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.

So recently I've been thinking about all the artists that I haven't yet seen live and who I would have on my bucket list of bands/artists and then I thought - "Is there any artist/band that I would see, just so I could hear them play one song live?" Turns out that there are quite a few. There are plenty more I have in mind but here are just a few of the ones that I came up with.

1. MODERAT - Bad Kingdom

As much as I like this band, I never thought that one of their albums would make it onto my favourite albums list! Especially not above Foo Fighters. Some of their songs are actually some of my favourite songs ever but I've never listened to a full record of theirs as much as I did this one.

My sixth favourite album of the year is .5: The Gray Chapter by Slipknot. After I heard the first single from this record "The Devil In I", I was psyched. Such a brilliant song. Perfect way to introduce a new album in my opinion. Initially, I thought the video was a bit too much/over the top. However, when I found out what it was actually about, I thought that it was genius! Slipknot as a collective just continue to impress me. This being their first album in six years, first album since their drummer Joey left and first album since Paul's death - I had pretty high expectations for it (which they fulfilled). The perfect way to honour their late bassist Paul Gray.

It's not often that an album released so late on in the year (the 20th of October) makes it onto this list, literally just because there isn't normally enough time for me to overplay and analyse it the way that I can with the earlier albums. However, with Slipknot's album, I didn't even listen to it in full until November but after first listen I already knew that I'd have to say something about it for sure. My first favourite songs were "AOV" and "Skeptic". It just has so many levels to it and as the record went on, I realised that it did too. "The One That Kills The Least" and "If Rain Is What You Want" bringing a slightly softer element to the supercharged, metal record. My only criticism would be that, being a 16 track record, it does begin to drag a little bit towards the end. However, individually, each song is quality.

This album was such a hit for Slipknot that I don't think I'd feel too upset if it was their last. I mean, what an awesome note to end on! Real icons and outstanding musicians. Corey Taylor is always surprises me and particularly lyrically, he is just brilliant. Great album.

If you haven't already realised, artists and bands seem to like to release their records on Mondays. I'm not entirely sure why Monday seems to be the only acceptable day but either way, I'll give you the jump on things so you're prepared for tomorrow...



THESE NEW PURITANS - EXPANDED
When I saw that they were releasing a new album I was a little surprised because I remember listening to their latest album Field Of Reeds just last year. Then I found out that it is actually a live album recorded at The Barbican. Nonetheless, it should be a good listen and an easy listen at that. Get your hands on that on the 20th of October.






BEN HOWARD - I FORGOT WHERE WE WERE
To say I've missed this man's music would be an understatement. Ben Howard is a magical musician. I'm actually super excited to hear this record too. His more recent songs have been sounding a little more on the ambient side of folk (quite like Junip) than I remember, but I know that he won't disappoint. Another one for you to pick up on the 20th of October.





 

SLIPKNOT - .5: THE GRAY CHAPTER
Probably a slightly less easy listen than These New Puritans for most but definitely the album I'm looking forward to the most this week. Every single that I've heard from this so far has been awesome. I'm so glad that I got back into Slipknot before they put out this corker. In honour of their bassist who passed in 2010, I think they've definitely done him proud. Have a listen on the 21st of October.

In the past few weeks, a peppering of pretty interesting stuff has gone on in the music world and as I've been dormant for a while I'll write about some of the most interesting new things here...

WILLOW SMITH NEW SINGLE "YOUR LOVE V2"
Since her superhit "Whip My Hair" in 2010 I've only really heard a couple of songs from Willow Smith and more about either her strange fashion sense or hair. However, the music related buzz seems to be regenerating because I've heard a lot of praise for this new single here. Sampling The xx's "Basic Space" was a spark of genius on her part - this is an awesome song. Sounding more and more beyond her years, I'm ready to hear this album.


ROYAL BLOOD RELEASE B-SIDE "YOU WANT ME"
One of the biggest bands around right now, the Brighton duo are doing pretty well for themselves aren't they?! After writing about them as a new discovery here earlier this year I didn't expect them to be selling out headline tours in 2 minutes that very same year! Here's their latest b-side (to "Come On Over") from their huge debut record.


SLIPKNOT ANNOUNCE UK TOUR
I was really into Slipknot in my younger days but stopped listening to them for a little while. It wasn't until their recent (and pretty damn awesome) new single "The Devil In I" that I got back into their stuff and remembered just how good they are. Seeing them live will be a huge deal and especially touring their new album .5: The Gray Chapter which drops next week - I'll definitely want to pick up tickets when they come on sale on Friday.


THE WILDE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "UNTIL NEXT TIME, IT'S A ONE TIME THING"
I only recently found out about The Wilde and it was actually because of this song. I'm still not really sure if I like them or not because I don't like this video much at all but the song is really really catchy and the biggest confusion factor right now is that they sound SO much like Don Broco it's crazy. Have a watch of the video here - I think I still have to do some more background research on them.


ROYAL BLOOD NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TEN TONNE SKELETON"
Again, Royal Blood just killing it in music right now. Now they've got this cool new video to a great song from their fantastic debut - here. At one point in the video I did feel like it was a bit Nabil-ish but quickly banished that idea as the video went on. Still a solid video, and actually one of their better ones but I'm waiting for their videos to give me just that little bit more if I'm honest.


SPRING OFFENSIVE ANNOUNCE SPLIT
Okay, what is it with all of my favourite Oxford based bands breaking up before I even get the chance to see them live?! First, Trophy Wife and now Spring Offensive - Foals better not get any ideas! They announced a string of final UK shows but it doesn't actually look like I'll get a chance to attend any of them. It been a good run though - great band, I hope they do well in the rest of their music endeavours.


LIGHT YOU UP NEW SINGLE "ALWAYS WANTING MORE (FEAT. ALAN DAY)"
Birmingham based pop punk band Light You Up are set to release their debut album All We've Ever Known on the 26th of January next year and they've released this new single from it. I love their sound, and this is a hit. Their fans are already loving it and I know that I'm going to end up rinsing it over the next few weeks. Have a listen here.


THE NIGHT VI NEW SINGLE "HEROINE"
The Night VI have really been impressing me lately. I'm still listening to their single "Sienna" from earlier this year - now all I need is an album and I'll be set for months! As usual, The Night VI impress me with their silky vocals and tactful harmonies. Another big hit from the sextet, let's just hope their album hits it out of the park. Get hooked on "Heroine" here.


FALL OUT BOY ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE "IMMORTALS"
Fall Out Boy have been pretty hit and miss over the past couple of months if I'm honest. Their last single "Centuries" was pretty good, and now they've announced that they are releasing a single for the upcoming Disney film - Big Hero 6. I just hope that this isn't another a miss for them. You can hear a snippet of the song in the trailer for the movie here.


ED SHEERAN NEW MUSIC VIDEO "THINKING OUT LOUD"
I've made my disappointment with Ed Sheeran no secret but recently it would seem that he's starting to win me over. All of the singles that I've heard from his album X so far have been good and as much as I try fighting it, I think I might eventually begin to be impressed with his music and maybe even enjoy it! Have a listen and a watch of his latest single here.