Final review of 2022 and it's the big one - Best albums.

Now I didn't think there would be another good enough year where I could revert to a top ten but this year surpassed expectations with the quality of new music.

So in alphabetical order

• The Blackheart Orchestra - Hotel Utopia
• Josienne Clarke -  Now & Then EP
• Crippled Black Phoenix - Banefyre
• Hekla - Xiuxiuejar
• Indignu - Adeus
• Marillion - An Hour Before It's Dark
• Mortem - Slow Death
• Nerina Pallot - I Don't Know What I'm Doing 
• Emily Scott Robinson - Built on Bones EP
• A.A. Williams - As the Moon Rests

Most years it isn't possible to choose one album above the others but this year I can - and it is As The Moon Rests, the latest masterpiece from A.A. Williams 

 

First part of my 2022 review and let's start with my favourite half dozen stand alone singles - in alphabetical order:

• The Anchoress - Bizarre Love Triangle
• Jenny Colquitt - Soldier of the Modern Day
• Alex Henry Foster - Power of the Heart
• Maer - Sister
• Placebo - Shout
• Jo Beth Young - BRIGID

And my favourite gigs were:

Abrasive Trees at the Bread & Roses in Plymouth

Sulpher at the Cavern in Exeter

The double header of All Living Fear and Inkubus Sukkubus also at the Cavern

 Last review of the year and it's a short one..... 

As The Moon Rests by A.A. Williams - The review is you should/must own this album

One word constantly comes to mind when listening to this - SWOON

It's heavier than the last album Forever Blue but achingly beautiful and full of emotional longing. From the opening torch song of  Hollow Heart to the epic closing title track this is just a stunning album.

 

 First EP review of the year (and maybe not the last).... Built on Bones by Emily Scott Robinson is the story of Macbeth told from the three witches' perspective. 

It's an intriguing concept and with only six songs, very ambitious.

This is American Gothic writ large and based around some stunning three-part harmonies. Massive credit must go to Emily, Alisa Amador & Violet Bell for some of the best vocals I've heard this year.

The highlight is Double, Double which is the retelling of the famous witches' spell from the play. It's dark, sensual and menacing with beautiful sultry harmonies and ferocious blues guitar.

Some of the other tracks such as Men & Moon veer towards a more traditional country sound but are never predictable or safe.

For an EP it fits in a lot and not a minute is wasted. I would also recommend seeing the video for Double, Double which dials the gothic influence up to 11 and is visually perfect for the song.

An absolute certainty to be one of my albums of the year