This February, we saw the Ukraine-Russia war reach its one-year anniversary, Nicola Sturgeon make a surprise decision to step down as leader of the SNP, and a devastating earthquake rock Türkiye and Syria. Far less importantly, I carried on my project of listening to a new album every day. Here's this month's roundup...
February 1: So Tonight That I Might See - Mazzy Star
Starting the month were the cold and whirring sounds of Mazzy Star. The vocals of Hope Sandoval ride mystically over the grungey, downbeat guitars creating this dream-like sensation similar to that which I felt listening to the Cocteau Twins last month. There is this looming feeling of dread, an undercurrent to the record that once more I couldn't quite put my finger on. I suppose Sandoval just has one of those voices; whatever it is, it evokes this feeling very effectively.
Standouts:
Fade Into You
Into Dust
Five String Serenade
February 2: MM...FOOD - MF DOOM
A concept album comprised of a tracklist of food-based puns, MM...FOOD's tongue-in-cheek approach does not detract from MF Doom's smooth and off-piste beats. The inhabitance of the Dr. Doom persona, assisted by samples from the comic book character, brings a really unique storytelling aspect to the album - a supervillain turned lyrical mastermind inviting us into his world. If the concept style isn't your thing, the head-nodding tracks alone are enough to have you hooked.
Standouts:
Deep Fried Frenz
Guinnesses
Rapp Snitch Knishes
February 3: Moon Safari - Air
At a time when electronic music seemed to be going through a revolution at the turn of the century, Moon Safari feels like an album that helped push the scene into new territory. The French duo behind Air deliver a sound that is trippy, sexy and at times rather ethereal. A delicate tempo and a mix of keys and soft synths guide each song from start to finish; the sound feels very fitting of some adventure in space, deep into the future. It's like Daft Punk and Massive Attack had a baby.
Standouts:
La femme d'argent
Remember
New Star in the Sky
February 4: My 21st Century Blues
RAYE is one of the most exciting new artists on the British scene, and her defiant, unapologetic sound is solidified on her debut album, My 21st Century Blues. There's influences all across the board, from the funk-soul of Amy Winehouse to the R&B jams of Beyonce, but RAYE brings a fresh spin on it all. There's no topic she's afraid to shy away from, and after a major dispute with her label causing them to part ways, this record feels as independent as they come.
Standouts:
Escapism.
The Thrill Is Gone.
Flip A Switch.
February 5: We Will Always Love You - The Avalanches
After listening to Moon Safari a couple of days before, We Will Always Love You seems to stand proudly in the wide musical space that Air helped to cultivate. Weighing in at a packed 25-length tracklist, The Avalanches take us on a gentle journey of sparkling electronic sounds, assisted by samples and fitting features. There's a timeless nature to this record, as decades of different sounds are explored and brought together into a beautiful, eclectic mix.
Standouts:
Interstellar Love
Oh The Sunn!
Running Red Lights
February 6: Blow By Blow - Jeff Beck
Forty-five minutes of Pink Floyd-esque guitar riffing? Hell yeah, of course I'm in. Jeff Beck's instrumental switch-up album is groovy and packs a real punch - there's simply never a dull moment. Each song feels like its own little story, taking you on a little adventure in your mind to wherever it may be. The influence of Beck's experimental style is self-evident, even more so when you realise Careless Whisper is a direct rip-off of Cause We've Ended as Lovers.
Standouts:
Freeway Jam
She's A Woman
Scatterbrain
February 7: Just A Matter Of Time - AntsLive
AntsLive feels like he's moments away from becoming the hottest new rapper on the UK scene. Just A Matter Of Time gives us a first look into the North London lyricist's talents, crisscrossing hip-hop styles from home and abroad. Witty bars and boyish charm leave you wanting more from the self-titled Number One Candidate - this lead single is accompanied by one of the best music videos of the year so far. I'll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for future releases...
Standouts:
Number One Candidate
Glow Up
Don Corleone
February 8: Signed Sealed And Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Playing this during a bus ride on a sunny winter's afternoon had me wishing it was summer all too soon - the voice and style of Stevie Wonder simply leave an absolute warmth inside you. Wonder's swinging soul-fuelled tunes get you moving without even realising; he just seems to have a special relationship with the art of music production. His cover of The Beatles' We Can Work It Out is a testament to this, as he reinvents the classic into a number fit for something grand like an epic film finale.
Standouts:
We Can Work It Out
Sugar
Anything You Want Me To Do
February 9: CLPPNG - clipping.
There are a few great artists out there who seem to have no art form they can't conquer - actor/writer/rapper Daveed Diggs is one of them. Alongside producers William Hutson and Jonathon Snipes, Diggs brings us his experimental hip-hop group, clipping. Harsh and splitting beats are layered over Diggs' relentless flow, fusing to produce a truly explosive sound. Diggs is able to reach and maintain crazy high tempos as he spits; he sounds superhuman on Story 2. This is a serious hip-hop standout of the 2010s.
Standouts:
Body & Blood
Get Up
Summertime
February 10: In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs
A sparkly sound of nostalgia glazes over this alt-rock entry, producing a sound that is unequivocally eighties. There's this guitar style that can be matched to the decade immediately; dreamy with a slight groove, it just makes you feel like you're in a teen rom-com movie. In My Tribe is an album that makes you feel warm and safe, assisted by the comforting sound and lyrics of vocalist Natalie Merchant.
Standouts:
Like the Weather
Don't Talk
My Sister Rose
February 11: Dynasty - KISS
Icons of the glam rock era, KISS' Dynasty is a camp and head-banging selection of rock ballads. Having known little more about the band than their distinctive look, I was pleasantly surprised for an album similar to – though not quite in the same echelon as – a group like Queen. There are also some funky basslines in there that feel more akin to the disco sound of the time. All in all, KISS is a group whose sound begs you to do anything but sit still, and maybe belt a few choruses out here and there.
Standouts:
2,000 Man
Dirty Livin'
Charisma
February 12: Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex
Cigarettes After Sex strike a similar chord to Mazzy Star's sound, whom I started the month off with. Their self-titled debut album is quietly beautiful; its ethereal nature often left me with a feeling of longing throughout, like I was in some unknown territory. Greg Gonzalez' soft vocals drift over drawn-out guitars and synths, and while certain tracks can begin to feel a little samey towards the end of the record, there's no doubt the band has produced a very distinctive sound for themselves.
Standouts:
Apocalypse
Sweet
K.
February 13: Multi-Love - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Unknown Mortal Orchestra has become a mainstay of the psychedelic rock genre, and Multi-Love helps explain why. Infectious basslines lay at the core of each track, supported by the unique voice of Ruban Nielsen, with his lyrics that tell of the anxieties of the modern world. One could be mistaken for confusing Unknown Mortal Orchestra with Tame Impala, whose styles seemed to develop alongside each other - regardless, there is certainly space for both of these Oceanic artists to blossom.
Standouts:
Multi-Love
Can't Keep Checking My Phone
Necessary Evil
February 14: Clandestino - Manu Chao
Sit back, grab a drink and relax to the sound of Clandestino, from the multi-linguist Manu Chao. Boasting lyrics in over nine languages, Chao goes where he pleases in his musical endeavours. On Clandestino, influences can be felt from around the world, with a central focus on the sound of Latin America. Armed mostly just with an acoustic guitar, this is an album that longs for the summer sun, and has me envisioning myself in a hammock on the beach with not a care in the world.
Standouts:
Clandestino
Je ne t'aime plus
Minha galera
February 15: Do Hollywood - The Lemon Twigs
The Lemon Twigs' most recent LP, Songs for the General Public, is one that I hold close to my heart, and after booking tickets to see them live I thought I'd familiarise myself with their debut. While not as fully fleshed out as the former album, Do Hollywood still delivers on their signature 60s throwback sound, combined with a musical-style structure that's clear in their songwriting. The harmonic sound of the sibling frontmen is ever-creative and each song brings with it a new showcase of their abilities.
Standouts:
I Wanna Prove To You
These Words
How Lucky Am I?
February 16: Heavy Heavy - Young Fathers
Young Fathers are another one of those groups who are hard to define, refusing to stay in any one box. Tinny beats and raspy vocals are coated in a variety of Afro influences, with a sharp-edged production to give each track some extra oomph. The Edinburgh trio's lyrics often sound prophetic, and the religious mystique only adds more to discover on each relisten. Adding these guys to the long list of bands I desperately need to see live.
Standouts:
I Saw
Geronimo
Holy Moly
February 17: Krystal - Matt Maltese
Matt Maltese is a part of the new wave of artists proving that all you need to make good music is talent and your own equipment. Produced and recorded in his bedroom, Krystal is a sweet and dreamy pop record. Harmonising over himself softly, accompanied by some inoffensive guitar strumming, Maltese may not separate himself from the oversaturated indie pop genre, but then again it's clear he's not trying to. Just a guy making some nice tunes, no problem with that!
Standouts:
Wish You'd Ask Me
Krystal
Curl up & Die
February 18: Sunlight - Spacey Jane
Similarly to yesterday's entry, Spacey Jane's sound is one that ventures into no new territory from its indie influence. It's a sound that so specifically reminds me of moshing with a bunch of sweaty teenagers with my schoolmates - think Circa Waves or The Vaccines. And that's okay, these guys can sure write a catchy song, but I think these days I can only enjoy this type of music for nostalgic purposes. There being no nostalgia behind Sunlight, this one quickly passed me by.
Standouts:
Head Cold
Booster Seat
Weightless
February 19: Out of the Blue - Electric Light Orchestra
A band I've been familiar with for some time, but one of whom I've never heard a full album from, ELO's Out of the Blue is a grand achievement in symphonic rock. Astonishingly written
in just under a month by frontman Jeff Lynne, the double album's epic tone leaves you feeling ready for anything. Using reoccurring motifs and dramatic strings, there's a real connectedness between each song - one could even go so far as to call it a concept album. Out of the Blue just has it all really.
Standouts:
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Jungle
Mr. Blue Sky
February 20: Matahari - L'Impératrice
Nobody does nu-disco like the French, and Matahari is a testament to that. Their funky basslines just hit some itch and get you nodding your head along to the beat. Flore Benguigui's vocals may be soft-spoken, but the way this blends with the array of instruments around her creates an altogether party atmosphere. No, I can't decipher much of what she's singing. Yes, I feel like I understand it all regardless.
Standouts:
Erreur 404
Matahari
Vacances
February 21: I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Half an hour of feel-good tunes are what make up Johnny Nash's reggae-inspired I Can See Clearly Now. Credited with helping bring the rocksteady sound from Jamaica to the US, Texan-born Nash pays tribute to the genre with some soul-filled love songs, backed up by trumpet pieces and gospel choirs. Nash isn't afraid to slow things down here and there, either, with a few stripped-back tracks led mostly by his powerful vocals.
Standouts:
Stir It Up
(It Was) So Nice While It Lasted
I Can See Clearly Now
February 22: Kids Off The Estate - The Reytons
From the heart of South Yorkshire come The Reytons, whose debut album pays tribute to their hometown of Rotherham. Hard-rocking with a storytelling aspect to most of their lyrics, it's hard not to draw comparisons between themselves and their South Yorkshire contemporaries, Arctic Monkeys, from their heyday. While I wouldn't go as far as to call them a bit of a ripoff, there's a reason Alex Turner isn't still writing songs about people getting off in clubs - it's a tad overdone at this point.
Standouts:
Antibiotics
Low Life
Kids off the Estate
February 23: Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road are quickly proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the British music scene, treading into new territory in the ever-evolving post-punk genre. Ants From Up There feels like an energetic explosion of noise, flying high into horn-led ensemble pieces and drifting back down to earth with quieter tracks guided by the voice of Isaac Wood. The songwriting, both sonically and lyrically is such a breath of fresh air, but with the departure of Wood from the group around the release of this record, I hope they can bounce back strong.
Standouts:
Concorde
Bread Song
The Place Where He Inserted the Blade
February 24: Cracker Island - Gorillaz
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's animated band return with their eighth full-length album, featuring collaborations from Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala and Bad Bunny. While Gorillaz' charming concert of influences overlaid with Albarn's signature and solemn vocals brings the familiar sound we've come to expect, Cracker Island just doesn't feel as hard-hitting as previous records. Considering there is assistance from some industry titans - old and new - this is unfortunately a bit of a letdown.
Standouts:
Cracker Island
Silent Running
Tormenta
February 25: Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water - Limp Bizkit
I thought I ought to give some nu metal a go at some point, and having seen the Woodstock '99 docuseries, Limp Bizkit seemed like a good pick. I can now confidently report back that it definitely is not for me. Cringey lyrics – in all fairness, often seeming self-aware – and a relentless firing on the eardrums of drums and whiney guitars become pretty exhausting all too quickly. If songs like My Way and Rollin' are supposed to be funny, then well done Limp Bizkit, you had me laughing out loud at your music.
Standouts:
Full Nelson
Getcha Groove On
Take A Look Around
February 26: TEAM BABY - The Black Skirts
Having only been familiar with K-pop, The Black Skirts – AKA Jo Hyu-il – provides a delightful taste of Korean indie rock. Mostly comprised of piano pieces, Hyu-il's music absolutely transcends language barriers; as I listen the emotional beats hit me in just the way I feel he's aiming for. I stumbled upon The Black Shirts accidentally while searching for Skepta's 'That's Not Me', instead clicking on TEAM BABY's title track. Thank God I did, because it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
Standouts:
That's Not Me
EVERYTHING
Big Love
February 27: The Warning - Hot Chip
Synthpop legends Hot Chip have earnt their status over a number of years, and their sophomore album The Warning shows off all of their talents. The array of tracks here proves they're capable of hitting any kind of tone, from quiet bedroom ballads to stadium-rocking bangers. Unsurprisingly, plenty of these songs give me serious Kraftwerk energy; I would go so far as to call them a Kraftwerk for the modern day.
Standouts:
No Fit State
The Warning
Over and Over
February 28: Cave World - Viagra Boys
Finishing things off are the Swedish punk machines, Viagra Boys. Their latest album Cave World takes a satirical look at modern life, touching on topics from online conspiracy groups to ADHD. The darkly funny lyrics are backed up by a sharp sound that stays true to its punk rock roots, while bringing in some new and inventive sounds. Vocalist Sebastian Murphy keeps the energy high throughout, matching the tone of each track with brilliant cadence.
Standouts:
Baby Criminal
The Cognitive Trade-Off Hypothesis
Ain't Not Thief
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