Music Which Defines 2014

2014 is a year my taste in music has flourished - all thanks to these brilliant albums/EPs/singles. 

ALBUMS OF 2014

           Jack White - Lazaretto

This man is a genius. Lazaretto is a masterpiece. This album takes a bit of perseverance, but it is flawless when you have got used to its obscureness. My favourite song by far is ‘Black Bat Liquorice’, fucking anthem.

      George Ezra – Wanted on Voyage

 Being a fan of him since he released his first EP ‘Did you hear the rain’, I have been waiting what feels like FOREVER for his album. Releasing ‘Wanted on Voyage’ on the 30^th June, this album is all I listened to in the summer. However, favourites do not include 'Budapest' due to it being painfully overplayed. I'm more of a fan of 'Drawing Board' and 'Leaving It Up to You'. This album spurred me on to buy a ticket to see him in February – excited is an understatement.

     

      Alt J  - This is all Yours

Alt-J vinyl.

 I have only really started listening to their 2012 release ‘An Awesome Wave’ this year, which got me very excited for their next release. They did not fail at all and their second album is fucking awesome. ‘This is All Yours’ is, I think, kind of hard to listen to at first. The more you listen though, the more you love it. This album also made me VERY excited for seeing them in January (with the support of Wolf Alice and Gengahr – fucking great bands). I bought this album on vinyl and I think it is my favourite album to listen to on vinyl; the sound quality is amazing, and the green and red colouring adds to the amazing-ness. (Also has great album art!)

  

      Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Balcony

Most say this year belonged to Royal Blood. I think this is the year Catfish truly shined. Since their album ‘The Balcony’ released, it has literally gone viral in the rock music scene. At first, I thought this album sounded all the same, and I didn't give it much of a listen to originally. However, I persevered and it is the best decision I have made. Favourites ‘Business’ and ‘Rango’ are on repeat and my views on the album have totally changed, and this album is very much worth getting, as this band is literally taking over the world.

   

Jamie T//Rabbit Hole

           Jamie T – Carry on the Grudge

 Like Alt-J, I have only really started listening to Jamie T this year and I have fallen head-over-heels for his music. There was so much buzz about him releasing his album, due to his five year hibernation. ‘Zombie’ is one of my most favourite singles of this year, and his album was even better than I expected. I was absolutely broken hearted that his concert was sold out at Ally Pally, as I will not die happy until I see him live, as his secret Reading set looked insane!
             Kasabian – 48:13

 Before 48:13, my love for Kasabian started to wilt… But the release of 'Eez-Eh' rekindled my love for them. Their album is a mater piece, the only way I can describe it is fucking insane. They have recently finished touring, and seeing people’s videos and photos, Kasabian is definitely a band I need to catch live.

      The Horrors – Luminous

 Fellow Essex-men release ‘Luminous’ this year, and it is flawless. This album I have carried on listening to since its release, and it has made me love the band even more.

         

      The Black Keys – Turn Blue

 I am a massive fan of the black keys, and ‘Turn Blue’ not only has fantastic artwork, but fantastic songs too. Even though I think the black keys peeked at El Camino, this album is fucking fantastic and if you don’t own it… Why?

           Royal Blood  - Royal Blood

 I have LOVED Royal Blood since the release of ‘Little Monster’. I live by a small HMV and they rarely sell singles, but there was ‘Little Monster’ sitting there calling my name. The B-Side ‘Hole’ is my favourite song of theirs and I really wished it made it onto the album. Royal blood has gained such a following this year, and they really deserved this. This album is ace.

           Johnny Marr – Playland

 Playland: What an album. I have really only listened to this album, and basically nothing else, since its release. This album is genius, his vocals faultless and his guitar playing is mesmerising. The release of this album is getting me even more excited for Noel Gallagher’s next year, as Marr said he has given some help!

SINGLES/EPS OF 2014

Kasabian//Bumblebeee

        In the Heat of the Moment/Do the Damage 

                 All I can say is that these songs have made my excitement for NGHFB's next album unexplainable.

     Kasabian - Bumblebeee 

                  One of my all time favourite Kasabian songs, and haven't stopped listening to it since its release. I bought the single on vinyl and the B-side is fabulous. I love this so much I got 'Bumblebeee' (also 'Eez-Eh') printed on a top - Serge style.

     Wolf Alice -  Creature Songs

                 The band need to release an album now! I love Rowsell’s sweet voice, contrasting with the heavy guitars and drums. I have loved Wolf Alice since their first EP, and all the teasers of new songs they are uploading to Instagram is making me so excited for their next release.

     Little Monster/Hole 

                As mentioned in the album review, I think my love for them is meant to be since I found their 7” laying randomly on the racks of HMV. When I first heard Little Monster I had it on repeat, and when I found out Royal Blood was a two-piece, I was shocked. They are so talented.

Circa Waves//So Long

       Circa Waves

                 Everything Circa Waves has produced this year is faultless. I love every piece of music they do, and there better be an album release in the near future because I really can’t wait any longer.

What do I hope for NGHFB next album?

The buzz for Noel Gallagher's next solo album is overwhelming. The news of his newest album, which sadly is due next year, spread around social media like a wild fire. 

In Gallagher's Facebook Q&A he announced his new single (out in November) and new album (March 2015), with a tour soon after. With so much hype escalating so quickly, here is what I hope the album will have to it.

A reminder of Pre-High Flying Birds. I hope the album involves something that still says he was part of Oasis. The raw guitars, the edgy vocals, the drumming that gets you playing along with imaginary sticks; some of the qualities of Oasis that I wish Noel brings into his new album. His first self titled album I think shows very little of his Oasis past, which compared to his brothers band Beady Eye's latest (and recently announced last) album 'BE' you still feel the energy Liam bought to Oasis. As flawless as NGHFB's first album was, I do think Noel may be forgetting who his audience is, we want a taste of what Oasis could have been today and I believe his first album is showing us how he wants to be completely different. But surely, after all the rumours of an Oasis reunion being everywhere on social media, it shows how committed his fans, new and old, are to the band. He must give us an Oasis-esque treat, Right? However, whatever Noel produces, we'll all adore it anyway...

Fucking flawless guitars; recently the news spread that Johnny Marr is helping Noel out with a few tracks, it maybe could have a tiny essence of the Smiths?

I am counting down the days until this album is out, I will be queueing up to buy it come March! only 5 months to go...