What a great year for music. I've listened to a lot of albums released this year so I'm going to do a year end list for 50 albums that I enjoy a lot. I listen to all kinds of genres so this list should be interesting. I'll also post videos or soundclouds of the songs that I really love.
Alien's Top 50 albums
1-10
01 FKA Twigs - LP1
I fell in love with Twigs when I first heard Water Me early this year and I've been obsessed with her ever since. LP1 is nothing like what I've heard of. It's instantly become one of my all time favourite albums. This is just her debut album, I'm impatiently waiting for more slayage to come.
Fav tracks: Lights on, Two weeks, Pendulum.
02 Tanya Tagaq - Animism
Tanya is a (Inuk) throat singer from Canada who's worked with Björk's album, Medúlla. She's also toured together with her. This album was recommended by one of my favourite artists, Grimes, and after i listened to it, I was totally slayed.
03 St. Vincent - St. Vincent
With the best set of songs, this is her best album yet. It proves that Annie isn't only original, she's also an innovative musician. The album is kinda unconventional but surprisingly accessible. After 10 months since its release, I still find it fresh so it's definitely a timeless masterpiece. Every listen is a new experience. Real art pop.
Fav tracks: Birth in reverse, Digital witness, Psychopath,
04 Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels BEST HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR, if not decade. I demand everyone to listen to it. It's free on their website. DOWNLOAD RUN THE JEWELS 2 FOR FREE AND BE SLAYED
Fav tracks: Oh my darling don't cry, Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1, Close your eyes.
05 Taylor Swift - 1989
I have loved Taylor Swift since I saw Love Story on the TV for the first time. When she announced that this wass going to be her first documented pop album, I was kinda worried. But The Lord has proved me wrong. What amazing about this album is, it doesn't need all the unnecessary gimmicks, it's a straight-up solid pop album and it's so amazing. I personally really dislike songs with obnoxious electro-hooks, 1989 doesn't follow the trend, it's far from being generic. Taylor never disappoints as a song writer, HOW did she manage to write so many great hooks???? I have so much more to say but let's just leave it here. Thank you Taylor for saving pop music.
Fav tracks: Blank space, Style, Clean.
06 tUnE-yArDs - Nikki Nack
This is Garbus' 3rd album and it's definitely not worse than her super amazing 2nd album, W H O K I L L S. This album is full of joy and freedom. The production is so amazingly constructed. It still has so much more to explore after a few months.
Fav tracks: Water fountain, Real thing, Wait for a minute.
07 Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste
It's been 3 years since Banks released 212 and we've been waiting for this album for a really long time. She's given us what we wanted and more. She understand what she wants for her music, a hybrid of house and hip hop. I wouldn't say this is one of the best rap albums ever but it's great for a debut.
Fav tracks: Desperado, 212, Ice Princess.
08 Pharmakon - Bestial Burden
A lot of people may find this album very mentally disturbing but idk lol it's my kind of music. This record has no boundaries, it delivers art through music. Her voice is the album's most expressive instrument and the song Body Betrays Itself is too good for me not to put it in the top 10.
Fav tracks: Body betrays itself, bestial burden.
09. Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal
This is probably the best work. The production that has a hint of art punk on this album is so well constructed, the lengths, tempos etc. It's often minimal but it speaks so much. The lyrics feel more focused.
Fav tracks: Bodies made of, Sunbathing animal, Instant disassembly.
10. Perfume Genius - Too Bright
I'm so happy to have discovered Perfume Genius, this album is just so beautifu and rawl. The songs deeply moved me. It's not an easy album to listen to but once you get into it, you won't be able to find your way out.
Fav tracks: Queen, My body, Grid.
11-20
11. Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence
Ultraviolence is sooooooo much more cohesive than her last album, Born to Die. Her songwriting is more refined and sharper. The melodies flow so well and she's more confident in her voice. UV shows Lana's true talent, I hope she gets better and better.
Fav tracks: Cruel world, Brooklyn baby, West coast.
12. Mac DeMarco - Salad Days
Salad Days followed the same vibe as Mac's last album, 2, because he didn't want to scare people by changing too much. All of the tracks are great and so soothing to the ears, it is a genius work but you can also hear Mac's crazy character in it.
Fav tracks: Brother, Goodbye weekend, Passing out pieces.
13. Owen Pallett - In Conflict
Owen Pallett was nominated for Best Original Score at the 86th Oscars for this work on Her. It reminds me of Björk's Homogenic, mostly because of the use of strings and electronic beats.
Fav tracks: I'm not afraid, In conflict, Internal Fantasy.
14. The Soft Pink Truth - Why Do the Heathen Rage?
The album cover is too explicit so I'm using its alternative cover. The Soft Pink Truth is an experimental house music side-project from Drew Daniel, one-half of experimental electronica duo Matmos (they're a gay couple). This album is a reworks black metal songs as electro, house and techno. When I'm blasting this album at home, I become a satanic person in a big dance party, love it!
Fav tracks: Black metal, Satanic black devotion, Maniac.
15. White Lung - Deep Fantasy
This album, I'm telling you, if you can accept punk rock music, you must listen to it. The length of this record is 22min long, it's so attention-demanding that there isn't a second you will think of anything else when you're listening to it. Deep Fantasy is also kinda scary (in a good way) lol
Fav tracks: Drown the monster, Down it goes, Face down.
16. La Roux - Trouble In Paradise
La Roux won a Grammy back in 2009. After 5 whole years, they FINALLY released their sophomore album. La Roux was originally a duo but Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid decided to part bc of creative differences. The vintage synth-pop and electro-disco that reminds you of Daft punk vibe in this record are just beautiful.
Fav tracks: Kiss and not tell, Cruel sexuality, Paradise if you.
17. Ought - More Than Any Other Day
More than any other day is a post-punk album. It is a veryrefreshing listen, bursting at the seams with joy and fear and soul-baring lyricism.
Fav tracks: Today more than any other day, Habit, The weather song.
18. A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Sea When Absent
I'm very fond of showgaze-y music. Listening to this record is like standing in the middle of a foggy place during summer, the sun is hiding behind the cloud but you can tell it's smiling at you.
Fav tracks: Bye Bye, Big Ocean (The End), MTLOV (Minor Keys), The Body, It Bends (ペルセポネが帰ってきた!)
19. Todd Terje - It's Album Time
Todd Terje is a Norwegian DJ/producer. This is an instrumental album, except for one song, Johnny and Mary. I like when an album can express itself so well without having to say too much. I feel like I'm at an expensive bar socializing with rich people when I listen to this record.
Fav tracks: Strandbar, Delorean Dynamite, Alfonso Muskeduner.
20. Charli XCX - Sucker
I thought I wasn't going to like this album after I heard those singles, but it turned out to be a really good pop album. I love how it is 80s punk-pop inspired, you just can't help but sing-along, dance-along to it. Songwriting isn't that good tho.
Fav tracks: Sucker, Breaking up, Boom clap.
21-30
21. Spoon - They Want My Soul
Fav tracks: Rent I play, Do you, Knock Knock.
22. Ariel Pink - pom pom
Fav tracks: Put your number in my phone, Nude beach A Go-Go, Picture me gone
23. Kitten - Kitten
Fav tracks: Like a stranger, Sensible, Sex drive.
24. Ex Hex - Rips
Fav tracks: Don't wanna lose, Hot and cold, Radio on.
25. How to Dress Well - "What Is This Heart?"
Fav tracks: Face again, Repeat pleasure, Precious love.
26. Strands of Oaks - Heal
Fav tracks: Goshen '97, Heal, Mirage year.
27. Cloud Nothings - Here and nowhere else
Fav tracks: Now here in, Psychic trauma, I'm not part of me
28. Ben Frost - A U R O R A
Fav tracks: Nolan, Secant, Venter.
29. East India Youth - Total Strife Forever
Fav tracks: Dripping down, Hinterland, Heaven, how long.
30. Lykke Li - I Never Learn
Fav tracks: No Rest For The Wicked, Gunshot, Love me like I'm not made of stone.
31-40
31. Sharon Van Etten - Are We There
Fav tracks: Talking chances, Your love is killing me, Our love.
32. Total Control - Typical System
Fav tracks: Expensive Dog, Flesh War, Hunter.
33. EMA - The Future's Void
Fav tracks: Satellites, So Blonde, Neuromancer
34. Caribou - Our Love
Fav tracks: Can't do without you, All I ever need, Our Love.