This was a strange year, in the sense that without even planning it I ended up listening to more new releases than any past year. I think it was a subconscious thing, being in the middle of a "oh yeah I'll just build my own house and it will go perfectly with no hiccups whatsoever" type of situation. I was looking for something new and perfect to replace the new home which has yet to arrive. Luckily all this listening paid off as there were some really excellent albums this year. It started off slowly, only for some of the best output to come out towards the end. Killer climax, man.
This year I have not put together a playlist, but instead included a song or video for each review as a taste for the rest. And even though these are numbered as you can see, they are not in any order whatsoever. Except for #1 - that one truly rises above all else this year.
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
2019
12
Don't Believe, Watch Out
PENCEY SLOE
The sway and lull of Slowdive is strong in the lead video off the debut LP from France's Pencey Sloe, and the entire album doesn't disappoint. If Slowdive were to ever gain more of a harder edge to their sound - not that they should by any means - that gives you an idea of what you're getting with Pencey Sloe. A beautiful, sludgy, grungy style of shoegaze - with a bit of style familiar to fans of bands like Warpaint. It's a dense listen, but all the more rewarding because of it.
Tracklist
Lust Of The Dead
Buried Them All
All Ok
Don't Believe, Watch Out
Gold And Souls
Sins
Empty Mind
It Follows
Bright Water
17 Springs
Label
Prophecy Productions
Released
27 September 2019
Running time
50:00