Albums With Influence (2019 - 2023)
Albums With Influence will look back in reverse chronological order at albums that have made a significant impact on my life. I highly recommend all of these albums. I’ll give a brief note on what makes these albums special and how they’ve shaped my life. Inspired by my friend Keith. Note the further that I go back, the less likely it is that I discovered the albums on release.
Everything Everything - Raw Data Feel (2022)
I listened to this while working on the tail end of my third year dissertation. It’s the soundtrack to my worries, mood swings, and my hopes for the future. It’s also ridiculously catchy. Favourite tracks: Metroland Is Burning, Jennifer, Cut UP!.
Amyl and The Sniffers - Comfort To Me (2021)
Introduced to me by a dear friend (hi Alex), this is the most violently angry and punkish album to have come out in recent years. Amy Taylor leads a band with unbounding energy and passion. I put this on when I need to conquer the day or I have a serious bee in my bonnet. This is just non-stop from start to finish with tight instrumentals, clever songwriting - and for once I feel like an artist is angry at the same things I’m angry about. I submit to change. Favourite tracks: Maggot, Don’t Fence Me In, Knifey.
Sleep Token - This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021)
I’ve had to scrub this album from my sight because I’m afraid of becoming fatigued with it, which would be a real shame because this is, emotionally, one of the hardest albums to listen to. Definitely one to listen to in complete darkness - I flip-flop between a pit of despair and a whirlwind of inspiration about 20 times on this album. Favourite tracks: Hypnosis, The Love You Want, Descending.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - L.W. (2021)
Thank you friend Josh for the recommendation of King Gizz. This was the album that cemented their status for me as one of the coolest bands currently active. Again, this one’s the soundtrack to much of my time at university - we’d be sat round the table playing drinking games and despite everyone’s protests we’d listen to some of their longer tracks in full as a soundtrack to someone’s unfortunate card draws. Favourite tracks: O.N.E, East West Link, See Me.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - End of Suffering (2019)
Probably one of my biggest regrets in life is not seeing Rattlesnakes live earlier. I was finishing school around this time, leaving the environment I had known and where I developed most of my personality - the things I cherish today, my principles, my hobbies - it was the crowning period of change. End Of Suffering is an album has much to say under the surface.
I’m very glad to have lived in this era of music. New music never invalidates the old.