Broadsheet music editor Nick Kelly
It’s been a year we’ll remember for all the wrong reasons. So where would we be without all this wonderful music to keep us sane and put a smile on our face?
A heartfelt thanks to all the brilliant musicians who, despite the bleakest of circumstances, made this one of the best years for Irish music ever.
The Top 10 Irish albums of 2020…
1. Una Keane – Collaborations
I count myself very lucky to have been seated in a pew for Una’s concert in Dublin’s Pepper Canister Church on March 5. It turned out to be the last live performance I attended before lockdown. And it was unforgettable, as a roll call of esteemed musicians including Stephen Shannon, Liam O’Maonlai, Lowli, Vyvienne Long, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Ronan Conroy all wove their magic in and around Una’s ambient neo-classical piano pieces in what was improvisation of the highest calibre. Una has now released this concert as a live album. The perfect Christmas present. (As is her studio album In The Deep.)
2. Arborist – A Northern View
Another artist who I feel blessed to have seen perform live this year, Arborist aka Belfast’s Mark McCambridge has the songs that do my world the world of good.
3. Aoife Nessa Frances – Land Of No Junction
What a debut! Ethereal and highly atmospheric, Aoife Nessa Frances created soundscapes to escape to… and fall in love with.
4. BK Pepper – Territories
Another marvellous pianist and composer who has collaborated with Una Keane, Brian Pepper is, truth be told, a bit of a genius.
5. Malojian – Humm
It all came together for Stevie Scullion aja Malojian on Humm. Featuring guest musicians Gerry Love (ex-Teenage Fanclub) and Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle, this album is an absolute Humm-dinger.
6. Brigid Mae Power – Head Above The Water
The spirit of Sandy Denny is alive and well and living in the West of Ireland. A modern folk classic.
7. Ailbhe Reddy – Personal History
Dubliner Ailbhe has it all: the songs, the poise, the videos, the indie cool. She’s a star.
8. Luan Parle – Never Say Goodbye
Kilkenny-based Luan really found her voice on this collection of brilliantly crafted songs of romance and heartbreak that also showcase the guitar wizardry of Clive Barnes.
9. Eileen Gogan & The Instructions – Under Moving Skies
One of Dublin’s most popular singers (who has sang with The Would Be’s, The Drays and Microdisney) assembled a crew of all the talents to produce another gem of an album, including her performance of a Michael Hartnett poem linked here.
10. John Blek – The Embers
There’s something in the water down in Cork. John Blek is a songwriter’s songwriter and his videos are some of the best I’ve seen this year.
Irish EP of the year:
The Next New Low – And As For Loss…
Out of the depths of sorrow… When I saw former Idiots frontman Brian Mooney perform these 5 songs in a bar in Stoneybatter last winter, I felt them deep in my gut. A requiem for his late wife Aoife, Brian put his heart and soul into this EP. It’s an astonishing record, overflowing with love and grief and courage.
Irish Single of the year:
The Wha – Blue For You
A blast of old-school power-pop heaven from the most melodic teenagers in Kilkenny.
Best Grammy-nominated Irish album of the year:
Fontaines DC – A Hero’s Death
It’s fair to say that opinion is divided among our readers regarding Grian Chatten and his crew. But they sure do have that rock’n’roll swagger. And a Grammy nomination to boot!
Best song written during lockdown:
Malojian and Jason Lytle – The Singularity.
The first Covid-inspired classic as Stevie Scullion and his favourite Grandaddy collaborated across the ocean.
Meanwhile…
Best International newcomer: Bob Dylan.
Nick says: Happy Christmas all.
thats fantastic Nick,after my morning ritual of waking and baking,going lash a playlist together of some-thank you for all the great music this year Nick,keep on rocking:)
Another contender perhaps…
https://davidlong4.bandcamp.com/album/moll-zeis
Thank You Nick, for bringing the music to us, it was a very good year! Happy Christmas and New Year sir.
Big fan of Ailbhe Reddy, a star in the making. Thanks for all the music Nick!
Brilliant Nick!
All brilliant choices, can’t wait till we can go out an check out these acts live!
Thank you and Broadsheet.ie for your continuing support of Irish acts new and old all year round!.
Thanks again and looking forward too new offerings next year.
+ Many.
Yes indeed.
+1, I’ve really enjoyed the Irish music suggestions, learned a lot from Nick and the BS commenters. Broadsheet at it’s most pleasant.
You missed Paulus – Big Phil The Fluther
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlCKtLyk1Vo&t=2s
thanks Nick :)
Thank you so much for your wonderful music posts Nick. They’ve been a wonderful reprieve from the noise what has truly been an unrelenting shitshow of a year, bringing a touch of harmony and lightness which was badly needed.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas my dear. Thank you (forgive me Janet) for the music.
just this once :)
I’ve been racking my brain for a word that sums up this year, and Shitshow is perfect!!
Hopefully I’ll use it in my next post!
Thanks Millie.
thanks a lot, Millie. And thanks to all of you for your kind words.
Thank you for curating so much good music during 2020. I particularly enjoyed the series resurrecting forgotten Irish songs. May I propose “Go Bravely” by Denise Chaila as an album of the year. The melding of the Ireland we know and the Ireland that awaits us.