National Album Day 2019

For 70 years, the album has been the standard bearer for an artists musical work. Whether it was Frank Sinatra‘s records of the late 40s and early 50s to Elvis Presley‘s unforgettable debut in 1956.

The 60s were dominated by a 4 piece from Liverpool. All of The Beatles studio albums bar one (Yellow Submarine – which is technically a soundtrack) made it to number one spot. It is now 50 years since the masterpeice Abbey Road.

In the 70s there was even a genre spawned for capturing the sound of the album – Album Orientated Rock. The likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes & Genesis concentrated on creating more than a collection of singles but a single body of work which was designed to be listened to from start to finish.

Now as vinyl album sales are due to outstrip compact disc sales again National Album Day returns for it’s second year on Saturday, 12th October 2019.

The theme for the day is “Don’t Skip” – to encourage music lovers and also those new to music to discover albums – both new and classic – in full.

Artists compose complete bodies of work to tell stories get there musical ideas across to the listener

The theme will also serve to highlight the wellbeing and mental health benefits of album listening as a form of musical mindfulness.”

#NationalAlbumDay @AlbumDayUK @rockshotmaga #rockshotmag

National Album Day 2019: Songs To Remember by Scritti Politti

by Simon Jay | National Album Day 2019

I met Green Gartside once...at Green Man Festival in Wales...he posed for some pictures I took...I was gobsmacked and could not think of two words to say to him. For me it was a totally overwhelming experience just being face to face with him. I had just listened to...

National Album Day 2019: The Whole Story by Kate Bush

by Faultress | National Album Day 2019

I’ve chosen The Whole Story by Kate Bush - I know that makes me a horrible philistine to choose a greatest hits but I don’t care! One of my dearest and oldest friends Lucy gave this to me on CD for my 15th birthday and I was like ‘What? the Wuthering Heights woman?…...

National Album Day 2019: Dogviolet by Laurel

by Greta Jaime | National Album Day 2019

Laurel perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to be a music maker in today’s landscape of artists with more control over their sound. Her 2018 debut album Dogviolet struck me with a deep level of confidence in both vocal delivery and performance that few artists are...

National Album Day 2019: Ten by Pearl Jam

by Belle Piec | National Album Day 2019

I was 12 and a half years old when Pearl Jam’s Ten album came out. It had a huge effect on me and my life. The thundering rawness of it. It’s lyrics screamed right to me, pushing through into my young tormented world. You might wonder why would a 12yr old need to hear...

National Album Day 2019: The Wall By Pink Floyd

by Tony Creek | National Album Day 2019

When I was a young lad starting to try and get serious about music, I had discovered Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, but could not get into Pink Floyd. I knew I should, but having listened to my friends copy of Dark Side Of The Moon, i just did not get it. Then at the end of...

National Album Day 2019: Stars Of CCTV by Hard Fi

by Simon Reed | National Album Day 2019

Whilst sadly the fame and fortune wasn’t that long lived (the second and third albums couldn't match the brilliance of this and with the band on seemingly indefinite hiatus nobody seriously expects any more from them), Stars Of CCTV, the debut album from Staines...

National Album Day: Remain In Light By Talking Heads

by Phil Honley | National Album Day 2019

Almost thirty nine years to the day Talking Heads presented us with Remain In Light. I was hooked on these former art school students from the moment I heard Psycho Killer three years earlier but with Brian Eno working his production magic on this album it has never...

National Album Day 2019: Ultra by Depeche Mode

by Nils van der Linden | National Album Day 2019

Ultra isn’t the best Depeche Mode album. (That’s Violator.) It isn’t even my favourite Depeche Mode album. (That’s Songs of Faith And Devotion.) But it’s the one that changed my life. It was 1997. I was battling through a medical degree that I had no right doing in...

National Album Day: Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park

by Nicholas Pollard | National Album Day 2019

Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory was my first ever album and a very important and enduring eye opener for many listeners. In 2000, at aged 10, I put this album on my Christmas list based solely on word of mouth. A schoolfriend wouldn’t shut up about how desperate he was...

National Album Day 2019: The Bride by Bat For Lashes

by Simon Partington | National Album Day 2019

I've always thought Natasha Kahn's voice was beautifully melancholic, until this album best evidenced for me on tracks like Sad Eyes or the single Laura. With The Bride she uses her songwriting and performing talents superbly to tell a story of love and loss. The...

National Album Day 2019: the B52’s by The B52s

by Pauline | National Album Day 2019

I like a challenge in life. I like to push my comfort zone a little further everyday and I never stand defeated. But when we were asked to get involved with National Album Day 2019 and write about one album we don't skip and enjoy from start to finish, I started...

National Album Day 2019: There Is Nothing Left To Lose by Foo Fighters

by Nicola Greenbrook | National Album Day 2019

For this year’s National Album Day, I’m travelling back to 1999 and pulling There Is Nothing Left to Lose by Foo Fighters from the vaults. Dusting off a collection of music that I will always play in its entirety without skipping a track. The late ‘90s heralded change...

HIGHSOCIETY & Micah Martin Ignite The Rocktronic Underground With Explosive New Single ‘Tomorrow’s Over’

The boundary between electronic music and modern metal continues to blur, and few artists are pushing that evolution harder than HIGHSOCIETY and Micah Martin. The two genre-defying innovators have reunited for their latest collaborative single, Tomorrow’s Over, a ferocious rocktronic anthem that fuses crushing riffs, festival-sized electronic production and emotionally charged songwriting into one explosive package.

Mae Stephens Finds Her Voice On Empowering New Single ‘Earn It’

Fast-rising UK pop star Mae Stephens is turning the tables on people-pleasing with her infectious new single Earn It, a confident, self-assured anthem that combines irresistible pop hooks with a message of personal empowerment.

Black Lounge Turn Housemate Horror Into Indie-Rock Gold On New Single ‘Roommate’

Essex indie-rock upstarts Black Lounge continue their rapid ascent with the release of their infectious new single Roommate, the latest track to be lifted from the band’s forthcoming debut EP, due via Right Track Recordings.

Natalie McCool Announces Ambitious New Album ‘Good For The Soul’ And Shares Uplifting New Single ‘Coming Of Age’

Liverpool alt-pop innovator Natalie McCool has announced her new album Good For The Soul, set for release on 9th September, alongside the arrival of its exuberant lead single Coming Of Age, a vibrant celebration of self-discovery featuring London vocal collective Trans Voices.

Showcase A More Intimate Side On New Single ‘Aaliyah’

Canadian indie rock outfit The Bankes Brothers have unveiled their latest single, Aaliyah, a heartfelt and deeply personal track that finds the Victoria, British Columbia quartet embracing a more reflective and vulnerable sound.

Hannah Wicklund Shows London That A Woman Can Be Tough

A gold grand piano sits on a small stage at London’s Piano Smithfield, a cosy live music venue tucked around the corner from Barbican tube station. It’s the kind of listening room intimate enough to feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a secret gig, but atmospheric enough to host a special kind of artist.

Graham Hunt Announces New Album ‘American Pyramid’ And Shares Expansive New Single ‘Waiting For You To Come Home’

Wisconsin songwriter Graham Hunt has announced details of his sixth studio album, American Pyramid, set for release on 28th August via Run For Cover Records. Alongside the announcement, Hunt has unveiled the album’s lead single, Waiting For You To Come Home, a vibrant and off-kilter slice of guitar-pop that offers the first glimpse into one of his most ambitious projects to date.

Zolita Embraces Duality On New Album ‘HELL’S BELLES‘ And Unleashes Defiant New Single ‘HARDCORE’

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, filmmaker and queer pop trailblazer Zoë Hoetzel – AKA Zolita – has announced her forthcoming new album HELL’S BELLES, set for release on 28th August, alongside the arrival of explosive new single HARDCORE.