David Holmes is best known these days as a composer for film and TV, having worked on many Steven Soderbergh projects over the last 25 years and the hit series Killing Eve, among many other credits. But he came up as a DJ during ’90s rave and trip hop and has made solo albums, often featuring famous guest vocalists, throughout his career, and he’s reinvigorated his pop/rock lately. For the past few years he’s led noir pop group Unloved, who featured prominently on the soundtrack of Killing Eve (which he curated and scored); he also released the great album Polychome back in February, and recently released Blind on a Galloping Horse, his first solo album in 15 years, which features vocalist Raven Violet and some of his most fiery, socially conscious songs ever.
We’ve been asking artists to tell us about their favorite albums of the year, and David has given us his Top 10, which includes Swedish psych band Goat, Australian avant-jazz trio The Necks, Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten, Laurel Halo, Jaimie Branch, and more. Read his list and commentary — and listen to Blind on a Galloping Horse — below.
DAVID HOLMES’ TOP 10 ALBUMS of 2023
The Necks – Travel
This album is simply sublime – spiritual , authentic and beautiful – will never tire of this masterpiece.
Goat – Medicine
I’m a longtime fan of Goat – the mystical, psychedelic warriors from Sweden refuse to break their spell of consistently fantastic output
Grian Chatten – Chaos for the Fly
Superb album from the lead singer from Fontaines DC – “All of the People” stopped me in my tracks when i first heard it.
Khidja – Transmissions Part 1 & 2
Love this record! Reach straight for “M&M” and “Do You Know This Record Marius?” Been playing a few tracks out and they’ve been going down a treat! Eastern, tribal and on the right side of strange.
Daniel Ögren – Fastingen 92
Another simply delicious release from the ever so consistent Mr Bongo – file under psychedelic, cinematic pop – stand out track for me is “IDAG” – utterly sublime.
Cosmic Neighbourhood – Gatherings
Raymond Scott & Delia Derbyshire walk into a recording studio…
Alabaster Deplume – Come with Fierce Grace
If there’s a tenor saxophonist in the world that can deliver the profound emotion Alabaster consistently delivers, then please tell me about them.
Laurel Halo – Atlas
This artist never ceases to amaze me! Like an underwater haunted concert hall frequented by friendly ghosts hovering overhead.
Jaimie Branch – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)
When Jaimie tragically passed last year I knew we’d lost a talent of gigantic proportions – she was taking her instrument to places only Miles Davis had previously visited
Lonnie Holley – Oh Me Oh My
I believe in Lonnie Holley – outsider, oddity, revolution, working class – to be making music of this quality at his age is a testament to his life experience and hunger thats lost on so many.
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