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Drowned's Best of 2014 | COMPLETE
Member Since: 4/30/2011
Posts: 21,827
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Drowned's Best of 2014 | COMPLETE
Welcome to Drowned's Best of 2014!
Having struggled to finish my year-end list in 2012, and not having participated at all last year, my main goal this time around is to actually finish this list and wrap up 2014 in music somewhat successfully. I did quite a lot of planning, and I really hope it'll all work out in the end. We'll see, I guess. 
For this year's year-end countdown I focused on albums as I usually prefer them over single tracks. Secondly, compiling a list of albums is not quite as time-devouring and nerve-wracking as picking out, say, 50 singles (and to be honest, I already had a hard enough time choosing what albums to include in my Top 25. nn;,). For those of you who are not as into full albums, I'm going to pick out the respective records' standout tracks that I personally enjoyed the most.
You can find an overview of the countdown's categories as well as a (rather vague) schedule below.
Stay tuned!   Honourable Mentions
Five great records that I enjoyed thoroughly, yet didn't feel they defined 2014 for me as much as my Top 25. | Top 25 Albums
2014's crème de la crème. 25 outstanding and year-defining records that I found myself returning to more than once in the course of the year. | Top 5 Music Videos
Five stunning clips that impressed me so much as to create an entire category for them. |
ScheduleHonourable Mentions (Albums)Albums #25, #24, #23Albums #22, #21, #20Albums #19, #18, #17Albums #16, #15, #14Albums #13, #12, #11Albums #10, #9, #8Honourable Mentions (Videos)Albums #7, #6Videos #5, #4Albums #5, #4Videos #3, #2Albums #3, #2Videos #1Albums #1
Graphics by Mica, a.k.a. FKA dancehall.
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Member Since: 4/30/2011
Posts: 21,827
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Banned
Member Since: 2/8/2014
Posts: 23,320
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these graphics are cute 
can't wait for the top 25 albums 
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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I hope you get to finish your 2014 lists. 
Nice graphics. I'll be waiting for this.
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Member Since: 11/29/2008
Posts: 2,452
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Your intro >>>>>>
sounds promising 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 68,548
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That banner is beautiful! 
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Member Since: 12/21/2010
Posts: 51,088
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Yasss Noel 
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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Hehe, will follow this 
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Member Since: 2/19/2007
Posts: 33,412
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Looking foward to this!
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Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 32,654
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love the graphics, ill be following!
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/24/2011
Posts: 8,547
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Is your banner a shout-out to the "Chasing Kites" video? Because if that's true... I can't wait to see what you're going to offer! I already know that's going to be one of the best countdowns over here.
Honestly, TRF.
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Member Since: 5/17/2010
Posts: 21,708
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/22/2011
Posts: 16,128
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Lovely graphics & OP. I'll be keeping tabs on this!
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Member Since: 8/3/2010
Posts: 71,871
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Your graphics are freaking insane omg
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Member Since: 4/30/2011
Posts: 21,827
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Honourable Mentions
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Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste
I ****ing hate Azealia Banks. Good thing is, her vile personality doesn't take away from the fact that her album is really damn good. Every single track on this record is a banger, and even the weaker tracks like "Nude Beach a Go-Go" and "JFK" are brilliant. The BEYONCÉ-style release made me forget about it rather quickly, though.
Standouts: "Ice Princess" (One of the best tracks of the year, hands down!), "Soda", "Luxury", "Miss Camaraderie" |
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Metronomy – Love Letters
For the most part this one was rather disappointing, especially considering how much I liked predecessor The English Riviera. While Love Letters doesn't come close to the group's sophomore effort, it proved that they're capable of more than simple electro-pop. There are some rock and folk influences here and there and altogether the record feels way more mature than you'd expect from the quirky English quartet.
Standouts: "I'm Aquarius" (Another 2014 favourite of mine!), "The Most Immaculate Haircut", "Reservoir" |
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Arca – Xen
After a series of EPs as well as a game-changing mixtape, twigs and soon-to-be Björk producer Arca put out his debut album Xen this year. All in all, the record feels like an inferior version of Arca's brilliant &&&&& mixtape, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's still a bit of a bummer. I guess it's not that the album is bad, it's just that his other releases set the bar too high.
Standouts: "Thievery", "Failed", "Wound" |
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Owlle – France
This unkown French chick released her debut France this January. I only really got into her like a month ago when I was recommended her album. A large portion of France seems a bit same-y, however the record builds up a really tense and dark atmosphere that reminded me of fellows like Fever Ray or Holy Other at times. This is by no means a darkwave/witch house/whatever record though, it's a straight up pop album with great hooks and choruses. Definitely worth checking out!
Standouts: "Fog", "My Light Is Gone", "Your Eyes", "Ticky Ticky" |
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Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour
British queen Sam Smith really had a great year, with hits like "Money on My Mind" and "Stay With Me" being played on radio stations 24/7. His debut album In the Lonely Hour was good -- but really just that. Apart from the singles, only bonus track "Make It to Me" and semi-up-beat track "Like I Can" truly stuck with me. Hopefully his sophomore effort will be better, and, above all, more instant.
Standouts: "Make It to Me", "Latch (Acoustic)", "Stay With Me" |
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 15,103
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This looks great
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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A friend of mine is so crazy about Metronomy. I think there are just a couple of songs I like from them, though. Haha.
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Member Since: 4/30/2011
Posts: 21,827
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Thank you guys! I'll be sure to check out y'all's countdowns, too!
Quote:
Originally posted by THERihFan
Is your banner a shout-out to the "Chasing Kites" video? Because if that's true... I can't wait to see what you're going to offer! I already know that's going to be one of the best countdowns over here.
Honestly, TRF. |
Yep, it is! Glad somebody caught it. I gotta admit I'm beyond excited for your lists, too.
Quote:
Originally posted by RatedG²
Your graphics are freaking insane omg |
Right?  Shoutout to Mica / FKA dancehall, you're the best!
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Banned
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 36,781
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I'll definitel be perched for this!
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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Love that banner! I'll be sure to check this one out too. I'm liking how its going so far.
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