Banks & Steelz- Anything But Words

In a year filled with great albums, Anything But Words is one of 2016s real surprises. On the surface, the debut of super-duo RZA and Paul Banks sounds like a gimmick. An unlikely collaboration with one of rap’s greats and uh, the lead singer from Interpol, Banks & Steelz goes against the wisdom that musicians from different musical genres can’t mix.

T2 Trainspotting Soundtrack (2017)

It’s been a little over two decades since Danny Boyle achieved the impossible and created the closest thing to a perfect adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s debut novel Trainspotting. The film’s success hinged not only on Boyle’s uncanny knack for capturing Welsh’s artistic voice, but also on the music that became iconic and synonymous with the tale.

Tokyo Story (1953)

Yasujirô Ozu’s much praised masterpiece Tokyo Story has been re-released courtesy of Madman Entertainment, six decades on it is still a landmark in auteur cinema.

The Rolling Stones: Blues & Lonesome

Over a decade after their last album A Bigger Bang, the Rolling Stones return with Blues & Lonesome, a rip-roaring trip into the past. 

The Weeknd: Starboy

A return to the themes of his previous work, Starboy is more of a refinement of The Weeknd’s aesthetic than a progression. It’s like being stuck in the head of a party animal after a bad night — albeit if his inner monologue was in the form of song. Guest stars include Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar and Future.

Janelle Monae: The Electric Lady

With Janelle Monae gaining attention following her prominent role in Oscar favourite Hidden Figures, it is worth taking a look back at the work that brought her to prominence.

Two Door Cinema Club: Gameshow

Two Door Cinema Club’s third album is a disco-flavoured dish. From the opening track, with its chanting, child-like chorus, and the Nile Rogers-style guitar, the influence is evident,but never overpowering.

Robert Glasper Experiment: ArtScience

Jazz maestro Robert Glasper is someone I’ve been meaning to get into for the last couple of years. I’ve caught individual tracks from his Black Radio albums, but I’ve never had a chance to get through an entire album. 

Mavis! (2015)

A wonderful portrait of one of America’s most enduring and underrated voices, Mavis! tells the story of Mavis Staples and her family band, the Staple Singers.

Glass Animals: How to be a Human Being

 

Glass Animals return with their new album ‘How To Be A Human Being’. As an instructional manual, it is flawed. As an album of music, it’s more compelling.