1. Iron Maiden - Senjutsu (Parlophone )
Forty-one years after their debut, Maiden are still operating at the highest level. Few bands of their vintage can still create masterpieces, but with this sombre meditation on war and its consequences, Maiden deliver yet another masterwork in a discography with few equals.
2. Burning Witches - Witch Of The North (Nuclear Blast )
The most exciting metal band in years, this Swiss quintet are proudly reviving classical metal with stunning musical chops and thrilling songwriting, but with a very modern element - a subtly feminist viewpoint. Refreshing and essential.
3. Paul Weller - Fat Pop Vol 1 (Polydor )
Last year’s On Sunset showed the Modfather still had it. The follow-up was even better, showing an artist still creative and imaginative, still willing to explore to find all kinds of unexpected textures and colours within the pop-rock format.
4. Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill - In The Game (Rosa/Believe )
An absolutely inspired coming together of two of the brightest lights on the Irish singer-songwriter scene. This funny, bitter, deeply poignant tale of a disintegrating romance is a big statement of intent from O’Neill, and a masterpiece from Flannery. Irish album of the year.
5. Billy Bragg - The Million Things That Never Happened (Cooking Vinyl )
Bragg delivered his best work this century on his 12th solo album, with songs ranging from the post-Trump world, to authoritarian regimes, to internet trolls, to the need for connection, and to see things from outside your own perspective - all done with deep intelligence, compassion, and empathy.
6. Dani Larkin - Notes For A Maiden Warrior (Independent )
A fresh, very welcome entry into Irish folk, Larkin impressed as both songwriter and guitarist. Her feminist perspective coupled with an appreciation of Irish mythology, shows how old forms have a way of speaking clearly to contemporary concerns. Irish debut of the year.
7. Arab Strap - As Days Get Darker (Rock Action )
After 16 years, the Aidan Moffat/Malcolm Middleton partnership reunites with what can only be classed as a piece of art, which through spoken word, and music, is unnervingly, grimly, insightful about these times.
8. Pip Blom - Welcome Break (Heavenly Recordings )
The Amsterdammers explored doubt, uncertainty, and anxiety, on their second album, via bittersweet, melancholic indie-rock, shot through with a grit and muscularity both unusual, and very welcome, in the genre.
9. Inhaler - It Won’t Always Be Like This (Polydor )
Of course there is an early U2 influence to this debut, but what is wrong with that? Yet this is also modern indie, with a sound, and a point of view, that is very now. Another strong new Irish band and album.
10. Ashnikko - Demidevil (Warner )
Ashnikko is young, loud, and bratty, bringing a punk sensibility to bubblegum pop and modern r'n'b, with a sense of mischief, buckets of attitude, and importantly, something to say.
Best reissue: Whipping Boy - Heartworm (Needle Mythology )
For many, this is one of the finest Irish albums ever made. Originally released in 1995, this astonishingly mature, brooding, atmospheric work gets a long overdue re-issue. It is very good to have it back.
