Last Thursday I uploaded the first set of albums that I used to make my commutes to school placement more enjoyable over the last few weeks. Here’s the next group:

London Grammar – Truth Is A Beautiful Thing (Ministry of Sound, 2017)

New Year’s Day 2017 brought lots of exciting news about new music, but with Ed Sheeran stealing all the headlines with his announcement, it was the news that London Grammar would be releasing new music soon was met with much more excitement personally. What would eventually come would be another accomplished and beautifully crafted collection of songs with Hannah Reid continuing to prove that she was in possession of one of the best voices in music currently.

Taylor Swift – Reputation (Big Machine, 2017)

After what we’ll choose to call a difficult and controversial 2016, there was a lot of pressure on the new music from Swift to live up to the hype. Before I continue, I really like Swift’s music, she knows exactly what her fans want and she regularly delivered in stunning fashion. However, I did not enjoy this release at all. The sincerity of Red (2012) and the fun of 1989 (2014) are gone, and not for the better. People will disagree but I would argue that Taylor Swift can not do believable diss-track music, and the sentiment running through the album of fucking with the feelings of the person you are romantically involved with is just incredibly unappealing.

Anderson .Paak – Malibu (Empire, 2016)

Anderson .Paak first came to my attention when he was a featured artist on the 2016 Mac Miller track, Dang!, and I immediately found his vocal delivery interesting. This is a fantastic album with funky beats and clever vocals throughout.

Portugal. The Man – Woodstock (Atlantic, 2017)

Feel It Still was undoubtedly one of the standout hits of 2017 and it is easily the standout track on this very solid album by the Alaskan indie band.

Lorde – Melodrama (Republic, 2017)

One of the most lauded albums of 2017, the eagerly awaited second album by female songstress Lorde would go on to make many best of lists for that year. While I didn’t fully have the same positivity towards it as other writers, I can’t deny that this is a very accomplished collection of songs.

Scott Helman – Hótel de Ville (Warner Music, 2017)

Another performer who was recommended to me by the editor/proofreader of this blog, the Canadian singer/songwriter has an excellent knack of putting together catchy pop songs and that ability is clearly evident on this album.

Ships – Precession (OneStrongArm, 2017)

The winner of the Choice Music Prize Album of the Year for 2018, and while not the kind of music that I would normally listen to, there is no doubting that this is an exceptionally composed debut.

Childish Gambino – because the internet (Glassnote, 2013)

because the internet marked a move by the multi talented Donald Glover away from the unique song of African Indie (a genre defined by Glover himself) towards a more traditional hip hop sound.

Grateful Dead – American Beauty (Warner Brothers, 1970)

An album that features here after the role it played in the final few episodes of the cult TV show, Freaks and Geeks. 

Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Style (Matador, 2015)

On the recommendation of an old friend I decided to give the Will Toledo fronted Virginia band a listen. There is something so intriguing about this band, every song sounds like Toledo is attempting to experiment with every musical concept that he knows. One thing is for certain, you will not get bored listening to Car Seat Headrest.

Julia Michaels – Nervous System (Republic, 2017)

One of the more random inclusions on the list but the debut EP by the American singer/songwriter is a delightful collection of pop songs.

R.E.M. – Automatic for the People (Warner Brothers, 1992)

Quite simply one of the greatest albums ever created. Bands spend their careers dreaming of creating a collection of work such as this where every song is a potential single and a lot of them would go on to be. This is how you do music and it is an album that should be cherished.

Amber Run – 5AM (RCA Victor, 2015)

An album driven by the incredible vocals of Joshua Keogh, this is an album that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of anyone who listens to it.

Milo Greene – Milo Greene (Atlantic, 2012)

Just one of the most heartfelt and enjoyable listens that you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing.

Novo Amor – Heiress (AllPoints, 2017)

This album by the Welsh songwriter is one of the most beautiful collections of songs that you are ever likely to hear.

Saint Raymond – Young Blood (Elektra Asylum, 2015)

My first encounter with the music of Saint Raymond came when I saw him as the support act for Ed Sheeran in the 3Arena in Dublin back in October 2014, and there was something about his set that immediately grabbed my attention. Catchy guitar riffs and heartfelt lyrics, it’s hard not to enjoy the music of the English man and everything good about Saint Raymond is on show on this LP.

MK