When the comic’s life fell apart, he sought solace in the
music of 2016. He discusses the songs that saved his life
James Acaster strongly believes that 2016 was The Greatest Year for Music of All Time. If this sounds random, then know that there’s slightly more to the story. Best known for eccentric, meandering standup shows with brilliant titles like Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, and a run of acclaimed
Netflix specials, Acaster had an annus horribilis in 2017. Over 12 months, he broke up with his girlfriend, parted ways with his agent, and his mental health suffered, all while the world seemed to be imploding with Trump,
Brexit and wall-to-wall celebrity deaths. And so, naturally, Acaster decided to invest in no less than 366 albums from the year before, kickstarting what he describes in his new book as “a mild distraction [which] gradually grew into an obsession that ultimately changed my life”. Perfect Sound Whatever, out now, is the tale of Acaster’s new record collection, his personal challenges, and how he made it through to the other side. Here he selects five songs that saved his life, from skittish Japanese electronica to yodelling. Music to make you “love … or laugh”.