Perfect Sound Whatever by James Acaster

Perfect Sound Whatever is a memoir by James Acaster. It is presented as a personal account centred on music and a year-long listening project.

• Memoir by James Acaster
• Described as a love letter to the healing power of music
• Follows an obsessive quest focused on music released in 2016
• Includes accounts of collecting 500 albums
• Contains comic anecdotes from Acaster’s experiences

Beginning in January 2017, Acaster describes waking up heartbroken and alone in New York after his relationship ends, alongside a run of disastrous meetings that leave him questioning his work in comedy. With music as a long-standing comfort, he starts browsing “best of the year” lists and realises that, while 2016 was grim in many ways, it appeared to be an iconic year for music.

He sets himself the task of listening only to music released in 2016, building a collection of 500 albums. Looking back on the obsession, he draws parallels between the music and his own life, including relationship history, the highs and lows of human connection, residual Christian guilt, and mental health issues. The memoir also includes stories such as befouling himself in a Los Angeles steakhouse, stealing a cookie from Clint Eastwood, and giving drunk, unsolicited pep talks to urinating strangers.