SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

I decided to make a playlist on my Top 10 releases from 2019 as it was too hard to try and select a few of my all-time favourite songs to squeeze into one playlist.

(These are in alphabetical order of the artists and not by favourites)

‘End of Wonder’ - The Amazons

This song is a personal favourite from The Amazons second album, ‘Future Dust’, released in May. The album takes on a new direction from the solid indie-rock tunes in their debut self-titled album, with them exploring a different side to rock music. It sounds a lot more mature than their first, and ‘End of Wonder’ is a perfect representation of this change.

2. ‘Drive On’ - Anteros

Anteros released their debut album ‘When We Land’ in March and upon first listen I knew it would be one of my favourite releases of 2019. Whilst ‘Drive On’ is not my favourite from the album (one of the songs released before the album takes that spot), it is my favourite from the selection of new ones that featured on it. Seeing it live a couple of times this year is what did it for me - it is full of energy and gets a crowd going. It is one of those songs you cannot get out of your head for ages after seeing it, as what happened with me, and it deserves a spot on the playlist.

3. ‘Catatonic Skinbag’ - Blaenavon

Blaenavon were one of my favourite bands in 2016/2017 - their debut album ‘That’s Your Lot’ was played on repeat for many months after its release and their gig at the iconic Joiners in March of that year was one of my favourites. ‘Catatonic Skinbag’ was the first song Blaenavon released from their now-released second album ‘Everything That Makes You Happy’. Their debut was written over 5 years and embodied youth, whereas this record has been described by lead singer Ben Gregory as “an optimistic response to a difficult time” and the difference in theme can be heard in the elements of the music. ‘Catatonic Skinbag’ was a perfect comeback for Blaenavon after their hiatus and encapsulates everything perfectly.

4. ‘Your Girlfriend’ - Blossoms

‘Your Girlfriend’ is the first song to be released from Blossoms’ upcoming third album ‘Foolish Loving Spaces’, due to be released early next year. The lyrics are not about lead singer Tom Ogden, with him saying how he heard the story they focus on on TV or another song. They contain a lot of humour in them and there is a lighter twist compared to previous songs. Many people have said the song does not sound like the usual ‘Blossoms sound’ you would expect for them and they instead prefer this to the older music. Whilst I personally prefer the old Blossoms style, this track is refreshing and brings out a whole side of the band we have not yet seen which I love.

5. ‘Outrageous’ - Calva Louise

I discovered Calva Louise through a friend posting a few clips from a gig they played in someone’s back garden and was impressed by their passion and stage presence. I listened to their album after and it was ‘Outrageous’ that stuck out for me with its energy and anthemicness. It has featured on every playlist I have curated since and definitely deserves a spot on my Top 10 list.

6. ‘Overlap’ - Catfish & the Bottlemen

It is no secret that Catfish & the Bottlemen’s debut album ‘The Balcony’ is my all-time favourite album. So when their second album ‘The Ride’ came out just under 2 years later, I found it hard for me to enjoy it as much as the first, especially since a few of the songs just did not have anything about them. At the beginning of this year, Catfish started to release songs from their then-upcoming third album ‘The Balance’. The first one ‘Longshot’ was a refreshing change, but later releases ‘Conversation’ and ‘2all’ just did not impress me, with them sounding ‘too commercial’, as many described them. I was skeptical about the album after hearing those 2 songs but when it was released, ‘Overlap’ was the song that really stuck with me and changed my views on it. It is different to any song the band has ever released, with its various layers and strong guitar riffs and is in my Top 5 Catfish songs. A lot of people have agreed with it being one of the band’s best songs too, and it is just too good to miss from this playlist.

7. ‘To Be Felt’ - Egyptian Blue

I met up with a couple of friends at a festival earlier this year who took me with them to watch this ‘amazing’ band they listened to, who turned out to be Egyptian Blue. I had not heard of them previous to that, but their set stood out to me and I kept an eye out for the upcoming EP the band had mentioned during it. ‘To Be Felt’ is one of the songs on the now-released EP and it was the one that stuck in my head after their set, so I am glad I have a studio version I can enjoy.

8. ‘Nosebleed’ - Flowvers

I have watched Flowvers grown over the past 3 years, from their debut single, to their debut headline gig, to their first tour, etc. 2019 has been a huge year for them especially, with huge support slots (bands like Swim Deep & Jaws), a successful headline gig at the Wedgewood Rooms, a tour, and 2 single releases. They have come a long way since their debut single ‘Fresh Air’ and I feel like ‘Nosebleed’ is that song you will hear for years to come and the single that blows the band up. The guitar riff is catchy and I can see it being one of those huge ones that are always shouted out at gigs. The accompanying video is also beautifully made too and brings a whole other side to the song. It is my favourite song of the boys and will be one of those nostalgic ones people will refer back to in years to come.

9. ‘In Degrees’ - Foals

Foals have released two incredible albums this year - ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Parts I & II)' with 'Part II' going straight to Number 1 in the charts. ‘In Degrees’ comes from Part I however. I saw Foals headline the Saturday of Truck Festival in July but did not know a lot of their music at the time, only the most popular songs. ‘In Degrees’ was one of the ones which was new to me at the time of their set and was one of the ones that stayed with me after they walked off the stage. Not only is it amazing music-wise, but I also have great memories attached to it of the atmosphere at the time, with confetti cannons going off and everyone just dancing and enjoying themselves. It is my favourite song from the 'Part I' album and deserves a spot on this list.

10. ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ - Inhaler

‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ is the song I first heard when I discovered Inhaler earlier this year. They have gone on to release another 2 (‘My Honest Face’ & ‘Ice Cream Sundae’) since this debut and I found it hard to choose between them all. However, this one has a special place in my heart because of how I felt when I first heard it. It has a strong bass line mixed with infectious melodies and lyrics you can belt out when you see it live. It is one of those songs that will make people nostalgic when they look back in 10 years time. I fell in love with it as soon as I heard it, still playing it on repeat months later, and seeing it live a few times has solidified my love for it.