Albums of the Year # 1 Protomartyr - Relatives in Descent

It always seemed likely that Protomartyr's fourth Relatives in Descent would be my Album of the Year from the moment that I first heard it at the end of September. It's blistering, raw, ambitious, brave, occasionally bleakly funny and has loads of wonderful tunes and the texture of great literature. It seems entirely apt for the bleak times we're obliged to be living through and a helpful way of trying to cope with them. Here's what I wrote then:

'Detroit's Protomartyr have entered their imperial phase with their new album Relatives in Descent which is released today. It's an astonishing record, building on their already remarkable body of work but this time going nuclear, surging into a mode of  monumental assurance and sheer power beyond anything they've ever done before, (raw power indeed), that marks this down as an instant and unassailable modern classic. Twelve songs in all, each streaked with a staggering confidence and an ability to shift gears mid-track to take you somewhere you were never expecting to go.

It's not easy listening. Nor should it be. These are troubled and troubling times. A new dark fear seems to be stalking the world and Protomartyr understand that only too well and are here to soundtrack it all. Or certainly as much as they can. As reference points, think Pere Ubu, think Joy Division and The Fall, their songs are reminiscent of the troubled surfaces and dank murky seabeds of all three bands, and they're not shamed for a moment by the comparisons. They're that good! 

Three troubled teens who chose to form a band with their alcoholic uncle, (Joe Casey, one of the best frontmen of modern times), who strangely resembles a David Cameron who's let himself go.  Altogether too smart for words, they understand the darkness but also appreciate the light. There are some utterly glorious melodies at play here. I've just listened through to the whole album at one sitting before heading into work, unable to tear myself away from my headphones. Like the very best books, I was sorry and slightly shocked when it came to an end. Undoubtedly one of the records of the year. I need to say more but wanted to post now. I'll return here at greater length later on. In the meantime, make a point of hearing it!'