#spring forever

Or maybe I just can't get it out of my head

'Cause I spent so much time wasting time on you

2016 was a doozy in many aspects, luckily, the music sector was not one of them (if we discount some major deaths). This year saw some amazing releases, what follows is a collection of my favourites. Tomorrow the honourable mentions will be posted.

Favourite Album:

Spring Forever – Columbus Spring Forever is an album that invites you in, warm, welcoming, yet laced with melancholy. Columbus waits no time to begin sending you down memory lane. Swarmed by nostalgia and lost love, the experience is whole hearted and moving. This is an album that asks for a second and third and fourth listen and so on because the stories told are encapsulating. There is ardent evidence of youthful energy held throughout Spring Forever. Despite this the lyrics hold mature observations on times and trials past. Displaying an even further refined sound than their previous ep it is evident that Columbus were intent on debuting their first full length with a catalogue of tracks which demand the attention of the scene. Stay is one of many highlights of the album, showcasing an impressive guitar solo, the most ‘rock’ song on the record is a triumph and invites the idea that Columbus are unafraid of experimentation. Nervous Wreck takes a moment to step back from the heavy hitting instrumentals, occasionally an acoustic track with poor placement can derail the momentum of the album, this is not the case here. Best listened to with closed eyes and headphones, Nervous Wreck tears at your heart strings in the most delightful way. It is a song that washes over you in waves of sadness and discomfort. The true champion of this track is the bleak honesty of the lyrics. Alex Moses is given the opportunity to take our undivided attention and direct it towards his harsh yet delicate vocals, he succeeds in delivering a heartfelt song which lingers long after the track has finished playing. Spring Forever finishes strong with its titular track. Albeit sad, the song brings a sense of closure and acceptance. This leaves listeners with an indescribable sense of contentment. At the end of the day pain rises and subsides, what brought love and happiness can bring indifference and depression. But nothing lasts forever, and as the final track draws to a close, it feels like that is okay. Notable Lyrics: “Inside me ambition begs, I hope that I don’t let him drown” – Stay “My head filled all the hallways with watercolour pictures of you leaving” – Nervous Wreck “And if I kiss you with this sore throat, will you feel the same as I’ve felt every time I’ve tried to swallow your words?” – Spring Forever “I just want to hold your hand, but I can’t help feel thorns in the palms of everyone I love” - Daffodil

Favourite Single:

Astoria - PLTS Astoria takes pride in highlighting distinct vocals and rad instrumentation. The track feels gritty yet fun and it’s this combination of notions that makes it so enjoyable. It leaves one wanting more, and in 2017 PLTS will hopefully deliver. Notable Lyrics: “My polyphonic thoughts of you are rotten to the core”

Favourite Live Release: