lists like these are inherently flawed – i listened to an obscene amount of music last year and i barely scratched the surface on what was out there. there were great albums i didn’t listen to enough and ones that i didn’t listen to at all.

that aside these are albums that i found myself putting on again and again – albums that i came back to through out the year and continuously enjoyed. these are albums that i not only connected to on an aesthetic level, but also found exemplarily in terms of song writing. there is in no particular order to the following:

Villagers | Becoming A Jackal

becoming a jackal caught me off guard – i got it on a whim and was floored. full of incredible songwriting, the chords and melodies on this album are unique and interesting with out being alienating. the songs are strange enough to stay engaging and pretty enough to tug on your emotions. probably my favorite of the year, although that is tough to really decide

Twin Shadow | Forget

twin shadow’s forget has been on constant repeat since i got it – the production is studied and references all the right tones and instrumentation of a past time with out feeling revivalist. the songs are varied enough to keep interest and coherent enough to sound as parts of a whole.

Future Islands | In Evening Air

There are few bands that can bring relentless energy and beauty at all times and Future Islands is one of them. the sound is manic and insane and grimy and gorgeous. Loved this album, reminded me that music can inspire and emote and not just be a fleeting thing people share digitally.

James Blake | CMYK EP, Klavierwerke, Limit To Your Love Single

Few artists are as consistently engaging as James Blake. he had a couple releases this past year, all which experimented with a diverse array of styles and production techniques. which isn’t to imply that James Blake’s releases weren’t aesthetically coherent – they were, they just spanned his own world perfectly.

Delorean | Subiza

what Delorean did with subiza was capture a feeling and release through headphones and speakers. There is an incredible joy to their music and it makes you want to dance with out feeling annoying or cheap. not an easy task.

CEO | White Magic

i’m a big tough alliance fan so this album was a treat – more serious and lush than any tough alliance releases but still hitting at a next level pop perfection.

Lord Huron | Into The Sun EP

Lord Huron’s music takes a lot of the things that I find interesting – samples, found sounds, looping, unique instrumentation – and distills them in to engaging pop music. its not an easy task. most of the other artists that lord huron reminds me of are too self-indulgent to know when to stop doing those tricks and just focus on melody, harmony, and songwriting.

The Drums | The Drums

People easily hate on The Drums – I get it. I did. That said, when i sat down and listened to this album from start to finish i heard major songwriting skills and an amazingly coherent sound. The Drums are their own beast and they own it which is something i respect