Colours Through The Air Best of 2022 Albums and Songs

It was so hard to choose but here is the Colours Through The Air 'Best Of' post. My favourite albums and songs of 2022. With the songs, it is one song from each artist.

I felt these albums were the strongest overall and had the most impact on me. You can find the reviews for all the albums apart from Young Guv (Listen here) and The Jangles (Listen here)  

Albums

1. The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word

2. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott

3. Young Guv - III

4. Field School - When Summer Comes

5. The Fernweh - TORSCHLUSSPANIK!

6. The Jangles - Pioneer

7. Gabriel's Dawn - Gabriel's Dawn 

8. Kevin Robertson - Teaspoon of Time

9. The Sadies - Colder Streams

10. Armstrong - Happy Graffiti

Songs

1. RW Hedges - Charm Song

2. The Wends - What A Heart Is For 

3. The Pierce Kingans - Giving It Up 

4. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - American Kid

5. Young Guv - It's Only Dancin'

6. Cactus Blossoms - Love Tomorrow 

7. Nell Davies - What The Heart Wants

8. Davoli - Sleep Deprived

9. Luca Nieri - Never To Learn

10. Sam Kogon - Barbed Wire

All in all, it has been a good year and I have found so much great music from doing this blog. Thanks so much to everyone who has shown an interest/sent music to me.

Field School - When Summer Comes

Released: 18 Nov 2022
Label: Bobo Integral

Buy Here

This is is a superb collection of songs from Washington indie pop band Field School. They are the new band of Charles Bert who was originally in Math & Physics Club (who I reviewed here back in 2020). 

The album is jangly indie pop of the highest standard, recalling The Smiths. It has that lo-fi charm and a very stripped back sound. Highlights include - 'I Just Want to Paint You in Pictures' which is very heartfelt and upbeat. I love the simplicity, and it is instantly memorable.

'I'm Starting to feel a bit Like Myself Again' is beautifully melancholic. It also brought to mind The Magnetic Fields, especially their 69 Love songs album. 'Don't Let This Moment Pass You By' is so emotional, and again has that heartfelt simplicity that makes it so effective. 'Is This Our Love Song?' is hugely melodic and has some sublime vocal harmonies.

A wonderful album with songs which will stay in your mind from first listen. Highly recommended.

Aviator - Av8or

Released: 1 Dec 2022
Label: AV8 Records

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Aviator are back with a new album. They are best known as the band of Pete Wilkinson (who has played bass in bands - Shack, Cast and Echo & The Bunnymen). 

Their music is quite different to that of his previous bands, and has more of a heavier Psych sound. It opens with 'Breakout and Drive' which is an epic and moody 6 minute song. It is quite hypnotic and there are hints of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Sunstack Jones e.t.c.    

Other highlights include 'Johnny 23' which will get your foot tapping and again has that hypnotic groove. It brought to mind Spiritualized - Come Together too, although its not as mainstream sounding. 'The Love That You Bring' is another standout, an atmospheric ballad with hints of Pink Floyd. 

My favourite here is 'Catch Me if You Can' which is wonderful guitar pop with hints of Psych. It even brought to mind  Waterpistol era Shack, more specifically the song 'Mr. Appointment'.

A glorious psych rock album full of epic soundscapes. Highly recommended.

The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word

Released: 25 Nov 2022
Label: Spinout Nuggets

Buy Here

The Shop Window are back with their second album. Like their debut, it is a superb listen, recalling the best of 90s indie. 

Their sound is heavily inspired by RIDE and The Stone Roses. The album opens with 'Eyes Wide Shut' which is wonderfully anthemic. It is instantly memorable, with a hugely uplifting chorus.    

Other highlights include 'With Love To Lead' which is melodic guitar pop of the highest standard, with some great harmonies.

'Lay of the Land' is another standout, again it is anthemic, but not overly, and also sounds psychedelic in places. 'Its By Design' is my favourite here, although its hard to choose! The opening riff is the kind which draws you in straight away, and the chorus really soars. 

Love song - 'That Feeling' is sublime, the emphasis here being on the vocal harmonies. The lyrics are so heartfelt - "I'll be your rock on a stormy day. I'll be your sun when the skies are grey."

A superb follow up with some of the finest anthemic guitar pop I have heard this year. Highly recommended.

Scott Robertson - Footprints in the Butter

Released: 25 Nov 2022
Label: Subjangle

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This is the solo debut album of Scott Robertson of Scottish band, The Vapour Trails. It is a wonderful listen, full of guitar pop gems, inspired by 60s Psych. A lot like with his Dad - Kevin Robertson, the main influence here are The Byrds. 

The album opens with 'Lost My Curtains' which is heartfelt with a big chorus. It feels melancholic, yet with thought-provoking, quirky lyrics - "I'm bald as a coot..." about the sadness of losing hair.    

Other highlights include 'The Death of Daylight Saving' which is lovely and Summery, with hints of REM. 'Doorstep Kisses' brought to mind Aztec Camera and there are some superb vocal harmonies.

'Lean Green Flying Machine' is fun and trippy Psych pop, with some excellent guitar solos, sounding different from anything else on the album. My favourite here is the brilliantly atmospheric 'Fever Dream' which brought to mind 60s band - LOVE. 'Thats Rock N Roll' is epic and dreamy, reminiscent of The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows. 

A superbly Psychedelic debut from an artist well worth checking out. Highly recommended.

The Lunar Towers - Hurry Up and Wait EP

Released: 18 Nov 2022
Label: Colorama Records

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The Lunar Towers are a new band from London and this is their debut EP. It is full of superbly melodic indie pop with great hooks. 

Opening song 'Plastic Glass Towers' is very jangly, recalling late 80s/early 90s indie pop. The guitars are quite fast and energetic, with hints of RIDE and early Teenage Fanclub.

'Southern Love' is wonderfully uplifting, Byrds-inspired guitar pop. It is infectiously catchy and a song to enjoy on repeat.

My favourite here is the lovely ballad 'Back To You' which is simple and heartfelt, with hints of The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning. Again, the hooks are superb and it is instantly memorable.

 

A great EP, from a band well worth investigating. Highly recommended.

Crossword Smiles - Pressed & Ironed

Released: 16 Sept 2022
Label: Big Stir

Buy Here

Crossword Smiles are a band from Michigan, consisting of Tom Curless (Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (The Hangabouts). This is their debut, which I felt was overlooked at the time, so thought I'd go back and review. 

The album opens with 'Feet on the Ground' which is superbly anthemic guitar pop. Their sound is reminiscent of Big Star, and also the 90s power pop band - Velvet Crush.

My favourite here is the upbeat 'The Girl With A Penchant for Yellow' which has brilliant pop hooks and is a lot of fun.

Other highlights include 'Where's The Sense' which again is wonderfully catchy. There are some lovely vocal harmonies. 'Walk Softly' is more melodic and atmospheric, with hints of Country and Folk.

 

A superb album, from a band well worth checking out. Highly recommended.