This is the last in my ‘years ending with a 0’ and also probably the year most people would want to forget: 2020. My choices however go to show the wide diversity of Rock music across the world.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – K.G. (Explorations of Microtonal Music Volume Two)

As the title suggests, the Melbournian Psychedelic rockers recorded this album using quarter tone tuning and other Asian/Turkish musical augmentations. This is also their 16th album since 2012 in case anyone didn’t realise how prolific an outfit they are. This is an original sounding album, (even by KGLW’s standard) without losing their trademark jam band template.

Biffy Clyro – A Celebration of Endings

”Mon the Biff!” comes the battle cry. How many bands make dynamic, heavy, catchy music that also have a tribal fan base? Not many these days. This album is a great example of a band continuously refining their recipes. The songcraft is exquisite but still translates into Arena’s. Ayrshire’s sons still have a lot to say.

Molchat Doma – Monument

Minsk is the origin for our next album and Molchat Doma have clearly picked up the baton for Gothic Darkwave flavoured electropop. I can hear The Cure and Depeche Mode merged with Kraftwerk. Their deadpan Belarusian delivery adds a brutalistic authenticity to this, their third album. They are building on the formula of the first two albums and whilst the production is richer, it still brings that chill of winter.

Everything Everything – Re-Animator

Manchester’s glitch pop/art rock heroes ramp up their soundtrack for the apocalypse! As if we needed any more of this for 2020. It’s true that the tone is sombre here, with fewer hooks like ‘My Kz yr boyfriend’ from their debut 10 years prior. The production and power is fully in evidence though. And if anyone can find a catchier ear worm about a Tsunami (Violent Sun) I want to know!