Well here we are, the TOP TEN. It's been an eventful 20 days so far, lots of very different albums. However, ushering us into the Top 10 is an album from one of my favourite bands in the UK - Basement in at number 10 with Beside Myself.

I might go as far as to say that this is my favourite album of theirs to date, which is surprising to me considering how much I enjoyed their last album Promise Everything. After, I saw the album release pop up on Spotify, the first listen was actually an event for me. I had a long commute coming up that I had planned as the perfect time and place to listen. When the time came around, I could barely put my phone down because I was checking my phone so much for which track was playing. This album is just hit after hit.

Hits with the biggest impact for me are "Nothing Left", "Ultraviolet", "Stigmata", "Just A Life" and "Reason For Breathing". The riffs on this record are phenomenal. It's becoming more and more difficult to find unique riffs and melodies in Rock music these days. However, every single one of the songs I've listed has a riff that stayed imbedded in my mind for days after each listen. Andrew's lyrics directed at homesickness and a longing for a home-base strike a chord even for those who may not have felt that way before. His vocals sound stronger than ever and the emotion that lies under them comes through just enough.  

When I found out that Basement would be releasing the album under Fueled By Ramen, I assumed that the album would have a slightly more refined sound but aside from that I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. All I can say is that Basement blew me away with this album, it was everything that I wanted before I even knew what I wanted. I'll definitely be hoping to see them live again in 2019.

Have a look at the album that brought us into the Top 10 in 2017 here.

This album opens with one of my most played songs of the year and closes with one of my favourite duets of the year. Floating in at number 13 is Sydney-based Tonight Alive with their latest album Underworld.

Unfortunately there hasn't been as much Rock music in my library this year and I'm still not completely sure as to why. However, quality over quantity and in this case, quality's definitely won out. I've had some back and forth with Tonight Alive over the past 6 years as both a fan and a critic, but this album has firmly cemented my love for them.  

I remember listening to their single "Disappear (feat. Lynn Gunn)" for the first time on BBC Radio 1, in the car somewhere and I can't tell you how my face lit up as the opening riffs rang out. After being disappointed with their last record Limitless, hearing this single made me so hopeful for the Tonight Alive that I absolutely adored back in 2013. Another top play for me this year, hearing Lynn and Jenna duet together kicked goals that I didn't even know I was holding onto. This is easily one of my favourite moments on the album and this comes alongside so many others. "Book Of Love", "The Other", "Just For Now" and "Waiting For The End" stand out the most to me right now but with every listen something new jumps out that makes me smile.

I have to tip my hat to Dave Petrovic of course. After his work producing The Other Side in 2013, and now putting his hand to Underworld; I'd say that it's no coincidence that I love this album just as much. Jenna's found a way to tug at my heartstrings at least once on every album they've released and this one is no different. Lyrically they are able to articulate simple young adult sadness in the most relatable ways. Although there's a weight to this album, every time I listen through and belt it out I know I'll be smiling inside and out.

Have a look at the album that took the lucky number 13 spot last year here.

Well, that's it for this year's top albums but along the way there was a whole heap of unbelievable music released. Tonnes more contenders and a bunch of records that I didn't even get to listen to that may have been able to make the cut had I gotten round to it. Not all can be mentioned, but here is a list of this year's most notable honourable mentions in no particular order.

• Bicep - Bicep
• Feist - Pleasure
• Bonobo - Migration 
• Declan McKenna - What Do You Think About The Car?
• BROCKHAMPTON - SATURATION I & III
• Can't Swim - Fail You Again
• Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Modern Ruin 
• Wolf Alice - Visions Of A Life 
• J HUS - Common Sense
• Jordan Rakei - Wallflower
• Marika Hackman - I'm Not Your Man
• Meg Mac - Low Blows 
• King Krule - The OOZ
• Sylvan Esso - What Now 
• Foo Fighters - Concrete And Gold 
• Ibeyi - Ash 
• Mount Kimbie - Love What Survives
• Sinead Harnett - Chapter One
• Miguel - War & Leisure
• Kweku Collins - grey 
• Jaden Smith - SYRE
• Haim - Something To Tell You
• Charlotte OC - Careless People
• Mr Jukes - God First 
• N.E.R.D - NO ONE EVER REALLY DIES
• Smino - blkswn
• The National - Sleep Well Beast
• Khalid - American Teen
• Toro y Moi - Boo Boo

Check out a favourite track from each of these albums (+ a couple extras) on a handy playlist here. 

Neck Deep have really honed in on their sound and their talent with this album. Their previous two albums have both been great and each has built on what the last had to offer; this album is no different. The Peace And The Panic is my favourite of the three and the kind of album that I've been waiting for them to make since I first discovered them.

Aside from the production being near perfect on this, the lyricism is engaging and meaningful and even the more commercial tracks hit hard. I haven't been able to say all of that about many pop punk albums these past couple of years - sure there have been some good'uns but it is so easy to get caught up in the instrumentals, the key changes and I guess the "mosh-ability" of a track, without actually checking to see whether it's actually great quality or if it's just catchy and generic. Pop punk is not an easy thing to make well and too many bands are forgetting this and spewing out cookie cutter riffs and lyrics because it's worked before. Anyway, I digress - Neck Deep have worked hard on this record and it's obvious.

A quick word on some of my favourites on the album. The riff on "Happy Judgement Day" is most definitely high up in my top five riffs of the year. So catchy. "In Bloom" might just be one of my favourite songs of this yer to be very honest. Well you guys already know how much I love Architects so seeing Sam featured on "Don't Wait" caught my attention straight away. The combination works so well on this! It's a little heavier than the rest of the album but still true to the band and Sam's voice just first like a glove. I'd pay very good money to see these two bands tour together. Finally the lyrics on "19 Seventy Sumthin'" really stuck with me after the first listen. I actually stopped what I was doing at the time to listen more closely - very well written song.

Check out last year's number eight album choice here.

After the release of The Story So Far's latest single "Out Of It" I couldn't help but think about their debut record Under Soil And Dirt and just how much I used to listen to it. I listened back through it again earlier today and the song that brought back the most memories for me has to be...

I know I don't often do EP reviews but after putting together a list of some of my most memorable EPs from last year; it's about time I started giving attention where due, so along that train of thought... enter MAYPINE. Pop punk band based in Brighton, UK bringing you that South Cali Pop Punk and oh so effortlessly.

Right off the bat, lead single "A Little Sooner" is a song that gives every member of the band a chance to shine. Every now and again you hear songs or albums that rely on a specific member to carry the band; none of that here. As the EP opener, it's a strong start and a blinding display of the band's potential. Following on with "North/South Divide" - an instant favourite of mine - Jason's vocal performance on this track in particular blew me away. Also, there are little pockets throughout that reminded me of The Swellers which is never a bad thing.

"Inside Out" and "Never Far Apart" add that sweet middle ground to the EP giving us a bit of acoustics whilst also adding in the fast-paced rhythmic riffs that we've begun to associate with bands like Neck Deep. It's between "Day After Day" and "North/South Divide" for my top spot at the moment. From start to finish on "Day After Day" I'm hearing riffs that I haven't heard and have been waiting to hear for a very long time, I'm hearing varied vocals, I'm hearing creative drum fills. I mean there's not much that I can fault on this one. A strong opener and a strong closer; In The Back Of My Mind is the best first impression that I've had the pleasure of listening to in a while.

This would be an awesome album to hear/see live. Already described as "one of the most exciting new pop-punk bands in the UK", MAYPINE show you why with just five tracks. For any artist, and upcoming artists in particular, it's important to release music that they'll be proud of and happy to stand behind, and I don't expect that MAYPINE will be having any trouble with this one. Head over to Deadbolt Festival in Manchester this August to hear this all played live and grab the EP when it comes out on the 4th of August.

Overall Rating - 8/10 

My heart. I can't really explain how good it feels to have new PVRIS music in my life honestly. The last time I tuned into a radio station specifically to hear a song debut was when Paramore released "Now" in 2013, I remember it so clearly. I doubt I'll be forgetting the first time I heard this song either. As always, Lynn's giving us those beautiful, strong and gritty vocals over a beat that forces you to move. As much as I enjoyed their debut record, the amount that they've improved as a band is pretty clear.


As big as the track sounded initially, this video brings so much substance to it making it easier to isolate each detail in such an encomspassing sound. People often associate good music with colour and even in black and white PVRIS have managed to paint a bold picture here. The scenes of death and reawakening did remind me of Slipknot's "The Devil In I" concept but as gruesome as it seemed in that video, here PVRIS have managed to make it seem almost beautiful. The album drops on the 4th of August and is available for pre-order right now. PVRIS are playing a couple of small shows this week in London (Shepherd's Bush Empire) and a few more across Europe. I don't doubt that there'll be a few surprises at those shows and I have high hopes for the new album, so if you can get along to see them at some point, most definitely do.

Up until this year, I'd been consistently and very unfortunately, missing my chance to see Bring Me The Horizon live. Now I've seen them twice and they just get better and better each time! It's crazy to think that up until three years ago I hated this band. I've not once seen an artist turn around my opinion so fast and with just one album. If you don't already listen to them, see exhibit A and exhibit B - thank me later.

First things first the support. Basement are another band I've loved listening to this year. I recently stumbled upon their new album on Spotify and couldn't get enough, so when I saw them on the bill I was buzzing. On stage they sounded great, and it was amazing to hear the songs I've been listening to so much, live. However, they didn't play like they were playing in an arena. Some bands are made for smaller venues and I get that, but they were put on the tour for a reason and I definitely expected more of a show from them. They have songs that could fill an arena! Especially after seeing them tear it up at Reading Festival earlier this year, I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed. All in all though, good set - I see big things to come for these guys.

Next up, one of my long time favourites - Don Broco. Well it's no secret that I love this band. Their debut album Priorities even made it to number two on my "Top Albums of 2012" list. However, my interest has dwindled a little bit since their second record came out last year and even after seeing them live here, it's not been able to improve my opinion of the new album. The performance was great, super engaging and really fun, but all in all, the newer material just didn't compare to the older songs and this "newer" show didn't seem to compare to any of the other times I've seen them live. I definitely enjoyed myself as always, but there was something missing for me this time around. I wonder what they'll put out next.

BRING. ME. THE. HORIZON. My oh my - what a band! I have nothing but praise for the performance they put on, the album they've recently put out and the progress they've made over the years. After making their latest album That's The Spirit my number one for "Top Albums of 2015"; again you can assume that I was over the moon to be seeing them live. Opening up with "Happy Song" had the crowd's feet off the ground immediately, heads banging, hair swinging, mouths wide open shouting "S-P-I-R-I-T!" and they just went from song to song taking the audience on an emotional journey. Every person in that arena was having their own individual experience but at the same time we definitely felt together. I came to that show alone and still felt a part of something - that's what a good show does! As well as the set list contributing to the spectacle, the visuals were breathtaking. From beginning to end, the stage set up, lights and visuals had me stumped. This was my first live show since being back in the UK and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This wasn't a show that anyone in attendance would forget anytime soon.

Overall rating - 9/10


Here are some pictures from the show...

FINALLY! It's actually daft how many times I've missed my chance to see this band! Literally just like with Mallory Knox, I've even met the lead singer and still somehow missed the chance to see them. I couldn't let it pass again...

First support act to the stage was Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!. I've heard the name around for a few years now so I was excited to check them out. Okay, first of all, I had no idea that they were French! It took me a long while to grasp what accent the lead singer had, all I knew is that it wasn't British. They played one of the most mixed sets I've seen in a while. The sound levels were pretty off. The drums and bass were super overpowering so the guitarists suffered for the set. Also, the lead singer struggled a little bit with crowd interaction. Despite that though, he was awesome, I really liked his vocals. However, I do wish their songs were a little less predictable. Pop punk to a tee! When he said "this last song's about friendship" I really had to hold back the laughter - it just reminded me of this. Their bassist and one of their guitarists were strangely immobile throughout the set which was sad but to be honest, the drummer, other guitarist and the lead had ample energy to get the crowd hyped up. They're definitely a band that I need to check out a bit more. Also, their cover of "All Star" was cool.

Next up, was The Summer Set. Another band that I've been hearing about for some time and again I had mixed feelings, but less about external factors this time. They were a really tight band, and were obviously all having so much fun on stage but the lead singer did seem a little posy from time to time. I can't lie, my favourite thing about them by far was their drummer, she was just a wonder to watch. However, their bassist when they covered "Sing" was insane. The crowd was so psyched for them, I will most definitely have to do some more research!

Lastly, officially the hundredth artist/band I've seen in Birmingham - Tonight Alive. So many emotions experienced in just over an hour. This show was more than worth the wait. From the moment they stepped on stage almost every other detail is blurry. They played every. single. song. that I wanted them to! I was surprised that they opened up with "The Edge" but who on earth is complaining?! A switch went off in my brain after the first note; all I was focused on for the next hour or so was the band in front of me. I think this show just reminded me just how good an album The Other Side was. Also, sold out really did mean SOLD OUT - for some time it seemed like it was too packed to even form a pit - this was eventually proven wrong. To be honest, I was surprised I still had a voice after the show, I mean just look at this setlist! I only remember three moments in the set where Jenna spoke and each time it felt like she was having a private conversation with each and every one of us, not just saying things at a mass of people. I don't know if it was the show that was special or just the band, but the vibe that evening was something else. I can't choose a favourite song of the night, they each meant something different. I just hope that this isn't the last I see of them - HUGE HUGE talent!

Overall Rating - 9/10


Here are some pictures from the night...