The Most Prestigious Music Award In The Whole Of Internal Audit…

2025

Dave

Sharon Van Etten And The Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten

I have had this on regular play since it came out, really strong album and think it’s my favourite one of the year.

All That Is Over by Sprints

Love sprints, at first didn’t think this was that great but has grown on me and now love it.

The Bad Fire by Mogwai

Had to check this was a 2025 one, was January. Thought this was a return to form, they don’t stray far from the formula but it’s a winning one and good to have them back!

Nebraska 82 by The Boss

Not sure if this is allowed but one of the all time great albums and the collection of newly interpreted/live tracks and remasterings makes it feel like a brand new album.

Lower by Benjamin Booker

One Scott put us onto just a few weeks back, hadn’t heard it before but it’s awesome!

More by Pulp

It’s new Pulp, what’s not to love. It can’t be compared to the glory days but that’s ok, they are older and good to hear Jarvis and his obsession with his number one topic still going strong. 😂

John

• Alan Sparkhawk with Trampled By Turtles by Alan Sparkhawk with Trampled By Turtles
• Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten
• POST ROMANCE by Jadu Heart
• Liminal by Brian Eno & Beatie Wolf
• Here We Go Crazy by Bob Mould

Scott

• Lower by Benjamin Booker
• Sinister Grift by Panda Bear
• Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten
• Horror by Bartees Strange
• Moisturizer by Wet Leg

Matt

Alan Sparkhawk with Trampled By Turtles - Alan Sparkhawk with Trampled By Turtles

After the false start of ‘White Roses, My God’ this was such a welcome return to form. Crucially, it doesn’t try to sound like a Low album (although ‘Not Broken’ comes close). Never been happier that someone produced a great album than when I listened to this. Top tracks: Stranger, Not Broken

Traces - Rhian Sheehan & Arli Liberman

When I first listened to this, I decided it was the soundtrack to a documentary about space and the universe. It turns out to be nothing of the sort, but my mistake turns out to be a reasonable summary of what this sounds like. Epic. Top Tracks: Myths, Immaru (said in a Vic Reeves voice)

Whitby - David Boulter

Him out of Tindersticks’ latest low-key instrumental album about seaside resorts. Sounds like the soundtrack to a black-and-white french film to me but very enjoyable nonetheless. Top Tracks: The Abbey At Sunset, The Cinder Track

19 - Mu-Ziq70

I really liked Mr Mu’s early work (the track ‘Roy Castle’ is outstanding/bonkers) but had lost touch with what he was doing. As such, I gave his latest album a try mostly out of nostalgia. Low-key and low-fi, this album has a real warmth to it that I wouldn’t have predicted. Top Tracks: Houzz 14, Majadahonda At Dawn

Thee Black Boltz - Tunde Adebimpe

Having never paid any attention to TV On The Radio, this was brand new to me in every sense. A really varied collection of songs that (positively) surprised me again and again. Scott gets a gold start for nominating this. Top Tracks: The Most, Magnetic

Songbook - David Ford

Strictly speaking this is a compilation although Ford’s liner notes are at pains to make clear that it’s not a greatest hits album. I am invoking my right to include this as it highlights the talent of one of my all-time favourite artists. Top Tracks: Song For The Road, Every Time

2024

Album Of The Year

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

Dave

• Midas by Wunderhorse
• Post Industrial Hometown Blues by Big Special
• Little Rope by Sleater-Kinney
• People In This City Call You Love by Richard Hawley
• Letter To Self by Sprints
• Iechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones
• Romance by Fontaines DC
• On the Intricate Inner Workings by The Bug Club
• Happiness Bastards by The Black Crowes
• Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

John

• Terrapath by Plantoid
• Instafuzz by Little Barrie, Shawn Lee & Ultrasonic Grand Prix
• Our Brand Could Be Yr Life by BODEGA
• Born Screaming by St Vincent
• Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons
• When Will We Land? by Barry Can’t Swim
• In Waves by Jamie XX
• This Ain’t The Way You Go Out by Lucy Rose
• Hysterical Strength by DEADLETTER
• Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

Scott

• Iechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones
• People In This City Call You Love by Richard Hawley
• A La Sala by Khruangbin
• We Don’t Care About That by The Bug Club
• Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend
• Romance by Fontaines DC
• Post Industrial Blues by Big Special
• Letter To Self by Sprints
• Sadness Sets Me Free by Gruff Rhys
• Where’s My Utopia? by Yard Act
• Patterns In Repeat by Laura Marling
• Daniel by Real Estate
• When Will We Land? by Barry Can’t Swim
• Loss of Life by MGMT
• In Waves by Jamie XX
• Ten Days by Fred Again
• Five Dices All Threes by Bright Eyes
• Little Rope by Sleater-Kinney

Matt

• Xerrox Vol. 5 by Alva Noto
• People In This City Call You Love by Richard Hawley
• Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal
• Songs of Silence by Vince Clarke
• Soft Tissue by Tindersticks
• St Ann’s by David Boulter
• Resuscitate! by Bill Callahan
• Philip Glass Solo by Philip Glass
• Dune Part Two OST by Hans Zimmer
• Locked Down & Stripped Back by The Wedding Present (both volumes)