Writers’ Choices

_**Joanna Newsom – Ys**_

The detractors of 2004’s Milk Eyed Mender, which introduced Newsom as an eccentric elf-child armed with a dictionary and a harp, were proved wrong with the release of Ys, six years old this month. In five songs ranging from just over seven minutes to just under seventeen, Newsom studies power relationships and the human condition with all the tools of a poet, every eloquent simile and harp pluck embellished by Van Dyke Parks’ orchestral arrangements. A musical, and literary, masterpiece.

**Similar To:** St Vincent, Mariee Sioux

**Trahearne Falvey**

_**Agnes – Veritas**_

Veritas is one of the best, yet sadly overlooked, albums of the year. There are moments of sheer, unadulterated Pop brilliance (‘Human Touch’) that are set aside polished dancefloor-ballads like ‘One Last Time’. It’s a clever shifting of the musical gears, with songs that either instantly grab your attention or slowly ingrain themselves into your memory. The strings, the thumping drums, the electronic turns; a mixture that’s refined, elegant and a sure sign that Agnes is a class act all round.

**Similar To:** Loreen, Leona Lewis

**Samuel Hine**

_**Calvin Harris – 18 Months**_

Essentially a collection of every Harris song you’ve heard over the past few months, with a few new ones thrown in, this is a solid album. Elements of dubstep appear on Iron with Nicky Romero, Dizzee Rascal and Dillon Francis throw a curveball with Here To China; the rest is the perfect mix of pop-dance-house for which Harris has become known. A sprinkling of his magic Scottish fairy dust makes this album a solid keeper.

**Similar To:** Swedish House Mafia, Avicii

**Francesca Peak**

_**Sufjan Stevens – Come On Feel the Illinoise**_

Though not necessarily an A list contribution from across the pond, twisting harmonies, hidden messages and expressive dialects are abound on Stevens’ masterpiece. Spellbinding, ranging tempos from the upbeat ‘Chicago’, to the sombre ‘Casimir Pulaski Day’ accommodate any mood you may have. Perfect for studying or simply relaxing; and with an album to be released in the coming months, hopefully we can expect more of the same. Simply beautiful.

**Similar To:** Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird

**Sam Brandom**