musicOMH’s Top 50 Albums Of 2021

by Michael Hubbard

In a year notable for its challenges, new original albums emerged to save the day. Our writers listened, loved and listed

Reissues Round-up: Gorillaz, Fela Kuti, The Communards, Can

by Ian Wade

December’s batch of new-but-olds also stars big movie soundtracks, Belinda Carlisle, The Waterboys …and the return of Dudley and his Futurist Desk

New Christmas Albums 2021 Round-up

by Ian Wade

A deep dive down the chimney into Christmas season-specific music, starring Kathryn Williams, Chilly Gonzales, ‘The Soul Santas’… and a Michael Bublé ornament

Aimee Mann: “There’s something in the zeitgeist where people are ready to talk abou...

by Steven Johnson

The LA-based songwriter on the theatrical origins of her new album Queens Of The Summer Hotel, writing in character, and the changing nature of how women are seen

Ladyhawke: “Everyone’s having to navigate this together at the same time. T...

by Ben Hogwood

Pip Brown on comeback album Time Flies, pandemical collaborations, anxiety and depression, motherhood and video games

Black Monument Ensemble’s Damon Locks: “I’m ravenously looking for inspiratio...

by Steven Johnson

The Black Monument Ensemble founder on creating community through music, conflict in American race relations, the Chicago music scene and his work teaching art in a men’s maximum security prison

Reissues Round-up: David Bowie, Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, Fela Kuti

by Ian Wade

November’s reissues column, also featuring Atakora Manu, Kylie Minogue, Goldfrapp, Mud, Inspiral Carpets, Os Brazoes, The Shangri-Las and Slade

La Luz: “I want all of our albums to feel like you are going on a journey” – ...

by Steven Johnson

Shana Cleveland on the background to their fourth album, how living remotely has influenced her writing, being challenged in the studio, and their live plans

Roxanne de Bastion: “Music is the best tool for empathy. It’s such a good w...

by Ben Hogwood

With two US tours, a Glastonbury appearance, over 500 gigs and a self-released debut album behind her, the Berlin-via-West-Midlands songwriter returns with a “cathartic” second work, produced by Bernard Butler

Reissues Round-up: James Bond, Judas Priest, Kylie Minogue, R.E.M.

by Ian Wade

Our pick of October’s repackaged records, from Motörhead via The Beatles to Donna Summer, Pink Floyd, Carroll Thompson and Spice Girls

Spotlight: Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album) 30th Anniversary + The Metalli...

by Ross Horton

Heavy metal was pushed into the mainstream in 1991 by one of the greatest albums of all time. Its impact on metal, rock and even pop music shouldn’t be underestimated

Yann Tiersen: “I became more about seeing what’s around me, living stuff and or...

by Ben Hogwood

The Breton on his new album Kerber and its accompanying film, his island home of Ushant, and rekindling his love of electronic music

This Music Made Me: Matthew E White

by MusicOMH

The label founder and Virginia native precedes his third solo album K Bay with a tour through the works that have influenced him most

ABBA voyage back after 40 years with new album and digital arena show

by Peter J Robinson

The Swedish superstars belong to a time when the release of an album was a cultural event. This announcement is up there with those

Reissues Round-up: Primal Scream, Buena Vista Social Club, Robbie Williams

by Ian Wade

Our September digest of the best reissues also features Egyptian instrumental modal pop from the ’70s, Super Furry Animals’ 20th anniversary release of Rings Around The World and Sheena Easton in her pomp

Arab Strap: “Our music’s intimate points have changed from being about dirty be...

by Steven Johnson

Aidan Moffat on the forthcoming Arab Strap UK tour, the lead up to new album As Days Get Dark, and how his approach to writing lyrics has evolved

Reissues Round-up: The Beach Boys, Kim Wilde, Habibi Funk, LCD Soundsystem

by Ian Wade

A new monthlyish round-up from the world of reissues and compilations, featuring The Beach Boys, Habibi Funk, LCD Soundsystem and Kim Wilde

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary: Spotlight

by Ross Horton

Half a century of the greatest artworks – in any medium – of all time gets celebrated with a plethora of new editions

Teenage Fanclub: “We’ve always resisted becoming a heritage band” – Interview

by Steven Johnson

Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley on how new album Endless Arcade fell into place, their creative processes, and their forthcoming UK tour plans

Lucy Gooch: “I wanted to make something more experimental with a dissonance and eerin...

by Steven Johnson

The Bristol-based artist on her new Rain’s Break EP, taking inspiration from 1940s films, the lasting impressions of singing in choirs and moving away from looping to more organic arrangements