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5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – Episode 5 Out Now!

The latest episode of the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast is now available! As ever I take a seat alongside 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt and Check This Out’s Kiley Larsen to review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, and ultimately name one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion.

For our May review episode, the five albums discussed are:

The Love Invention by Alison Goldfrapp

My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks

The Last Rotation of Earth by BC Camplight (Poll winner, thanks for voting!)

Everything Harmony by The Lemon Twigs

Lullabies From The Lightning Tree by Sad Boys Club

If you want to listen to the latest episode simply click the link below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram and Twitter for more news and polls relating to the podcast, along with other great content like film reviews, sports articles and more.

Listen to the May 2023 episode here

Learn more about the Album of the Month podcast in my interview with Left Lion here

Album & EP Recommendations

But Here We Are by Foo Fighters

I’ll be honest, aside from The Colour and the Shape and their underappreciated double album In Your Honor, Foo Fighters have always been more of a singles band for me. However, with this eleventh studio album arriving in the wake of Taylor Hawkins’ tragic passing, as well as that of Dave Grohl’s mother who also sadly passed away in 2022, I must admit I was intrigued to hear the start of this new chapter for the band. I’m glad I checked in too, as But Here We Are is easily the best Foo Fighters record for decades.

With Grohl back behind the drum kit as well alongside his usual roles of singing, writing and playing guitar, it is a record that understandably walks the fine line between rage and sorrow as he channels his grief into this neatly crafted batch of ten songs. Recent single Rescued opens proceedings, with Grohl emptying his raw emotions following Taylor’s death onto the page and into the music. As his anguished vocals growl over the wall of guitars, it’s hard not to be moved. Under You will then have you even more choked up, as Grohl sings “Pictures of us sharing songs and cigarettes, this is how I’ll always picture you.” And even though the gut-punch lyrics are masked within some upbeat melodic punk, it still hits hard.

That emotional punch is ultimately what makes this album much more impactful than the last few by-the-numbers Foo Fighters records, however the songcraft is also to be commended here. Hearing Voices is an instant standout, with hypnotic, swirling guitars eventually fading away into black during the final 30 seconds, leaving just Grohl’s pained vocals singing “Speak to me, my love” atop an acoustic guitar. It’s a goosebump-inducing moment, with Nothing At All then bringing the rock power Foo Fighters are known for back into the mix with its anthemic chorus and amped-up guitars. Some of the best moments on the record are then saved for the final stretch, with Grohl’s heartfelt collaboration with his daughter Violet on Show Me How a definite highlight, as well as the album’s 10-minute long, fury-filled centrepiece, The Teacher.

Having read a few reviews, it’s easy to see now why this album is receiving so much acclaim. Fuelled by tragedy and the pain of loss, it is Grohl at his rawest and most sincere, making for one of the most engaging records Foo Fighters have ever released. But Here We Are comes across as a therapeutic exercise for the grieving rock giant and you can’t help but feel the sharp tug on the heartstrings throughout, what with Taylor having been such a well-known and well-loved figure in music over the last 20 or so years. As an emotional farewell to a friend and the dawning of a new sunrise for the band, Foo Fighters have done themselves justice with this record.

Listen here

The Answer Is Always Yes by Alex Lahey

It’s crazy to think that even now several years later we are still seeing pandemic projects come to light, but that is indeed the case for this fantastic third album from Aussie singer-songwriter, Alex Lahey. Having been in the middle of touring her impressive sophomore effort The Best of Luck Club, lockdown suddenly threw Alex back into the studio where she would write over 100 new songs. Collaborating with Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson as well as heavyweight producer Jacknife Lee, this mountain of new music was eventually whittled down to the 10 songs found on The Answer Is Always Yes.

The emergence from lockdown is put front and centre on opener Good Time, where Lahey describes the hedonistic scenes witnessed during those first few months of the world opening back up. Buzzy guitars reverberate throughout as she opens the record with “Everyone’s a bit fucked up, but they think they’re okay”, proving that some lockdown sentiments still carry relevance now. Congratulations then takes the record in a grungier direction, with Lahey sarcastically congratulating an ex on getting engaged for what is another darkly enjoyable track.

The next two tracks are then two early favourites, with You’ll Never Get Your Money Back a sharply written anthem about failed relationships, whilst The Sky Is Melting basks in the regretful melancholia of a disappointing trip during a visit to the Joshua Tree National Park. The rest of the tracklist is then littered with other great moments, such as shameless love song Makes Me Sick, the acoustic-tinged tale of returning home found on Permanent and the jaw-dropping climax of the title track, which sees Lahey belting out the refrain “I don’t want it all to be, the way it was before it changed” over some soaring guitars.

For me Alex Lahey just gets better with each record and although this one was never planned, I’m glad she ended up back in the studio to piece this together. Her best collection to date and I already can’t wait to hear the next one.

Listen here

Roach by Miya Folick

Elsewhere, American singer-songwriter Miya Folick recently made the difficult second album look easy with her impressive new album - ROACH. Essentially an extension of her previously released 2007 EP, ROACH further builds out the narrative with a deeper dive into her relationship with God, her mother and her own self-esteem. Featuring some of the best songs of her young career, early highlights include the hedonistic indie-pop of Bad Thing, brutal break-up anthem Get Out of My House and the tussle with adulthood on the falsetto-kissed 2007.

That said, make sure you stick around for the second half of the album as that’s where Miya Folick’s exceptional songwriting really starts to shine for me. Tetherball is a real stop-you-in-your-tracks moment, with some wonderful ambient electronics backing Folick’s soft vocals to create a gorgeous sound reminiscent of Natasha Khan of Bats For Lashes. These synths then shift into the uplifting pop of So Clear, before Shortstop offers an utterly stunning piano-led finale that you’ll just want to hear again and again. A fantastic second album that I can only see myself playing more in the coming months.

Listen here

Take Me Back To Eden by Sleep Token

Arguably no album has proved more divisive over the last couple of weeks than this third album from mysterious British metalcore outfit, Sleep Token. From outstanding praise to frowning disgust and much-memed hate to them selling out Wembley Arena in 10 minutes, it seems you will either love or hate what Sleep Token attempt to do on this record with their music. For me personally, I oddly landed somewhere in the middle.

Whilst not completely blown away, I did find Sleep Token’s blend of metal, rock, pop, R&B, electronica, gospel - and just about everything else - to be a fascinating way to spend an hour of my time. It hits a peak around the midway point, with Ascensionism beginning with gentle pianos and a trap-style beat, before incredibly transforming into punishing guitars and brutal screams in the second half. Are You Really Okay then sees glistening guitars soundtrack this powerful rock ballad, whilst DYWTYLM is an intriguing auto-tune-soaked pop groove.

As I say this won’t be for everyone, but it’s definitely an interesting blend of genres unlike anything else I’ve heard so far this year. So give it a try and see on which side of the coin you land.

Listen here

Life Is Dub by Foals

Summer is officially here and one of the highlights of last year’s hotter months was Life Is Yours, the sun-kissed seventh studio album from Oxford rockers Foals. Having just recently received a Dub makeover from producer extraordinaire Dan Carey as part of Record Store Day 2023, it means an even more summer-ready version of the album is now available, with Life Is Dub amplifying the electronics for a ravier, more radiant take on Foals’ sound.

Listen here

More Truth EP by Daniel Avery

Sticking with electronic releases, DJ and producer Dan Avery also recently released a companion EP to his acclaimed 2022 album, Ultra Truth. Featuring seven excellent new tracks that didn’t quite make the final cut originally, including trippy Georgia collaboration Going So Low and the accurately titled Bliss, it’s another absorbing collection from the Bournemouth musician who seems incapable of putting a foot wrong.

Listen here

My Eyes, Brother! EP By Opus Kink

And finally on the albums and EPs front, you may (or likely may not) remember that Brighton outfit Opus Kink blew me away with their debut release last year, even ending up as my favourite EP of 2022 in my year-end countdown. Now whilst their latest release hasn’t quite knocked me for six like that dazzling first effort, it’s still a wonderfully theatrical collection of ska-punk that boasts fun, erratic standouts like Chains, Children and Malarkey.

Listen here

Also worth checking out: Council Skies by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds,DARKFIGHTER by Rival Sons,My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely by Lola Young,Gag Order by Kesha, More Photographs (A Continuum) by Kevin Morby

Tracks of the Week

The Narcissist by Blur

Well, this came out of nowhere didn’t it?!

Whilst tickets for Blur’s reunion tour sold like hot cakes as soon as it was announced, I don’t think many fans were expecting news of a new album – their first in eight years no less - to follow as well. Titled The Ballad of Darren, the highly anticipated release arrives on the 21st July and if the rest is anything like this first single The Narcissist, we could be in for something really special. As someone whose admittedly never been overly fussed about Blur’s output, this is a brilliant song that has me instantly hyped to hear more.

Listen here

Walking Backwards by Ben Howard

Another album I also can’t wait to hear, singer-songwriter and experimental guitarist Ben Howard has his new album dropping in mid-June and this second single has been on heavy rotation ever since it dropped the other week. Folky yet psychedelic with a luminous dash of cheerful horns and sunlit electronics, this could well be the surprise summer record of 2023.

Listen here

Sunshine Baby by The Japanese House

Four years after her debut, indie-pop sensation Amber Bain is finally ready to release her sophomore effort at the end of June, titled In The End It Always Does. Of all the tracks released so far Sunshine Baby is the clear standout, offering up a blissful, summery slice of dream-pop, with none other than George and Matty from The 1975 assisting with production and backing vocal duties.

Listen here

Say Yes To Heaven / Lost At Sea by Lana Del Rey

She may have already released one of the best albums of 2023 so far, but Miss Lizzie Grant has still been treating fans with more new music over the last few weeks. First came the gorgeously bluesy Say Yes To Heaven, an acoustic ballad that’s rumoured to be a lost cut from her Ultraviolence era. Then this past week came Lost At Sea, a beautifully orchestrated collaboration with her father Rob Grant, who has his own debut album (also titled Lost At Sea) coming out this Friday. Both songs, well worth your time!

Listen to Say Yes to Heaven here

Listen to Lost At Sea here

Cry To Heaven by Creeper

Dramatic goth-rockers Creeper also marked their return this week, with third studio album Sanguivore slated for an October release. First single Cry To Heaven is as always tremendous fun from the Southampton outfit, boasting a welcome glam-rock shimmer, an earworm chorus, an exhilarating guitar solo and a touch of eerie Stranger Things-inspired vibes.

Listen here

Keep It Rolling by Bloc Party & KennyHoopla

This was a very welcome surprise – two artists I love teaming up for a new collaborative single. On Keep It Rolling, Indie legends Bloc Party enlist pop-punk newcomer KennyHoopla for this belter of a track, which is highlighted by Kenny’s passionate vocals and Russell Lissack’s signature guitar licks.

Listen here

Haunted by Spanish Love Songs

Having only gotten into emo-rockers Spanish Love Songs off the back of their excellent 2020 album Brave Faces Everyone, I’ve been looking forward to the follow-up ever since then. Finally, it is due to arrive over the August Bank Holiday and if lead single Haunted is anything to go by, it could be even better than its predecessor. With flourishes of synths, heartfelt vocals and an instantly gratifying chorus, it’s absolutely fantastic.

Listen here

Sometimes (Orchestral Version) by James

The biggest disappointment of May was having the Nottingham leg of James’ highly acclaimed orchestral tour postponed due to Tim Booth losing his voice, meaning I had to wait a little longer to see the Mancuninan legends once again with this specially arranged set up. However, the blow will be softened when the band’s orchestral album Be Opened By The Wonderful finally drops later this week, featuring beautifully reworked versions of their classics, including this deeply moving new take on Sometimes. Just when you thought this song couldn’t get even better, they release this – utterly stunning.

Listen here

Wicked Game by Tenacious D

Then in a bit of an unexpected twist, Jack Black and Kyle Gass have followed up last month’s playful single Video Games with this quite spectacular - albeit far too short - cover of Chris Isaak’s classic single, Wicked Game. Best experienced alongside the music video, which sees them hilariously slow motion running into the sea.

Watch the video here

The Grind by Bored Marsh

And finally this week, up-and-coming Nottingham outfit Bored Marsh recently released their quite incredible debut single, The Grind. Clocking in at just shy of six minutes, it is a dark, moody guitar-driven track that channels the palpable energy of early-Interpol. If they keep this exceptional standard up, I’ll be expecting big things going forward!

Listen here

Also worth checking out: Stumbling Still by Nation of Language, AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM by Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar,Venera by George FitzGerald,Last Time Every Time Forever by Grian Chatten, Weirdo by Tom A. Smith, nice 2 me by piri & tommy

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2023 tracks through my Best of 2023 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the playlist to your library here

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