One man’s punk is another man’s rock. And one man’s rock is another man’s pop. So some of these albums could probably fit into multiple categories. But they all have something in common — they were all made by artists who like to do things their own way and stick to their guns. If that ain’t punk, nothing is. They also have something else in common: They were some of the best music I heard in 2019:
TINNITIST’S PICK
Gloo
A Pathetic Youth
WHO ARE THEY? A raw-powered, grungy punk power trio from the seaside resort of Littlehampton, England.
WHAT IS THIS? A reissue of their deservedly acclaimed 2018 indie album — which might as well be brand new, since you probably never heard it anyway (but trust me, you really need to).
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Neither pathetic nor apathetic. Not by a long shot. Granted, these lads don’t reinvent the punk rock wheel with their jagged power-chord riffs, walloping drums, snide lyrics and razor-wire vocals. But their surprisingly strong melodies and magnificently anthemic choruses definitely put a new spin on things. And ultimately, they deliver the goods so enthusiastically and effectively that they’re guaranteed to win you over (and bowl you over).
READ THE FULL REVIEW AND HEAR THE ALBUM HERE
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
All Eyes West | Like Lightning
Amyl & The Sniffers | Amyl & The Sniffers
The Atom Age | Cry ’Til You Die
Bad Religion | Age of Unreason
Wild Billy Childish & CTMF | Last Punk Standing
Crossed Keys | Saviors
Doll Skin | Love is Dead And We Killed Her
Down By Law | Quick Hits Live In Studio
Fontaines D.C. | Dogrel
Gino and the Goons | Rip It Up
Grey Hairs | Health & Social Care
Guitar Wolf | LOVE&JETT
Institute | Readjusting the Locks
Lagwagon | Railer
Menzingers | Hello Exile
No Sugar | Rock’n’Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You
Queen Zee | Queen Zee
Refused | War Music
Sum 41 | Order in Decline
Titus Andronicus | An Obelisk
The Trash Bags | The Trash Bags
U.K. Subs | Subversions II
TO FIND REVIEWS OF THESE ALBUMS, PLEASE USE THE SEARCH WINDOW AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
