The Album Lives On: A Remarkable Year in Music
Reports of the album's demise have been greatly exaggerated. While the format may not dominate as it once did, similar claims could be made about cinema or television. This year has demonstrated that music holds more significance than ever, with an exceptional selection of new releases from emerging artists and revolutionary comebacks from established acts.
Here are ten outstanding albums that would bring joy to any Christmas stocking, alongside six magnificent box sets that celebrate music history.
Standout New Releases
Jacob Alon: In Limerence emerged as the most exciting discovery in a particularly strong year for new albums. The art-folk singer's singular debut, featuring his breathtaking voice, won the BBC Introducing prize after being narrowly beaten for the Mercury by Sam Fender's People Watching. While Fender's record was good, many considered it an odd choice for a progressive prize given its old-school approach. Alon's In Limerence represents the kind of art that goes straight to the heart.
Rosalia: Lux proved that pop music still possesses the power to surprise, even seventy years after rock 'n' roll first emerged. Millions found themselves discussing this Catalan singer's melodramatic pop-classical album that tells the stories of fourteen female saints across fourteen different languages. This emotional masterpiece makes for a perfect gift that will likely move its recipient to tears.
Pulp: More delivered what many consider the artistic comeback of the year. While Oasis generated more commercial success and emotional resonance with their blockbusting tour that even saw the Gallagher brothers tolerating each other, Pulp's return after a twenty-four-year hiatus resulted in their second-best album. Jarvis Cocker and company created a work full of characteristic wit and warmth, complemented by an expanded reissue of their classic Different Class.
Laufey: A Matter Of Time provides solace for today's young music lovers through elegant songs that position the Icelandic artist as a modern answer to Doris Day. Raised with almost unlimited access to music, contemporary listeners demonstrate more open-minded tastes than their parents, caring less about what's considered cool and more about what feels genuinely warm.
Self Esteem: A Complicated Woman followed her breakthrough album Prioritise Pleasure from 2021, which presented a challenging act to follow with its feminist fun-fest. The artist made it look effortless by writing several more songs that lift spirits while delivering pointed social commentary.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile: Who Believes In Angels? marked Elton's first completely new album in nine years at age seventy-eight. His friend Brandi Carlile, forty-four, teamed up with his lifelong lyricist Bernie Taupin to supply soulful ruminations about heroes, children, ageing, and mortality. The collaboration finds Elton rumbling while Carlile sparkles, creating powerful rock moments together.
Holly Palmer: Metamorphosis comes from the backing singer who once duetted with David Bowie and has since recorded a series of classy solo albums. Her latest offering blends pop, soul, and jazz without words but with no shortage of vocals. Palmer uses her experience from the back of the stage to create soaring sounds that communicate volumes.
Celeste: Woman Of Faces represented the difficult second album for its creator, who clashed with her record company during its creation. For listeners, however, the experience proves as easy as Sunday morning, featuring a glorious voice that transitions seamlessly from desolate ballads to brassy numbers worthy of Bond themes.
Lily Allen: West End Girl delivers a brutal break-up album with refreshingly breezy tunes that have maintained her popularity. At forty, Allen remains as popular as she was at twenty, with audiences embracing her candid songwriting.
CMAT: Euro-Country sees the Irish singer with a lovably loud personality finally living up to her long-touted rising star status with her third album. Her characteristic little jokes now come accompanied by great big choruses that satisfy expectations.
Essential Box Set Collections
David Bowie: I Can't Give Everything Away (2002-2016) arrives as an extensive collection available as 18 LPs or 13 CDs. This set charts Bowie's remarkable return to form, culminating in the final, fine, careless rapture of Blackstar. Released a decade after his death, it coincides with the opening of his archive at V&A East in London, featuring a slender but inspiring exhibition alongside 90,000 other items available to view free upon request.
The Beatles Anthology Collection returns after thirty years as either 12 LPs or 8 CDs, including a new double album titled Anthology 4. The collection offers treasures including the Fab Four's first attempts at I Need You and In My Life, plus their enjoyable sessions creating Octopus's Garden.
Wings presents Paul McCartney's other band across 3 LPs or 2 CDs, celebrating their quirky, inventive, and often underrated work. The collection will particularly delight those who spent long afternoons with Wings Over America.
Rolling Stones: Black And Blue Super Deluxe expands to 5 LPs or 4 CDs with the addition of a live album capturing their ramshackle magic at Earl's Court in 1976.
Nick Drake: The Making Of Five Leaves Left offers 4 CDs or 4 LPs documenting his 1969 debut that made few ripples initially but established itself as a folk classic during the 1980s. This expanded edition, featuring early demos, gave Drake his first week in the album chart fifty-one years after his death, including unique song titles like Blossom – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968.
Jimi Hendrix: Experience Bold As Love provides an extensive look at his second studio LP through 5 LPs or 4 CDs and 1 Blu-Ray. Like Drake, Hendrix released only three studio albums during his lifetime, and this collection adds forty extra tracks alongside numerous gleaming guitar solos.
This exceptional year in music demonstrates that the album format continues to thrive, offering both exciting new voices and thoughtful celebrations of musical legends. Whether seeking contemporary discoveries or historical treasures, these releases provide perfect gifts for the music lovers in your life this Christmas.
