elbow

Another year goes by and it was... well, definitely different than the last one but still quite weird. The second consecutive Covid year was a rollercoaster ride of emotions where hope and despair went hand in hand and we're surely finished yet. Luckily, this resulted in quite outstanding musical releases which gave us much needed comfort and distraction in these difficult times. Today, we're honouring the fifty records that meant the most to us in the past twelve months.

Every Friday music fans are faced with the same burning question: What to listen to from the sheer endless sea of new albums, EPs and other releases? Don't worry, the people of NBHAP are here to help you with that. Our very own release roundup gives you a quick overview on the music that matters the most this week.

Risen out of the Britpop ashes and inspired by trip hop: this band was never interested in following the easy way. To celebrate their iconic and still timeless debut album NBHAP head Norman had a brief exchange with band leader Guy Garvey to reflect on the group's early days at the turn of the century.

Two decades after its initial release the underrated debut album by the British three-piece returns to the spotlight with a new reissue and a compilation of previously hard to get bonus tracks. NBHAP head Norman always had a strong connection to the music of South and managed to exchange a few thoughts on the group and their album with band member Jamie McDonald.

The holidays doesn't have to look and sound like an overdosed soda commercial. Instead we think Christmas should remind us of the things that matter, friends, family while also offering us moments of contemplation in those chaotic times. So, yes there are fitting songs to celebrate this mood, kindly provided by Molly Burch, Phoebe Bridgers, Sufjan Stevens, The National, LCD Soundsystem, Shame and more.

Twelve months of great musical releases have passed and at the end of it it's time to recap the best of them like we always do when then the year is about to close its curtain. So, without further ado please find the fifty albums that impressed us the most during the past 12 months right here and feel happily invited to fall in love with those brilliant records as well.

As this decade is approaching its end it is time for a little reflection on all the great music we experienced over the course of it. Of course, this is NOT an ultimate and universal Top 100 list. It simply can't be but these are the songs you should definitely give a spin before the decade is over. The next 25 tracks in our list include Daughter, Kendrick Lamar, Editors, Blood Orange, Metronomy and more.

Friday is release day. But what to listen to from the sheer endless sea of new records? Don't worry, NBHAP's editors can help you with that. These are our Top 5 recommendations from today.