the bes t ne w Music

POLITICS, GOSPEL, THRASH AND BLUES – THIS MONTH’S CHOICES ARE AS ECLECTIC AS A BAG OF PICK-A-MIX

01 Ben Abra ham: Sirens

Gorgeous, melodic, a bit Mumford & Sons and a bit Andy Burrows, Ben Abraham’s debut long-player is as close to perfection as you could hope for. Haunting opener Sirens unfurls an album packed with majesty, love and honesty, especially songs To Love

Someone, She, Collide and This Is On Me. A soul-stirrer of a debut.

02 Kan ye Wes t: Wa ves

The king of modesty is back with a three-act album that doffs its cap to Otis Redding, Mobb Deep and Larry Graham. Featuring collaborations with Kendrick Lamar ( No More Parties In L. A.) and Ty Dolla $ign ( Real Friends), the avantgarde Waves packs some defined hip-hop muscle, with n-bombs and Kanye-style preaching aplenty.

03 Anthra x: For All Kings

Politics also makes its way into the 11th studio LP from thrash stalwarts Anthrax, with lyrics to Evil Twin examining the Charlie Hebdo attacks, and For All Kings beseeching us to become masters of our own destinies. There’s plenty of thrash guitar here, and Joey Belladonna’s vocals stand up all these years on.

04 Ma tt Andersen : Hones t Man

Award-winning singer/ guitarist Andersen serves up a righteous slab of politically charged blues-roots. Produced by Commissioner Gordon (Amy Winehouse), he lets loose his soulful gospel voice on Let’s Get Back and

All The Way, with piano taking centre stage on the ballad I’m Giving In.