December 2017.

On my Christmas Podcast I said I'd list the recommendations here and I haven't yet down that. Sorry. If you'd like to follow up anything please email me; there's a link on the homepage.

My first discovery of the month is Aldous Harding's brilliant record Party. Like, perhaps, Anthony/Anhoni or maybe Kate Bush, Harding's voice is an acquired taste but the songs are so strong and so multi-layered that you'll find yourself playing this on repeat. Jim James' new record Tribute to 2 is great as is the new Belle and Sebastian EP which, I think, is the first part of a trilogy of records that will, I assume, go on to feature on an album. There's a new collection of reggae from the 1970s and early '80s out called Doing Our Thing which I love, too.

I've just seen Paddington 2. Everyone I know -of whatever age- is raving about this. It's brilliant; part homage to Wes Andersen, part meditation on the value of optimism and kindness and very funny, warm, stylish and rich to boot.