It’s been another funny old year for music…. 

Live music emerged slowly from hibernation only for it to look like it’s about to go back into hiding again

BandCamp Fridays became an essential part of our monthly routine and it does seem the EP (especially of covers) is very much back in favour.

I honestly can’t remember a year where I’ve bought so few albums but so many EP’s – therefore this year’s best of list is a combination of the two formats 

So in alphabetical order here are my top ten for 2021:

A.A. Williams – Arco EP (an achingly beautiful set of orchestral re-recordings)

Abrasive Trees – Without Light EP (could have been either of the EP’s from this year, but I love the atmosphere created on this)

Angel Olsen – Aisles EP (another set of covers but this time 80’s pop songs taken in strange and unsettling directions)

The Lost Trades – The Bird, the Book and the Barrel (lush vocal harmonies and a great set of folk tunes)

Mayhem – Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP (3 original songs, 4 punk covers all in the inimitable Mayhem style)

Mork - Katedralen (the most brutal album of the year)

Public Service Broadcasting – Bright Magic (another outstanding concept album, a touch more danceable and electronic than before)

Tamarisk – Suspended Animation (80’s neo-prog bought bang up to date)

Then Comes Silence – Pestilence EP (a set of really well done gothic covers)

Sepultura – Revolusongs (only taken since 2003 for this to be officially released but what a set of covers)