August has arguably been the busiest month for music this year, so this is just a snippet of some of the headlines that I've seen sprawled across my timeline recently. Alongside the different pieces of news, some of my favourite albums of the year so far have finally been released in a rush to make all of those end of year lists. I'll be interested to see what September holds.


PARAMORE ANNOUNCE TOUR 3
Once again the UK shores are being blessed by the presence of Paramore. Tour 3 is only 5 dates long but is being played in some of Britain's biggest arenas. After having these last few months to jam along to After Laughter in all of its' greatness, the prospect of seeing it amplified live is all I could wish for. The tour starts off in Cardiff on the 11th of January, what a way to start off the new year.

TAYLOR SWIFT NEW MUSIC VIDEO "LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO"
I normally prefer to write about things that I've enjoyed or that show some potential, but I felt like I should say something about Taylor's new one. Supposedly this is intended to be a "diss track" aimed at Kanye. To be honest, after watching the video, I was embarrassed not only for Taylor, but also for myself for kind of liking it. Yep, the video's pretty eye-catching. In terms of the music however, it's lyrically sub par, and musically very boring in my opinion. BUT credit where due, as much as it pains me to say it - "Look What You Made Me Do" is a pretty good music video.

MARMOZETS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "PLAY"
It's been a long time since hearing anything new from Marmozets and after choosing their debut The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets as my number one album in 2014, it goes without saying that I was expecting big things. "Play" lyrically is not their best tune but this song will definitely be a hard hitter in their live shows. Already one of my favourite live bands ever, I can't wait to see this one added to the roster.

BEST EX NEW MUSIC VIDEO "SEE YOU AGAIN"
Previously known as Candy Hearts, Best Ex are here with a new summer anthem, and their first under the new name. Mariel has a voice that'll make you smile whatever the track, and this is no exception. "See You Again" comes from their debut EP Ice Cream Anti Social and the only thing I'd say is that if nostalgic pop punk is your vibe, then this is right up your street.

SYD NEW SINGLE "BAD DREAM/NO LOOKING BACK"
Yes yes. Syd's had her unmistakable vocals on a lot of tunes this year, making it a very busy year in her camp. Now she's blessed another slow bop with her sensual singing, and I suspect I'll hear this on the Insecure soundtrack sooner rather than later. I love hearing Syd create on her own, but "Bad Dream/No Looking Back" has definitely made me more excited for a potential third The Internet album in the future.

INHEAVEN NEW SINGLE "STUPID THINGS"
This popped up on my "Recommended" list on YouTube and thought I'd give it a listen after hearing good things about Inheaven. It's been a long time since I've listened to shoegaze-y, alt rock singles like "Stupid Things" and this was done refreshingly well. I'll definitely be checking out their new album on the 1st of September.

JORJA SMITH X PREDITAH NEW SINGLE "ON MY MIND"
Jorja Smith, back with a shoutout to old school UK garage, and I love it. Back in the day and even now, I'm a sucker for UK garage so to have it back on the airwaves gives me hope for the radio. People still continue to call her underrated, but since finding out about her last year she's taken some pretty huge steps recognition-wise, and I feel like it's just the beginning for her. Ratings will continue to pile up after "On My Mind".

DAUGHTER NEW SINGLE "BURN IT DOWN"
Another one that I've been looking forward to for a while now. After I heard this new single I had to admit to myself that Daughter are 100% one of my favourite bands of the decade at the moment. Grand statement but I stand by it. Elena Tonra's voice is just magical and the drums on "Burn It Down" definitely keep the song lodged in my head.

IAMDDB NEW MUSIC VIDEO "SHADE"
After her recent appearance on Berlin Colors, people are finally starting to take notice of IAMDDB and the smooth sounds she's been bringing to the table, and rightfully so! Since her debut EP Waeveybby Volume 1 I knew it was only a matter of time before she made herself known. This new video for "Shade" doesn't showcase her best music to date in my opinion, BUT aesthetically, this is what IAMDDB is all about.

KNOWER NEW MUSIC VIDEO "OVERTIME"
This is actually a new discovery for me and Knower have left me with a very memorable impression. While watching "Overtime" I was thinking "ah! a new band having a go at DIY" and then as the video went on it became more and more apparent how professional these musicians actually are. Then I looked at their Facebook page and it all clicked into place - 30K+ likes. On a similar thread to Hiatus Kaiyote, this is a new band for me that I'll be keeping an eye out for.  

ROAM NEW MUSIC VIDEO "PLAYING FICTION"
It's been a pretty great month for Pop Punk with Neck Deep's new album, MAYPINE's debut EP and now ROAM's new single "Playing Fiction". After the last album, this single is a big step up and if it's anything to go by, then the new album out on the 13th of October is going to be a collection of their best work yet and could even be a contender on a lot of this year's "album of year" lists. As for the video, it'll be one that sticks in my mind for sure - creative concept, very well executed.

... I decided to pick Not To Disappear by Daughter as my number 10 this year. If you'd have asked me where I expected they'd be on the list after I reviewed the album here, I would have told you somewhere around the middle so to have them at number 10 should already to you how high the calibre of the rest of the albums on this list are. It should also indicate how much I've listened to the rest of these albums because I have a habit of overplaying Daughter's albums.

As I've already given you a track-by-track review of the album I'll just briefly touch on how my feelings about the tracks have changed after listening to it over and over again. I suppose the most unexpected change for me was that I think I might have overdone the track "Numbers"! My feelings about this track really have been up and down - from not really appreciating at first, to loving it and overplaying and to now only being able to listen to it when I'm really in the mood. I'm sure that soon enough after a good break it'll be something for me to come back to but for now "How" has taken over as my favourite track on the record. Something about the way the whole song just swells over you on that track gets me every single time. Also, I'm super happy to see that they did go with "No Care" as a single in the end - as soon as I heard it I thought that it just had to be.

After Daughter on my Album Wishlist this time last year, it would seem that my wish has been granted and with interest. This album was indeed everything I wanted and more. In fact while we're in the spirit of making Christmas wishes - I would love to see Elena collaborate on more people's albums in the next couple of years actually... a voice like that deserves to be shared.  Aside from my feelings towards "Numbers" and "How", my feelings on the album have remained more-or-less consistent after listening to it countless times. I think that, if anything, is a sign of a very solid album. The only thing I would say, is that once again, Daughter have officially given me another classic that I'll continue to overplay and I'm hoping for the same feeling after their next few.

The only thing that I'm upset about in regards to this album is the fact that I haven't been able to see it played live yet. I feel like potentially if I had; it might've ended up a little further up the list.

I am full to the brim with excitement to finally be reviewing this record! Firstly because I've been waiting for this record to drop ever since I was enchanted by Daughter's debut, If You Leave in 2013. Secondly, because I've just finished reading NME's review of this album and it's hilarious to see that they've finally jumped on the bandwagon after slating their debut. Lastly, because it's definitely cemented my view of Daughter's true musicianship and made me hopeful for 2016.


1. New Ways
New ways indeed! This whole album definitely started as it meant to go on, something familiar but distinctly different about this second record. I absolutely love the guitar on this track. Reminds me a little bit of The xx I have to say, but way that this track swells is something that only Daughter could have done.

2. Numbers
As a stand alone single, this track didn't originally stick to me as much as I thought it would. It wasn't until I heard it in the context of this record that I could appreciate it for what it is and honestly, it might just be my favourite track on the album! Those thumping, urgent drums that I loved so much in "Home" have returned, yet with more certain and definite lyrics - telling rather than asking.


3. Doing The Right Thing
Most gut-wrenching song on the record, but I love how transparent Elena's become. She leaves less room for guess work lyrically, while pensive pauses leave us wanting more still. As deep and melancholic as Daughter have always been, this record seems heavier, like there's a lot more to digest and this song is exhibit A.


4. How
This'll be a great live track - Igor's always been a fantastic guitarist but for me I've always felt like Elena was the main event. On this record, there's no escaping how much Igor's riffs bring to the tracks and this is definitely one of those instances. The first few times that I heard this song, all I heard was the instrumental, I barely paid attention to the lyrics.  Big instrumental performance track.

5. Mothers
This song was over before I wanted it to be. Elena has always mentioned "mothers" and "motherhood" in a lot of Daughter's tracks to date and to now hear an entire track dedicated to it, I was looking forward to hearing something that explained why they dwell on the subject so much. I didn't find out but at least I found a good track.

6. Alone/With You
This is one of my favourite lyrical performances on the record. Witty lyrics on feeling emotionally distant but not wanting to be close either. This could've actually easily been a b-side on their debut record. Touches of winter-y coldness but a despondent kind of "over it" feeling at the same time. Good track.


7. No Care
I found myself bopping my head and tapping my foot to one of Daughter's songs for the first time in a long time. I'm so used to just drowning in the worlds that they create but this instrumental is something different. Like I said about the first track - familiar but distinctly different. I'm a little surprised that this isn't one of their singles yet.

8. To Belong
I'd love to see what this would sound like with Yannis Philippakis featured on it. The thing that I liked most about this track is that it felt like it should be a duet, or at least it felt like there should more voices, yet Elena continued to chant "I don't want to belong, to you, to anyone". It's like the conscious choice to be lonely echoes not only in the lyrics but the instrumental as well.

9. Fossa
This point is probably when I was certain that this was exactly what I wanted from their sophomore release. I've had a couple of sophomores really disappoint me in the past couple of years but this is exactly what I asked for from Daughter and maybe even more. This track in particular is one that I might have overlooked on the first few listens but upon further reflection, this might be the silent standout for me.

10. Made Of Stone 
Since the album came out, this is probably the track that I've listened to the least, but upon first listen I thought that this tied the whole album together perfectly. As I said earlier, I'm used to drowning in the worlds that this band create but this track just washes over you. Towards the end, the instrumental sort of reminds me of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek". Great end to a great record!


Four years later and I'm still overplaying their debut record just like I said I would here. I'm not actually sure if they've topped their debut with this, they've definitely put out a fantastic body of work. To be honest, speaking from a "journalistic" point of view - this is indeed a bigger and better record. I just think that I feel a stronger attachment to their first. 

Overall Rating - 8/10

Now, 2015 has been a pretty phenomenal year for new music - I'm sure I've still got a few albums to catch up on if I'm honest. However, there are some artists that I can't help but wish had released a record this year. There's always next year though!


DAUGHTER
It's been a couple of years since their debut If You Leave and I still listen to it on a very regular basis. Beginning to end, no matter the order, that record is stellar. Luckily, Daughter released a new single a couple of months ago here and if it's anything to go by, then their sophomore record out next year should have no problems making it onto my top albums of the year list - I just wish it'd come sooner, but suppose good things come to those who wait.

FRANK OCEAN
The king of procrastination himself. Frank had the whole world waiting for a new album this year around July and we're still all waiting - no news of a release date, time schedule, absolutely nothing. Channel Orange was a brilliant record and was maybe actually a little underrated as a whole piece but 3 years on - let's go Frank! I don't know when we'll get a second record but when we do, I'll be expecting very big things.

KANYE WEST
Speaking of procrastinators, here's another new record that I'd expected to hear around mid year and am still waiting (semi)patiently for. After the controversial Yeezus this new record was supposed to be a complete 180 and I was so ready for the differing views and undeniably brilliant tracks but instead we got a big bowl of nothing. Okay well, we got "All Day" but still - album in 2016 please.

RIHANNA
Continuing on the thread of artists who made us false promises this year, bad girl Rih Rih has been teasing us since the year began, with music videos, the absolute banger "Bitch Better Have My Money", album covers, and even album titles but still we've seen nothing. Still unsure of a release date at this point but with a tour already announced for next year, I'm sure we won't be waiting much longer.

THE NIGHT VI
To be honest, I've been waiting for this band to release an album since I first discovered them in 2013 here and last year seemed a little bit promising with new single releases and covers. We did get an EP this year to be fair so they didn't leave us with nothing but I just want a big breakout debut album that won't be able to hide under the radar. No signs of that happening anytime soon though so until then I guess I'll just keep listening to Maybe That's How I'm Feeling.

LAURA MVULA
Laura's been making new music ever since her debut record came out - we just haven't heard any of it yet. The only thing I'm worried about with her sophomore is that the same thing that happened to Alt-J and SBTRKT will happen. She was something so new and different when she debuted and now it might be too hard to keep a unique sound without overdoing it. Will just have to wait and see if she can prove this theory wrong.

HAIM
I feel like I haven't heard anything from Haim in the longest time! I know it's only been a couple of years but they blew up so quickly and had so many hits in such a short space of time that when they dropped off the scene to record new material, their absence was very noticeable. I wasn't their hugest fan but I liked what they were doing and a need them to come back and fill that Haim shaped hole in my life.

BALANCE AND COMPOSURE
After The Things We Think We're Missing in 2013 I've been waiting for any opportunity to see this band live. That record was some of the best pop rock I've heard in a while! Again, an album that return to frequently, so when rumours started coming up about them breaking up earlier this year I was pretty devastated. Thank God they later came out with a statement that they're not breaking up and they're actually recording new music - just wish it'd come out this year.

ARCANE ROOTS
Another cop out - they did release an EP earlier this year here and it was definitely good, but after the gold that was Blood & Chemistry I was hoping to get my hands on another musical masterpiece this year. Either way, now that the band are getting more and more recognition this might result in more music soon. I haven't heard anyone in the same space do it quite as well as them just yet.

CHARLOTTE OC
In fairness, I did only discover her last year but since discovering her music, she's blown up quite a bit and released quite a few new singles - only right for me to assume that a new album's on it's way right? Well I was mistaken. She did however (like most of the other artists on this list) release an EP earlier this year here - no signs of a debut record yet but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Starting off this week's proceedings is probably the most surprisingly controversial album on the list...

My seventh favourite album of 2014 is Sonic Highways by Foo Fighters. I really went back on forth about whether to even include this or not. To be honest, even as I'm writing this I'm still not 100% sure whether it should take the spot but let's lay out the pros first...

Musically this album definitely left me wanting at points, but to me, this is one of the most important records of 2014. When I saw the trailer for the series that they wanted to attach to this album, immediately I was buzzing. To record 8 songs in 8 different cities across the USA, whilst conducting 100s of interviews and featuring several artists on tracks, to then release a record and a TV series along side each other?! What a huge, huge task! Foo Fighters managed to execute it pretty damn well.

In my opinion, it is absolutely imperative for musicians to be aware of musical influences and genres besides their own. This record is not only aware of them, but somehow includes them each in the record whilst still maintaining rock genre status. Watching the series, I don't remember the last time I was that inspired by something. If one of these episodes doesn't make you want to join a band or be involved in music, I don't know what will! Seeing people make it musically with almost no experience or even no real instruments, whilst we're sitting here in the 21st Century with all these resources and connections easily available to us.... We should be some of the best artists the world will ever see! I don't know, because of this project I am just full to the brim with ideas, and I don't even know where to start. It's like I always say, a great record will make you feel/do something, and if I'm going by that, then this is a pretty great record!

One of my favourite tracks on the album (and in 2014) is "Something From Nothing". So musically diverse and that breakdown transition (you know the one)! Genius! "Feast And The Famine", "In The Clear" and "Outside" are my other favourites on the album. Definitely not the best album of the year or even the best Foo Fighters album, but it's timeless in my eyes and I'm looking forward to hearing it played live at Wembley Stadium next year!

As well as Savages and Bo Ningen's awesome collaboration this year, another two bands that I love have come together to do something magical. On the 24th of November, Warpaint released a remix of Daughter's "Winter"...