It has been a strange year for music. No live shows and lockdown restrictions have changed the face of the industry as we know it although there is light around the corner as the lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
Despite the challenges, there has been a rush of interesting, inspired and enjoyable releases and here we list our ten favourite tracks released this year so far.
Kings of Leon - ‘The Bandit’ - The lead single from recent album ‘When You See Yourself’, is the Followill clan’s most exciting effort in years. The band set an old country and western tale to threatening riffs, a pounding bass line and a chorus you can’t put down and the end result packs a massive punch. Welcome back KOL!
The Staves - ‘Devotion’ - One of the singles released from their stunning new album ‘Good Woman’, this song captures all of the best elements of the Staves. Their angelic harmonies are here but so are the Bon Iver inspired synths and understated piano lines, well crafted lyrics and a melody that swirls around your ears. Beautiful stuff!
The Lathums - 'Oh My Love' - The latest effort from the Wigan newcomers is a summery blast of indie pop that combines the Coral’s knack for melody with the jangling guitars of the Byrds. It’s a brilliant addition to their growing repertoire and builds excitement for their forthcoming debut album.
Ed Cosens - 'Madeleine' - One of the lead singles from the Reverend and the Makers member’s brilliant debut solo album ‘Fortune’s Favour’, this is perhaps that albums most intense moment with it's brooding vocals and searing guitar solos. A passion packed track full of emotion and musical depth.
The Coral - 'Vacancy' - 20 years on from releasing their hugely successful debut, the Merseyside legends are back this year with their latest record ‘Coral Island’ and this is the most recent single. The band may be older and wiser, but this song with it's narrative of melancholic heartache feels just as mischievous as anything from their debut and is a welcome return to their trademark sound.
Ten Tonnes - 'Everything You Got' - Ten Tonnes is busy preparing for the release of his second record and this second single is packed full of his trademark rough around the edges melodic indie rhythms and passionate yearning lyrics.
Arlo Parks - 'Hope' - Parks’ debut album ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’ is one of the years' finest records and this song is one of its highlights. The sunny melodies ripple behind the poetic lyrics of empathy and support for a friend.
Ben Howard - 'What a Day' - It is nearly ten years ago that Howard released his wildly successful debut album ‘Every Kingdom’. It is a release he has struggled to live up to ever since but this latest effort is a hugely enjoyable try and finds him combine Iron and Wine influenced vocals with a lazy tapping melody.
The Black Keys - 'Crawling Kingsnake' - The Black Keys have always proudly incorporated their influences into their raw bluesy sound and so it feels fitting that their forthcoming LP ‘Delta Kream’ finds them covering the country blues artists they admire. This take on the old blues standards is meaner than a rattlesnake with a hangover and pays tribute to the versions by John Lee Hooker and Junior Kimbrough.
Britney Howard - 'You’ll Never Walk Alone' - Earlier this year, Gerry Marsden (of Gerry and the Pacemakers fame) passed away but his bands most famous song (itself a cover) lives on through this emotional soulful cover by Howard (best known as the lead singer of Alabama Shakes). Her passionate stirring vocals lift the song to giddy heights and challenges you not to feel moved. A beautiful cover!
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