Posted on Wednesday 25th December 2019 at 12:25
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 50-41.
50) Orlando Weeks – A Quickening
For fans of: The Maccabees, Wild Beasts, Willie J Healey
Released: 12th June
What the critics say: "Orlando firmly demonstrates the range of his vocal ability - a constant across eleven tracks. Pairing this with sincere lyricism and soaring musicianship, ‘A Quickening’ emerges as Orlando Weeks’ most personal record by far, and is nothing short of stunning." - DIY Magazine
Stand out track: Safe In Sound
See Orlando Weeks live in Nottingham, Bristol and Leeds next year. TICKETS HERE.
49) Palace Winter – ...Keep Dreaming, Buddy
For fans of: Teleman, The Slow Readers Club, Steve Mason
Released: 23rd October
What the critics say: "For this record, they’ve time travelled forward a decade and squeezed in a dash of that Arctic sense of cool that runs through the peppier output of The Cardigans and Robyn. As the world faces an uncertain winter, they’re generously offering us the endless summer we should have had all along." - music OMH
Stand out track: Top Of The Hill
See Palace Winter live in London, Bristol and Manchester next year. TICKETS HERE.
48) Pa Salieu – Send Them To Coventry
For fans of: Novelist, dutchavelli, Ghetts
Released: 13th November
What the critics say: "This is an extraordinarily assured first offering from a young artist capable of surprising at every turn. The result is not so much a foreboding portrait of a forgotten, boom-and-bust city, but an invitation to a place and people unduly ignored—and an introduction to an artist who won’t be. Not so much sent to Coventry, then, as visiting voluntarily." - Pitchfork
Stand out track: Informa (feat. M1llionz)
See Pa Salieu live in Nottingham and Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
47) Bryde – The Volume Of Things
For fans of: Fenne Lilly, Brooke Bentham, TORRES
Released: 29th May
What the critics say: "The Volume of Things is the sound of an artist confident in her craft, and at ease with her contemporaries in the storied Welsh song book. Having opened for the likes of Fatherson and compatriots The Joy Formidable, post-lockdown this stately second record will have no shortage of offers as the live circuit looks to get back on its feet." - The Line Of Best Fit
Stand out track: Flies
See Bryde live in London, Nottingham and Manchester next year. TICKETS HERE.
46) Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever – Sideways to New Italy
For fans of: The Orielles, Parquet Courts, Dream Wife
Released: 5th June
What the critics say: "It’s romantic, it’s exhilarating, and seems to be the Rolling Blackouts’ talent in a nutshell, to dignify momentary, young-life experience with the power it deserves, mirroring their own rapid journey from good to great. It finds a meaning in the rush of information and the loaded potential – the beauty of the ride." - UNCUT
Stand out track: Cars In Space
See Rolling Blackout Costal Fever live in Leeds next year. TICKETS HERE.
45) PINS – Hot Slick
For fans of: Tim Burgess, The Lovely Eggs, Honeyblood
Released: 29th May
What the critics say: "The palette of sounds draws from evident influences in New Order, Bronski Beat, bands that capture nightlife in all of its vibrancy. Leaning heavily on repetition in sound and substance, the band themselves cite more modern references, such as Soulwax, as some of the driving forces behind developing this layered, neon-tinged feel. A sound accompaniment to a decadent dance party, ‘Hot Slick’ is a move in the best possible direction for PINS." - Clash
Stand out track: Hot Slick
See PINS live in London next year. TICKETS HERE.
44) Palm Reader – Sleepless
For fans of: Employed To Serve, Rolo Tomassi, Jamie Lenman
Released: 30th October
What the critics say: "In the end, though, Sleepless’ fascinating textures and hypnotic undulations offer a different type of intensity, and when those (still frequent) blasts of outright heaviosity do arrive, they feel all the harder for it. 2020 has been a brutal year for hard-touring outfits like Palm Reader, but this feels like a defiant guarantee of their tenacity and adaptability, finding a way to continue hammering their mark and plotting their own destiny even as the world swerves around us." - Kerrang!
Stand out track: A Bird and Its Feathers
See Palm Reader live in London and Nottingham next year. TICKETS HERE.
43) Yelle – L'Ere du Verseau
For fans of: Little Boots, CSS, La Roux
Released: 4th September
What the critics say: "L'Ère du Verseau is a conceptual rollercoaster, constantly picking up the tempo with exciting pop energy and then slowing everything down for moments of honest reflection. Whether it be the groovy, animated moments or the more intimate and vulnerable ones, there is something on Yelle's latest release for everyone to appreciate." - Exclaim!
Stand out track: Je t'aime encore
See Yelle live in London next year. TICKETS HERE.
42) Hannah Grace – Remedy
For fans of: Gabrielle Aplin, Maisie Peters, Jade Bird
Released: 20th November
What the critics say: "With the help of radiant choirs, powerhouse vocals, and dance breaks when needed, Grace’s Remedy covers important ground when it comes to falling in and out of love. Not only does she give insights on how to love, but she also gives us an idea on how to heal." - Imperfect Fifth
Stand out track: Feels Like Home
See Hannah Grace live in London and Cardiff next year. TICKETS HERE.
41) KINNSHIP (fka Favela) - Commensality
For fans of: Zola Blood, Kllo, TENDER
Released: 2nd April
What the critics say: "The new album, Commensality, is a monumental piece of work from a humble, yet talented young creative. FAVELA showcases skill and intricacy to deliver a whirlwind of graceful, versatile and majestic collection of music." - Dubiks
Stand out track: Homingbird
See KINNSHIP live in Leeds, London and Manchester next year. TICKETS HERE.
