Top 10 Albums of 2014

1. PVRIS - White Noise

It's not often that when I discover a band, they can make such an impression on me within the matter of weeks. Welcome PVRIS, a band that I only stumbled across in September time, but when their debut album White Noise was released in November I was head over heels. With dark, haunting words entwined with fuzzy synths and Lynn Gunn's incredible vocal tone, every track is a masterpiece and that is why it's my top album of the year. 

Favourite Track: Fire

2. Lower Than Atlantis - Self Titled

As soon as that bouncing riff in 'Here We Go' made it's way to our ears and firmly stuck itself to our brains, it was obvious that whatever LTA had in the pipeline for the album was going to be huge. They did not disappoint, though more melodic, their fourth studio album is full of anthemic tracks that beg to be played to thousands, all wrapped up with a nice dose of cheeky Mike Duce charm. 

Favourite Track: Stays the Same

3. Twin Atlantic - Great Divide

My favourite Scot’s returned this year with this absolute belter of a record. Taking things in a new direction, a little more wild and with a little more party all put together into a Rock and Roll record - Great Divide has it all. It still retains everything Twin Atlantic are known for but they’ve pushed their sound to it’s peak and delivered bold, beefy tracks that'll have you fist pumping for days. 

Favourite Track: Hold On

4. Moose Blood - I’ll Keep You In Mind From Time to Time
I've been swooning over Moose Blood and their punked up love songs for some time now, but 2014 finally saw the release of their debut album I'll Keep You In Mind From Time To Time. Brimming with emo influences and grainy guitars, it's like a dose of nostalgia with a modern twist. 

Favourite Track: I Hope You're Miserable 

5. Mallory Knox - Asymmetry

I was a huge fan of Mallory Knox's debut record Signals, so there was no denying to see how they'd step up and do better with sophomore album Asymmetry. They certainly delivered, combining Mikey's impressive vocal talent with echoing guitar melodies, they've also improved upon their songwriting abilities - making this album standout amongst many of the others released this year. It has its ballads and it has it's full-throttle, punchy anthems which make it an absolute treat to listen too. 

Favourite Track: She Took Him to the Lake

6. Neck Deep - Wishful Thinking
There's no denying that I have a big place in my heart for pop-punk, having grown up around bands such as New Found Glory, I'm very fond of the new, rejuvenated era that has taken over 2014. Neck Deep are a band that have absolutely dominated the pop-punk scene, with debut album Wishful Thinking scoring them trips around the World and high-fives from the genres heroes. This is a band that the UK should be incredibly proud of and I can't wait to hear what they've got in store next. 

Favourite Track: Losing Teeth

7. BANKS - Goddess

Despite the fact my music taste very much focuses on the heavier side of music, I like the breakdowns and the huge chanting choruses, but sometimes I discover a gem on the complete other end of the spectrum that I just cannot stop listening to. Welcome BANKS, the goddamn sassiest singer that I have completely fallen head over heels for this year. Her debut album twists incredibly dark lyrics, with vibrating basslines and an RnB soul. It's smooth and sultry, with a hidden bite and I can honestly say her voice is one of the most astonishing I've ever heard live.

Favourite Track: Drowning

8. Natives - Indoor War
Potentially the least well-known band on my list, but the debut album from New Forest pop-rockers Natives has been on repeat most days since its release way back in the first quarter of 2014. There's no heavy breakdowns, there's no stadium-ready anthems, but what it is full of is eleven tracks of pure upbeat, bouncing riffs and choruses to make you smile. I'm losing count of how many times I've seen these guys live now and I'm still not bored of hearing their music, good vibes for days!

Favourite Track: The Horizon/Can't Say No

9. Charlie Simpson - Long Road Home

From Busted through to Fightstar and now onto his solo career, I've followed Charlie's music career since I was twelve and we're now in the era where he is at his finest. His debut Young Pilgrim announced Charlie as an established singer-songwriter and the latest addition, Long Road Home has only further cemented his worth within this industry. With beautifully written acoustic melodies accompanied by an old English charm, Young Pilgrim was written for long summer days and cosy winter nights. It's an all-year round record that never fails to please your ears.

Favourite Track: Comets

10. Ben Howard - I Forget Where We Were

My favourite solo artist returned this year, however this time around he's swapped the acoustic for an electric and has created an extremely haunting record with an incredible amount of depth. The guitars are slick and echo alongside Ben's moving vocal tone and this record really flaunts off his skilled musicianship to its finest. It's quite the change from the debut record that threw him into the spotlight, but I Forget Where We Were shows Ben in a whole new light, which makes it even more enticing.

Favourite Track: Conrad

A Pop-Punk Valentines Day

Whether you love it or hate it, Valentines Day is here and couples skip around hand in hand talking about being in love and stuff. While I shall be mainly stood around shouting things like "EWW GROOOSSS", to make Valentines Day that bit easier for myself, and for you - I've done a little playlist.

This started off as an idea for my radio show earlier this week but I've decided to share it with the rest of you! 

Let the likes of The Story So Far, Blink 182, Statechamps, New Found Glory and many more serenade you with their own take on love songs this Valentines Day. Ain't got a card? Now you can fist pump real hard! (Such a poet) 

Enjoy!

Monthly round-up.

And there was me thinking that the start of 2014 would be a bit of a slow one with not much going on. Christ alive was I wrong! I don't think I've stopped since New Year, trying to cram in gig after gig, review after review and everything else around my working hours. Not that I am complaining I have had an absolute blast the past month.

Now we've entered a new one and my diary keeps getting important dates added into it and it's safe to say I'm very excited with the way things are shaping for this year.

See ya January, here are my favourite things about you!

THIS ALBUM.

I was lucky enough to go to the album launch show at Camden Barfly, which was completely insane. I was also then invited to the special Album party at Redbull Studios, (free bar AND free pizza, THANK. YOU.) which again, was so much fun and I'm super proud of Blitz Kids for already achieving so much success with the album. You can see my full review of The Good Youth here: http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/201401/music/reviews/album-review-blitz-kids-the-good-youth

THIS SONG. 

I have literally had this on repeat for the past three weeks. It's not usually what I go for but something about it has got me completely hooked. Maybe it's the super smooth and soulful vocals, maybe it's the handclaps and beats. Who knows? All I can say is, it is magnificent and I can't wait until the Years & Years headline show at Oslo in March. 

FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Reading & Leeds: You Me At Six, Architects, Royal Blood, Issues, Disclosure, The 1975

Isle of Wight Festival: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings Of Leon, Rudimental, John Newman, Passenger

Bestival: OUTKAST, Foals, Chvrches, Disclosure

Takedown Festival: Funeral for a Friend, Kids in Glass Houses, The First, Verses, I Divide Canterbury

BRB going to the bank to get a loan. 

THESE BANDS.

Neck Deep:

Pixel Fix:

Crooks: 

Statechamps: 

These have been the four main bands soundtracking the first month of the year. Neck Deep and Statechamps in particular because they bring a nice dose of Summer to this utterly horrific Winter weather we're having at the moment. Pixel Fix make some of the most hauntingly beautiful music around and Crooks are just non-stop touring right now, so a big pat on the back for them! 

What music has soundtracked your January?