Fiona Apple, Fetch The Bolt Cutters (2020)
Lockdown Records. There were a few. This was one of them. An album that arrived while we weren’t going anywhere – beyond daily walks. And an album I spent a lot of time with, since I was inside for most of each day and the stereo was always on and I moved between streaming platforms and video services to get music and concerts and movies and to consumer media – which, come to think of it, is mostly what I’ve always done anyway but yeah, lockdown, it was definitely stepped up a gear. And so into that fray came the new one by Fiona Apple. And I’d be lying if I said I was a Day One Fiona Apple fan. I didn’t quite see the fuss at first but did love some of her songs. And then I got hooked, worked it all out, or listened a bit closer, read some interviews, got the worldview and saw behind the songs  and hear the fragility that was in the songs, that drove them and that drove the person making the songs. I swore I wouldn’t review Bolt Cutters – because everyone was gushing instantly. And rightly too I say. But I didn’t need to be part of that – was happy just cheerleading from the side. I feel the same about the new Dylan album and one or two others; I like leaving a couple of the ‘big’ albums each year unreviewed. I realise the world doesn’t need my thoughts on them too. And if I don’t review them I feel like I get to somehow keep the albums for myself. That’s been the plan with the Apple. Which I’ve only just bought on vinyl. An end of year treat. Didn’t buy many brand new 2020-released albums. This is one of two or three only I’d say. But had to have it eventually. And glad to have bought this lockdown album in the lockdown year. I really think it’s going to reveal more and more through the coming years. A deep record. So much in it.

Sample Track: Shameika
The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown