BEST MUSIC 2019

And so the decade ends not with a burst of inspiration, but in a lack of musical notability and excitement. The music industry is at it’s lowest point focused solely on exploiting whatever’s left of the Pop machine which is now laughable to even those were weren’t in on it before. There are no new icons, no more legends, nothing to inspire the population to make their own greatness. That’s all been removed from the plan which has now climaxed in 2019. The plot just seems so tired now though and I can only assume so much is missing from the world that people are going inevitably to take note and take action.

Every generation is talking about it. Where’s the big push of new sound? Where are the rock bands? The boundary-pushers? The ones who continue to forge new territory are struggling to survive and make a living while the longest running # 1 song in history on the Billboard Charts is Old Town Road, surpassing the Beatles, Queen, U2, Prince, and every artist who’s ever released a single or sang a note. It’s a perfectly fitting message to the world – it’s time to wake up and realize what’s going on. Everything is out of whack out there. Debt, money, pop culture, social media, our education system, the government, politics, healthcare, our food, you name it. Music is no different and that’s become obvious now to so many searching for artists to start changing their lives again.

I have been working on my Best Of The Decade List and listening back to it sends me into contemplation about how we felt musically in 2010 to what we’re feeling now. The content bleeds out with intensity in the first half of the decade, but trickles downward as the years pass with less and less potency. As for 2019 itself, it was by far the most difficult year to find great music. Though the great music is still wonderful it only makes me long for the years when there was so much astounding content I could barely sleep from the excitement of it all. I created a career off of that excitement. It’s more of a shoulder shrug now when we share new music and I’m finding artists are struggling to make lasting music because the inspiration pool is so small. Those artists still making music out there are commendable as it feels like a barren apocalyptic post-war zone. I myself had to stop releasing music just to get my bearings and let it all burn for a while. I believe this is where the slope ends. I do. And 2020 forward will be the beginning of something really amazing. I can feel it.

On a positive note 2019 ends with one of the greatest musical masterpieces I have ever heard, that is Cellophane by FKA Twigs. The emotion in her performance is nothing short of transcendent. Her melody and lyrics move me every time I listen to the song and I am so grateful to finally have such emotional response to something of that magnitude. My tears have been longing for song to crawl inside. Other works on this list have made for  sparkly standout listening experiences in a year otherwise riddled with tepid indifference. Several unknown indie acts came through with absolutely stellar tracks that barely register on the streaming count ticker. I do hope people discover and support new bands as that is my intention with putting focus tracks you may not have heard. The most notably fierce performance comes from Belgian’s Brutus whose front-woman is a blazing force to be reckoned with. Chelsea Wolfe and Wy’s multiple appearances on the list skew the majority over to the female side which is an important reflection of what’s happening in the world.

New Music Friday never offered less to all of us, but as usual I am happy to celebrate the rare and extraordinary standouts. Make no mistake every year I usually end up with nearly 300 songs that I can’t part with. This year I could barely make 50. There are diamonds here though, and some exciting tracks that still pushed my emotional buttons and had me humming along and dancing…just enough to get through the year and keep hope alive for whatever’s coming next.  Enjoy!

2019 BEST SONGS – SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

 

1. FKA TWIGS | CELLOPHANE

2. BON IVER | HEY MA

3. SHARON VAN ETTEN | SEVENTEEN

4. CHELSEA WOLFE | BE ALL THINGS

5. MIDDLE KIDS | REAL THING

6. CHASTITY | SUN POISONING

7. CHELSEA WOLFE | DERANGED FOR ROCK & ROLL

8. IONNALEE | OPEN SEA

9. WY | SOFTIE

10. AUGUSTINE | LUZON

11. BAYONNE | QA

12. LAVEDA | DREAM SLEEP

13. ROSEMOTHER | DAFFODILS

14. WY | SWEDISH SUMMER

15. LUST FOR YOUTH | NEW BALANCE POINT

16. STARFLYER 59 | YOUNG IN MY HEAD

17. SOFT STREAK | IN THE DARK

18. WILD NOTHING | BLUE WINGS

19. BRUTUS | WAR

20. MELBY | VCR

21. DIVINO NINO | MARIA

22. GRACE IVES | MIRROR

23. CARACARA | BETTER

24. BRUTUS | DJANGO

25. LAVEDA | IF ONLY YOU SAID NO

26. BUHU – BIG FALLS

27. BYE BENICO | I’M NOT THE ONE

28. OURS | KILL ME

29. FERN | 4AM BREAKFAST CLUB FT.LUCY’S MIRROR

30. WY | TIRED I

31. CHARLI XCX | CROSS YOU OUT FT. SKY FERREIRA

32. VAMPIRE WEEKEND | FLOWER MOON

33. KATY PERRY | HARLEYS IN HAWAII 

34. STRAND OF OAKS | KEYS

35. HOT FLASH HEAT WAVE | FLOATING

36. HATCHIE | STAY WITH ME

37. BUCOLIC | EARTH TONES

38. SAEYERS | CRUISE

39. MANNEQUIN PUSSY | DRUNK II

40. WY | HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE

41. OKEY DOKEY | MODERN CHEMISTRY

42. SHELTER BOY | TIDES

43. WESTKUST | RUSH

44. THE HOLD STEADY | DENVER HAIRCUT

45. KATY PERRY | NEVER REALLY OVER

46. PART TIME | HONEY LIPS

47. AT MISSION DOLORES | JON EEKS BETS ON THE HORSES

48. REVERIES | DREAM LIFE FOREVER

49. THE VACCINES | IF YOU WANNA

50. STARFLYER 59 | HEY, ARE YOU LISTENING?

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BEST MUSIC 2018

 

It’s time to celebrate all that was noteworthy and beautiful in the musical realm for 2018. Each year the list gets shorter and the search points get wider and more obscure, but I have managed to stay on top of the hunt. As such, I have pulled some amazing cuts from many random places, playlists, blogs, and serendipitous intervention. I listen to releases on a weekly basis and I update my list daily, always excited for the latest and greatest new song. All year my friends and I shared tunes, drinks, laughs, and car rides chatting late into the evenings about “Who’s going to be your number one!? Oh, ____should definitely make the list!” It’s like a secret club we are all a part of comparing lists, sharing new songs, and trying to be the first to hear the coolest stuff. I was really floored with my number one choice this year based on sheer emotional attachment to the video. I broke into tears on the first view and I knew there was something special about it. For that, I had to hold it up as a work of strength emotionally, musically, and lyrically. It presses all the right buttons for me while still being succinct and honest. My second choice is a complete contrast entirely. This song infused humor, dead pan wit, and sarcasm into a straight-shooting romp with virtually no melody, just speaking. It’s a timeless classic to me because of how free it feels. The hipster is dead and I believe this is going to be a new trend in the musical future – simply not caring. We need more of that now at a time when everyone is pouring over their social media feeds obsessively seeking validation overly concerned with what everyone else thinks of them. Its time to let go of the external judgment and embrace being ourselves.

The list is comprised of mostly new and unknown indie artists, which is refreshing. Most of the usual suspects didn’t make the rounds this year and it’s lovely to have such a diverse offering from very young and eager new acts.  As always it is a testament to my musical discovery adventures to share the gold with you all and expose the next breed of those who might not get a chance to be heard otherwise.

Enjoy the list!

STREAM THE LIST ON SPOTIFY 

 

BEST MUSIC OF 2018

1. SAM FENDER | DEAD BOYS

 

 

2. VIAGRA BOYS | SPORTS

 

 

3. THE 1975 | LOVE IT IF WE MADE IT

 

 

4. EBHONI | OPPS

 

 

5. MATT MALTESE | COMIC LIFE

 

 

6. KALI UCHIS | IN MY DREAMS

 

 

7. POGO | UNICORNS

 

 

8. TRAUDES | AMSTERDAM

 

 

9. ANDRE 3000 | TO BURY YOUR PARENTS

 

 

10. THE CHATS | SMOKO

 

 

11. GALLANT | DOESN’T MATTER

 

 

12. WILD NOTHING | LETTING GO

 

 

13. TAMINO | HABIBI

 

 

14. KLLO | POTENTIAL

 

 

15. MALLRAT | GROCERIES

 

 

16. PETE YORN & SCARLETTE JOHANSSON | IGUANA BIRD

 

 

17. MATT MALTESE|LESS AND LESS

 

 

18. POWERSOLO | ANA BHEBAK

 

 

19. POST MALONE | RICH AND SAD

 

 

20. LOST UNDER HEAVEN | FOR THE WILD

 

 

21. HATCHIE | SUGAR AND SPICE

 

 

22. DILLY DALLY | SOBER MOTEL

 

 

23. LPX | MIGHT NOT MAKE IT HOME

 

 

24. BLACK | PROM NIGHT

 

 

25. GRAND PAX | COMET

 

 

26. NOTHING,NOWHERE.| WASTER

 

 

27. THE 1975 | GIVE YOURSELF A TRY

 

 

28. WINNETKA BOWLING LEAGUE | ON THE 5

 

 

29. CHILDISH GAMBINO | THIS IS AMERICA

 

 

30. PALO SORPRANO | BOSSONOVA

 

 

31. TWIN SHADOW | SATURDAYS

 

 

32. BLACK HONEY | MIDNIGHT

 

 

33. KITTEN | ABIGAIL

 

 

34. FLOHIO | WATCH OUT

 

35. KITTEN | I DID IT

 

 

36. NOTHING,NOWHERE.| REMINISCER

 

 

37. IAMX | MILE DEEP HOLLOW

 

 

38. MUNCIE GIRLS | CLINIC

 

 

39. TRANSVIOLET | UNDO

 

 

40. SLOAN | SPIN OUR WHEELS

 

 

 

BEST MUSIC OF 2017

2017: After a surprisingly difficult year of losing rock stars and reflecting on what true legends we have left, 2017 was poised to give us hope and reset the clock for a better run. Though the death toll was smaller, there were several new challenges to face for our society. From the political circus freak show to the advent calendar of sexual misconduct allegations coming out of Hollywood, the year wasn’t without it’s grim tribulations. Though the uprising of women’s voices and stories were heard world-wide, musically, the tone was tepid and pedestrian – with no real new raw force of sound, genre, or inspiration to mirror that energy of the Me Too movement and all the new ground being broken for humanity. In fact, quite the opposite was true. The biggest trend being Mumble-Rap claimed the charts and airwaves everywhere. Artists like Lil Yachty and 21 Savage actually made millions out of NON-coherence; using mushy lyrical delivery and sleepy flow similar to that of a a kindergarten student waking from a nap. This isn’t exactly the urgency from the “Time’s Up” movement we could have used. But perhaps 2018 will inspire and launch a musical outpouring of newly empowered humans to capture the new lighting and thunder crackling in the sky.

There was a slight resurgence in mid-2000’s indie rock which was expected to be very exciting on the surface, but didn’t leave much of an impact after the dust settled. New albums from bands like Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, and Broken Social Scene on paper seemed like a wet dream for my days of spinning indie-dance in 2005, but it only proved that everything we experience can never quite be re-experienced the same way. LCD did release a great new comeback album (even if their breakup was only a ploy to sell concert tickets), but Arcade Fire threw me for a loop entirely. Being one of the greatest rock bands of all time, they just completely lost their sense of connection, melody, and songwriting. The album was a misfire for most, and certainly for me. The War On Drugs further solidified their trust in us for making great vibey rock n roll music, and The National put out a strong album that I had anticipated would top my list, although it didn’t. They are indeed one of my most favourite bands, but this time I found myself seeking a bit more out of them then the direction they headed towards. Perfume Genius, The Drums, and Land Of Talk all impressed with incredible bodies of work. I was quite taken with Post Malone’s use of melancholic melody woven into down-tempo reverb laced Hip-Hop, and pop acts like Lorde and Harry Styles (both of which I would normally cringe at) proved to me that a great song is a great song, and it stands own no matter who the artist is.  Sleigh Bells’ took a sublime venture into new territory, and they simply floored me with what they can do with a ballad. As usual, I found some very enticing obscure acts out there who broke records for the least possible amount of views one could imagine on tracks that are way too go unnoticed. Topping the list is an act from Sweden I had never heard of, but knew as soon as it hit my ears that it was a haunting slice of musical work, undeniable from the first five seconds of its melodic bliss. As always, it prides me to share my yearly picks with you in hopes of spreading new music that may go unheard, and celebrate the unity we hold from top mainstream selling artist, to unknown bedroom hopeful. This is the best of 2017:

Stream The Full Playlist On Spotify

 

 

1. WY | BATHROOMS

 

 

2. SLEIGH BELLS | AND SAINTS

 

 

3. ST. VINCENT | NEW YORK

 

 

 

4. POST MALONE | CONGRATULATIONS

 

 

 

5. LORDE | GREEN LIGHT

 

 

 

6. ALVVAYS | DREAMS TONITE

 

 

 

7. HARRY STYLES | SIGN OF THE TIMES

 

 

 

8. SUFJAN STEVENS | TONYA HARDING

 

 

 

9. THE DRUMS | BLOOD UNDER MY BELT

 

 

 

10. PERFUME GENIUS | SLIP AWAY

 

 

 

11. MAKTHAVERSKAN | LEDA

 

 

 

12. CAMERON AVERY | WASTED ON FIDELITY

 

 

 

13. JAPANESE BREAKFAST | ROAD HEAD

 

 

 

14. EVERYTHING EVERYTHING | GOOD SHOT, GOOD SOLDIER

 

 

 

15. MOSES SUMNEY | DOOMED

 

 

 

16. THE WAR ON DRUGS | UP ALL NIGHT

 

 

 

17. MYKKI BLANCO | HIGH SCHOOL NEVER ENDS

 

 

 

18. BNNY RBBT | BIG WORLD

 

 

 

19. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM | AMERICAN DREAM

 

 

 

20. PERFUME GENIUS | DIE 4 YOU

 

21. WOLF PARADE | VALLEY BOY

 

 

 

22. ST. VINCENT | LOS AGELESS

 

 

 

23. LAND OF TALK | INNER LOVER

 

 

 

24. ROYCE WOOD JUNIOR | VALENTINE VIRUS PART II (ODE TO PROD)

 

 

 

25. HOOPS | NOTHING BUT NET

 

 

 

26. HALFWAY HOME | BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE

 

 

 

27. CARDI B | BODAK YELLOW

 

 

 

28. STYX RIVERS | JUST LIKE VANESSA

 

 

 

29. RADIOHEAD | I PROMISE

 

 

 

30. SAYA | WET DREAMS 

 

 

 

31. BELLE GAME | SPIRIT

 

 

 

32. OVER THE TREES | DIRT FROM YESTERDAY

 

 

 

33. LAND OF TALK | YES YOU WERE

 

 

 

34. THE WAR ON DRUGS | PAIN

 

 

 

35. DARK ROOMS | I GET OVERWHELMED

 

 

 

36. RADIOHEAD | MAN OF WAR

 

 

 

37. MATTHEW GOOD | DECADES

 

 

 

38. A=FM | ASHES

 

 

 

39. CHANCE THE RAPPER | NO PROBLEM

 

 

 

40. LE TROUBLE | HOW WAS I TO KNOW

 

 

 

41. THE DISTRICTS | ORDINARY DAY

 

 

 

42. LP | LOST ON YOU

 

 

 

43. THE DRUMS | MIRROR

 

 

 

44. JOHN MAUS | WALLS OF SILENCE

 

 

 

45. LAND OF TALK | LOVING

 

 

 

46. FUTURE ISLANDS | RAN

 

 

 

47. THE DRUMS | I’LL FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE

 

 

 

48. ONEOTHRIX PIONT NEVER | THE PURE AND THE DAMNED

 

 

 

49. ARIAL PINK | FEELS LIKE HEAVEN

 

 

 

 

50. STRAND OF OAKS | RADIO KIDS

 

 

 

51. PATIENCE | RIVER TIMBER

 

 

 

52. ARIEL PINK | TIME TO MEET YOUR GOD

 

 

 

53. THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS | PLAY MONEY

 

 

 

54. CIGARETTES AFTER SEX | K.

 

 

 

55. BRITISH SEA POWER | BAD BOHEMIAN

 

 

 

56. BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE | SKYLINE

 

 

 

57. ROCKSTAR | 21 SAVAGE FT. POST MALONE 

 

 

 

58. WAY IT GOES | HIPPO CAMPUS

 

 

 

59. KENDRICK LAMAR | HUMBLE.

 

 

 

60. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM | OH BABY

 

 

 

 

BEST MUSIC 2016

2016: The year everyone wanted to end. A year that saw countless celebrity deaths fail to let up until the last second. As 2016 began, I remember hearing the news that David Bowie had passed away, and I thought it was a hoax. It had to be. He had never spoken of being ill, and he was always so prolific and immortal it seemed impossible. I was deeply troubled for weeks, to the point of having to come to terms with understanding why someone I didn’t know personally had such an impact on me emotionally. After a lot of reflection I realized that growing up and coming of age with someone’s direct musical and artistic influence brings them close to our hearts as if we do know them. As if they’re a part of us somehow. The heart doesn’t know any different. That is why mourners flock when a beloved celebrity dies. They are usually strangers, yet they are affected as loved ones. There IS a connection there. Bowie for one helped shape my own music and artistry since I first saw his space-aged androgynous bones move across the stage. He was one of the most important icons I looked to for inspiration time and time again. It left a deep void in my heart to lose him. He left behind a mysterious and brilliant album in Blackstar which was his final statement to the world. “Look up here, I’m in heaven” he sings on the single “Lazarus” from his new album. “Ain’t that just like me.” “I’m going to be free, just like that bluebird.” Yes David, and we’re going to miss you.

Thinking the worst was over would hardly end up being a reality. Prince’s death was also a shock as it revealed that no one, no matter how iconic and revolutionary, was safe from the fragility of life itself. (Side note: don’t do drugs kids). It was hard to picture him lying dead alone in an elevator after growing up with his untouchably too-cool-for-school presence permeating radio, television, and movies. Images of him crawling across the floor like a cat bursting in high-pitched sexual calls to his lovers made it difficult to process that he had just simply overdosed. That he was human, after all. It was Prince who taught me that it was okay to push boundaries in pop music and lyricism. As a six year old child I was studying piano at the local conservatory under the strict direction of nuns. When asked to bring in a “Popular” piece of music (as opposed to the mainly classical music we studied there) I decided on Prince’s “When Doves Cry.” My teacher was appalled by the choice and angrily told me to “bring in something more appropriate next time!” Her stern demeanour and lack of tolerance for others types of music made me question so much. Wasn’t music, music? Chords, a melody, a string of words. Did it matter what the subject was if it was beautiful? And even still, isn’t it the artist’s artistic integrity to tell the story they want, using the words they want? How can you label art? It seemed silly (even at six years old!) to think a grown woman who’s soul purpose was to teach music itself would be so adversely opposed to such a great work. That lesson stuck with me. I quite the school soon after and never went back.

Worse still for me was George Michael’s death this past christmas day. I have often been asked what my favourite song of all time is, and though it’s difficult to choose just one, I have known it from my youth. The song is “One More Try” by the man himself. As a seven year old I was obsessed with the song. It was the first track that really taught me about emotion in music – there was something about the melody line and the way he sang the notes that hit my spine in such a way. I used to write the lyrics out on paper and sing along, rewinding the tape over and over until I wore it thin. As an adult it still resonates with me as being a remarkably beautiful song which has greatly inspired a lot of my own work, and my kinship with ballads. It’s also safe to say that his image seemed to have an impact on me at an impressionable age. I was taken with it. Tall, dark and handsome with a great haircut, trimmed beard, and cross earring adorned in a leather jacket – as on the cover for the album “Faith.” That image burned in my memory must have seeped into my own imagery. And I take pride in giving him credit for that. His voice was golden and well-rounded, and his first two solo albums were an obsession for me. I have sighted him as one of my main influences since day one, and it was so difficult to process losing his spirit on this earth. We’ll all miss him dearly.

New music in 2016 wasn’t overly notable in any respect. I had many discussions with my fellow Loveless Radio DJ’s and friends about our favourite tracks throughout the year, and until fall, no one had heard anything that could claim their top spot. Save for a few surprises, there was nothing historically altering, and I feel it is fitting for the year’s downtrodden path anyway. Let’s consider it to be a transition year, something to get out of the way as we move to a better road ahead.

As usual, I spent a lot of time digging for anything that would remotely affect my hungry musical palate, and though the list was short this year, here is what I did enjoy and the songs that were in heavy rotation on my playlist. In a year of turmoil, death, protests, shootings, fear, and president Trump – these were the bright lights that shone through and made things better, if not wonderful.

Enjoy!

Stream The Full Playlist On Spotify

1. RADIOHEAD | TRUE LOVE WAITS

2. THE WEEKEND | STARBOY

3.  THE AVALANCHES | FRANKIE SINATRA

4. MITSKI | YOUR BEST AMERICAN GIRL

5. LUH | I&I

6. PHANTOGRAM | BARKING DOG

7. NIGHT MOVES | DENISE, DON’T WANNA SEE YOU CRY

8. WEEZER | LA GIRLZ

9. BON IVER | 715 CREEKS

10. ANGEL OLSEN | SHUT UP KISS ME

11. RADIOHEAD | DAYDREAMING

12. DAVID BOWIE | LAZARUS

13. THE AVALANCHES | BECAUSE I’M ME

14. ALL TVVINS | THANK YOU

15. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE | FLORIDADA

16. CAVEMAN | NEVER GOING BACK

17. HANNAH GEORGAS | RIDEBACK

18. KEATON HENSON | ALRIGHT

19. HAR MAR SUPERSTAR | CONFIDENCE

20. BEACH BABY | U R

21. BECK | WOW

22. MUNA | LOUDSPEAKER

23. KINGS OF LEON | WASTE A MOMENT

24. BLACK MARBLE | FRISK

25. YEASAYER | I AM CHEMISTRY

26. THE TRAGICALLY HIP | IN A WORLD POSSESSED BY THE HUMAN MIND

27. DADDY | LIME GREEN DRESS

28. HANNAH GEORGAS | EVELYN

29. HOOTON TENNIS CLUB | KATY-ANN BELLIS

30. GORDI | AVANT GARDENER

31. THE VEILS | SWIMMING WITH CROCODILES

32. HER’S | MARCEL

33. HAR MAR SUPERSTAR | HOW DO I GET THROUGH THE DAY?

34. CAVEMAN | LIFE OR JUST LIVING

35. DEFTONES | DOOMED USER

36. MARK KOZELEK | SEND IN THE CLOWNS

37. NIKI & THE DOVE | PLAY IT ON MY RADIO

38. FROM INDIAN LAKES | THE MONSTER

39. HANNAH GEORGAS | DON’T GO

40. CAR SEAT HEADREST | VINCENT

41. PHANTOGRAM | YOU’RE MINE

42. THE STROKES | OBLIVIUS

43. 50 CENT | I’M THE MAN

44. THE BOXER REBELLION | BIG IDEAS

45. KEATON HENSON | NO WITNESSES

46. TRAVIS SCOTT | ANTIDOTE

47. RY X | ONLY

48. THE RANGE | COPPER WIRE

49. RAE SREMMURD | BLACK BEATLES

50. CAVEMAN | HUMAN

51. PHANTOGRAM | ANSWER

52. THE VEILS | HERE COME THE DEAD

53. OPERATORS | COLD LIGHT

54. RADIOHEAD | BURN THE WITCH

55. JACUZZI BOYS | LUCKY BLADE

56. BRONCHO | ALL TIME

57. JAWS | WHAT WE HAVEN’T GOT YET

58. HANNAH GEORGAS | WASTE

59. THE TRAGICALLY HIP | MAN

60. THE WEEKND | PARTY MONSTER

61. BEYONCE | SORRY

62. TUNJI IGE | ON MY GRIND

63. THE VEILS | KING OF CHROME

64. STARFLYER 59 | RETIRED

65. MARK KOZELEK | FLOAT ON

66. YOUNG MA | OOOUUU

67. BON IVER | 29 #STRAFFORD APTS

68. JULIAN BACHLOW | FAMILY TIES

69. THE 1975 | SOMEBODY ELSE

70. CHRISTINE & THE QUEENS | iT

71. DAY WAVE | GONE

72. AMERICAN WRESTLERS | GIVE UP

73. TASHA THE AMAZON | PICASSO LEANING

74. CAR SEAT HEADREST | FILL IN THE BLANK

75. FORTH WANDERERS | KNOW BETTER

76. JIMMY EAT WORLD | SURE AND CERTAIN

77. RAPTURE | KITTEN

78. THE VEILS | IODINE & IRON

79. KAISER CHIEFS | WE STAY TOGETHER

80. PREOCCUPATIONS | ANXIETY

81. M83 | GO!

82. IAMX | EVERYTHING IS BURNING

83. FRANCIS & THE LIGHTS | IT’S ALRIGHT TO CRY

84. BANKS & STEELZ | GIANT

85. HAYDIN CALNIN | CUT LOVE

86. WE ARE SCIENTISTS | BUCKLE

87. LUCY DACAS | I DON’T WANNA BE FUNNY ANYMORE

88. FRIENDS | FRANCIS & THE LIGHTS

89. DANNY BROWN | WHEN IT RAIN

90. BLOOD ORANGE | AUGUSTINE

91. MANY VOICES SPEAK | BLUE MOON

92.  DEFTONES | PRAYERS/TRIANGLES

93. CAR SEAT HEADREST | DRUNK DRIVERS/KILLER WHALES

94. SAVAGES | ADORE

95. MYSTERY JETS | 1985

96. CHANCE THE RAPPER | NO PROBLEM

97. HELIOTROPES | WHEREVER YOU LIVE

98. A TRIBE CALLED QUEST | WE THE PEOPLE

99. FAT WHITE FAMILY | RAINING IN YOUR MOUTH

100.  MINOR VICTORIES | SCATTERED ASHES (FOR RICHARD)

101. COLOURS | LAWLESS

102. DANNY BROWN | REALLY DOE

103. LISSIE | HOLLYWOOD

104. EXPLODED VIEW | ORLANDO

105. KAYTRANADA | GLOWED UP

106. KITTEN | FALL ON ME

107. THE 1975 | SHE’S AMERICAN

108. PETE YORN | LOST WEEKEND

109. MINOR VICTORIES | A HUNDRED ROPES

110. BLOW OUT | INDIANA

111. DVSN | HALLUCINATIONS

112. LUST FOR YOUTH | DISPLAY

113. BLACK HONEY | ALL MY PRIDE

114. DRELLER | CONTROL

115. SAYA | CHERRY BOMB

116. PORCHES | BE APART

117. LAUREL | SAN FRANSISCO

118. THE TVC | MONEY FT. AMIR GIRGIS

119. GREEN BUZZARD | I DON’T WANNA BREAK YOUR HEART

120. CYMBALS EAT GUITARS | FINALLY

121. HEAVY HEART | FEVER DREAM

122. TALOS | IN TIME

123. NOTHING | THE DEAD ARE DUMB

124. PROGRAMM | EVERYTHING AT ONCE

125. DEAD WEIGHT | WHITE LUNG

BEST ALBUMS OF 2016 

1. THE VEILS | TOTAL DEPRAVITY

2. HANNAH GEORGAS | FOR EVELYN

3. PHANTOGRAM | THREE

4. BON IVER | 22, A MILLION

5. MARK KOZELEK | MARK KOZELEK SINGS FAVOURITES

6. CAR SEAT HEADREST | TEENS OF DENIAL

7. DEFTONES | GORE

8. HAR MAR SUPERSTAR | BEST SUMMER EVER

9. RADIOHEAD | A MOON SHAPED POOL

10. THE TRAGICALLY HIP | MAN MACHINE POEM

BEST MUSIC 2015

 

 

2015 was a very detached year musically. For the first time in history I ended up rather shy on notable favourite tracks and there was little that stuck out as the ‘a-ha essential greatest song-moment’ of the year. Things seemed strange, out of sorts. Foreign confusing territory. It was kind of like getting lost on a walk through an unfamiliar park in the mild late winter; I know it’s nice to be getting outside, but I’m not sure where I am, and I want to go home.

What did indie music sound like in 2015 anyway? Much like years past, the 80’s influence is prominent, surf, punk, 60’s, low-fi, and psychedelic, and there was much less of the chilly R&B that’s dominated the past couple years. Tame Impala, Beach House, Kurt Vile, Grimes, & Jamie XX keep their steady indie-cred building with decent albums, while Kendrick Lamar stole the show on intelligent hip-hop and showed he’s creatively way ahead of his peers in the short time he’s been around.

In popular music, Bruno Mars gave us a massive wedding-friendly funk hit for our aunts to dance to while Taylor Swift churned out constant singles from last year’s “I’m pop now” 1989 album. Justin Beiber returned with a surprisingly good record that is beginning his transition into acceptable (almost cool) R&B while The Weeknd proved that he wanted complete and total pop stardom with “I Can’t Feel My Face”. In the fourth quarter Adele completely pummelled the world with “Hello” after some concern of whether people would still care about her emotionally-affected breakup songs.

They still do.

The Indie music realm is much harder to clearly define. You have your buzz bands, your critics favs, and the dime-a-dozen bottom-tier bands struggling to be heard. Wide critical praise for some groups still doesn’t equate to sold out shows or album sales. I saw about fifty concerts this year and nearly all of them were somewhat lackluster turnouts considering their online presence and catalogue. But among them were some of the best concert experiences I’ve had (favourite concert of the year for me was Destroyer in Ferndale, MI).

My picks this year are widely varied. As usual, I’ve made my choices based on songs that have affected me in a special way, the ones I keep returning to. The entire list in ranked order of my personal favourites. Notable artists include Mas Ysa, Majical Cloudz, Chelsea Wolfe, Editors, and The Velvet Teen (who returned after nearly ten years). There are a lot of indie artists scattered throughout this list that are relatively unknown but very much deserving of a listen. As usual, it is always important for me to shine a light on up and coming indie artists. Everything you’ll find below is something that stood out to me for one reason or another, some for the emotional devastation, some for the beauty, some for the lyrics, some for the dance moves, and some for the undeniable vibe. All had magic to them.

Enjoy.

xx

~d.v

(Stream the full list here)

 

100 BEST TRACKS  

 

1. NO HARM | EDITORS

 

 

2. FLATLINERS | TWIN SHADOW

 

 

3. MARGARITA | MAS YSA

 

 

4. SPECTRE | RADIOHEAD

 

 

5. TROPIC OF CANCER | PANDA BEAR

 

 

6. WAR ON THE EAST COAST | NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

 

 

7. REALITI | GRIMES

 

 

8. DOWNTOWN | MAJICAL CLOUDZ

 

 

9. THE GIVING IN | THE VELVET TEEN

 

 

10. GO! | PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

11. CAUSE I’M A MAN | TAME IMPALA

 

 

12. INSOMNIA | IAMX

 

 

13. MONTE CARLO | GIRL FRIEND

 

 

14. WITHOUT YOU | TOBIAS JESSO JR.

 

 

15. IRON MOON | CHELSEA WOLFE

 

 

16. JUST YET | FOR ESME’

 

 

17. ALL IS ILLUSORY | THE VELVET TEEN 

 

 

18. IF I GET HIGH | NOTHING BUT THIEVES 

 

 

19. U GUESSED IT | OG MACO

 

 

20. ECLIPSES | THE VELVET TEEN

 

 

21. BANK ACCOUNTS AND DOLLAR BILLS | SISKIYOU

 

 

22. MAW | CHELSEA WOLFE

 

 

23. SOMETHING SOON | CAR SEAT HEADREST

 

 

24. LOVEBLOOD | SUNDARA KARMA

 

 

25. CHA CHA | DRAM

 

 

26. HAPSBURG LIPP | EVERYTHING EVERYTHING

 

 

27. OCEAN OF NIGHT | EDITORS

 

 

28. MINISKIRT | BRAIDS

 

 

29. FLESH WITHOUT BLOOD | GRIMES

 

 

30. THE NIGHT JOSH TILMAN CAME TO OUR APT. | FATHER JOHN MISTY

 

 

31. BEAUTIFUL KIDS | MATES OF STATE  

 

 

32. SYMPATHY FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY | HECTA  

 

 

33. LET IT HAPPEN | TAME IMPALA

 

 

34. DANGEROUS | PONY THE PIRATE

 

 

35. XANAX | ELOHIM

 

 

36. BEAUTIFUL THINGS | HOUSE OF WOLVES

 

 

37. HIGHWAY PATROL STUNGUN | YOUTH LAGOON 

 

 

38. JERRY’S DINER | BREAK UNDER PRESSURE

 

 

39. TIMES TO DIE | CAR SEAT HEADREST

 

 

40. BLANKET | PANTHER MARTIN

 

 

41. THE HILLS | THE WEEKND

 

 

42. NEIGHBORS KNOCK | JEFF ZAGERS

 

 

43. DESERTER | SISKIYOU

 

 

44. EXCUSE ME | NOTHING BUT THIEVES 

 

 

45. STRANGE ENCOUNTER | FATHER JOHN MISTY

 

 

46. FRESHBLOOM | SUNDARA KARMA

 

 

47. SPACE SONG | BEACH HOUSE

 

 

48. TO DIE IN LA | LOWER DENS

 

 

49. BAD ART & WEIRDO IDEAS | BEACH SLANGBAD ART & WEIRDO IDEAS | BEACH SLANG

 

 

50. HONEYMOON | LANA DEL REY

 

 

51. ELEKTRA | REFUSED

 

 

52. CLOUDBUSTING | MATTHEW GOOD

 

 

53. DRIFTING | ON AND ON

 

 

54. SUPERMASTER | A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS

 

 

55. HALF AWAKE | PORCELAIN RAFT

 

 

56. SHAKE IT OFF | RYAN ADAMS

 

 

57. CLASS HISTORIAN | BRONCHO

 

 

58. SALVATORE | LANA DEL REY

 

 

59. SORRY | MEG MYERS

 

 

60. I CAN’T EXPLAIN | SURFER BLOOD

 

 

61. HOTLINE BLING | DRAKE 

 

 

 

62. CAN’T DO DRUGS LIKE I USED TO | VOIZES

 

 

63. KILL V. MAIM | GRIMES

 

 

64. SICK ON MY HEART | NAI HARVEST

 

 

65. FLORIDADA | ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

 

 

66. NO MAKER MADE ME | IAMX

 

 

67. BENT OUT OF SHAPE | YOUNG RIVAL

 

 

68. HERE | ALESSIA CARA

 

 

69. SK/PI | AERO FLYNN

 

 

70. CHAMPIONS OF RED WINE | NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

 

 

71. SO BLUE | MAJICAL CLOUDZ

 

 

72. RUN AWAY WITH ME | CARLY RAE JEPSEN

 

 

73. BORED IN THE USA | FATHER JOHN MISTY

 

 

74. TIMES SQUARE | DESTROYER

 

 

75. 100 STRANGERS | CIRCA WAVES

    

 

 

76. BAIO | SISTER OF PEARL

 

 

77. I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN | L’AUPAIRE

 

 

78. MONKEY TREE | MOTHER MOTHER

 

 

79. FOUNDATION | YEARS & YEARS

 

 

80. PPP | BEACH HOUSE

 

 

81. I WEAR GLASSES | MATING RITUAL

 

 

82. DEATH WITH DIGNITY | SUFJAN STEVENS

 

 

83. THE BLUES | JAMES BLUNT 

 

 

84. COFFEE | MIGUEL  

 

 

85. HIBOU | WHEN THE SEASON ENDS

 

 

86. MAN | ALBERT RYAN

 

 

87. LOS ALAMOS | MATTHEW GOOD

 

 

88. ALSEEP ON THE BUS | BESTIE 

 

 

89. LIONSONG | BJORK

 

 

90. I REMEMBER | BULLY

 

 

91. CARRION FLOWERS | CHELSEA WOLFE

 

 

92. ASTRID | HAPPY HOLLOWS

 

 

 

93. STONEFIST | HEALTH

 

 

94. GOSH | JAIME XX

 

 

 

95. HOLD ME CLOSER | LANKS

 

 

96. TRAP QUEEN | FETTY WAP

 

 

97. JACK KNIFE | LITTLE RACER

 

 

98. LOOK UP | MAS YSA

 

 

99. ALRIGHT | KENDRICK LAMAR

 

 

100. COLD WATER | MATTHEW GOOD

 

 

101. MEMORY REMAINS | OBERHOFER

 

 

102. 1985 (LIFTED) | PASSION PIT

 

 

103. THE FRINGE | SEGO

 

 

104. BEAR IN THE WINDOW | SOOP

 

 

105. YES I’M CHANGING | TAME IMPALA

 

 

106. SAGRES | TALLEST MAN ON EARTH

 

 

107. VENETIAN SNARES | SMERSONALITY

 

 

108. HIT THE QUAN | IHEARTMEMPHIS

 

 

109. CONTINENTAL SHELF | VIET CONG

 

 

110. I DON’T THINK SHE CARES | WHITE REAPER

 

 

111. ANNIE | NEON INDIAN

 

 

112. BLASE’ | TY DOLLA SIGN

 

 

113. STOP SUFFERING | TROPIC OF CANCER

 

 

114. DOWN LOW | ALEX WINSTON

 

 

115. CIRCLES | GENTS 

 

 

116. PLATES2 | AERO FLYNN

 

 

117. I DON’T WANT TO BE YOUR GIRL | WET

  

 

 

118. PLAY IT ON MY RADIO | NIKI & THE DOVE

 

————————————-

 

BEST ALBUMS of 2015

1. EDITORS | IN DREAM

 

 

2. CHELSEA WOLFE | ABYSS

 

 

3. NEW PORNOGRAPHERS | BRILL BRUISERS

 

 

4. MAS YSA | SERAPH

 

 

5. THE VELVET TEEN | ALL IS ILLUSORY

 

6. IAMX | METANOIA

 

 

7. TAME IMPALA | CURRENTS

 

8. FATHER JOHN MISTY | I LOVE YOU, HONEYBEAR

 

 

9.  NOTHING BUT THIEVES | NOTHING BUT THIEVES

 

 

10. WE ARE THE CITY | ABOVE CLUB

 

 

11. RYAN ADAMS | 1979

 

 

12. MATTHEW GOOD | CHAOTIC NEUTRAL

 

 

13. BEACH HOUSE | DEPRESSION CHERRY

 

 

14. EVERYTHING EVERYTHING | GET TO HEAVEN

 

 

15. TWIN SHADOW | ECLIPSE

 

 

 

BEST MUSIC OF 2014

 

 

Nostalgia: A sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. We all experience this and know that media and pop culture enhances the interaction. Music plays a vital role in drawing those feelings to the surface, and many of us are attached to music from our past and the memories we have tied to those defining songs. Does music seem better just because we remember it to be? Because we connect it to a first kiss, an endless summer, an emotional event? Or are there clear trends in popular music that we can (for the most part) define to be better or worse periods of musical release.

Taking a look back on 2014 it’s safe to call it somewhat lacklustre compared to the some of the miraculous content of more recent years.  There were highly anticipated albums that just plain fell short of the mark. Not being able to rely on these essential artists who have consistently delivered timeless content cast a shadow of disillusion across the timeline. There was no radical advent of any new particular sound or production. Pop women and big booty ruled the airwaves and permeated the culture, while any even remotely inspiring indie rock acts took a nap in the backseat. The sound of saxophone in Pop/R&B/Hip Hop continued to please the ears, and trends in this genre’s songwriting pushed the big giant chorus out of the way to make room for bridges and instrumental refrains, a Dance/Pop trick used by DJ’s (See: Ariana Grande’s Problem / Turn Down For What). As a songwriter myself it’s actually insane to even think about an instrumental only chorus, but it’s only because I’ve forgotten that melodies and groove aren’t only effective when delivered from the vocalist, but can be just as awesome when delivered by a sticky keyboard line.  U2 directly injected it’s new album onto our iPhones. Had it been an important album that strategy would have allowed us to all simultaneously live through a defining marriage of music & time – instead the album was lifeless and timid (Still Rolling Stones’ # 1 of the year. Really? On a quick side note – Everyone who bitched about what U2 did needs to show some respect and appreciation. The delete button is a thumbprint away. I still have to give credit to hard working artists at any level for making art, and we should respect and be thankful that we had the opportunity to own theirs for free, as a gift, whether it’s bad or not). Favourites such as Julian Casablancas, Interpol, & Wild Beasts all surprised with mediocre records that warranted no more than a passing glance at best. Even less popular but exciting acts like Cold Cave and The Faint released new music in 2014 that was almost completely forgettable. What happened?

Let’s look at a 20 year comparison. There are trends in this art form when you have periods of time that just sparkle with memorable content. Here’s what came out in 1994 alone, 20 years ago: NIN’s The Downward Spiral, Weezer’s blue album, Nirvana Unplugged, Soundgarden’s Superunknown, Pearl Jam’s Vitolgy, Park Life by Blur, Ill Communication by Beastie Boys, Portishead’s Dummy, Hole’s Live Through This, Ready To Die by Biggie, Under The Pink  by Tori Amos (one of my all-time favs), and other major records from TLC, Outkast, Sebadoh, Neil Young, Stone Roses, The Crow, Johnny Cash, Pantera, Manic Street Preachers, Bush,  Alice in Chains, Green Day, and  Beck’s debut. All in one year. That’s a lot of notable content. So by comparison, what do we have in 2014? Anything even remotely considerable as timeless? Sure we have solid releases from St. Vincent and The War On Drugs. Lana Del Rey continues her queendom, and even Taylor Swift crossed over into Pop and won critics and fans the same. If your a fan of Run The Jewels you can make a decent mixtape featuring the Zach de le Rocha collab – but are we talking about ground breaking albums that will stand up twenty years into the future?

I know what your thinking. The 90’s hold a special place in my heart. And they do. However, you cannot deny the incredible impact those albums made on the world. Just to prove it’s about quality and not about my coming of age, let’s go back further, all the way to 1984. Here’s what came out that year: The Smiths, R.E.M, Echo & The Bunnymen, U2, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Replacements, Cocteau Twins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, INXS, Talk Talk, The Cars, This Mortal Coil, Dead Can Dance, The Psychedelic Furs, The Pretenders, Metallica, Springsteen, Talking Heads, Bob Marley…oh and Purple Rain by Prince. Almost like a wet dream of records. If we check in with the release calendar even further back, to say 1964, it’s even more essential – The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Animals, Roy Orbison, & The Beach Boys all topped the charts. We don’t need to get into how important the early 60’s were in shaping future music.

One more quick flashback comparison, this time to the more recent 10-year mark. Perhaps 2004 was just flavourless background noise for the sketchy post 00’s wash of piracy wars and music industry sea change. But let’s take a look: Interpol’s Antics, The Killers Hot Fuss, Keane made it’s fantastic debut, Kanye West leaped onto the map with The College Dropout, Modest Mouse (the one with Float On), The Streets, Morrissey, Bjork, Sonic Youth,  Kings of Leon, Sufjan Stevens, The Veils,  Air, TVONTR, and even a pretty decent solo album from Gwen Stefani. Oh, and Arcade Fire’s Funeral. Other important releases came from Iron & Wine, Animal Collective, Madvillian, Annie, Franz Ferdinand, Xiu Xiu, and Usher. Pretty solid. Also this was still a golden era for mainstream Hip-Hop classics, albeit the tail end.

So what can we conclude? There’s definitely something about the”4’s” that seem to pattern some of the greatest releases all though good years and bad years do come in shifts. I was puzzled as to why I felt this year lacked the magic of it’s ancestors. But you see, the pendulum must swing down to swing back up.

How did this year stack up overall? Yes there WERE a handful of tracks that shone through. I would consider the top portion of this list to be mostly all essential listening for any collection. Besides the obvious candidates (Lana Del Rey, Lykki Li, Sia, Future Islands etc) I managed to find some supremely well hidden indie dynamite. Half of my actual top ten alone is virtually completely under the radar. There are some utterly amazing tracks this year by bands like Decorations, Panama Wedding, Andrew Pinsanu, The Crookes, Flagship, The Bronze Medal, Hayden Calnin, Big Scary, Ballet School, and Seasurfer – all names I was unfamiliar with before 2014.

My list follows no other ‘best of’ list. A lot of what the major publications sighted unanimously as the year’s best did not make mine, and vice versa. I am pleased to offer this contrast to you, and if you trust my taste, you will find treasure. As usual, this list was made by listening to nearly every searchable weekly album / single release via many different sources. The amount of content is staggering, but always worth it in the end.

 

You Can Stream The Full Playlist Here

 

*****BEST TRACKS OF 2014*****

 

130 FOUNTAIN | IAMIWHOAMI

 

 

129 GREEN LADY | MERCHANDISE 

 

 

128 TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMY | JULIAN CASABLANCAS

 

 

127 BLUSH | WOLF ALICE

 

 

126 FACE DOWN | WHITE LUNG

 

 

125 AMERICAN INTERIOR | GRUFF RHYS

 

 

121 EXODUS OF THE YEAR | ROYAL CANOE

 

 

120 ATOMIC | PHORIA

 

 

119 RIDE OR DIE | HEARTSREVOLUTION

 

 

118 YOU BURN | I BREAK HORSES

 

 

117 YOU SHOULD BE WITH ME | ANDREW M PINSANU 

 

 

116 DISAPPEARING | THE WAR ON DRUGS

 

 

115 UNTIL THE SUN EXPLODES | PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART

 

 

114 IN THE END | EMBRACE

 

 

113 STAY FOREVER | PANAMA

 

 

112 BLEED | MIRROR KISSES

 

 

111 AN ACT OF MERCY | THE MERCY BEAT

 

 

110 RUFFIANS ON PARADE | KAISER CHIEFS

 

 

109 CHEAP TALK | DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 

 

 

108 AMBITIONS | CHIRPING

 

 

107 HARLEM | C A T H E D R A L S

 

 

106 COVER UP | CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

 

 

105 ONE WAY OR ANOTHER | UNTIL THE RIBBONS BREAKS

 

 

104 DESTROYER | PANAMA

 

 

103 THE MORNING | WHOMADEWHO

 

 

102 HOLY GHOST | FLAGSHIP

 

 

101 YOUTH | BEN KHAN

 

 

100 LAY ME DOWN | BIG SCARY

 

 

99 CAPITOL | TRST

 

 

98 PETITE NOIR | CHESS

 

 

97 GOSHEN ’97 | STRAND OF OAKS

 

 

96 PARTITION | BEYONCE

 

 

95 DRIVE BY SHOOTING | LAURA CARBONE

 

 

94 SUN IN THE MORNING | FUTURE ISLANDS

 

 

93 THEIF | BROKEN BOY 

 

 

92 PAST LIFE | LOST IN THE TREES

 

 

91 GO AWAY | WEEZER

 

 

90 MOTHER & FATHER | BROODS

 

 

89 SHAMIR | ON THE REGULAR

 

 

88 CROUCHING BEES | FIGHT LIKE APES

 

 

87 WADERLUST | WILD BEASTS

 

 

86 TRUE LOVE | TOBIAS JESSO JR. 

 

 

85 THE WIND THAT CRIED | THE PHANTOM BAND

 

 

84 NEVER CATCH ME | FLYING LOTUS FT. KENDRICK LAMAR

 

 

83 DIGITAL WITNESS | ST. VINCENT

 

 

82 DOWNTOWN LIGHTS | SMALL BLACK

 

 

81 CLUB GOIN UP ON A TUESDAY (FT. DRAKE) | iLOVEMAKONNEN

 

 

80 WAVE | BECK

 

 

79 CLOSE YOUR EYES (AND COUNT TO FUCK) | RUN THE JEWELS

 

 

78 DREAMS | WHOMADEWHO

 

 

77 JOYLAND | TRST

 

 

76 TIMEBOMB | TOVE LO

 

 

75 THE OTHER WOMAN | LANA DEL REY

 

 

74 LAZERETTO | JACK WHITE

 

 

73 FOR MY HELP | HAYDEN CALNIN

 

 

72 THEY DON’T KNOW | WHITE SEA

 

 

71 UNDER THE PRESSURE | THE WAR ON DRUGS

 

 

70 THERE’S NOTHING LEFT |THE DRUMS

 

 

69 TRAINWRECK 1979 | DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979

 

 

68 LOVE ME LIKE I’M NOT MADE OF STONE | LYKKE LI

 

 

67 BULLSH-T BALLAD | KEVIN DREW

 

 

66 KISHI KAISEI | HEARTSREVOLUTION

 

 

65 TUNNEL | THE BRONZE MEDAL

 

 

64 HONEST | THE NEW DIVISION

 

 

63 SHADOWS OF MY NAME | EMMA RUTH RUNDLE 

 

 

62 MEANWHILE UP IN HEAVEN | KAISER CHIEFS

 

 

61 LOU REED | ALEISTER X

 

 

60 ALWAYS TAKE YOU BACK | NIGHT TERRORS OF 1927

 

 

59 LIFE UNDERWATER | FLAGSHIP 

 

 

58 FUCKED MY WAY UP TO THE TOP | LANA DEL REY

 

 

57 SILHOUETTES | COLONY HOUSE

 

 

56 SHOWS ON TV | YORO KING

 

 

55 NOW HEAR IN | CLOUD NOTHINGS

 

 

54 PROBLEM (FT. IGGY AZELEA) | ARIANA GRANDE

 

 

53 SLEEPWALKING | CHAING GANG OF 1974

 

 

52 YOU THERE | AQUILO 

 

 

51 CLAPSHOT | THE PHANTOM BAND

 

 

50 CLASS HISTORIAN | BRONCHO

 

 

49 WORK | IGGY AZELIA 

 

 

48 FEAR OF FALLING | FLAGSHIP

 

 

47 THANK YOU | STEVE WILSON

 

 

46 CALL MY NAME | HAERTS

 

 

45 THE BRINK | THE JEZABELS

 

 

44 COME FRIDAY | ELIOT SUMNER

 

 

43 CLEARING | GROUPER

 

 

42 ALL I WANT | DAWN GOLDEN

 

 

41 CHERISH | BALLET SCHOOL

 

 

40 ELECTRIC LOVE | BORNS

 

 

39 SILVERLINE | LYKKE LI

 

 

38 NIGHT WALKING | LOST IN THE TREES

 

 

37 SHUT IN | STRAND OF OAKS

 

 

36 DRAGON SONG | SEASURFER

 

 

35 MEXICAN AFTERSHOW PARTY | KEVIN DREW

 

 

34 VIDEO GIRL | FKA TWIGS

 

 

33 I’M AQUARIUS | METRONOMY

 

 

32 A LITTLE DEATH TO LAUGH | COLD CAVE

 

 

31 I NEED YOU | M83

 

 

30 QUEEN | PERFUME GENIUS

 

 

29 ARCHIE, MARRY ME | ALVVAYS

 

 

28 PICTURE ME GONE | ARIEL PINK

 

 

27 SIA | CHANDELIER 

 

 

26 WHY | MAS YSA

 

 

25 HOW GOOD DOES IT FEEL | EMPIRES

 

 

24 ANDREW PINSANU | THAT BOY

 

 

23 HARMONY SOMETIMES | BIG SCARY

 

 

22 ORDINARY FOOLS | THE CHAIN GAING OF 1974

 

 

21 CRUEL WORLD | LANA DEL REY

 

 

20 INTERPOL | ALL THE RAGE BACK HOME

 

 

19 SEASONS (WAITING ON YOU) | FUTURE ISLANDS

 

 

18 ANDREW PINSANU | YOUR GHOST

 

 

17 ALEXANDRA | HAMILTON LEITHAUSER

 

 

16 NOT ON DRUGS | TOVE LO

 

 

15 REVOLUSION | ELLIPHANT

 

 

14 SHAKE IT OFF | TAYLOR SWIFT

 

 

13 UMA | PANAMA WEDDING

 

 

12 FIREWORKS | SEASURFER

 

 

11 WE DEM BOYZ | WIZ KHALIFA

 

 

10 RED EYES | THE WAR ON DRUGS

 

 

9 AS LONG AS IT’S YOU | THE DELOREANS

 

 

8 NEVER WORK FOR FREE | TENNIS

 

 

7 WEST COAST | LANA DEL REY

 

 

6 RIGHT TRACK | WHOMADEWHO

 

 

5 GIRLS | DECORATIONS

 

 

4 KATIE QUEEN OF TENESSEE | THE APACHE RELAY 

 

 

3 STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN | THE CROOKES

 

 

2 I NEVER LEARN | LYKKI LI 

 

 

1 HOLLYWOOD UNDERWATER | FLAGSHIP

 

 

 

 

 

*******BEST ALBUMS OF 2014********

 

1 | LYKKE LI | I NEVER LEARN

 

 

 

2 | ANDREW PINSANU | COLLECTING DISEASES

 

 

 

3 | LANA DEL REY | ULTRAVIOLENCE

 

 

 

4 |FLAGSHIP | FLAGSHIP

 

 

 

5 | THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974 | DAYDREAM FOREVER

 

 

 

6 | KAISER CHIEFS | EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION, & WAR

 

 

 

7 | SEASURFER | DIVE IN

 

 

 

8 | KEVIN DREW | DARLINGS

 

 

 

9 | TAYLOR SWIFT | 1989

 

 

 

10 | WHOMADEWHO | DREAMS

 

 

 

11 | WEEZER | EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END

 

 

 

12 | THE WAR ON DRUGS | LOST IN THE DREAM

 

 

 

13 | ST. VINCENT | ST. VINCENT

 

 

 

14 | LEWIS | L’AMOUR