M Means Music

Few records define an era of grown-up pop music as Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. It appeared as if from nowhere in February 2002 and was suddenly everywhere. Blending contemporary and traditional, standards and covers, delivered in Jones' warm, disarming tones, Come Away With Me was an immediate hit, a balm in the post 9/11 world of hatred and warfare, something real and tangible in an unreal universe, a best kept secret to share. It seemed so unusual yet so familiar. It offered comfort. But what was this sound and who was it made by?

Released on the 14th of June 2010, Cheese was the debut album of Paul Van Haver, known to the world as Stromae. With his good looks, and bow-tie, he cut a different swathe through the world of dance and hiphop.

Released on Valentine’s Day 2020, The Slow Rush was Tame Impala’s first album in five years, a love letter to the world. That world was about to stumble into the first global pandemic in a century; The Slow Rush acted as a soothing balm.

This week we're discussing Imperial Bedroom, which represents a crossroads for Elvis Costello & The Attractions. Costello’s seventh album, and the sixth with The Attractions, it was released in July 1982, and seemed to be the first time in his five year career where not everyone was hanging on his every word.

Season 2 is here! Released in November 1999, 2001 was Dr. Dre's second album, a much-anticipated follow up to 1992's The Chronic.

Dare!, the third album by The Human League and their first with a new line-up, was released in October 1981. Although it became one of the most loved albums of the 80s, it originated out of desperation.

As so often in their career, Queen created their very own moment with their first greatest hits compilation, which was released worldwide in October 1981. Its release was a celebration of the band’s first decade together.

October, the second album by U2 was released in October 1981. It remains a curious entry to the U2 catalogue and is relatively unloved, especially when compared to the group’s legendary big hitting-stadium-filling albums such as The Joshua Tree or All You Can’t Leave Behind.

The Visitors was Abba’s eighth studio album, released at the very end of November 1981. It is a complex record of contrasting emotions, which for years had the weighty honour of being the group’s final album, a downbeat coda to what had been a scintillating decade of pop.

Dusty In Memphis was Dusty Springfield’s fifth studio album, released in the UK in January 1969. It has become one of the most loved albums in popular music, let alone in her career. But like many great albums, its tale is one of many twists and turns.