FRENCHIE'S TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2016

2016 may have been a pretty terrible year for legendary musicians dying and world politics, but I actually think it has been a very strong year for music releases. In fact one of the finest of this decade. I have a feeling the rise of vinyl as a dominant format once again has really contributed to this. In the days where digital music ruled, artists could get away with making just one or two great tracks and succeeding, but I feel like the focus on making an ALBUM with multiple sides of music has lead to an even greater focus on creativity and consistency.

I listened to a couple of hundred albums this year, but obviously I can't hear them all, so there are probably some huge albums I've missed out on. I've been hearing nothing but praise for the latest De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest albums, but I haven't found the time to give them a listen yet! But here is a top 50 of the albums that have rocked my world this year!

50. KARG - WELTENASCHE
Black Metal, Post Rock. Art of Propaganda.

A fine pick in the year of epic post-Black Metal. Austria's Karg is just a one man project, but sounds far more ambitious and well recorded than his peers. 'Weltenasche' reaches truly epic heights combining furious black metal with melodic Post Rock in fine fashion.
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49. MARS RED SKY - APEX III: PRAISE FOR THE BURNING SOUL
Stoner Metal, Psychedelic Rock. Listenable Records.

France's Mars Red Sky have delivered a powerful and stirring third record, praising slumberous, atmospheric Doom riffs with beautiful textures. The album is a little bit of a slow burner, but one where your patience will pay off in the end.
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48. BOYCOTT THE BAPTIST - BASH THE BISHOP
Grindcore, Powerviolence. Self-Released.

Raw as fuck, no nonsense grindcore that can't decide if it is political activism ('Fuck Off Trump') or utter foolish absurdity ('Eels Up Inside You'). Whatever the case, this is a raging and exciting slab of Grind and Powerviolence that sounds genuine and is suitably over in less than 20 minutes!
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47. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - PAINTING WITH
Psychedelia, Noise Pop. Domino Records.

YES I'M INCLUDING IT!!! The most critically panned album of the entire decade so far from a once untouchable band. The Quietus had the audacity to call it "total dogshit from start to finish", but I just can't see how anyone without a massive bias (or chip on their shoulder) could possibly listen to this and think it has no merit. Animal Collective successfully deliver the spiritual follow up to their classic 'Merriweather Post Pavillion', by once again combining Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies with noisy layers of ADHD synthesisers. The result is a pleasant, dreamy and summery marvel that will bring a huge smile to your face! I have no idea why the critics have turned so badly on a band that are still at a creative peak, but I'm not buying into that bullshit!
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46. THE COMET IS COMING - CHANNEL THE SPIRITS
Fusion Jazz, Electronic. Leaf Records.

New exciting sounds in Jazz, combining with modern electronic sounds and frantic playing, existing in the same realm as FlyLo and Squarepusher, but favouring more natural timbres.
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45. WARPAINT - HEADS UP
Alternative Rock, Dream Pop. Rough Trade.

Warpaint are 4 albums in now and I didn't have too high expectations from this one, but I think they have actually delivered their best yet. I find 'Heads Up' to be their most consistent and varied release yet. There are plenty of their trademark hypnotic grooves going on, but they also throw in some faster, more upbeat numbers and do it rather well.
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44. BOSSK - AUDIO NOIR
Post Metal, Post Rock, Sludge Metal. Deathwish Inc.

I've kind of drifted out of the Post Rock and Post Metal sounds a bit in the last few years, but if any band was to re-spark my interest it would be Bossk. Here they have crafted something that feels fresh and doesn't adhere to the set blueprints, packed full of weight and emotion.
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43. BRIAN ENO - THE SHIP
Ambient. Warp Records.

Damn, the master of Ambient music is still making his mark. Eno hasn't sang on a record since the early 90s, but after rediscovering a love for his voice after the two collab albums with Karl Hyde, Eno has decided to combine his minimalist Ambient works with his soothing vocals. 'The Ship' is a real trip, ethereal and brooding like a ghost ship drifting over icy waters. The album builds marvelously to an emotional finale in tribute to the late, great Lou Reed. Heartbreaking stuff.
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42. GNOD - MIRROR
Drone Rock. Rocket Recordings.

The ever shifting Gnod machine delivers their angriest, most anarchic and hate fueled release yet, trading psyched out electronics for crushing Drone Rock.
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41. VODUN - POSSESSION
Garage Rock, Hard Rock. Riff Rock Records.

Vodun's debut full length delivers blistering garage rock riffs, tribal grooves and powerhouse vocals in a really exciting package that commands you band your head!
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40. CLARK - THE LAST PANTHERS
Ambient, Original Score. Warp Records.

Clark is an artist who likes to make every album different, and he always succeeds in his vision and making a great work of art. This is Clark's first trip into pure Ambient territory for a full album, largely putting away the pulsing, wonky beats in trade of swelling strings and minimal pianos, with his unique voice still coming through the music.
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39. CLIFF MARTINEZ - THE NEON DEMON
Ambient, Electronic, Original Score. Milan Records.

I heard the score before I watched the film, but hearing this amazing score made me more excited to see the film. In fact it's one of the strongest elements of the film. Pulsing Industrial Techno crossed over with dreamy, neon ambient. Cliff Martinez is one of the most important soundtrack composers of this millennium and this is one of his finest works yet.
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38. THE AVALANCHES - WILDFLOWER
Hip Hop, Electronic. XL.

I don't know why it took The Avalanches 16 years to follow up their debut album, but they've done it in style. 'Wildflower' sounds very fresh and one of the most positive and uplifting sounding Hip Hop albums of the decade. The Hip Hop influences feel a little stronger than on the debut, with a little less sampling density going on. It has that Stones Throw kind of vibe to it and flows remarkably well from start to finish with a rich and diverse palette of sounds. Hip Hop with flowery psychedelic moments ala early De La Soul!
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37. IGGY POP - POST POP DEPRESSION
Alternative Rock. Caroline International.

People are saying this is Iggy Pop's best album since his 70s heyday. Whilst I haven't heard all of his stuff since then, I'd find it hard to disagree. This album packs a real punch, with a vocal that almost channels his late sparring partner David Bowie. Choosing Josh Homme to crack out the riffs was a wise idea, and the album is exceptionally well produced. Iggy Pop sounds revitalised and hungry once again.

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36. BADBADNOTGOOD - IV
Fusion Jazz, Neo Soul, Funk. Innovative Leisure.

Everyone has been talking about Kamasi Washington being the saviour of modern Jazz, and don't get me wrong he is incredible from a nostalgic point of view, but I think BadBadNotGood deserve as much credit. This band sound much more modern in terms of production and fusing Funk, Hip Hop and Soul into the mix. I think I preferred this to their breakthrough album 'III' and their collab with Ghostface Killah. It's up, up and up for these guys!

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35. VENETIAN SNARES - TRADITIONAL SYNTHESIZER MUSIC
Electronic, IDM. Timesig/Planet Mu.

You'd think Mr Funk might end up restricting himself by sticking to just using a modular synthesiser to create this album, yet somehow he just pushes his art further. One of his most consistent full lengths of recent times, and mad as a badger!

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34. KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN - STRANGER THINGS (VOLUMES 1 & 2)
Electronic, Ambient, Original Score. Lakeshore.

The one soundtrack that got nearly everybody pumped up this year. S U R V I V E members do 80s nostalgia perfectly well with some sublime John Carpenter worship and some chilling Dark Ambient too.

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33. MAMMOTH WEED WIZARD BASTARD - Y PROFFWYD DWYLL
Doom Metal, Sludge Metal. NHS.

I have a real thing for Metal bands that implement electronics, and this was one of my favourite surprises of the year. This quartet from Wales combine slow, crushing Doom riffs with washed out synths and buzzing electronics piercing and boiling on top. Also vocalist Jessica Ball tops it off with her angelic banshee vocals. If you thought you were in for a typical Stoner band you will be gravely mistaken.

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32. CRYSTAL CASTLES - AMNESTY (I)
Electronic, Witch House. Fiction Records.

The critics have eaten Crystal Castles' comeback album up and quickly spat it out, with a wave of mediocre reviews, but I have to calmly tell them to get to fuck! So Crystal Castles have had a 4 year break, and had to introduce new vocalist Edith Frances into the band. One thing the critics have got right is that this isn't anything particularly new or daring, but this is the sound of a band finding their feet again. But however you want to analyse it, I can't deny that I enjoy every track on this album and I've been listening to it over and over in my car. Crystal Castles still manage to sound innovative, hard and exciting in 2016 where they could have easily tailed off into commercial drivel by now.

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31. DANNY BROWN - ATROCITY EXHIBITION
Hip Hop. Warp Records.

I'm still not completely sold on Danny Brown's voice and lyrical content (he seems to work much better as a guest spot), but this album has really won me over. Something told me that the fact Warp Records wanted to put this out, meant it would be worth a listen and I really enjoyed it from start to finish. It feels like the right cross between the modern Hip Hop production sound and that wonky, abstract Warp sound. A great selection of guest spots and off kilter moments keeps things fresh.

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30. WINTERFYLLETH - THE DARK HEREAFTER
Black Metal. Candlelight/Spinefarm.

By stripping things back a little and making a shorter album, Winterfylleth have actually come across as more consistent. 'The Dark Hereafter' is an emotionally rich and thorough black metal album that exists in the same realm as Ulver's 'Bergtatt', from the cover to the cover!

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29. AMERICAN FOOTBALL - AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Emo, Alternative Rock. Witchita.

Scathing reviews be damned, I freakin' loved this. Of course it is going to sound a bit different 17 years since their first album, but the honesty, vitality and genuine heartfelt songwriting still shines through for me! Didn't get what all the uproar is about but I only discovered the first album about the same time too!

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28. CAINA - CHRIST CLAD IN WHITE PHOSPHORUS
Black Metal, Industrial, Noise. Apocalyptic Witchcraft.

Caina was one of the first acts in Black Metal to start thinking beyond the genres constrictions. 'Christ Clad In White Phosphorus' will possibly be his last record. It makes for a fitting nadir, as this goes to the furthest reaches of what a post-Black Metal band can achieve to the point where the listener isn't even sure whether this is Black Metal, or if they even know what Black Metal is any more. A wild and eclectic ride that strips Caina down to the bone, relying less on guitars and much more on ambient synths, layers of noise pedals, furious hazy vocals and pounding industrial drum machines. This is the sound of travelling down a pitch black tunnel and never quite reaching the glow of light at the end.

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27. MARK PRITCHARD - UNDER THE SUN

Ambient, Progressive Electronic. Warp Records.

This album was a big surprise for me considering Mark Pritchard's last album under the guise of Harmonic 313 was one of the funkiest, most upbeat Hip Hop albums of recent times. Pritchard has decided to follow it up with an exact opposite album of super slow, quiet, languid droning ambient. However he is still a master of his craft, delivering beautiful alien textures and sweeping modular arpeggios.

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26. CROWHURST - II
Post-Hardcore, Black Metal, Sludge Metal. Broken Limbs.

Crowhurst (the project of Jay Gambit) is constantly releasing noise, drone and dark ambient releases on his Bandcamp page, so much so that it can be hard for the most dedicated fans to keep up to date. For 'II' though he has enlisted an entire band to perform his songs for a full on Metal album, which you can tell most of his writing efforts have gone into. 'II' will forever stand out as one of the main attractions in his massive discography, inhaling influences of Converge, Darkthrone and Neurosis and then spewing it out in a varied and consistent racket!

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25. DEAD TO A DYING WORLD - LIVE AT ROADBURN

Black Metal, Post Rock. Roadburn.

A testament to a band that started off as one man and expanded to seven band members! We have a new contender in the envelope of bands pushing the boundaries of modern black metal. Dead to a Dying World are one of the most epic and emotionally stirring, combining monolithic riffs with beautiful string sections. Excited to see where they go from here!

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24. ALCEST - KODAMA

Post Rock, Shoegaze, Black Metal. Prophecy Records.

After being slightly underwhelmed with previous album 'Shelter', which cut out the Metal elements for a more shoegazy, dream pop direction, it would have been easy to brush Alcest off. Fortunately after the glowing reviews, I decided to give 'Kodama' a go and I am very glad I did. Alcest have not only implemented the heavier elements back in but they sound far more focused. My second favourite album of theirs after their classic debut.

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23. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - DISSOCIATION
Mathcore, Technical Metal, Progressive Metal. Party Smasher Inc.

The Dillinger Escape Plan go out with a bang. 'Dissociation' is perhaps my favourite record of theirs since the genre classic 'Miss Machine'. The album plays like a best of, made of all new material, and draws from everything they have learnt over their incredible career. They say it is better to burn out than to fade away... Well here is to a band that have been a constant burn out since day one!

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22. JOHN CARPENTER - LOST THEMES II

Progressive Electronic, Synthwave, Ambient. Sacred Bones Records.

With any great Horror film, a sequel will emerge the year after, and so was it was the same with the master of Horror's second Lost Themes album. Whilst it sort of delivers more of the same, the first one was so damn impressive that more of that gold was very much welcome. 'Lost Themes II' doesn't fall short of those incredible pioneering synthwave sounds that made the first one such a knockout!

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21. THE FIELD - THE FOLLOWER

Minimal Techno, Electronic. Kompakt.

The Field continues to perfect his craft and be one of the leaders of the Berlin Minimal Techno scene. These lengthy compositions take minimalist blips and bleeps to new atmospheric and epic heights, with a constant pulsing backbone charging through.

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20. PARQUET COURTS - HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Post-Punk, Noise Rock, Jangle Pop. Rough Trade.

Parquet Courts sound at their most inspired here, and also at their laziest and most laid back. Pure slacker vibes crossed with jangly Velvety goodness. A thoroughly entertaining mess!

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19. WEEZER - WEEZER [THE WHITE ALBUM]
Alternative Rock. Atlantic Records.

Well... I really liked it! Weezer have become a parody of themselves in recent times, but I would happily place this as the true successor to Pinkerton. It feels like Weezer have finally managed to channel back the sound, charm and songwriting that made them so good in the first place!

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18. NEUROSIS - FIRES WITHIN FIRES

Sludge Metal, Post Metal. Neurot Recordings.

Neurosis are a band that have kind of done everything by this point, so they have gone for a less is more approach with 'Fires Within Fires'. Running at just over 40 minutes, Neurosis have made something much more direct and immediate. I do love their long Post Rock inspired builds up and crescendos, which are still kind of present, but stripping back their sound still makes them sound really inspired. The masters deliver the goods once again!

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17. ULVER - ATGCLVLSSCAP
Progressive Electronic, Ambient, Space Rock. House of Mythology.

The wolves are still evolving and Ulver keep shifting genres, never seeming to run out of innovative ideas. Part live album, part studio work, this record explores spacey, Tangerine Dream-esque electronics and atmospheres. Probably my favourite album of theirs since 'Shadows of the Sun'!

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16. RADIOHEAD - A MOON SHAPED POOL

Alternative Rock, Art Rock. XL.

I've heard nothing but negativity about this album in my circle of friends, but I have been championing 'A Moon Shaped Pool' since my first listen. Rather than trying to constantly take a step forwards like this band are known for, Radiohead take a big step backwards, stripping away the wonky electronics and distorted guitars completely. What is left are beautiful, heartfelt and stripped down songs favouring natural acoustics, sombre vocals, pianos and strings. There is something so beautiful and admirable about this coming from a band who sometimes left their wilder ideas run loose. Radiohead at their most subtle and I like it.

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15. AUTECHRE - ELSEQ 1-5
Electronic, Ambient, IDM. Warp Records

To be honest, I'm still making my way through this! I'm absolutely loving just the first two discs and I am in no rush to move on yet. This record will keep me occupied for a while! Every time Autechre makes a new release they just seem to push the boundaries further and further. This 4.5 hour long album sees the duo express total unrelenting freedom, where they can take 20-30 minute avant garde compositions and just run with it. Obviously if you have not explored their vast discography yet, this certainly shouldn't be a starting point, but seasoned veterans will experience nothing but pure bliss listening to this!
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14. IRON WITCH - A HARROWED DAWN

Sludge Metal. Secret Law Records.

Liverpool based Iron Witch have gone through many lineup changes, but on the way have really evolved their sound. If you've heard their earlier NOLA inspired works, you might be surprised to hear they have delivered a far darker, gnarlier and tougher bunch of songs than ever before. Iron Witch channel the crushing weight of Neurosis and Cult of Luna, combined with the agonising misery of EyeHateGod to create something that will not only crush you, but make you feel feelings too!

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13. DAVID BOWIE - BLACKSTAR
Art Pop, Jazz Rock. Sony Columbia.

This is how you go out with a bang. I'm convinced that Bowie knew it would be the last shining star in one of the most impressive discographies of any recording artist to ever live. It's cryptic, forward thinking and truly belting. People will still be listening, discussing and lamenting this album in years to come. RIP David Bowie. Innovative til the very end!

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12. SLABDRAGGER - RISE OF THE DAWNCRUSHER

Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Technical Metal. Holy Roar Records.

For their second album, Slabdragger combine monumentally crushing riffs with a Sci-Fi aesthetic, sounding like a killer robot spiraling out of control. Even with songs that near 20 minutes, the trio have composed a true behemoth of an album that really takes you on a journey of winding, technical riff mastery.

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11. GOAT - REQUIEM
Psychedelia. Rocket Recordings.

Goat have become one of the bands from this decade to impress me most. They have now delivered 3 knockout albums in a row. 'Requiem' is easily their longest album and the least heavy of the three. There aren't as many storming fuzz drenched riffs as before, but they have expertly substituted these moments with a more folky influence. Flutes and panpipes still sound just as groovy and psyched out, and this album is full of seriously infectious moments that will get you dancing and rocking out!

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10. JESSY LANZA - OH NO
Electronic, R&B. Hyperdub Records.

Jessy Lanza just has this amazing ability to just cut through my heart and soul. Sure there are similarities to the sound of Grimes and FKA Twigz, but Jessy Lanza doesn't need any of the theatrics and comes across more genuine, sweet and down to earth. Her songs are brilliant and this album in particular is much warmer and more confident than the (also excellent) debut. Jessy Lanza really gets her groove on here with strong Electro and 80s RNB vibes, fused with that modern bass heavy Hyperdub sound. A sheer delight from start to finish.

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9. ANDY STOTT - TOO MANY VOICES
Electronic, IDM. Modern Love.

DAMN! Andy Stott delivers his most direct and energised album yet! His trademark use of pitchshifting and choppy beats is on fire here with trippy vocal samples drifiting in and out. The album is a really shiny with a mad streak in the middle and a beautiful Enya like finale. One of the most exciting and addictive Electronic albums of the year!

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8. DEFTONES - GORE
Alternative Metal, Shoegaze, Dream Pop. Reprise Records.

One of the most consistent bands in all of Metal strike gold once more. Deftones continue to mature and craft a fine balance between hard hitting riffs, atmospheric textures and soaring choruses. 'Gore' delivers everything you could want from Deftones in spades!

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7. JESU & SUN KIL MOON - JESU/SUN KIL MOON
Folk, Shoegaze, Drone Metal. Caldo Verde Records.

Continuing the decade of weird collaborations is an album that combines intimate folk music with crunching metal riffs. And yet it suceeds. Both artists channel a lot of emotion, atmosphere and intimacy and the two artists really bounce of each other. The heavy parts allow Mark Kozelek to channel more of an anger and despair in his lyricism, allowing the more typical Sun Kil Moon sounding folk tracks to be more focused than last year's turbulent 'Universal Themes' album. Not everyone got it, but I personally loved it!

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6. DEATH GRIPS - BOTTOMLESS PIT
Electronic, Hardcore, Hip Hop. Harvest Records.

One of Death Grips' finest hours yet. I didn't think it was possible for this band to become even more crass, in your face and devoid of subtlety, but they managed it with the addition of roaring guitar riffs and blastbeats. 'Bottomless Pit' is just a crazy, noisy blast of sheer joy that asks you to leave your brain at the door!

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5. KATATONIA - THE FALL OF HEARTS
Alternative Metal, Gothic Metal. Peaceville.

Katatonia have always been a very consistent band, but I don't think anyone was expecting to drop arguably their finest work 11 albums in. 'The Fall of Hearts' delivers everything I love about this band, finding the right balance between hard hitting riffs and melodic melancholy. Lyrically and vocally it rings as one of their most emotive works that has kept pulling me back in for more and more. Absolutely spellbounding!

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4. BOSS KELOID - HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

Progressive Metal, Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Technical Metal. Black Bow Records.

Deeply spiritual, progressive tech as fuck Sludge/Stoner Metal from Wigan. Boss Keloid haven't just created an album, but an entire odyssey that grabs you from the first track and takes you on an inner pilgrimage, full of meaty riffs and off kilter rhythms. 'Herb Your Enthusiasm' will not only give you the neckache but give you the feels and the ponderings too whilst yer at it!

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3. BARBARIAN HERMIT - DEMO MMXVI

Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal. Self-Released.

It's basically an album... And it's glorious. This first demo of masterful Sludge/Stoner riffs doesn't feel like it was inspired by the likes of Down and Sleep, but feels like a complete refresh on that style, with plenty of great hooks and riffs so tasty they'll give you instant neck ache!

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2. 40 WATT SUN - WIDER THAN THE SKY

Slowcore, Folk Rock. Svart.

Genuinely one of the most beautiful, heartfelt and emotionally affecting albums I have heard all year. 40 Watt Sun deliver their softest album yet, favouring clean guitars over heavy riffs. The result sounds a lot like Red House Painters or early Sun Kil Moon ('April' especially). Lyrically and vocally this is just an explosion of real feelings. The album is very slow, long and repetitive but I have managed to get obsessed with it and listen over and over. I hope the physical copy comes with a free pack of Kleenex because you're going to need it!

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1. OATHBREAKER - RHEIA

Post-Hardcore, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, Shoegaze. Deathwish Inc.

2016 belongs to Oathbreaker. The belgian quartet deliver their longest and most ambitious album yet. I always knew they were a fantastic band, but 'Rheia' brings them into the league of the all time greats. Sometimes making an album twice as long as your other output can be the nail in the coffin, but Oathbreaker have used that extra space phenomenally well, adding more breadth to their sound with the use of folky and shoegazy elements. The music across this album really takes you on a journey and seamlessly blends different subgenres together. From the furious Sludge, Black Metal and Crusty Hardcore to the emotive beauty in the Folk, Shoegaze and Dream Pop moments. The album has similar blueprints to the works of Deafheaven and Alcest, and carries just as much emotional weight and intensity in the quiet moments as it does the raging heavy parts.

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HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Aphex Twin - Cheetah, Basement - Promise Everything, The Body - No One Deserves Happiness, The Body & Full of Hell - One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache, Cavern of Anti Matter - Void Beats/Invocation Trex, Conjurer - I, Corinth - Corinth, Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner,Dam Funk - DJ Kicks, J Dilla - The Diary,  Esben & the Witch - Older Terrors, Future of the Left - The Peace & Truce Of, Garganjua - A Voyage In Solitude, Gilmore Trail - Twin Peaks, Tim Hecker - Love Streams, Ital Tek - Hollowed, Jega - 1995, Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered,Cat Le Bon - Crab Day, Lone - Levitate, Mogwai - Atomic, Moon Wiring Club - Exit Pantomime Control Mower - Meathead, Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room, Negura Bunget - Zi, Perturbator - The Uncanny Valley, Pinegrove - Cardinal, Plaid - The Digging Remedy, Rolo Tomassi - BBC Sessions, Scrubber Fox / Sadistic Foxician - Core Tea Vicar?, Se Delan - Drifter, Ty Segall - Emotional Mugger, DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall, Silverchild - Red Desert, Soulwax - Belgica, Suuns - Hold Still, Steven Wilson - 4 1/2

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FRENCHIE'S LISTENING POST - JULY

Because I don't get time to review all the new music I hear in depth, I have decided to start doing some smaller reviews, rounding up the best (and worst) releases of each month! Just a short one this time as I didn't get a lot of listening time this month!

ALBUM OF THE MONTH:

DEATH GRIPS - BOTTOMLESS PIT

Industrial, Hip Hop, Hardcore Punk. Harvest Records.

Death Grips are a very difficult band to put into words. The trio are known for their violent and agro live shows, and despite announcing that they had split up a couple of years ago, it seems that plenty of new material and live shows keep rolling on. It feels like the momentum could come to a halt at any second, so a chance to hear new Death Grips material is vital. "Bottomless Pit" is definitely my favourite album of theirs yet, and it hit me instantly with "Giving Bad People Good Ideas", which smacks you in the face with Zach Hill's blastbeat drumming, roaring guitars that have a Hardcore and Black Metal kind of influence to them (made me think of Kvelertak), and of course MC Ride's macho stream of consciousness bellowing.

Death Grips continue to experiment and make weird sounds, with very abrupt changes. The slower Witch House/Hip Hop kind of styles aren't quite as prominent as their older works, aside from the fantastic "Eh" which harks back to the sound of their breakout album "The Money Store". Every track here is full of colourful production, wild aggression and silly, dark humour. The novelty and the intensity never seems to let up and it is one of those kind of albums that you just have to listen to and be swept away with, rather than have someone explain to you what it sounds like! I absolutely adore Death Grips because they are a band that have absolutely no subtlety, are completely crass, loud, obnoxious and in your face... Yet make completely innovative and scary music. That is something that is all too hard to find in these "why so serious?!" days we live in! 9/10.

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APHEX TWIN - CHEETAH
Acid Techno, Electronic. Warp Records.

Named after Richard D James' love for vintage synthesisers, "Cheetah" is his 3rd EP since the release of his Grammy Award winning "comeback" album "Syro". Usually Aphex Twin always sounds ahead of his time, but the two "Cheetah" tracks that open the record sound distinctly nostalgic, mixing Atari era Arcade game sound effects with old school beats. The compositions here are surprisingly linear, settling on 4/4 techno beats, a far-cry from his insane ADHD rhythms of tracks like "Windowlicker" or even "Minipops". The best track over these 30 minutes is undoubtedly "CIRKLON3", which was released with a new music video directed by a 12 year old boy. This song is distinctly cool and dance friendly, with the sounds of dripping, acidic synthesisers. Near the end of its 8 minute run, it shifts up a gear into a delightful wonky bass groove. As a whole the EP is closest in tone to "Analord 02" for you hardcore Aphex fans, or "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" for the more casual fan. "Cheetah" represents a rare time where Richard D James seems to be looking backwards rather than forwards, but the only troubling aspect of this release is that none of the other tracks really manage to outshine "CIRKLON3", with a lack of variation throughout. One for the more serious Richard D James collector, with wonderful artwork to boot! 7/10.

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THE AVALANCHES - WILDFLOWER
Hip Hop, Rap, Psychedelia, Electronic. Modular Recordings.

It will only take about 1 minute after you hit play before a huge smile appears on your face! I don't know why or how it has taken 16 years for The Avalanches to make another album, but they haven't lost any of their joy or scope in the process. With a great ear for sampling in mind, "Wildflower" is much more Hip Hop oriented than their debut, but still with plenty to make you want to dance. MF DOOM, Danny Brown and Camp Lo lend their rhymes. The sound of the album isn't worlds away from that Stones Throw Records sound, with an exquisite flow and track sequencing reminiscent of "Madvillainy". It is also similar to that 2004 classic because this journey of sound is very varied, quirky and full of positivity. The Avalanches implement a lot of psychedelic touches, with the sounds of flutes and acoustic guitars surfacing to emphasise the bouncing beats and basslines. Simply put, "Wildflower" is sheer bliss from start to finish! The Avalanches have come out of hiding at seemingly the perfect time to drop some good feels on the world, completely out of the blue! 8/10.

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CLIFF MARTINEZ - THE NEON DEMON

Original Score, Electronic, Ambient. Milan Records

The soundtrack to the film Drive had a strong influence on the direction modern electronic music would take, looking back towards the synth sound of the 70s and 80s. The latest film from Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn sees him collaborate with Cliff Martinez once again and the momentum of the Drive soundtrack continues. The 80s synth pop sound of tracks like "A Real Hero" is only glimpsed at here, with only two fantastic vocal tracks featured, "Mine Sweet Tempest" and a surprisingly great closing track by Sia. The rest of the soundtrack shows composer Cliff Martinez tighten up his craft even further, with an incredibly diverse Ambient and Electronic score. The album is full of dreamy motifs that reflect the themes of beauty in the film. A pounding rave track "The Demon Dance" by Julian Winding is another great highlight. The score works so well on its own devices that it will make you want to seek out the film. A truly immersive and atmospheric gem. 8/10.

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BADBADNOTGOOD - IV

Jazz, Fusion. Innovative Leisure.

BadBadNotGood are one of the leading lights in modern Jazz. As opposed to Kamasi Washington who has a nostalgic sound leaning towards the Jazz highs of the 60s and 70s, BadBadNotGood sound like they belong in 2016. Even though they are using more saxophones and natural instrumentation than on their previous albums, this is an album that can also appeal to fans of Indie Rock and Math Rock bands such as Three Trapped Tigers. The album has some phenomenally good instrumentals, combining the Hip Hop feel of their collaborative album with Ghostface Killah, with plenty of funkiness and twisting rhythms. "IV" is an album that has a lot of energy and playfulness. Though even when they slow it down on a highlight Soul track with a female vocal, they still sound invigorating. Perhaps their best work yet! 8/10.

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STEPHEN MARLEY - REVELATION PART II: THE FRUIT OF LIFE

Ragga, Reggae, Hip Hop. Ghetto Youths United.

If you didn't already think Bob Marley was incredible enough, you also have to take into account that his children are all highly talented too! The second part of Stephen Marley's "Revelation" series focuses strictly on the Ragga sound, basically combining Hip Hop and Reggae together, in a similar way to his brother Damian Marley, who did a fantastic collaborative album with Nas, "Distant Relatives". Fans of Bob Marley and the more traditional instrument based Reggae might not think much of it, but "Revelation" does a solid job of bringing Reggae to a modern Hip Hop audience. Every track features a collaboration, with Hip Hop stars old and new, including Dead Prez, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Waka Flocka Flame, Twista and many more. The productions are solid and most of the guest rappers actually turn up! Skip that appalling track with Pitbull at the end though! 7/10.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNDERGROUND MUSIC COALITION COMPILATION

Extreme Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore. UMC.

For the bargain price of zero pence, you can download this fantastic compilation made by the great community at UMC, supporting underground extreme music all over the world and helping small artists to tour, get gigs and promote their music. This compilation features only the UK artists in the UMC, showcasing some of their latest music. The whole album shows so much talent, proving that the Extreme Metal scene still has plenty to say and deliver. My personal standouts include Forged In the Furnace of the Sun's ripping political Grindcore, Boycott the Baptist's brief "Fuck Off Trump" is a hoot, After the Abduction's technical deathcore, Pist's Pantera loving NOLA riffs and Impavidus revitalising the Gothenberg Melodic Death Metal sound! Please google UMC and download it for free!

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SEGA MUSIC TEAM - OUT RUN [REISSUE]

Electronic, Chiptune, Original Score. Data Discs.

The wonderful folk at Data Discs have done another fantastic job restoring classic Sega Mega Drive/Arcade games onto vinyl. This is a beautiful package with all new artwork with a cutaway sleeve allowing you to display your own choice of artwork. The vinyl disc has been remastered on 180 gram vinyl on a limited tri-colour disc. As for the music itself, this memorable 16-bit score has some triumphant and energetic themes that will bring a huge nostalgic smile to any gamers over the age of 25.

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FRENCHIE'S LISTENING POST - JUNE

Because I don't get time to review all the new music I hear in depth, I have decided to start doing some smaller reviews, rounding up the best (and worst) releases of each month!

ALBUM OF THE MONTH:

RADIOHEAD - A MOON SHAPED POOL

Art Rock, Alternative Rock. XL Recordings.

Kind of an unsurprising choice for my album of the month. Radiohead are one of the first bands I ever remember listening to and being interested in as a kid and I've grown up with them as "OK Computer" verges on 20 years old. Whilst I don't find Radiohead compulsive listening like I did when I was a teenager, they still hold a heavy place in my heart. Their 9th full length, "A Moon Shaped Pool" is in layman's terms, Radiohead's acoustic album! Though not strictly acoustic or anything, it is by far their mellowest and most stripped down album yet. Though there are still elements of Rock and Electronica, certainly don't expect any of "Paranoid Android"'s distorted riffs or any of "Idioteque"'s heavy electronic beats either. On this album, natural sounds dominate, with guitarist Johnny Greenwood's explorations into film scores certainly having an influence on the sound of this album.

This isn't Radiohead's most innovative or groundbreaking release by any means, but it is one of their most expressive and straight up beautiful records yet, something that previous album "The King of Limbs" had a lack of. The moods of songs like "Pyramid Song" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" are definitely captured here with a mixture of heartfelt ballads and introspective songs that remind you that it can okay to be lonely, heartbroken or afraid. Opener "Burn the Witch" is a huge highlight and one of the more upbeat numbers. The swirling string sections really lift the spirits of the listener. My favourite track "Daydreaming" soon follows with a beautiful stripped down piano arpeggio that feels like it could have been played by Max Richter. Closing track "True Love Waits" is a real treat for die hard fans. A Thom Yorke acoustic solo version appeared on 2001's "I Might Be Wrong" live EP, and it has been slightly rejigged as a lovely piano ballad (though I have to stay I still prefer the live version). Radiohead ultimately have proved they are still the masters of sonic exploration and that they can take away core elements of their sound and still create fantastic results. I'm giving this a solid 8/10 for now, but I still feel like this album is growing on me and more!

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LAURA MVULA - THE DREAMING ROOM

Art Pop, Neo Soul. Sony RCA.

Laura Mvula sounds like she is caught somewhere between 90s Bjork and Erykah Badu, with an interesting and off kilter sound that combines some elements of R&B and Neo Soul, yet also some quirker Art Pop elements not worlds away from the ethereal realms of Kate Bush. "The Dreaming Room" presents a fantastic alternative if you aren't really bothered about Beyonce and Rihanna's latest efforts. Mvula is more forward thinking than her obvious peers, and presents a wider flavoured pallet here. I think her sound can appeal to fans of Pop music as well as more leftfield music fans, through the use of innovative production. Her songs are full of varying moods and textures, and the whole album is a real trip. There are some decent collabs with Nile Rogers and Wretch32, but Mvula is pretty much running the show here and I think this time they hype has been justified! 8/10.
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LET'S EAT GRANDMA - I GEMINI
Art Pop. Transgressive Records.

Let's Eat Grandma (yeah really, try telling someone they're your new favourite band!) are a duo consisting of two 16 year old girls. The fact they have built up a solid reputation and written and recorded their own album by this age is a heart warming achievement. Though I respect them, I don't quite think I like them. In terms of musical ability, this is very accomplished. However, the album is absolutely all over the place and lacks any real cohesion or direction. It's not often you hear elements of Synth Pop, Hip Hop and Folk music all on one album! I can get on with the music and arrangement's here, but the vocals absolutely kill it for me! It was a complete nails on a chalkboard kind of cringe to my ears. One of the tracks sounded like Kate Nash trying to cover The Streets! And shouty vocals singing "my father beat me" become hard to listen to. If you thought Joanna Newsom's vocals on her debut album were testing, you ain't heard nothing yet! I wanted to like this album more, and to be fair I did like bits of it, but there is far too much drama and far too little clear direction here, which is certainly justifiable for two teenage girls. There is certainly some interesting potential here, but it feels too soon to get excited yet. 6/10.
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DJ SHADOW - THE MOUNTAIN WILL FALL
Electronica, IDM, Hip Hop. Mass Appeal.

DJ Shadow came out in 1996 with one of the most groundbreaking debut albums in not just Hip Hop, but the whole of music, holding a Guinness World Record for the first commercial album made entirely of samples! He has perhaps undeservedly struggled to follow it up ever since, but maybe fan expectations have been too high. Attempts to do something completely different, such as his third album "The Outsider" lead to him being eaten alive by critics, but this time around stepping even further out of his comfort zone may have actually paid off at last. I saw DJ Shadow play Manchester's "Warehouse Project" Electronic music festival a couple of years back. He did a DJ set consisting of a lot of IDM, Electronic and Dubstep and not very much Hip Hop at all. The same can be said for "The Mountain Will Fall". Apart from a pretty solid Hip Hop track with Run the Jewels, the sound of this album is definitely a nod to Warp Records and the innovative IDM sound that took over the 90s. Whilst nothing here is particularly groundbreaking or current, you have to admit that DJ Shadow has done a pretty good job at attempting to sound a bit like Squarepusher and Aphex Twin here. He sounds really inspired and like he is having fun too! It's no "Endtroducing..." but I enjoyed it! 7/10.
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SWANS - THE GLOWING MAN
Drone Rock. Young Gods.

Swans have proved themselves to be one of the most interesting and successful reunion acts, practically reinventing themselves and having a critically acclaimed second wind. This is their 4th album since their reunion at the start of this decade, and their 3rd double album in a row (or triple if you buy wax). "The Glowing Man" isn't particular different to the last two. It's slow, meandering, noisy, atmospheric and has multiple songs that run over 20 minutes. Other bands can try and release albums with lots of 20 minute tracks and stumble, but Swans seem to make it sound effortless, momentous and damn right apocalyptic! "The Glowing Man" demands your patience and full attention, but it is easy to get lost and swept away within the dense journeys of sound. Even without that much progression, those 20 minutes seem to fly by. If you liked any of the previous two albums there is certainly more to love here, even without being that drastically different in approach. Swans have created something genuinely hypnotic and almost unexplainable. No rating as I feel I still need to spend more time with this record. Ask me again in a year! ???/10.
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PLAID - THE DIGGING REMEDY
Electronic, IDM. Warp Records.

Depending on how you pronounce it, Plaid to me has always sounded like "Played", and I feel that is fitting because they are a very playful band. They can often hit the same abstract heights of label mates Autechre, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada. Yet Plaid quite often sounded much happier and more melodic. The aforementioned have quite often reveled in doom and darkness. On "The Digging Remedy", Plaid sound a lot more serious and darker than usual, yet still very much sound like Plaid. Their beats and syncopated melodies always move at a swift pace and keep your brain twitching. But with these slightly darker and more abstract moods presented here, Plaid come closer to sounding like their aforementioned label mates ("Dilatone" could have come straight off Autechre's "Tri Repetae"). "The Digging Remedy" is a very solid and interesting 45 minutes that proves they are still one of Warp's top tier artists. There is nothing particularly new or fresh here, but there is nothing remotely disappointing either. 8/10.
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MINOR VICTORIES - MINOR VICTORIES
Dream Pop, Post Rock. Fat Possum Records.

Minor Victories contains band members of Mogwai, Editors and Slowdive and if you can imagine what a mixture of all three would sound like, then you will definitely have this album sussed already! It really does sound like a cross between all three. Minor Victories have a very cinematic sound verging on symphonic, with some songs that like to build gradually and climax loudly. You also have some dreamy, shoegazey tracks and some darker tones Post Punk ones. Everything here is certainly well done and the combinations in sound are mostly more invigorating than they are jarring. The guest lead vocal from Mark Kozelek on "For You Always" was the big highlight of the album for me, and I kind of wonder why this wasn't on a Sun Kil Moon album instead! Minor Victories sounds great for what it is, but the individual acts Mogwai, Slowdive and Editors just sound better, I'm not sure this project will have much longevity. 7/10.
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DAM FUNK - DJ KICKS
Funk, Electro-Pop, DJ Mix. !K7.

I really love it when an artist creates a mixtape of other artists, yet manages to make it sound like it could be one of their own albums! Jon Hopkins did it last with his stunning "LateNightTales" mixtape, and Dam-Funk has done it here. Dam-Funk takes us on a journey of the more obscure gems of 80s Synth Funk as well as some modern day nostalgia, and immediately you can hear the kind of sounds he has soaked up into his own innovative style of writing and playing. And even if you haven't heard much Dam Funk, this is an extremely solid collection of some of the funkiest, grooviest and most playful Soul and Funk tunes from after the 70s heyday. I dare you not to dance! 8/10.
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ROLO TOMASSI - BBC SESSIONS
Mathcore, Post Hardcore. Holy Roar Records.

This beautiful 10" record on green vinyl collects 2 separate BBC session recordings by one of the most exciting Mathcore bands going today! Side A collects 4 songs from a 2013 session, showcasing their evolution into a less intense, more ethereal act. Side B has a 2008 session which is much more rawkus and mental! The recording quality seems to be a little muddy on this release, but long time fans of the band will probably be more than happy to hear these alternative versions. The stop/start mayhem of "Digital History" is the standout for me! A showcase of Rolo Tomassi's two different sides makes this perfect for the vinyl format! 7/10.
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WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM - DIADEM OF 12 STARS [REISSUE]
Black Metal. Artemisia Records.

 The Americans were pretty late to the Black Metal party, which took a while to transcend the pond from Scandinavia, but the actions of Varg Vikernes and Mayhem certainly helped speed up the process. One of the first American Black Metal bands to make a landmark album was a band called Weakling, who dropped the hard to find classic "Dead As Dreams" and then broke up. The album took influences of Emperor and Burzum for sure, but found something new to say with their epic, Sludgy 20 minute + songs.Though Weakling had split up by the time the album came out... Their producer and collaborator Tim Green (also of The Fucking Champs) basically called upon Wolves In the Throne Room to carry on their legacy. He also produced "Diadem..." and got them to record in the exact same studio as Weakling did...

Naturally, "Diadem of 12 Stars" garnered the nickname "Dead As Dreams Part II". The album consists of 3 very lengthy 15+ minute compositions that have a very similar sound. The use of thick Sludge toned guitars and synthesisers was certainly reminiscent of Weakling as well as the blood curdling screams. "Diadem" works perfectly as a sequel, but it would be unfair to suggest that Wolves In the Throne Room were leaching off the influence of Weakling. After this album they very much evolved and grew their own sound, following it up with the masterpiece that is "Two Hunters". In particular, "Queen of the Borrowed Light" is one of the greatest songs Wolves ever wrote, which opens up this album. I recommend the vinyl release of this album, which boasts a beautiful gatefold sleeve. The vinyl master adds more hiss and white noise, giving it a more vintage Black Metal rawness, whilst the Sludgy parts really hit you with a punch. No extras unfortunately, but this an essential purchase for any Black Metal collection! 8/10.
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CONVERGE - YOU FAIL ME REDUX [REISSUE]
Hardcore Punk, Mathcore. Deathwish Inc.

In 2001, Converge released their seminal classic album "Jane Doe", which is still seen as one of the most important albums in the Mathcore genre. It also happens to be one of the most brutal and unrelenting albums ever to punish my ears! 2004's follow up "You Fail Me" received mixed feelings at the time. The playing isn't as crazy technical, the recording is much more stripped down and it isn't quite the headfuck that "Jane Doe" was. With "You Fail Me", Converge arguably made a much more emotionally and lyrically heavy and intense album though. The album very much goes back to their Hardcore roots and in particular went on to influence the emotional/melodic Hardcore sound that gave birth to acts such as Touche Amore and La Dispute. Looking back 12 years later, I'm tempted to say that "You Fail Me" is actually Converge's second best album. They didn't necessarily take a step forward from "Jane Doe" when they made it, but they walked up an entirely different staircase.

The Redux is only a subtle overhaul in sound. In particular the drums sound a bit more prominent in the mix and pack slightly more punch. The best part is, a missing track, "Wolves At My Door" is included in the running order after highlight "Eagles Become Vultures". It's an absolute belter and very much fits the mood and sequencing of the album. "Last Light" is one of Converge's ultimate songs that has closed their concerts on recent tours. "Black Cloud" and "Eagles Become Vultures" are the closest we get to the brutality of "Jane Doe". The title track is a beautiful Sludge epic that builds gradually, working like a blueprint for their monumental "Grim Heart/Black Rose" on their following album. Pick up the vinyl edition which boasts a truly beautiful fold out sleeve with artwork by vocalist Jacob Bannon. 9/10.
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