Artists' rankings

1. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

“Spirito del mio silenzio ti sento/ Ma ho paura di essere vicino a te”. Its raw, courageous beauty reminds me a little of the Villagers album, but here there's a more visceral undertone that pins you to the edge of your seat: “C’è sangue sulla lama che/ F *** me, sto cadendo a pezzi/ mio assassino, come Casper il fantasma/ non c’è ombra all’ombra della croce”.

The pain is palpable. Sufjan has put at the helm of his musical invention a suite that, while fully aware of the pain of loss, celebrates life. The sonic experimentation is gone; the model is deceptively simple: folk, strong and fragile, with a sparse, almost thin, scant sound that is deeply touching – an embrace that wraps everything in a heart-wrenching tenderness.

2. The Lone Bellow – Then Came The Morning

Zach Williams, Kanene Donehey and Brian Elmquist craft a glorious sound. It's all about noise and crescendo with these guys, and right now nobody screams and makes a racket better than them. Try “Telluride”.

3. Staves –  If I Was

Recorded in a studio-cabin in the stagnant waters of Wisconsin. Justin Vernon's production has added a sparkling, all-American spontaneity. There's a knowing, warm wintry melancholy here, with the girls' gorgeous vocal harmonies going straight to the heart of things.

4. Unthanks – Mount The Air

As was endorsed at last week’s spellbinding show at the Union Chapel, there’s an almost unholy, dark ethereal beauty to these songs that is tempered with interesting jazz and (yup) prog rock musical developments. It’s all skillfully rendered and hauntingly realized. There’s still a rawness that grounds them. Bleak as buggery, starless and bible black for sure. The heartstrings tugged are surely catgut, but with Rachel and Becky’s voices you know that there’ll always be some tender coming.

As I got to appreciate at last week's captivating show at Union Chapel, there's an almost diabolical, ethereal and dark beauty in these songs, tempered by intriguing jazz and (yes, really) prog-rock developments. All of it rendered skilfully and obsessively realised. There's still a realism driving them. Bare as sodomy, starless and with a black bible, sure. The heartstrings are like gut, but with Rachel and Becky's voices you already know there will always be something tender to follow.

5. Andrew Combs – All These Dreams

There’s a lightness of touch to the easy listening Americana that is misleading as there’s a slow burning gravity to these songs. Glen Campbell, Paul Simon and Harry Nilsson would be proud to call themselves his influence.

There's a light touch of American easy listening here, which is misleading, as if a slow, heavy burn were steering these songs off course. Glen Campbell, Paul Simon and Harry Nilsson would be proud to be named among the influences.

6. Villagers – Darling Arithmetic

Remember kissing on the cobblestone/ In the heat of the night/ And all the pretty young homophobes/ Looking out for a fight”. A brave and gentle release. Conor O’Brien delicately exposes himself and it’s a true and honest revelation.

“Ricordo quando ci baciavamo sui sassi/ Nel calore della notte/ E tutti quei giovani omofobi/ Che andavano in cerca di scontri”. A brave and gentle statement. Conor O'Brien delicately lays himself bare, in an honest and sincere revelation.

7. The Milk Carton Kids – Monterey?

More mournful melancholy with the occasional bluegrass relief. Thise boys have found a winning formula and they’re sticking with it: nothing original here; The Everley Brothers meeting a young Paul Simon and getting on famously.

Melancholy, sorrowful music with the momentary relief of bluegrass. These guys have found a winning formula, nothing original, the Everly Brothers meet a young Paul Simon and become famous.

8. Calexico – Edge Of The Sun

I saw Calexico touring this album at the beginning of the year. One of the year’s finest. They were brilliant but support The Barr brothers were even better. The Barrs didn’t release an album this year but did put out some outtakes from “Silent Operator”. One of those (“Alta Falls”) is my song of the year. 

I saw Calexico on the tour for this album earlier in the year. One of the best shows of the year. They were outstanding. The Barr Brothers, supporting, were even better. The Barr Brothers didn't release an album this year, but they did put out some outtakes from "Silent Operator". One of them ("Alta Falls") is my favourite song of the year.

9. Jason Isbell –  Something More Than Free

It didn’t quite reach the heights of “Southeastern” for me but it was still a stellar collection fueled by failing, blue collar malaise and muscular sensitivity. It also contained my “ear worm of the year”: “You thought God was an architect, now you know. He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow…” I found myself chanting this in supermarket queues much to the local’s disquiet.

It doesn't reach the heights of "Southeastern" for me, but it's still a stellar collection fuelled by a lonesome, blue-collar unease and a muscular sensibility. It also contains my sonic obsession of the year: "You thought God was an architect, now you know". It's like a homemade bomb waiting to go off. I found myself singing it while queuing at the supermarket, causing some concern among the locals.

10. Guy Garvey – Courting The Squall

I like this man greatly. He holds an admirably reliable Northern work ethic and sensibility. Garvey seems bereft of vanity. There’s poetry in his observations on the mundanities of life: “In the hills it’s an overcoat colder …”. Unashamedly emotional music to cry into your stout too until the next Blue Nile album comes around… And there’s enough invention to keep your attention.

I really like this man. He's achieved an admirable and reliable northern working-man's ethic and sensibility. Garvey seems to be devoid of vanity. There's poetry in his observations on the mundanities of life: "On the hillside it's a cold coat...". Emotional music, unashamed enough to make you weep for your own cowardly pride until the next Blue Nile album comes along. And there's enough inventiveness to keep your attention held throughout.

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03/11/2025