But first, I'd like to list off a few honorable mentions. These were good albums that I enjoyed, that didn't quite make the final cut.
- Neneh Cherry- Blank Project (Smalltown Supersound): Soul/Electronic/R&B
- Timber Timbre- Hot Dreams (Arts & Crafts): Folk/Americana
- F(x)- Red Light (S.M. Entertainment): K-pop
- Sturgill Simpson-Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (Hight-Top Mountain): Country
- Impetuous Ritual- Unholy Congregation of Hypocritical Ambivalence (Profound Lore Records): Death Metal
- Sleaford Mods-Divide and Exit (Harbinger Sound): Post-punk
- Alvvays- Alvvays (Polyvinyl): Dream-pop/Indie Rock
- La Dispute- Rooms of the House (Better Living): Post-hardcore/Screamo
Now on to the ranked list!
100. Protomartyr- Under Color of Official Right
(Hardly Art): Post-Punk
Track to listen to: Scum, Rise!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsSBZ1mpQpI
99. Fennesz- Bécs
(Editions Migo): Ambient/Electronic
Track to listen to: Static Kings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94NovNFG5lA
98. Ex Hex- Rips
(Merge Records): Garage Rock/Indie Rock
Track to listen to: Waterfall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AxIA4042WA
97. Joyce Manor- Never Hungover Again
(Epitaph): Pop Punk/Emo
Track to listen to: Christmas Card
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAFjhUuWkfw
96. Isaiah Rashad- Cilvia Demo
(Top Dawg Entertainment): Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: Ronnie Drake (ft. SZA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=difm6gSJl9w
95. BADBADNOTGOOD- III
(Innovative Leisure): Jazz Fusion/Instrumental Hip-Hop
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Track to listen to: Can't Leave the Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caY0MEok19I
94. Shabazz Palaces- Lese Majesty
(Sub Pop): Experimental Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: #Cake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDRPf8KHawY
93. The Hotelier- Home, Like NoPlace is There
(Tiny Engines): Emo
Track to listen to: Among the Wildflowers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51h9hFI66Hc
92. Botanist- VI: Flora
(The Flenser): Black Metal/Shoegaze
Track to listen to: Stargazer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoHrXaOS4KM
91. Arca- Xen
(Mute Records): Electronic/Glitch
Track to listen to: Now You Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIaNV2MsUMA
90. Schoolboy Q- Oxymoron
(Top Dawg Entertainment): West Coast Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: Break the Bank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc-Vqcud32I
89. Julian Casablancas + The Voidz- Tyranny
(Cult Records): Noise Pop/Experimental Rock/Synthpunk
Track to listen to: Where No Eagles Fly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYRt2rEAcyU
88. Ricky Eat Acid- Three Love Songs
(Orchid Tapes): Ambient
Track to listen to: I Can Hear the Heart Breaking as One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dy04fWE1KY
87. Strand of Oaks- HEAL
(Dead Oceans): Folk Rock/Indie Rock
Track to listen to: Shut In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7FPl36EmYw
86. Mr Twin Sister- Mr Twin Sister
(Infinite Best): Indie Pop/Dream Pop
Track to listen to: Blush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk4P03R3Hts
85. Krieg- Transient
(Candlelight Records)- Black Metal
Track to listen to: Ruin Our Lives
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C6c-Rs2h0s
84. Liars- Mess
(Mute Records): Experimental Rock/Electronic Dance
Track to listen to: Mess on a Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbrNt-dMDsY
83. Frankie Cosmos- Zentropy
(Double Double Whammy)- Indie Pop
Track to listen to: Art School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6cZFxFJl0E
82. Open Mike Eagle- Dark Comedy
(Mellow Music Group): Alternative Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: Qualifiers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJvdydts5pM
81. Parquet Courts- Sunbathing Animal
(What's Your Rupture?): Punk Rock/Indie Rock
Track to listen to: Sunbathing Animal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhPOZXLmTKA
80. Tinariwen- Emmaar
(Anti): World/Blues Rock/Tishoumaren
Track to listen to: Toumast Tincha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFtmB2U3Clo
79. Scott Walker + Sunn 0)))- Soused
(4AD): Experimental/Dark Ambient/Drone
Track to listen to: Brando
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_NIop72vis
78. Lykke Li- I Never Learn
(Atlantic): Singer-Songwriter/Chamber Pop
Track to listen to: No Rest for the Wicked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-0y8Qe0Sw
77. EMA- The Future's Void
(Matador Records): Folk-Noise/Singer-Songwriter
Track to listen to: Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvV1eYRKRNY
76. Hundred Waters- The Moon Rang Like a Bell
(OWSLA): Folk/Electronica
Track to listen to: Murmurs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-8Oa2t4Ro
75. Rich Gang- The Tour Part 1
(Self-released): Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: Freestyle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnLjgN6E2VU
74. Raspberry Bulbs- Privacy
(Blackest Ever Black): Punk Rock/Black Metal
Track to listen to: Lionhead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAk0gFt2z2Y
73. Perfume Genius- Too Bright
(Matador Records): Singer-songwriter/Art pop
Track to listen to: Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7OSSUwPVM4
72. Yob- Clearing the Path to Ascend
(Neurot Recordings): Stoner Metal/Doom Metal
Track to listen to: In Our Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viatji__YX8
71. Owen Pallett- In Conflict
(Domino Records): Baroque Pop/Chamber Pop
Track to listen to: The Riverbed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt8wR8CagQo
70. Tombs- Savage Gold
(Relapse Records)- Post-Metal
Track to listen to: Edge of Darkness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFZYWKgK2bk
69. Carla Bozlulich- Boy
(Constellation Records): Avant-Garde/Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Track to listen to: Gonna Stop Killing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBDU74OcmX4
68. Fear of Men- Loom
(Kanine Records): Dream Pop
Track to listen to: Luna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgqbXMIiGac
67. Total Control- Typical System
(Iron Lung): Post-Punk/New Wave
Track to listen to: Flesh War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=883MXoIN0Vk
66. Cymbals Eat Guitars- LOSE
(Barsuk Records): Indie Rock
Track to listen to: Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHSIHm3Zjr8
65. Shellac- Dude Incredible
(Touch and Go): Math Rock/Post-Hardcore
Track to listen to: Riding Bikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAX8pyioL-U
64. Ratking- So It Goes
(XL Recordings): Experimental Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: Canal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAWzCmkJqpc
63. Angel Olsen- Burn Your Fire for No Witness
(Jagjaguwar): Folk Rock/Lo-fi/Singer-Songwriter
Track to listen to: Windows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CQSOoFlaxI
62. Nux Vomica- Nux Vomica
(Relapse Records): Melodic Death Metal/Crust
Track to listen to: Choked at the Roots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rlnj58Xgx4
61. White Suns- Totem
(The Flenser): Noise Rock/Harsh Noise
Track to listen to: Carrion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5sMpu6DX0Y
60. Apathy- Connecticut Casual
(Self-released): East Coast Hip-Hop/Underground Hip-Hop
Track to listen to: The Curse of the Kennedys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JtUaNidwwg
59. Adult Jazz- Gist Is
(Spare Thought): Art Rock/Indie Rock
Track to listen to: Springful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-JzH9uTLnA
58. The Wytches- Annable Dream Reader
(Partisan): Horror Punk/Surf Rock/Psychedelic Rock
Track to listen to: Gravedweller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdp3NvKyUi0
57. Future Islands- Singles
(4AD)- Synthpop/Indie Pop
Track to listen to: Seasons (Waiting on You)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Ae-LhMIG0
*Song of the year? Perhaps so.
56. Damien Jurado- Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Sun
(Secretly Canadien): Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Track to listen to: Silver Timothy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4sQz6Y5g88
55. Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra- **** Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything
(Constellation Records): Post-Rock/Art Rock/Experimental Rock
Track to listen to: What We Loved was not Enough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1aP_CEq44
54. Thantifaxath- Sacred White Noise
(Dark Descent Records): Black Metal/Progressive Metal
Track to listen to: The Bright White Nothing at the End of the Tunnel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1gM-0zaltQ
53. Matthew Shipp- I've Been to Many Places
(Thirsty Ear): Free Jazz/Avant-Garde Jazz
Track to listen to: Summertime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMg3CM15zBU
52. Wovenhand- Refractory Obdurate
(Glitterhouse Records/Deathwish Inc): Alternative Country/Neofolk
Track to listen to: Hiss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYKyhDw4mvM
51. Hookworms- Hum
(Weird World/Domino Records): Psychedelic Rock/Noise Rock
Track to listen to: Radio Tokyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMmmx1x-bN4
50. Spoon- They Want My Soul
(Loma Vista): Indie Rock/Pop Rock
Texas based rock band Spoon return for their seventh studio album. Spoon has had a very consistent discography since 1996 and have never really disappointed, and They Want My Soul is no exception. Nothing entirely innovative is apparent on this album, but Spoon delivers a well-produced, concise rock and pop records. They Want My Soul is one of the most fun and enjoyable indie rock records you'll hear all year.
Track to listen to: Do You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd6aXM8WHGw
49. Dean Blunt- Black Metal
(Rough Trade): Experimental/Art Pop/Psychedelic
Dean Blunt is hard to describe because he is such a bizarre songwriter. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't crazy about his 2013 release, The Redeemer, but this year he put out something far more intriguing and strange. It is interesting that he named this album after a genre of music that this musicis far from resembling. I think that plays into what Blunt is all about. He does not want his music to be put into a box, but to be free to experiment in any way he feels fit. Black Metal is a bizarre but wonderfully composed look into the mind of Dean Blunt.
Track to listen to: 50 Cent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfwPziK-SA
48. Lil Herb- Welcome to Fazoland
(Self-released): Hip-Hop/Drill/Trap-Rap
Lil Herb is one of many MCs in the prominent Chicago drill scene among company such as Chief Keef, Young Chop, and Lil Durk. These rappers use hard-hitting tap beats and overall aggressive production styles in their music. What makes Lil Herb stand out is his self-aware and conscious lyrical abilities. This album provides commentary on the unfortunate violence and murder rate Chicago is infamous for. Welcome to Fazoland is one of the more impressive mixtapes of the year.
Track to listen to: 4 Minutes of Hell Pt. 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHQ4y-ppSZ0
47. Mac DeMarco- Salad Days
(Captured Tracks): Jangle Pop
British Colombia songwriter Mac DeMarco is well known for his eccentric and humorous personality. If he know him for his interviews and other similar appearances, you might be surprised to hear how intimate and personal these jangly pop tracks are. Although his personality can be found on this record, what you really get is a warm, reverb-soaked, and relaxed half hour indie pop record that aesthetically pleasing and wonderfully low-key.
Track to listen to: Blue Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR_R1kt4V54
46. Gridlink- Longhena
(Selfmadegod Records): Technical Grindcore
Longhena is far more melodic and progressive than one would ever expect grindcore music to be. That is what makes Gridlink stand out the most. With guitars that often explore their higher register, this album may not be as gluttural as many grindcore albums tend to be. However, Gridlink is absolutely relentless with their delivery of of this brief 21 minute release. This is an intense and and non-stop grindcore record.
Track to listen to: Katsui
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBfQN6kgs2o
45. Busdriver- Perfect Hair
(Big Dada): Underground Hip-Hop/Alternative Hip-Hop
Los Angeles rapper Busdriver has been successful since 2000 in releasing very abstract and adventurous hip-hop music in the underground scene. The production on this thing is intriguing and unorthodox. Regan Farquhar ventures into unique and exploratory lyrical topics on his 10th studio album. Busdriver continues putting out fantastic, interesting, and unconventional hip-hop records.
Track to listen to: Colonize the Moon ft. Pegasus Warning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yKL9_J9rbE
44. How to Dress Well- What is this Heart?
(Weird World): Experimental R&B/Ambient
Tom Krell has quickly become one of the most praised artists in alternative R&B today. On his third studio album, Krell may have put out his most interesting work yet. What is this Heart? is an emmersive and intimate listening experience, full of glitchy ambient production and heartful and ernest singing from Krell. This record is a beautiful and well-composed example of contemporary R&B music.
Track to listen to: Childhood Faith in Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1y3gJGZxKk
43. The Antlers- Familiars
(Anti-): Post-Rock/Indie-Folk/Dream Pop
The Antlers have already cemented themselves as one of the indie rock elites with their previous four LPs. Their 2009 release, Hospice, is a personal favorite of mine and one of the most heartbreaking and emotionally drenching albums you'll ever hear. Although Familiars isn't their most compelling record to date, the Antlers continue to show their ability to write gorgeous, coherent, and emotionally charged records.
Track to listen to: Hotel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynkp1VHwbHg
42. Wild Beasts- Present Tense
(Domino Records): Art Rock/Synthpop
On the UK based band's fourth studio album, Wild Beasts venture into electronic and synthetic sounds more than they have ever had in the past. Wild Beasts continue their artful and soulful songwriting techniques with very colorful and vibrant tracks throughout this LP. They deliver catchy hooks and bold lyricism that mixes perfectly to produce this impressive record.
Track to listen to: Mecca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCJ7_NPtNEo
41. Jenny Hval and Susanna- Meshes of Voice
(SusannaSonata): Art Pop/Experimental/Singer-Songwriter
Two Norwegian songwriters, Jenny Hval and Susanna Wallumrød, collaborate on this dark and subtle art pop record. Jenny Hval is known for her primitive and abstract textures while Wallumrød creates lush and relaxed harp compositions. As far off as these two artists musical directions go, they complement each other beautifully on these ambient and abstract tracks. Meshes of Voice with all of it's abrasive aesthetic qualities, is a compelling listen.
Track to listen to: I Have Walked This Body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNTB-lJWhI
40. Ben Frost- A U R O R A
(Mute Records): Electronic/Industrial/Ambient
Ben Frost is an experimental electronic composer hailing out of Australia. On his latest output, A U R O R A, Frost puts togethers brash and large electronic textures yet with a touch of minimalism. Grating textures reminiscent of industrial music find their way weaved in to these tracks with a touch of dark ambient music. There are abrasive moments as well as really beautiful and sometimes downright epic climactic moments. Ben Frost delivers one of the more captivating electronic records of the year.
Track to listen to: Secant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvOqTJBXdBc
39. Pharmakon- Bestial Burden
(Sacred Bones): Power Electronics/Industrial/Noise
Power Electronics may be one of the most abrasive and difficult genres to listen to in the music world today. Margaret Cardiet creates scathing sounds full of disturbed screeches and ear-piercing sounds. Bestial Burden is not a fun record, and for most it's not the least bit enjoyable. However, for those who are familiar with challenging album, such as what the Knife put out this year, there is much to appreciate with the messages this record conveys. This is not for casual music listeners, but for those who can appreciate the artistic nature of Cardiet's music, this is a worthwhile experience.
Track to listen to: Body Betrays Itself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i-Klr2ea-o
38. Triptykon- Melana Chasmata
(Century Media Records): Gothic Metal/Doom Metal
Despair, depression, and hurt are typical lyrical topics in gothic metal, but it rarely comes as genuine and real as it does on Triptykon's 2014 release, Melana Chasmata. These tracks are crushing and heavy, yet mournful and enticing. The instrumentation is well-orchestrated and the lyrics from Tom G. Warrior are truly a highlight. Beautifully haunting melodies and motifs find their way throughout the entire of this hour long LP. Excellent musicianship is everywhere to be found of this metal highlight of the year.
Track to listen to: Aurorae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmyWeOvF_Sg
37. Mick Jenkins- The Water[s]
(Self-released): Conscious Hip-Hop/Cloud Rap
Water is the mot vital element in human existence and absolutely necessary for survival. Chicago hip-hop artist explores these topics both instrumentally and lyrically. His rhymes are very philosophical as he looks at water in every possible angle. It's a very interesting concept for a musical endeavor. Production wise, the beats are not aggressive. They are more emmersive and ethereal than anything. Mick Jenkins delivers a very enjoyable product with this free mixtape that I find myself revisiting multiple times.
Track to listen to: Jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-4KiszXxHM
36. tUnE-yArDs- Nikki Nack
(4AD): Worldbeat/Indie pop
Songwriter Merrill Garbus has quite the interest in African-inspired percussion music. You can hear those inspirations lavished throughout this indie pop record. Nikki Nack, is an eccentric pop album full of infectious rhythms and undeniably catchy hooks. Her voice and the instrumentation on this record is spot on. This third album in tUnE-yArDs discography is one of the most unique and fun pop albums this year has to offer.
Track to know: Water Fountain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbiFcPhccu8
35. White Lung- Deep Fantasy
(Domino Records): Punk Rock
This Canadian band's third LP has everything you could want in a punk record. These tracks have that aggressive ferocity that you'd expect from ferocity. However, I wouldn't say they take it to the extent of a band like Off! or Minor Threat, and in fact have a bit more of a melodic approach. Mish Way's vocals and lyrics have that riot grrrl! flair and the instrumentation is quite consistently on point. This album never loses its energy.
Track to listen to: Face Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUIaj338JoE
34. Clipping- cLPPNG
(Sub Pop): Industrial Hip-Hop/Experimental Hip-Hop
The hip-hop outfit Clipping combine elements of noise and industrial laced over these hip-hop bangers. These guys experiment with really glitchy soundscapes to create abrasive (but not overwhelmingly so) environments. cLLPNG finds a perfect balance of violent aggression and catchiness that isn't found often. There are some very absurd and dark storytelling on these tracks, especially on the track "Body and Blood". Clipping deliver a very interest take on the current noisy hip-hop trend.
Track to listen to: Body and Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZAPtFRpuu8
33. Clark- Clark
(Warp Records): IDM, Ambient, Techno
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English electronic composer Chris Clark combines multiples genres of electronic music to form his own unique sound. His new self-titled album is mesmerizing and atmospheric take on underground electronic ideas. Clark composes impressive soundscapes and bold ideas in this 45 minute sonic experience. Great melodic ideas over carefully crafted rhythm make for a fantastic electronic record.
Track to listen to: Unfurla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWjKI7Pbgso
32. Leon Vynehall- Music for the Uninvited
(3024): House/Ambient/Electronic
Perhaps this LP was a bit overlooked by the electronic community. This British producer finds a way to take the ideas of house music and make them fresh and exciting. These danceable rhythms never grow stale and he finds ways to keep this record surprising and motivating. Vynehall finds a number of unique sources to pull samples from. The melodies and beats on this record are simply irresistible.
Track to listen to: It's Just (House of Dupree)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpIrFglZfQU
31. Godflesh- A World Lit Only By Fire
(Avalanche): Industrial Metal
Industrial metal forefunners Godflesh have returned for their first LP in over 10 years. Heavy and thick guitars find their way over electronic infused drums. Deep vocals brutally find themselves over these feedback heavy and dense tracks. Straightforward industrial music has not been prevalent in quite a while, so to see a record like this sounding so excited really makes it stand out. This album is brash, heavy, and full of grit.
Track to listen to: Deadend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95_Mb6uzo0c
30. Behemoth-
(Nuclear Blast): Blackened Death Metal
Anyone who knows anything about extreme metal music is very familiar with the music of famed Polis outfit Behemoth, who have been making music since the early 90s. I remember one day when I was in middle school when one of my teachers had the class work on a project and pulled a select few students to join him in his office to listen to the new Behemoth album at the time. The band's 10th studio album is ambitious and memorable. The musicianship and vocals heavy, dark, and spectacular. There is really nothing negative I have to say about this record.
Track to listen to: Ludzie Wschodu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XRrNxGTIYQ
29. Pallbearer- Foundations of Burden
(Profound Lore): Traditional Doom Metal
This Arkansas based doom metal outfit follow up their successful 2012 LP Sorrow and Extinction with an even better and ambitious record. The riffs are delicately mournful and crushing but with a surprising amount of melody. The vocals are haunting and depressed. Yes, this is a heavy and intense record, but there is also an amount of beauty to be found. All in all, it's the great songwriting that makes this record such a highlight.
Track to know: The Ghost I Used to Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTTt-ikVJSk
28. Ought- More Than Any Other Day
(Constellation Records): Post-Punk
Montreal based post-punk outfit come together to put out a fantastic debut record. These tracks, heavily influenced by post-punk greats such as Slint, are engaging and interesting. The tracks are often disjointed and intricate. There are slow-building and cerebral moments as well as well composed, fast-paced head-banging sections. The songwriting here is impressive and fun to listen to. I'm excited to see how this band follows More Than Any Other Day up in the future.
Track to listen to: Today More Than Any Other Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpqQRDaaNI0
27. A Sunny Day in Glasgow- Sea When Absent
(Lefse): Shoegaze/Noise Pop
Reverb soaked and noisy pop music is definitely nothing new in the music world, but this Philadelphia (primarily) outfit's ability to write great song truly sets them apart. Like predecessors such as My Bloody Valentine, A Sunny Day in Glassgow covers great melodies and instrumentation behind walls of lush reverb and soundscapes in in a beautiful, captivating way. Like I have said with other great shoegaze albums, the appeal of music like this is the reward active listening gives. The catchy hooks aren't just spoon fed to you, but instead meant to be discovered.
Track to listen to: In Love With Useless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHOSVjjy4qA
26. Andy Stott- Faith in Strangers
(Modern Love):Ambient/Trap/Post-Dub
UK Electronic producer with his fourth studio album and the follow up to the fantastic 2012 release, Luxury Problems. This slow building record incorporates the same primitive elements Andy Stott has experienced in the past, and adds new elements such as trap. This ambient and post-dubstep textures are immense and cacophonous. These is a lot of disjointed feedack, in which Stott never really allows any resolution. Overall, this sonic primitive style is very unique and invigorating when it is hard for electronic musicians to really find their own place.
Track to know: Violence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbnG4AcAqkA
25. Have a Nice Life- The Unnatural World
(The Flenser): Drone/Post-Rock/Shoegaze/Post-Punk
Have a Nice Life return with their second studio album and the follow up to their 2008 cult favorite, Deathconsciousness. This album is significantly shorter than their first LP, but is still ambitious and full of dark, heavy experimentation. Dark droning effects find their way over these indie-rockish songs, which is really the band's trademark sound. There are more post-punk like tracks on this LP that have the same haunting feel you would find on a Bauhaus or a This Heat record, but underneath a wall of feedback and effects. All in all, this is far from a disappointing sophomore album.
Track to listen to: Defenestration Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4RBHCsLLI8
24. United Nations- The Next Four Years
(Temporary Residence): Screamo/Hardcore Punk/Powerviolence
This powerviolence outfit is headed up by ex-Thursday vocalist Geoff Rickly and initially was formed with an all star cast of members from Converge and Glassjaw. These tracks are much heaving and chaotic than anything Rickly was involved with in his time with Thursday. These aggressively political punk tracks are relentless and brutal. These guys must of been listening to a lot of black metal as well, as similar shrieks and dark tremolo guitars find their way in the mix quite often. This was one of the more surprising records of the year for me.
Track to listen to: Serious Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XymOhXekVu0
23. Uncommon Nasa- New York Telephone
(Uncommon Records): Underground Hip-Hop/Abstract Hip-Hop
New York underground rapper Uncommon Nasa is one of the more progressive hip-hop artists in the underground scene. His almost bizarre choices of beats add to this abstract and unorthodox approach that Uncommon Nasa is going for. Nasa explores lyrical topics dealing with personal struggles and stories. This unique samples, nice flow, and good lyricism is what makes this a must-hear hip-hop album.
Track to listen to: DestiNY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J3LeAMLakE
22. Thou- Heathen
(Gilead Media): Sludge Metal/Doom Metal
Baton Rouge based metal band put out their fourth LP, an excellent mix of sludge and doom. This record is as crushing as you could want a doom metal record to sound, with a raw and lo-fi production quality to go on top of it. The vocals are throaty and haunted, adding a more primitive dimension to this mournful collection of brutal metal tracks. These guys are in no rush, as multiple songs are 10+ minutes in length. Heathen is one of the purest and most gripping doom metal records of 2014.
Track to listen to: Free Will
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPGhVNYAO48
21. Cloud Nothings- Here and Nowhere Else
(Carpark Records): Post-Hardcore/Emo/Indie Rock
Cloud Nothings, an Ohio based band, follow up their 2012 release, Attack on Memory, with an album that is just as fun, energetic, and well-written. These guys mix elements of punk, pop punk, emo, indie rock, and even some noise elements for a playful but relatively heavy rock sound. There are songs with memorable hooks, as well as noisier and more chaotic selections. All in all, Cloud Nothings keeps their hot streak going with great songwriting combined with an addictive youthful angst.
Track to listen to: Now Hear In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqd3P0Jy58w
20. Lydia Ainsworth- Right From Reel
(Arbutus): Experimental Pop
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Right From Real is technically two EPs from earlier combined into this one singular package. However, this release really serves as Ainsworth's proper debut record. These synth heavy pop tracks are beautifully orchestrated with a chilling aesthetic overarching the entire thing. There are more orchestral and classically based tracks on this record, similar to the works of Julia Holter. These majestic art pop and slightly avant-garde compositions are subtle and powerful at the same time.
Track to listen to: Malachite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNjTDxfRPQ8
19. Flying Lotus- You're Dead!
(Warp Records): IDM/Jazz Fusion/Left-Field Hip-Hip
Famed producer has always had a love for jazz music, but it has never been more apparent than on his lated LP You're Dead. This brief jazzy electronic album is pieced together by brief musical ideas that flow right into each other as a very cohesive experience. There are a number of significant features on this album, most notably by Kendrick Lamar. When I saw FlyLo earlier this year, he gave one of the most dynamic and powerful live experiences I had ever been apart of. Flying Lotus further proves why he is one oft he most important names in modern electronic music.
Track to Know: Never Catch Me ft. Kendrick Lamar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXD0vv-ds8
18. Todd Terje- It's Album Time
(Olsen): Nu-Disco/Synth-Funk
Let's take some disco, some elevator music, and some cheesy bar jazz music and combine with any other boring and uncool elements we could think of. That is exactly what Todd Terje did on his debut full-length, but somehow made it shockingly interesting and exciting. This is definitely a successful attempt to reinterpret music from past decades in a retrospective sense. The music here is definitely not something people are making often today, but Terje doesn't seem to care. This is an extremely detailed, fun, and intricate listen.
Track to listen to: Inspector Norse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHiqPG0526U
17. Sharon Van Etten- Are We There
(Jagjaguwar): Indie Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Are We There, a metaphor for the journey of life in which it's human nature to never be satisfied with their current state. This is an idea that New York songwriter Sharon Van Etten explores on her fourth full-length album. These delicate and gentle instrumental backdrops are perfectly entrancing. Sharon Van Etten's voice is light yet packs a powerful punch. These folk tracks are moving and musically as well as very emotional in a lyrical sense. Are We There is an elite singer-songwriter album of this year.
Track to listen to: Taking Chances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-_CpH07QQ
16. St. Vincent- St. Vincent
(4AD): Indie Rock/Indie Pop
It has been an enormous year for Indie's most iconic female. If you just need one thing to put it into perspective, she performed with Nirvana this year in place of Kurt Cobain at the Rock and Roll hall of Fame induction. On her fourth studio album, Annie Clark writes some of her strangest and most adventurous material to date. On this album, St. Vincent walks the line of organic humanity and robotic stiffness. At times you can't tell if you're listening to a rock song or music made by a computer hard drive. Add on top of this, the guitar playing, strange as it is, is incredible. These edgy art-pop songs flow perfectly with though-provoking lyricism for one of the early highlights of 2014.
Track to listen to: Digital Witness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVAxUMuhz98
15. Wildbirds and Peacedrums- Rhythm
(Leaf Label): Art Pop/Experimental Pop
On their fourth LP, this Swedish husband and wife duo continue to put out their unique blend of minimal art pop. Most of their compositions feature just vocals and percussion, both performed fantastically. There is a primitive aesthetic to this but also an ethereal expanse throughout its entirety. These percussion rhythms are irresistibly and intricately composed. This album is vocally and lyrically interesting as well. This is a minimal, yet eccentric and tangible record.
Track to listen: The Offbeat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdFprpSURw
14. Ariel Pink- pom pom
(4AD): Psychedelic Pop/Avant-Garde Pop/Indie Pop/New Wave
Musical oddball Ariel Pink has been making absurd and eccentric pop music for years now. Ariel Pink writes fun and often humorous pop songs that are strange, but wonderfully written. Ariel Pink is fully enjoying himself, even though there is a lot of serious tonality to be found if you read into the lyrics. There is a satirical element to this record as well. He takes the ideas of current state of pop music and makes them more interesting and more unique. Even though there is plenty of variety on this record, it is still a cohesive listen. Ariel Pink continues to deliver odd, lo-fi pop magic.
Track to listen to: Put Your Number in My Phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYoQ6WLuMq4
13. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib- Piñata
(Madlib Invazion): Underground Hip-Hop/Gangsta Rap
Gary, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs had been making a significant amount of noise as of recently with his mixtapes and features, such as his guest appearance on Danny Brown's album last year. Now, Gibbs has teamed up with legendary hip-hop producer Madlib who has produced some of the most essential underground hip-hop releases, most notably with Madvillian. This album has a bit of a 90's hip-hop feel. Gibbs is aggressive in his flow and his storytelling. Each instrumental is exciting and bold. This is a hard-hitting, conscious, and powerful hip-hop album. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib team up for one of best hip-hop records of 2014.
Track to listen to: Lakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLGrwLIs8cQ
12. Caribou- Our Love
(Merge): IDM/House/Dance-Pop/Chillwave
Our Love, the sixth album that Dan Snaith has released under the name Caribou. This is following up his stellar 2014 release Swim. Our Love is a very instropective electronic release, full of ideas dealing wth the struggles of love and relationship. This record from the Canadian producer is full of grooving synth and subtle vocal delivery. A highlight is on "Second Chance" a song that features a wonderful female guest vocal appearance that wouldn't be too out of place in any R&B record. Caribou returns with a more immediate, but still deeply detailed and impactful record.
Track to listen to: Our Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMwgcRByA8Y
11. Panopticon- Roads to the North
(Bindrune Recordings): Black Metal/Folk Metal/......Bluegrass?
Panopticon is a one man metal project hailing out of Kentucky by name of Austin Lunn. What is so unique about this record is its incorporation of American folk instrumentation. There are fiddles and banjos, as well as horns and other instrumentation laced throughout this LP, combined with the traditional metal instruments. Every instrument is wonderfully performed and orchestrated, and even more impressive is Lunn performs everything himself. This record is wonderfully produced, and for every brutal and intense moment, there is a melodic and gorgeous moment as well. There are instrumental interludes on this thing that are pure bluegrass jam sessions, and they somehow work great and never mess up the flow of the album. If you have never been able to get into extreme metal, this incredibly ambitious project might be something catches your interest.
Track to listen to: The Echoes of a Disharmonic Evensong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE2XifJddXI
10. Indian- From All
Purity
(Relapse Records): Sludge Metal/Doom Metal/Noise
Chicago based metal outfit Indian came out with their fifth
studio album of front to back sonic hell. On From All Purity, Indian combines sludge and doom metal with
elements of harsh noise. Scathing bass lines and disturbed vocal screeches fit
in place over a wall of bludgeoning feedback. This is my favorite metal album
of 2014, but you should be warned, it is not for the feint of heart.
Track to listen to: Directional
9. Aphex Twin- Syro
(Warp Records): IDM,/Ambient/Drum and Bass
Track to listen to: minipops 67 [120.2][source field mix]
8. The War on Drugs-
Lost in the Dream
(Secretly Canadian): Folk Rock/Americana/Krautrock
Philadelphia rock outfit, The War on Drugs, follow up their
2011 LP Slave Ambient with Lost in the
Dream, an incredibly authentic and intimate blend of American, Folk-rock,
and new wave psychedelia.
Singer-songwriter Adam Granduciel puts together very personal and
emotion filled songs dealing with his personal struggles of depression and loneliness. The music is very retrospective of that of
Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, while improving upon these stylings with lush
and reverb synthesizers and elements of krautrock. Great albums that visit the roots of
heartland music like this while still sounding fresh are becoming increasingly
more rare. Lost in the Dream is a
pure and captivating gem, and one of the best of the year.
Track to listen to: Red Eyes
7. Grouper- Ruins
(Kranky): Ambient/Dream Pop/Psychedelic Folk
Portland based songwriter Liz Harris has been successful in
the past with her unique take on ambient, dream pop, and folk music. Following
up her 2013 LP, The Man Who Died in His
Boat, Harris delivers an even more mesmerizing and consistently great album
in Ruins. This album was recorded in
2011 on a 4-track recorder while Harris was living in a small town in
Portugal. On this record, a significant
presence of field recordings, such as crickets, rain, and even a microwave are
sprinkled over gorgeous piano melodies. Ruins is the soundtrack of
solitude. Harris’ distant and mournful
vocals find themselves toward the back of the mix, as the final piece of this
melancholic and intimate record.
Track to listen to: Holding
6. D’Angelo/The Vanguard- Black
Messiah
(RCA): R&B/Funk/Neo-Soul
Track to listen to: Ain't That Easy
5. Sun Kil Moon- Benji
(Caldo Verde):Folk/Americana/Singer-Songwriter
Music fans might recognize singer-songwriter Mark
Kozelek from the band Red House Painters or previous releases from the Sun Kil
Moon alias. Kozelek writes some of the
most detailed and vivid stories you will ever hear. These songs written over beautiful nylon
string guitar accompaniment are heartbreaking and personal. On “Carissa”, Kozelek tells about his second
cousin who he barely knew dyeing from an exploding aerosol can in a garbage, in
which he makes a trip to attend the funeral.
He puts together retrospective picture of his time with his parents on
songs such “I Can’t Live Without My Mother’s Love” and “I Love My Dad”. Benji
explores the times Kozelek has spent with those close to him, and the eventual
loss of those he loved. If one has a
soul, it is hard not to love this album, as this album is simply a very real
and extraordinary portrait of life itself.
Track to listen to: Carissa
4. Iceage- Plowing
into the Field of Love
(Matador Records): Punk Rock/Post-Punk/Gothic Rock
I had the opportunity of seeing these guys at the Triple
Rock Club in Minneapolis this year. At that show, vocalist Elias Rønnenfelt
jumped in the crowd and snatched two cell phones from audience members texting
during the set. As pretentious as it comes across, that simply seems to be the
attitude that this abrasive and distressed punk band from Copenhagen, Denmark
embodies. On their third LP, Iceage takes a left turn in their instrumentation,
inviting pianos, acoustic guitars, and horns into the mix. Yes, this album is
gentler and less chaotic than their previous outputs, but it still finds a way
to keep that dark, aggressive, and sinister vibe that has built Iceage’s fan
base. Lyrically, Iceage still explores topics of depression. Plowing into the Field of Love is the
most ambitious and experimental release in this bands career.
3. Run the Jewels-
Run the Jewels 2
(Mass Appeal): Underground Hip-Hop
El-P and Killer Mike are both significant icons in the
underground hip-hop community, and now collaborate under the name Run the
Jewels. This second LP from the duo is timed perfectly, being released exactly
a month before the decision to not indict Daren Wilson. Killer Mike, being one
of the most outspoken artists in regards to the Ferguson incidents raps, “I
love Dr. King but violence might be necessary,” and later on the same track
“You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege? You willing to
share that information that you’ve been given?”. El-P’s production on this
album is absolutely stellar. His beats are incredibly layered with banging
bass, catchy hooks, and aggressive rhythms.
All-star guest features work wonderfully such as with drummer Travis
Barker from Blink-182 and a guest verse from Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against
the Machine. Both MCs deliver creative wordplay combing playful humor with
socially conscious and urgent commentary. RTJ2
proves to be the most important hip-hop album of 2014.
Track to listen to: Blockbuster Night Part 1
2. FKA Twigs- LP1
(Young Turks): Alternative R&B/Trip-Hop
Perhaps the alternative R&B scene has been
over-saturated over the past few years. However, FKA Twigs finds a way to take
this trend of experimental R&B music and make it incredibly unique and
stand out above the many names attempting this form of music. The production is
overwhelmingly fantastic, being wonderfully detailed and full of power. These
seductive post-dub and trip hop textures are perfectly placed, never becoming
overbearing or flat and bland. To top it
off, Twig’s vocals are outstandingly warm, beautiful, and revealing. Lyrically,
she sings of heartbreak, love, and her journey in music thus far. The hooks on
tracks such as “Two Weeks”, “Pendulum”, and “Give Up” are so memorable, that I
still find myself wanting to revisit them over and over again. FKA Twigs’ debut
solo album is a remarkable step in this new movement of artful and forward
thinking R&B music.
Track to listen to: Pendulum
1. Swans- To Be Kind
(Young God): Experimental Rock/Post-Rock/Goth Rock/Drone
Swans was very active from the early 80’s up until 1996 with
their intriguing blend of post-rock, post-punk, experimental rock, and goth
rock. This iconic group led by Michael Gira took a hiatus after their 1996
release, Soundtracks for the Blind. However, Swans reunited in 2010 and released
their third studio album since then with To
Be Kind. The tracks on this album are dark, distressing, and intense.
Gira’s voice is often haunting and disturbed.
These compositions are bizarre, heaby, bold and adventurous. Gira
explores dark and philosophical lyrical ideas throughout this tortured and
unsettling released from this acclaimed outfit.
To keep things interesting, the band throws in a 34-minute track in the
middle of the album consisting of feedback-heavy noise and drone elements. At
just over two hours long, this magnificent art rock release is a masterful and
ambitious exploration into despair, and the most exciting release of 2014.
Track to listen to: Oxygen
