KMMReviews

I don't think it's any secret that I'm a huge fan and supporter of live music. There's a strange sense of camaraderie amongst a group of people in a large venue who all love the music that is played before them, but there's nothing better than going to see bands at your local independent venue, I'm quite lucky that my home in Leicester has The Cookie, Dryden Street Social, The Musician, The Shed and The Firebug all dotted throughout the city, and whilst I'm away at University in Birmingham I have The Sunflower Lounge, The Actress & Bishop. The Flapper. The Hare & Hounds and probably a few more I've never even heard of. It's important to support these venues and get down there to support the up and coming talent that graces their stages nearly every night of the week. With that said, let me give you some pointers to who you absolutely should see live.

October Drift
I saw October Drift in early 2018 at the Dryden Street Social in Leicester, th…

Honourable Mentions Albums 50-41
Albums 40-31
Albums 30-21
Albums 20-11
So here it is, my top albums of the (last) year. 2018 was a great year for the music industry with pop music hitting the road with all 4 wheels and punk making a huge comeback, probably due to the incredibly dire state of the world. 
10. Let's Eat Grandma - I'm All Ears
This album didn't actually make the top 10 until I listened to it a few days ago and really appreciated it for the work of art that it is. One of the most under appreciated albums of the year, how it wasn't up for the Mercury Prize baffles me. The 2 women from Norwich have made one of the greatest explorations of love, the mind and life and that's not even taking into account the lyrics, I wish I'd had my epiphany sooner. Also, if you get chance go and see them live, it really is a spectacle!
9. The Magic Gang - S/T
I got into The Magic Gang quite late really, but I'm really glad I did because their indie-rock mixed with some …

Honourable Mentions Albums 50-41
Albums 40-31
Albums 30-21

20. A$AP Rocky - Te$ting

A$AP Rocky is probably one of my favourites out right now, some of the most intriguing and incomparable use of producers and production value. Not only that but his sometimes laidback flow can be switched at any moment and whilst sometimes the subject matter is just plain or repetitive I do think he's one of the most creative out there. However, there are some duffers on here which just drop it down to 20th.

19. Rae Morris - Someone Out There

Rae Morris is insanely talented and under appreciated. One of the best songwriters of our generation she has the ability to craft songs about love that are so personal and yet so relateable at the same time that it really is a wonder. From this point on in the list these really are faultless albums and Rae's mixture of pop with elements of R&B and a variety of other genres is a wonder to the ears.

18. Kids See Ghosts - S/T

The amount of 10's I've see…

Now we start moving the albums into the territory of what you should most definitely listen to. I'd recommend all of these albums and I think most people would enjoy a lot of them - so without further ado...
Honourable Mentions Albums 50-41
Albums 40-31

30. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino

So I think it's safe to say this definitely isn't going to be their most revered album ever. In fact it may be the most hated album of the past year but there's strikes of genius here if you can move past the insufferable stroking of Alex Turner's ego throughout. The idea and story of the album keeps you involved throughout a whole listen and songs like "The Ultracheese" and "Star Treatment" have flashes of what could have been a truly amazing album... it's just not Arctic Monkeys.
29. Everything Is Recorded - S/T

A well produced album can cover over a lot of cracks. Richard Russel's Everything Is Recorded is one of the most riveting and in…

And then we move into the 30s, the self-titled pop extravaganza that this is. If you haven't read the previous installments then check them out below:
Honourable Mentions Albums 50-41
40. Bad Sounds - Get Better

I was hoping for a little more from this album but there's no longevity to it whatsoever. Whilst there are some incredibly funky and fantastically produced songs, it doesn't quite pull the album through. Nonetheless, tunes such as "Milk It" and "Wages" are some proper stompers that would make a songs of the year list if I made one.
39. Tom Grennan - Lighting Matches

I find the same issues with this album as I did Bad Sounds, albeit Tom Grennan has a fantastic voice which really makes his music that little bit more unique for me. I do find there's little to no variation between the songs but I can't help but just really enjoy this album.
38. Confidence Man - Confident Music for Confident People

One of the dance records of the year. Whilst it …