Unless we are to wait until January to release the best albums of the previous year (perish the thought!) , we have to accept that a «year» in blog terms will run from about December to November. So this short list – as wonderful as it is – contains songs from last calendar year. Naturally. Enough said.

New year requires new feature. Well, it was kind of introduced last year in the «best of»- blog : Ear worms, but from this month I’ll test it out on you on a more regular basis, songs that stick in your ear – in a good way.

I am leaving to others to review this time, a kind of army of substitute reviewers. I promise to return with my own reviews soon, when I have more time on my hands…

I do hope you still enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.

The Short List: New Tracks

The Long List: Previous Tracks

Michael Nau’s Accompany, reviewed by The Line of Best Fit «Laidback sensibility»

Australia’s Middle Kids: Bend, reviewed by Pitchfork, «a band for the people».

Energetic young rock from Pip Blom, Bobbie, reviewed by Album of the Year (AOTY) «Carefree synth pop»

Jazz group Come Shine’s return after many years, with Coming Home, reviewed by Jazzlandrec, «Come Shine is always on the hunt for a new way into an old song, finding small keys to unlock big doors»

Jonathan Wilson’s new album Eat the Worm, reviewed by No Depression «Fearlessly experimental and deeply immersive, Eat the Worm is the distillation of a true artist in all his wacky, visionary glory.»

Randi Tytingvåg Trio’s Hjem (Home), Norwegian folk/Americana, reviewed in Norwegian by Stavanger Aftenblad. «Do you need comfort? Try this.»

Chanteuse Emeli Sandé’s new album How Were We To Know, reviewed by Pop Passion, «Full of fresh new sounds, How Were We To Know mixes elements of dance, reggae, and gospel music with commercial pop.»

The National is already out with a suprise new album Laugh Track, reviewed by The Guardian, «it’s challenging to write about middle-class malaise and make it sound so gripping»

Delara’s Shahrazad, reviewed by Intersect, «a rising multifaceted artist with a rich Iranian heritage and a global perspective, has created a distinctive musical identity and emerged as a local sensation.»

Tate McRae’s THINK LATER, reviewed by Irish Times, «not one track you wouldn’t want to hear again.»

Sondre Lerche’s Understudy, reviewed in Norwegian by Puls, «a cover album that in every way makes it an original Sondre Lerche album. Overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly good.»

Finally Krissy Mary’s Americana album, Virago, reviewed in Norwegian by Aftenposten, «The best album you missed last year came from Krissy Mary.»

Almost Like Being In Love – Rod Stewart & Jools Holland

Blind Then – HILLARI

Bonnie Michelle – The Last Hurrah! & Maria Due

Easy – May Erlewine & Theo Katzman

Inga Sorger – Loulou LaMotte

Kameleon II – Daniela Reyes

Kiss Ur Face Forever – Orla Gartland

Lawns – Club des Belugas & Thomas Siffling

Oral – Björk & ROSALÌA

The Parting Glass – boygenius & Ye Vagabonds

Siete Lágrimas – Lau Noah & Cécile McLorin Salvant

Slice – O.

SORRY – Ingrid Jasmin

Tell Me What You Sell Me – Niclas Frisk & Nina Persson

There’s Always Home – Gaby Moreno

There Will Come A Day – Celeste

Waterfall (I Adore You) – Yebba

When You’re Smiling – Stephen Bishop

Your Blood – AURORA

Gary Brooker of Procul Harum’s amazing solo album, No More Fear of Flying.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer. One of the most distinct sounds of the pop/rock era. Brain Salad Surgery made it to the top in 1974.

Be careful, «Don’t Do Me Good» will stick in your ears…..