empowerment, love and confidence are encapsulated in this meticulously produced, purely funky project: as Ian himself articulated “every song on the album is about empowering and encouraging you to move forward as a whole with the people who are next to you. Because that’s the goal, that’s it.”

I’ve been aware of Lianne for years. I remember downloading some of her songs from her 2012 album onto my Blackberry back in the day! She returned this summer with her third album that is self-produced and self-titled (as if she’s exclaiming ‘this is me!’). Her velvety voice so gorgeously dances over all the instrumentals from soul to folk. This LP also features a cover of the Radiohead song Weird Fishes.

TSHA is a London-based electronic producer who has recently been signed to Ninja Tune (super reputable indie label representing artists such as Floating Points, Peggy Gou, Thundercat…). I’m loving her new single Sister which is the teaser for her forthcoming EP set to be released in October. She’s also recently released a remix for Lianne La Havas! I think she’s one to look out for.

I only discovered Faye’s 2019 album in lockdown, and I have listened to it religiously ever since. I had to start diversifying from that one project because I’ve been over-playing it so much. So, I turned to this single she released in April which passed me by at the time. It’s solemn, beautiful, and very much stuck on repeat at the moment.