Despite the strange year of 2020, the Indie Brit Pop, Alternative and Rock genres have thrived. So let’s round-up our standout top 10 releases.

Blossoms – Foolish loving Spaces.

Foolish Loving Spaces is the third studio album by Stockport natives Blossoms. The album includes singles like; If You Think This Is Real Life and The Keeper. With hints of disco, pop, and vibrant vocals, this ambitious release is definitely a highlight of 2020.

Listen to the full album here.

Gerry Cinnamon – The Bonny

The Bonny was released in April this year and was described by Gerry as ….. Fan favourites Canter and Sun Queen. The album is upbeat guitar-driven but dives into the personal life of the singer-songwriter. He sings about his issues with Insomnia and struggled in the music industry.

Listen to the full album here.

Bombay Bicycle Club Everything Else Has Gone Wrong

Released way back in January this year, Bombay Bicycle Club are refreshingly sweet on Everything Else has Gone Wrong. The title track is a funky buzz of guitar and drums with catchy lyrics. Standout tracks include Eat Sleep-Wake (Nothing But You) and  Do you Feel Love?

Listen to the full album here.

Declan Mckenna – Zeros

Zeros is everything you would expect from a modern 21st-century boy like Declan Mckenna.  Exploring the crisis of the modern world in the form of catchy, emotive and storytelling songs Mckenna excels all expectations on Zeros. The Key To Life On Earth talks about the feeling of being outside in today’s society. Its unbelievably catchy, as is the rest of the album.


Listen to the full album here. 

Haim – Women In Music Pt. III

Possibly the collect women on the planet, 3 piece Haim released Women In Music PT. 111 earlier this year. The beautiful thing about Haim and their music is their ability to make you magically feel the lyrics. A favourite from the album is I Know Alone, melodic vocals on a light pop style beat, it’s stunningly produced just like the rest of the album.

Listen to the full album here. 

The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form

Notes On A Conditional Form is probably the bands most experimental release to date. Country, to 80s pop to guitar-led ballads, there’s a whole mix of sounds. Standout tracks include; Shiny Collarbone which gives the backend of the album a little kick pulling your interest in straight away with its danceable grungy sound and 80’s pop-infused If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) featuring vocals of FKA Twigs.

Listen to the full album here. 

The Courteeners – More Again Forever

Eccentric guitar, vocals that could make you melt, The Courteeners are still on top form after the release of More Again Forever earlier this year. Not only offering tunes like Hanging Off Your Cloud with loving lyrics and blissful piano the band stick true to their banging guitar roots. Gritty yet pretty More Again Forever will be playing on my speakers for a long time.

Listen to the full album here. 

Slow Readers Club – The Joy Of The Return

Arguably the best release Slow Readers Club have put out to date, The Joy Of The Return is a powerful release with deep guitar and impressive songwriting. The album is full of memorable impressive tracks including; Something Missing, Paris and The Wait.

Listen to the full album here. 

Biffy Clyro – A Celebration Of Endings

A Celebration Of Endings is a diverse, entertaining and explosive release that makes you miss the feeling of live music with every track. The 3 piece have an incredible talent to switch between grunge fueled lyrics to sweet emotion-filled music is something fans will admire forever. Some standout tracks from the album are; Cop Syrup, The Champ and North Of No South.

Listen to the full album here. 

Beabadoobee – Fake It Flowers

Beabadoobee (Bea Krists) has had a massive year after going viral on TikTok during lockdown number one, she released her album in October this year. Fake It Flowers sees Bea move on from viral hit Coffee and expand her songwriting and potential. With beautiful guitar, storytelling lyrics and a magical tone Beabadoobee can only get better from here.

Listen to the full album here.

Which releases will you still be listening to in 2021? Let us know @PieRadioUK