January blues? What January blues? Nothing better than a bunch of new releases to fight the post-Xmas depression and I must say that if the rest of the year is as good as this first month, we are going to be spoiled!
Album of the month: The Delines – “The Imperial” – Country Soul – A really beautiful album to start 2019… a real depressing one as well but so gooooood. I would describe this record as a mix of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Nebraska” lyrics with the country soul feeling of Dusty Springfield‘s “In Memphis“. Do not fear the “country soul” tag as in reality we are only talking about beautiful moving music here, sung with the voice of an angel by vocalist Amy Boone. Very friendly people as well with whom I had a quick chat during their recent Rough Trade East showcase.
- Runner-up: Toy – “Happy in the Hollow” – Psychedelic Rock – Fourth album from this excellent Brighton band. Their influences are obvious (Velvet Underground, Spacemen Three,…), they are not the most smiling musicians but they manage to bring a fresh attitude in their melodies and repetitive music. Another band I was happy to see at the Rough Trade Bristol store recently!
- Also recommended:
- Steve Gunn – “The Unseen in Between” – Rock – excellent “Kurt Vilish” album from one of today’s best guitarists
- Sharon Van Etten – “Remind Me Tomorrow” – Pop Rock – You may know here from roles in the OA or the latest Twin Peaks Series but Sharon is even better when she sings. A splendid record.
- Deerhunter – “Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappear?” – Pop Rock – Good question indeed… Listen to Bradford’s Cox new record and you may find the answer.
- James Blake– “Assume Form” – Pop – James Blake is more focused on this new album than on his previous ones and sings more gorgeously than ever.
- Pedro The Lion – “Phoenix” – Pop Rock – Fifteen years since David Bazan’s band latest LP and really worth the wait
- Lest we forget: album of the previous month The Bevis Frond – “We’re Your Friends, Man”
Virgins and Philistines 
[…] Michael Chapman – “True North” – Folk Rock – Age does not matter but excellence does… 78-year old Michael Chapman has never sounded so sharp. To be also noted: the record is produced by the excellent Steve Gunn (who was in last month’s selection). […]
[…] Sharon Van Etten – “Remind Me Tomorrow”. Released in: January 2019. Similarly to Little Simz, Sharon Van Etten is a very talented woman as she also appeared in a […]