5. A.A. Williams - "As The Moon Rests"

2020’s “Forever Blue” was the soundtrack of my lockdown. A sumptuous and slow-burning record, it was a reflective masterpiece. Its beauty was in its restrained nature. It was cautiously emotive, revealing itself in sparse spurts as opposed to extravagant flourishes. It wasn’t just me that it spoke to, and its unexpected success thrust its creator firmly into the spotlight.

There is always a weight to following up on an album that captures the imagination as much as “Forever Blue” did. Rather than recycle, Alex Williams decided to up the ante in terms of emotion and passion. “As the Moon Rests” is much more strident and muscular than its predecessor. Before Alex vehemently deconstructed metal, using its nature but ditching its heaviness. Here there is much more of a crunch and a primal rallying cry to be found. It’s still fragile and beautiful but there is more voom. 

It is a much more confident and self-assured record. “Forever Blue” was wonderful but it was the sound of an artist finding her feet and her voice. “As The Moon Rests” is a buoyant and assertive next step. It is steeped full of self-knowledge and security. Most of all it is the sound of a unique and authentic voice blossoming in the knowledge of what they can achieve.