This was an interesting year for albums. There were no obvious trends, although a certain quality of introversion and contemplation (perhaps responding to pandemic restrictions) ran through many of the year’s most absorbing releases. Female artists pushed further forward creatively and commercially and though few young British musicians made any impact in America, the UK nevertheless produced many of the year’s most inventive and critically admired works, which is cause for optimism.
UK rap was consistently interesting, displaying a new confidence and maturity. The commercial blockbusters came at the year’s end, with Adele, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and ABBA fighting it out for the Christmas market, but the best work happened in the margins.
Here are 10 albums that, for me, warrant the highest acclaim in terms of both artistry and impact. But there were many more that deserve mention and warrant further listening, including offerings from Sam Fender, Arlo Parks, Olivia Rodrigo, St Vincent, Ghetts, Headie One, Sault, Joy Crookes, James Blake, Anchoress, The Weather Station, Low, Dry Cleaning, Black Country, New Road, Paul Weller, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and whatever found its place on your own playlist to keep you sane in these strange times.
10. Dave: We’re all Alone in this Together
Eloquent and impassioned, Dave Orobosa Omoregie maintains a fierce, serious hold on British rap. The classically trained pianist brings deep musicality to his lean, modern productions as a showcase for sharp, heartfelt rhymes addressing darkness in his own heart and in the heart of a nation. “I remember when I used to be innocent / Ain’t s__changed, I’m a young black belligerent / Child of an immigrant, lifestyle frivolous … what’s the point of being rich when your family ain’t? / It’s like flying first class on a crashing plane.”
