Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re looking for gift ideas for the music lover in your life (or perhaps a treat for yourself) – we’ve rounded up five fab records released by Manchester artists this year to get your hands on..
Written remotely and shared over the internet by the band during the first COVID-19 UK lockdown – The Slow Readers Club gave us the fittingly-titled 91 Days In Isolation. The 8-track record was pieced together and finally recorded at Edwin Street Studios in Bury once the lockdown lifted and features the singles Two Minutes Of Hate and Yet Again.
Initially tipped for a summer 2020 release, RE-ANIMATOR – the fifth studio album from Manchester art-rock band Everything Everything – eventually arrived in September. The tracks In Birdsong, Arch Enemy, Planets, and Violent Sun were all released as singles throughout 2020 in support, receiving many favourable reviews in the progress. The record hit No.5 in the UK albums chart and remains one of Manchester’s best offerings of 2020.
Recorded at their very own Brassica Studios in Mossley, Cabbage brought us Amanita Pantherina – their second album (third if you count the Young Dumb And Full Of Cabbage compilation as their debut) – back in September. The 11-track record spawned singles You’ve Made An Artform (From Falling To Pieces) and Get Outta My Brain and featured cool artwork from artistic director Tomas Walmsley.
Son of the Smiths legend Johnny Marr – Nile unleashed his first solo album in November following his earlier work released under the name Man Made. Recorded in a Oldham Street club in the Northern Quarter, Are You Happy Now? is dedicated to Marr’s hometown of Manchester and includes singles Part Time Girl and Teenage Kissers.
If any of the above releases sound like the perfect Christmas gift idea, why not buy them from one of Manchester’s many record stores and show your support in the process. Here’s some worth browsing…
- Vinyl Exchange, 18 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JN – Visit website.
- Piccadilly Records, 53 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JR – Visit website.
- Vinyl Revival, 5 Hilton Street, Manchester, M4 1LP – Visit website.
- Eastern Bloc Records, 5A Stevenson Sq, Manchester, M1 1DN – Visit website.
- Wilderness Record Store, 9 Egerton Crescent, Manchester, M20 4PN – Visit website.
In the meantime, follow the button below to soundtrack your Christmas shopping with our Winter Warmers Spotify playlist featuring seasonal classics and local bands and artists.
- Words:
- Cat Allan
- Published on:
- Fri 11 Dec 2020
The fourth studio album from pop-rock band The 1975 was released in May this year through Dirty Hit and Polydor records. The 22-track album, produced by the band’s Matt Healy and George Daniels, was preceded by seven singles including Me & You Together Song, The Birthday Party and Guys. Featuring additional vocals from FKA Twigs, Phoebe Bridgers and young environmental activist Greta Thunberg. NOACF debuted at No.1 in the UK Albums Chart – the band’s fourth consecutive album to do so.