*

*

The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean

Let’s start with a wonderful new album by young artist Olivia Dean with the soulful voice, a neo-soul album filled with exquisite compositions, performed with confidence. I love the blend of soul and pop.

*****************

County Line – Kristina Train

Kristina Train has not released an album in years. Her 2012 Dark Black album might show up in my classic column later, that’s how good it is! She writes emotive and catchy songs in the landscape between country, pop and jazz. Her new album, County Line, is dominated by country songs, but she is pushing the boundaries of country, so listen even if country is not your cup of tea. (That goes for many new albums this month, so be warned…)

https://open.spotify.com/album/49CkInELGETtvAbQZxaSUN?si=1RLngiVzS2m9Gj9fgN6FfA

*******

Dim Probs – Gruff Rhys

I think this is the first ever Welsh-language album ever in my list. Even though I have a «Learn Welsh» book in my library, I have to admit I don’t get most of the Gruff Rhys’ lyrics on «Dim Probs», but it doesn’t matter much. The songs and the performance are first-class, innovative, warm and intriguing to listen to. Gruff Rhys has delighted us before, as lead singer of Super Furry Animals, but on his solo albums he pushes the limits of his music even further.

**********

The End Continues – Spinal Tap

Spinal Tap started out as a fictional heavy metal band, but the success of a mockumentary and album in 1984 made them stars in real life. Now Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer are senior citizens, but that hasn’t stopped them recording. Their latest album is irreverent and fun, with guest stars like Elton John, and the music is actually not half bad.

**********

Here For It All – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey hasn’t retired yet, although she easily could have. Few artists have sold more records, but as with so many other succesful artists she is not only performing for the coins in the hat, it is a way of life. Here for It All gives us a very mature artist who knows what she wants. The choice of songs is surprising and refreshing. How easy it would have been to push the repeat button. I had expected a singing orgy over five octaves, but she holds back and find other values in the songs.

*******

I’m Only Fucking Myself – Lola Young

If you are looking for a brutally honest album, look no further. Lola Young has never held back, and she certainly doesn’t do it on her latest album. It could easily have been only self-indulgent, but this is so much more, a truly genre-bending collection of tracks, with songs filled with wit, but also extreme vulnerability and guts. If you’re sensitive to foul language, stay away.

********

Indian Ocean – Frazey Ford

Canadian singer Frazey Ford has also gone solo, following years as lead singer of Be Good Tanyas. Her voice is easily recognized and it dominates the music, full of soul and warmth. This is Americana at its best, but she sticks to her formula and you may find the full album a bit repetitive.

*********

La meg bli ditt gjemmested – Daniela Reyes

Folk singer Daniela Reyes sticks to her formula as well, quirky and quiet songs performed in Norwegian, but with so much heart and sweetness that even if you don’t understand the lyrics I suspect you will enjoy LA meg bli ditt gjemmested (Let me be your hidingplace). And if you do get the lyrics, you are invited into a world of wonder and intimacy.

*********

Rainy Sunday Afternoon – The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy isn’t really a band. It is Neil Hannon from Northern Ireland. Why he prefers to perform as a band I don’t know, but the richness of his music truly justifies hiding behind a band name. This is sophisticated pop with meaning, often witty, equally often touching, always worth listening to.

********

Songs For Other People’s Weddings – Jens Lekman

Songs for Other People’s Weddings is a narrative concept album inspired by Swedish indie singer Jens Lekman’s real-life experiences as a wedding singer. He co-wrote a book about a fictional wedding singer, and wrote fictional songs, inspired by real-life couples he had performed for. This quirky collection of songs is much more than a crazy concept, since the songs are often beautiful, funny and playful.

*********

Typical Forever – Olivia Rafferty

I realize this month’s picks include quite a few Americana/country albums, but it was never my intention to stick to one particular genre. The albums all deserve to be in the list, and that includes Scottish singer Olivia Rafferty’s new album, Typical Forever. There is am unexpected theme to the songs, geology. She writes cleverly about volcanoes and fossils. Even if the subject bores you (why should it?), the indie music from Rafferty is defintely worth listening to anyway.

*******

Wildflower – Malin Pettersen

OK. One more Americana album. But this comes highly recommended, too. Malin Pettersen blends in pop and country, and the result is an innovative and enjoyable album filled with Pettersen’s beautiful voice and her strong songwriting.

*******

A Wonderful Life – Tom Odell

Tom Odell is a brilliant young pianist and singer from England, already showered with awards and praise. His new album is mature and varied. He has got a sensitive style both as a pianist and singer, the result being soft, well-crafted pop .

******

Some exciting singles have been released this month, promising more to come: ESC winner, JJ, with a strong follow-up single, Annie Lennox is back with a campaign song for the children of Gaza, a fun version of Mack the Knife from Rufus Wainwright, and a preview of Celeste’s new album. Among many others. Click on the cover to listen, but all tracks are also in the October list. But you know that already.

*

*

The Beatles (White Album) – The Beatles

In 1968, The Beatles was about to break up, but they still got together and created one of their most innovative and enjoyable albums, not only from the fab four but from any artist in the history of pop music. In a way the album can be considered four solo albums with the best backing band in the world. To think that this is the band that started out with She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)… They have taken the audience on a tremendeous journey, and we have evolved with them. It was incredibly hard to pick songs, but if you haven’t already listened to the whole double album, you know where to start.

*

*

Mr Tamburine Man – The Byrds

To think what the music listeners hadn’t been exposed to in 1965! The best of the Beatles hadn’t been released, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Carole King, to name a few, had not had their debut… Still, there was good music available, and The Byrds has an album hit with Mr Tambourine Man. Most Dylan afficionados couldn’t believe their ears when they heard the polished title track, but I enjoyed it, although I never became a great fan of the group. Listen and make up you own mind. It is interesting as a time stamp from the 60s.