Posted on Saturday 28th December 2019 at 01:32
As we wave goodbye to 2020 and look forward to 2021 and all the great shows on offer, we thought it would be the perfect time to bring you our favourite 50 albums of the year!
Here at alt. tickets we keep our fingers on the pulse, with weekly updates of all our favourite releases, but when it came to recapping a whole year of excellent music it was hard to narrow it down to just 50! We've made some tough decisions and we have such a great list, so without further ado here is 20-11.
20) Lanterns On The Lake – Spook The Herd
For fans of: Daughter, Nadine Shah, The Twilight Sad
Released: 21st February
What the critics say: "The overarching effect is one of the calm during the storm, as if the realisation of some of the band’s worst fears has cleared their heads, sharpened their senses, and compelled them to look for the light breaking through the clouds, however dim. The results are musically elegant, emotionally eloquent, and absolutely vital." - The Line Of Best Fit
Stand out track: Every Atom
See Lanterns On The Lake live in Bristol and Nottingham next year. TICKETS HERE.
19) Dream Wife – So When You Gonna...
For fans of: Hinds, The Magic Gang, Goat Girl
Released: 3rd July
What the critics say: "Full of prodigious riffs, intoxicating vocals and a narrative you just can't ignore, So When You Gonna… exemplifies just what happens when talent meets passion." - Exclaim!
Stand out track: Hasta La Vista
See Dream Wife live in Nottingham next year. TICKETS HERE.
18) The Killers – Imploding The Mirage
For fans of: Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines
Released: 21st August
What the critics say: "The Killers have made another dazzling statement of ultra-modern pomp, and one arguably even more in step with new generations of alt-rock. It’s a musical DeLorean: rooted in mainstream Americana but speeding into adventurous horizons." - NME
Stand out track: My Own Soul's Warning
See The Killers live in Doncaster next year. TICKETS HERE.
17) The Magic Gang – Death Of The Party
For fans of: Blossoms, Grizzly Bear, Surfer Blood
Released: 28th August
What the critics say: "Here The Magic Gang have acted on pure instinct and feeling. This is an album that, despite its recognition of the downside of things, ends up as a more reassuring – and more real – listen than their debut. With its collage of genres and refusal to co-opt modern trends, album two finds the band moving towards something timeless." - NME
Stand out track: What Have You Got To Lose
See The Magic Gang live in Nottingham and Brighton next year. TICKETS HERE.
16) Che Lingo – The Worst Generation
For fans of: Kojey Radical, Nines, Chip
Released: 23rd October
What the critics say: "South-West London’s ‘Wizard of Wandsworth’ Che Lingo is undoubtedly a versatile artist. Across today’s UK Rap landscape, versatility is becoming increasingly common, as the once clearly defined borders between respective genres melt away. Che’s confident with the flows, from grime, to mellow jazz-leaning rap to trap. On debut album ‘The Worst Generation’ he does them all with a subtle assuredness. It’s definitely impressive, yes." - Clash
Stand out track: My Block
See Che Lingo live in Nottingham and Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
15) Fenne Lily – Breach
For fans of: Pheobe Bridgers, Billie Marten, Matt Berninger
Released: 18th September
What the critics say: "It’s a raw, cathartic, but incredibly gentle record that pushes through personal boundaries, and wonderfully reiterates the fact that it’s okay to be alone." - The Line Of Best Fit
Stand out track: Solipsism
See Fenne Lily live in Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
14) Peach Pit – You And Your Friends
For fans of: Wallows, Declan McKenna, Mac DeMarco
Released: 3rd April
What the critics say: "While the band describes themselves as “chewed bubblegum pop”, that is really selling themselves short. It’s easy to see every influence they include in their music that make it so much more than that. From surf rock to psych rock, Peach Pit’s sophomore album shows their growth while staying true to what they do so right." - Spill Magazine
Stand out track: Black Licorice
See Peach Pit live in Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and London next year. TICKETS HERE.
13) Gerry Cinnamon – The Bonny
For fans of: The Courteeners, Jamie T, Reverend and the Makers
Released: 17th April
What the critics say: "His lyrics lack the vivid character studies of old, but there is still plenty of cleverness hidden in Cinnamon’s prosaic songwriting." - The Guardian
Stand out track: Canter
Gerry Cinnamon's show at Cardiff Castle is sold out, but you can join the waiting list HERE.
12) Purity Ring – WOMB
For fans of: Chvrches, Phantogram, Grimes
Released: 3rd April
What the critics say: "The electro-pop duo’s first album in five years muses on bodies, blood, and a girl’s coming of age; it benefits from the group’s newfound musical maturity and more exacting editorial eye." - Pitchfork
Stand out track: Pink Lightning
See Purity Ring live in Nottingham, Manchester and Bristol. TICKETS HERE.
11) Caribou – Suddenly
For fans of: Four Tet, Floating Points, Hot Chip
Released: 28th February
What the critics say: "Dan Snaith’s project returns after five years away to confront grief and family, beautifully warping songs that are drenched in melody." - The Guardian
Stand out track: Home
See Caribou live in Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
