Welcome to It’s Just Rock and Roll’s album of the week! Here we’ll pick one album each week that we love. It’ll almost always be something relatively new but who knows, we might mix it up every now and again. It’ll be posted every Tuesday on our Twitter account and archived here.
We hope you find some great new albums!
23rd November: Charlotte Cornfield – High in the Minuses
This is a beautiful album that is full of reflective tracks. I always like to listen to an album firstly by just taking in the melody of the songs. On first listen, I loved the feel of the album. On the second listen when I started listening to the words in a little more detail, it got even better.
The songs are autobiographical but written in a way that they are beautiful short stories. They have a deeply personal connection to the listener which makes it feel as though you know and feel her pain. It’s a stunning album that’s best listened to with a strong drink in hand.
16th November: Red Rum Club – How To Steal The World
It’s hard to listen to Red Rum Club and not be in a good mood afterward. Their brand of infectious indie is a joy to behold and perfectly encapsulated in this album. Their music feels like an escape, which is probably one of the best compliments you can give a band.
The trumpet playing helps to give them a unique sound and far above any generic indie sound. There are pop elements to plenty of these songs but there’s nothing wrong with that. Some of the wordplay is excellent and the range of vocal delivery keeps you interested, “Vibrate” is a great example of this.
This is the 3rd album from the band and in my view, their best. It’s fairly laid back but there are deeper elements, both lyrically and musically. Hopefully the joyful album can give them some richly deserved recognition.
9th November: Ruby Fields – Been Doin’ It For A Bit
The 12 tracks of Been Doin’ It For A Bit take on a wide range of subjects. You get the sense that this is someone who’d be a lot of fun to hang out with but also someone who is deeply troubled. It’s perhaps in her darker songs that we get to see her lyrical prowess. There are parts that are quite hard to listen to at times such as when she talks about abuse, her trouble with addiction, and depression.
While those subjects are not new in the world of music, Fields is able to deliver her lines in a way that doesn’t feel like an attempt to garner sympathy, it’s just an honest look into her life under the guise of some brilliant songs. Her bravery is to be commended but bravery alone doesn’t make a great album. She has the melodies to back up her words.
There is also plenty of wit and charm here too, even in those darker songs. There is plenty to love about this record and it’s a big jump in maturity from her early work. She’s only going to get better but in the meantime, this album is brilliant.
2nd November: Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean
I love discovering new artists and underrated debut albums but every now and again, a long-established artist will come out of the shadows with some great work. Not far off her 60th birthday, Tori Amos has just released some of her best work in decades.
This is a beautifully complex record that is rich in its compositions and full of deep meaning. It feels painful at times but without ever feeling self-pitying. It has all the mystery that you’d expect from Amos while dealing with difficult subjects. Along with the difficulties we’ve all faced over the last two years, she also uses this record to help the grieving process over the loss of her mother, along with other powerful subjects.
There are many impressive tracks here and it’s a very well-constructed album, which is even more impressive considering it’s self-produced, as all of her recent albums are. A triumph of an album from an iconic artist.
26th October: The Accidentals – Vessel
Vessel is an impressive album that has plenty of depth and paints a rich tapestry with its thoughtful lyrics. There is a brilliant mix of songs which is perfectly showcased on the opening three tracks. From the indie stylings of its opening title track, you then get the lovely upbeat pop sound of “Go Better” before being hit with a stunning folk ballad in “Wildfire”.
But it’s hard to pigeonhole this album into any one genre. The level of musicianship here is incredible as we see a vast range of instruments used from violas and mandolins to a glockenspiel and kazoo. This is far from your generic indie album, there’s much more going on here.
A range of emotions are felt throughout the album but it’s another has that post-lockdown feel of hopefulness after the horror. The 14 songs here are mostly intimate to impressively draw you in and captivate. It’s a great record from a band who deserve much more attention.
19th October: David Keenan – “WHAT THEN?”
Some albums are just a collection of individual songs, others are a connected piece of art that works best when listened to in its entirety. This album sits in the latter category, as it’s a brilliant musical journey.
If that makes it sound like the songs aren’t great on their own, that’s not the intention. There are some great standalone tracks here too. But the bold album works perfectly together with Keenan’s unique storytelling which doesn’t quite sound like anything else.
As with quite a few albums at the moment, there is a lockdown-infused darkness and introspection to the album, especially when compared to his first release. It’s a masterful record and one that I fall in love with a little more every time I give it a listen.
12th October: Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
This was an obvious pick for this week but I couldn’t not choose it, it’s just too good.
It beautifully mixes Fender’s stripped-down guitar sound with his brilliant lyrics. This album is more personal than his first with more autobiographical tracks such as “Spit Of You” which is about his father and the title track which details his life growing up.
There is still plenty of social commentary here and never more so than with the song “Aye” which is one of the best protest songs for a very long time. Overall, the album is beautifully balanced and shows that Sam Fender is only getting better.
5th October: Strand of Oaks – In Heaven
In Heaven is a beautiful album by Tim Showalter, under his stage name of Strand of Oaks. It’s an uplifting album in many ways while still having plenty of room for reflection. It’s a record that has that cathartic and affirming quality you can’t help but resonate with.
There are some poignant moments here, never more so than in “Somewhere in Chicago” which is an ode to the great John Prine. Death and loss play a reoccurring theme throughout in a way but Showalter does it in a way that is positive, such as imagining his friend playing with Hendrix in heaven on the track “Jimi & Stan”.
His unique mix of classic rock and folk allows the songs to sound huge and anthemic. It’s hard to pick any faults with this album and we’re sure you’ll love it.
28th September: The Lathums – How Beautiful Life Can Be
From the moment it was announced, we suspected this would end up being our album of the week and so it has come it be. There is nothing not to love about the joyous album which has plenty of brilliant tracks.
With their previously released singles, you knew the record would be good but they’ve added to that with plenty of impressive album tracks.
In a world of generic indie sounds, The Lathums stand out with their intelligently constructed songs, catchy riffs and not being over produced.
That’s before we talk about Alex Moore. His rapid lyrical delivery is unique while also having a phenomenal voice. They are far from being just another alternative/indie and are, as this album proves, a little bit special.
21st September: The Felice Brothers – From Dreams to Dust
From Dreams to Dust is a mature and eloquent record from The Felice Brothers that has plenty of depth. It has a wide variety of tracks from the upbeat “Jazz on the Autobahn” to the more intense “Inferno”. What is consistent is the brilliant lyrics and some great storytelling. It’s a very impressive indie folk rock album that has plenty of layers to it.
14th September: Daniel Knox – Won’t You Take Me with You
Released back in January, Won’t You Take Me with You has a fusion of styles with a mix of quirky delivery, beautiful piano hooks, and fantastic instrumentation. In his storytelling style, the album takes you on a melancholy journey and one that you’ll love travelling on. It’s a captivating record delivered in his unique style.
7th September: Turnstile – GLOW ON
It’s hard to categorize this brilliant album as it doesn’t conform to any boundaries and seemingly travels effortlessly from punk and hardcore, to rock and metal.
The record is frantic in parts with fantastic riffs, incredible drumming, and vocals with an impressive range. Sometimes the breathless music makes way from some bongos or perhaps even a touch of melodic piano.
It’s an album that is full of musical expression and the result is a fantastic piece of art.
31st August: Villagers – Fever Dreams
Fever Dreams is probably the most beautiful album you’ll hear this year. There is a magic and dreamlike quality to most of the songs which will help to quieten your soul and ease your troubled mind. It’s masterfully produced with rich instrumentation throughout. It’s an album that deserves your best headphones and your full attention. Once you’ve finished, you’ll be delighted for the pleasure but sad that you have to go back into the real world.
24th August: Foxing – Draw Down The Moon
Released earlier this month, it’s a clash of different styles from a band that is never scared to mix it up. It’s an ambitious album and one that has a little something for everyone. The lyrics have plenty of raw emotion but the music is highly accomplished.
17th August: Jade Bird – Different Kinds of Light
A beautiful collection of songs from Jade Bird and a great follow-up to her debut album. She has a unique style and mixes plenty of genres together to come up with some brilliant songs. It perhaps doesn’t have the hits of her first release but it’s a very good album nevertheless. You also get to hear those stunning vocals, which are always a treat.
10th August: LUMP – Animal
This is the second album from LUMP and like the first, it follows its own rules. It’s brilliantly diverse and psychedelic at times. Lindsay’s music and Marling’s lyrics are a perfect combination. You can tell that these are songs they made with little care about what others may think. The result is a wonderful journey through many different genres.
3rd August: Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend
A brilliant album that is full of contemplation and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s a fantastic mix of dreamy songs along with more thunderous tracks. You can check out our full album review here!