Well it's finally drawing to a close and regarding politics and celebrity deaths, 2016 hasn't been the best of years. However, it has been an amazing year for music, particularly for the revival of British pop punk we've seen over the last few years. So, in no particular order here are the albums that stood out most to me alongside a list of other albums I've enjoyed listening to.
Moose Blood - Blush
Without a doubt this is one of my favourite and highly anticipated albums of the year. From chilling track, Spring - to guitar driven Pastel, Blush is a record full of sentimental songs that make you feel all the emotions possible. lyrically, nothing is sugar coated as vocalist Eddy Brewerton comes out with some raw, hard hitting lines such as "The way you died, did it hurt at all?" If there's one thing Moose Blood do best alongside bands such as Real Friends and The Wonder Years, it's keeping 'emo' relevant.
There has been a slight change in the bands sound since their 2014 release I'll Keep You In Mind, but you won't be disappointed. This band are onto something big.
Basement - Promise Everything
I only heard a few songs prior to this album but liked what I heard.
Promise Everything quickly became an album I listened to on a regular basis.
If you ever want proof of the phrase 'less is more' then look no further, as
Promise Everything doesn't sound overproduced. There's subtle tempo changes throughout, the guitar and drums are complimentary - there's nothing fancy going on but it works. Upon first listen you may assume they're just another grunge driven band but upon second listen you see how much more has been put into it. Laced with melodies and giving you that melancholy feeling, it's definitely an album to relax to.
Boston Manor - Be Nothing
Despite only having released EP's, Boston Manor has received quite a big following across the UK. So it's not surprising they were in hot pursuit to release debut album Be Nothing.
What I like most about this record is that every track seems to bleed emotion. Upon first listen it's clear Boston Manor must have bent over backwards working on Be Nothing. It is well crafted, atmospheric and full of hooks that will get caught in your head. From opening track Burn You Up, to more melodic tracks such as Fossa, the drums and guitar help fuel the fire that brings this album to life.
One thing I've noticed is how impeccable the songwriting is throughout. Vocalist, Henry Cox isn't afraid to take a dark, nihilistic approach to life experiences. In my opinion Be Nothing comes across as a coming of age album that uses personal experiences such heartbreak, regret and moving on to it's strengths.
Architects - All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
From intricate rhythms to vocalist, Sam Carter's signature 'bleh', Architects just have that prominent metalcore sound, and it works so well.
Looking at song titles such as
Nihilist to pulling apart lyrical content, this record gives off an overall apocalyptic vibe and there's no holding back. So much passion has been put into this album and tracks include lyrics about religious connotation, self destruction and politics.
However, if there's one thing I love the most about this band aside from their music it is their ability to stay strong and still continue to tour after the guitarist, Tom Searle lost his battle to cancer this summer. What the future holds for this band is uncertain.
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Letlive - If I'm The Devil
I still struggle to put this band under one particular genre but if I had to I would make it up and say post hardcore/experimental. Being a band that crosses genres can be risky business. However, Letlive are a band that always seem manage to pull it off.
On this record, the band do well to maintain that punky overlay within each track. Overall, there's catchy hooks and hell of a lot of distortion with an abundance of other styles. The sound has changed slightly since 2013's - The Blackest Beautiful, but if anything it feels more cinematic and atmospheric.
In my opinion, vocalist Jason Aalon Butler is one of the greatest frontmen around in rock at the moment. For a start, his vocal range is exceptional - one minute he will be pretty rowdy and almost preacher like, next he will be almost whispering. Be it his monologue in I've Learned To Love Myself or lyrical content in Good Mourning America, Butler isn't afraid to spill his guts open regarding his views on political incorrectness, oppression and personal reflections.
Blink-182 - California
This is the first album in five years and their first without Tom Delonge. A majority of fans might argue that there is no Blink-182 without Delonge. However, in my opinion, their choice of replacement Alkaline Trio's frontman, Matt Skiba was exceptional.
The overall sound is pretty divergent to 2011's Neighbourhoods, but it works in their favour. Skiba's vocals gel well with the style and Barker once again provides the backbone on the drums. When it comes to riffs, catchy choruses and 'na na nas', there's still that shimmer of old school Blink listeners will appreciate. This record overall is a bittersweet tribute to their hometown including a song partially about Delonge (San Diego), which Hoppus apparently never wanted to write. Just when you think they got serious they throw in the classic dick humour interludes that fans will love. California is 16 tracks of proof that Blink-182 are just as relevant as ever.
Sum 41 - 13 Voices
After five years, the Canadian pop punk band is back.
13 Voices is a ten track record that completely lives up to the hype. Over the last decade the band have matured their sound. Sure, when it comes to the 'fun factor' and throwing in elements of hip hop,
13 Voices doesn't feel as old school. However, despite changes since the golden days of
Fat Lip, there's still the extensive guitar solos, catchy riffs and classic sum 41 traits that will spark the nostalgia.
From song titles to lyrical content, Singer - Deryck Whibley's personal issues and battle with alcoholism are apparent throughout. It takes some guts to be so open about reflecting on the past, confronting demons. and coming out on the better side of things. There's a presence of hope throughout the tracks and I think that's something which makes this record special.
ROAM - Backbone
ROAM are another amazing British pop punk band who, in my opinion are underrated. They have worked hard since their EPs No Common Ground and Head Down and manage to stand out above water alongside other brit bands like Neck Deep.
The opener to ROAMS debut album Backbone, The Desmond Show is pretty unconventional and grabs your attention straight away. From there on it builds the anticipation of what's to come. There's something about this record that releases such positive vibes. The songs really get under your skin in the best way possible. Each track has everything you would expect to hear in a pop punk record. Backbone showcases punchy riffs, energetic drums, dual vocals and relentlessly catchy lyrics. It's cliche for the new era pop punk bands to have at least one acoustic track on each album in this case it comes in the form of Tracks. The contrast to other tracks on the album works well and the lyrics resonate.
What I like about this band is that they don't take themselves too seriously. Their fans obviously don't either, as they stitched the band up a few days ago, voting them as the worst UK band according to RockSound. Pop punk is supposed to be about having fun and ROAM provide that plus more.
Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head
Anyone who has listened to Real Friends before knows what to expect (basement shows, songs about hometowns and friends). However, the bands sophomore album
THIMH seems more mature than previous releases. Predictably, there's running themes of regret, heartbreak and nostalgia but gone are the days of singing about "sleepy eyes and bony knees." Instead they're replaced with Dan Lambton's
blunt, unapologetic lyrics about reflecting on life experiences, and "Fucking up and getting over it."
There's no denying the essence of mental health within this album. What I love about it is alongside records such as Paramore's self-titled album, is it's ability to tell you that it's ok to not be ok. Although wistful and occasionally cheesy, the content is relatable. I'm not ashamed to say I've had my share of anxiety and depression. So lyrics such as "Last year I was a train wreck, now I'm just a mess" and lines about feeling disconnected stick out. As negative as I make this record out to be, it's really not. If anything, it has the ability to pick you up when you're down, make you realise you're not alone and gives you a glimmer of hope.
Real Friends play to their strengths across this album and although it's not my favourite one they have done, it still remains in my top albums of 2016
Other albums I've enjoyed this year
A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
The Amity Affliction - This Could Be Heartbreak
David Bowie - Blackstar
LA Dispute - Tiny Dots
Trash Boat - Nothing I Write You Can Change What You've Been Through
Bury Tomorrow - Earthbound
Hands Like Houses - Dissonants
Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
Deftones - Gore
Pierce The Veil - Misadventures
Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues
Like Pacific - Distant Like You Asked
Balance And Composure - Light We Made
Panic At The Disco - Death of a Bachelor
With Confidence - Better Weather
Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love
Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
Drake - Views
The Weeknd - Starboy
Issues - Headspace
Beartooth - Agressive
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
Blossoms - Self Titled
Viola Beach - Self Titled
Mike Posner - At Night, Alone
Russian Circles - Guidance
This Wild Life - Low Tides
