Laura Mvula "If it wasn't real, then why does it hurt so bad?"
Song: Show Me Love by Laura Mvula
Why: What a ****ing album, huh? One of my favorites of the year for sure. Great album cover as well. It's really good that she was able to overcome (pun) all the **** that's been happening to her & create & release such an awesome album. Her debut was nice, albeit kinda safe?, so this was a fantastic follow-up.
All the singles are FIRE, but I had to go with Show Me Love. The prayer opening that leads into the piano (so quiet & you can hear the piano pedals), the sorrowful & nostalgic lyrics, to the grandiose & dramatic outro that explodes with amazing instruments... it's all ****ing fantastic.
I also enjoyed:
Phenomenal Woman - SHE FLY!
Overcome (feat. Nile)
Let Me Fall - My favorite non-single
Kiss My Feet
I didn't care for:
People - I don't dislike song, but it's prob my least favorite (I even love the Nan interlude all the MMHMs)
Lemaitre "I can't break through, anything that I do, it's like I'm playing to lose"
Song: Playing to Lose (feat. Stanaj) by Lemaitre
Why: Really great electronic EP! I lovev Stanaj's voice on this song.
I also enjoyed:
Haze (feat. Phoebe Ryan)
We Got U
I didn't care for:
N/A
Leon "Something just feels different about ya, babe"
Song: Tired of Talking (Remix - A-Track & Corey Enemy) by Leon
Why: I really like this remix! Possibly more than the original. I didn't listen to her EP until this year, so it's nice that I can throw something down for her even if it's just a remix.
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
Lido "Cause you were my everything."
Song: Crazy by Lido
Why: Definitely one of my favorite tracks of the year. I'm obsessed with the two parts of the song where he actually sings & the trumpets pick up / the production slows down. I think the track is really fantastic & once I first heard it, it was an immediate love.
I really quite like the rest of the album too. Definitely check it out if you're into EDM.
I also enjoyed:
Murder
Dye
You Lost Your Keys
I didn't care for:
N/A
LION BABE "You know you need a jungle lady."
Song: Jungle Lady by LION BABE
Why: I was expecting more from this album for some reason. It was really boring. I really like this song though! (and a few others)
btw I forgot to say it before, but I hope you are all having or had a great Christmas day / holidays overall!
Will do replies tomorrow, but for now let's kill another letter.
The number of sections in Encyclopedia M is 11!
M.I.A. "Tell em you’re not gonna be working late."
Song: Ali R U OK? by M.I.A.
Why: I was a bit on the fence of which song to choose from this album, but I decided to go with this one since it's one of the more interesting songs, lyrically. M.I.A. storytelling for an overworked Uber driver, working in the States but born in another state.
It's nice too because it kinda takes the perspectives of both sides - the "breadwinner" & the wife essentially. I really like the production on this one too; it's not too loud & it's not too slow.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album was QUITE disappointing.
I also enjoyed:
Go Off - I know a lot of people hate this one but I jam to it a lot lol
AMP
I didn't care for:
Jump In
Freedun
Foreign Friend
M83 "Gotta run, gotta run, gotta run."
Song: Go! (feat. Mai Lan) by M83
Why: Man, what a fitting album title for a disappointing album :/ I was REALLY disappointed by this one, even though it did have a few enjoyable songs.
This song was definitely what they were trying to go for with the rest of the album - that sort of lowkey funky, shimmery "space pop", but they couldn't match Go. I like Mai's voice on the chorus and the build up that's like a rocket ship about to blast off is really cool.
I also enjoyed:
For the Kids (feat. Susanne) - Again, also appears to be what they were trying to do with the rest of the album
Laser Gun (feat. Mai Lan)
Road Blaster
I didn't care for:
Ehh everything else - even the remaining stuff I kinda like isn't because it's M83-esqe tho
Magic Potion
Idk what the **** he's saying lmao
Song: Milk by Magic Potion
Why: A really random, but cute find earlier in the year! They're like this lo-fi, surf pop/rock kinda sound that's very easy to play in the background and chill. Milk, the opener, is my favorite because of the guitar. Tho the rest of the album did get a BIT samey & was a bit front-loaded.
Majid Jordan "If you would take this chance, then I'll take it too."
Song: Small Talk by Majid Jordan
Why: Another good album! This song in particular - it's got that mopey "I love you baby come back" aspect to it that's so signature Drake, but these guys do it MUCH better than Drake! Poor he.
I also enjoyed:
Learn From Each Other
Pacifico
Shake Shake Shake
I didn't care for:
N/A
MAMAMOO
Song: You're the Best by MAMAMOO
Why: So if it's not obvious already, I don't really care much for KPOP or go out of my way to listen to it or anything. Someone did specifically recommend Melting, and I really liked it! Still really like it. I just never found more KPOP after lmao
This song is some pop perfection though, isn't it? The chorus is bombastic & overall the song really seems to bring out the best part of each girl. As far as I can tell.
I also enjoyed:
Taller Than You - ALMOST picked this one for the sheer swag of it & the breakdown
Words Don't Come Easy - That bossa nova MMM
Funky Boy
I didn't care for:
N/A
Marina and the Diamonds "You can lose sight of it all, and the darkness inside you makes you feel so small."
Song: True Colours by Marina and the Diamonds
Why: Basically just a way for me to slide her into my Best Of - LOL. Also have to include this from our conversation -
me: telling Marina she's great, asks her about the FROOT unreleased stuff & if True Colors is a thing
Marina: No it's not an outtake sorry lol
me: (JOKING) oh musta just been some random Cyndi Lauper cover huh lol
Marina: awkward laughing ya idk
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
Maxwell "In the light of the sun, I was dazed, I was burned, I was lost."
Song: Lake by the Ocean by Maxwell
Why: What a very nice R&B album huh! I know it's a bit of an obvious pick, but it's such a great song! So romantic, happy, lovely chorus, etc.
Mayer Hawthorne "So just, lay my picture in the book of broken hearts."
Song: Book of Broken Hearts by Mayer Hawthorne
Why: ****ing funky album this one! Kinda reminds me of Chromeo's album last year, lots of electro-funk, kinda chavvy singing/lyrics, but overall really good and really fun.
This one's my highlight from the album mainly because of the production, but I also ****ing love the way he sings the chorus. A bit of stupid lyricism (the Whitney Houston part in particular) but overall a great song.
I also enjoyed:
Love Like That - The poppiest song with the best chorus on the album
Breakfast in Bed
Cosmic Love
Lingerie & Candlewax - You know what I need baaaabe!
I didn't care for:
N/A
Metronomy
Song: Back Together by Metronomy
Why: I like Love Letters more than this one, but I still quite enjoy Summer 08! Once the song completely changes at 2:10, the song becomes sooooo good.
I also enjoyed:
My House
Night Owl
I didn't care for:
N/A
Miike Snow "Don't want you to get it on with nobody else but me!"
Song: Genghis Khan by Miike Snow
Why: Man, a lot of the M musicians had some disappointing work this year, huh. This album wasn't as disappointing as other albums, but still I had higher expectations.
As for my choice in this song - is it just the video? Is it just the catchy chorus! MAYBE for both, but who cares? It's fun!
I also enjoyed:
My Trigger
For U (feat. Charli XCX) - A unique track, the glitchy production is cool
I didn't care for:
N/A
Mitski
Song: Dan the Dancer by Mitski
Why: Every year there's ALWAYS that one musician & album that I find to be incredibly overrated. Mitski was 100% that musician for me for 2016.
Anyway this song's nice. That's about it.
I also enjoyed:
My Body’s Made of Crushed Little Stars - Tho that title name...
I didn't care for:
The rest of the album - I think Happy in particular pisses me off the most for some reason
Gags she really deliver us this year PI & AD hate tho
Lapsley such an underrated girl Operator sounds like a hit that got away
MIA was kinda disappointing this year, but she did some good songs tho
Marina I need new Froot from her
Genghis Khan video is such a kii song is amazing too
Mitkski
I really think I'm just gonna do as many letters as I can the rest of this week after work until I'm all done Here we go~
As usual, THE REPLIES
Quote:
Originally posted by Remmy
Gaga Joanne was such an amazing album, just further proof that she can do so many different styles of music and stuff.
Joanne + Hey Girl being among your favorites Perfect Illusion and Angel Down are both big growers, I definitely suggest giving them a few more plays.
I suppose I should try, but I don't think they'll grow on them Esp. Perfect Illusion seeing as that was already out before the album.
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked
Mitski's previous work >> Puberty Snooze.
Angel Olsen is overrated af too.
Maxwell is my favorite, obviously.
Don't think I've even known that she had previous albums I think the same of Angel, but with her new stuff I haven't even listened to it.
Quote:
Originally posted by August
I'm definitely going to be catching up on what I missed, but love the "M" so far. M.I.A. being my top choice, ofc!
Oooo and I'll be checking out your Best Of shortly too!
Quote:
Originally posted by Legend E
dd; the marina convo
Kelly has also released this. I haven't found the studio version
Gaga The song you've featured tho
I wanted to get into Laura Mvula for so long. I guess now's the time
I look back on it and I'm like 'she straight up lied to my face huh'
I feel like not too many people care for AYO! And YES check out Laura's album! It's quick listen as well - go for Show Me Love first if you're into slower songs or Phenomenal Woman if you're into uptepmos
Quote:
Originally posted by AshleeSimpsonFan
Gaga A YO is an alright song.
Go! definitely my favorite song from this set
Oh nice! I wonder if you liked the rest of that M83 album tho...
Quote:
Originally posted by Tom Vercetti
A ton of content here. M.I.A & M83's album were both underwhelming. Majid, Mitski & Maxwell
Only enjoyed about 3-4 songs from Joanne. That was also underwhelming. Aviation >
I kinda forgot about Lapsley but ehhh. Silverlake is my fave from her.
Glad we (mostly) agree! Yeah Silverlake is a good one
Quote:
Originally posted by TheWayWeWere
Gags she really deliver us this year PI & AD hate tho
Lapsley such an underrated girl Operator sounds like a hit that got away
MIA was kinda disappointing this year, but she did some good songs tho
Marina I need new Froot from her
Genghis Khan video is such a kii song is amazing too
Mitkski
Operator totally had the makings of a hit! Yes would love some new FROOT from my bae Marina ass well.
Quote:
Originally posted by TRF.
I will not tolerate Mitski slander!
But @ M.I.A. and Lapsley! I saw Marina live this year and she was pretty good.
Sorry babe I LOOOVE Marina live. So good & so lovely.
Quote:
Originally posted by MP2K
Wow Jungle Lady is really you're pick from Lion?
Laura Mvula- I slept on her but she has bops from that album.
Why I mean the whole album was real forgettable imo but... ya.
The number of sections in Encyclopedia N is 3!
NAO "So tell me again, do you want me?"
Song: DYWM by NAO
Why: Understandable, NAO has been on a lot of year-end lists, especially here on ATRL. Her album was quite good! The only downside I could peg for it is that it's a bit TOO cohesive and can sound too samey, but that's about it!
I'm not sure what it is about this song that's been my favorite. It really reminds me of a lot of songs that were popular in the late 90s for some reason, or at least the guitar opening. I love it!
I also enjoyed:
Feels Like (Perfume) - My boy Royce Wood Junior lending his talent to NAO again (previously, it was Zillionare)
Get to Know Ya
Trophy (feat. AK Paul) - JAAAAAM
Give Me a Little
I didn't care for:
Adore You - I don't dislike it, I just have noticed I skip it the most!
Nick Jonas "Oh man, oh man, I am not ever really known for being speechless."
Song: Close (feat. Tove Lo) by Nick Jonas
Why: Didn't listen to the full album so idk how it was, but this song's a jam! Similar to Jealous in 2014 (which I forgot to include on my list) he has his few good jams a year and then vanishes.
I like the energy between Tove & Nick in the song & Nick in particular doesn't sound super annoying on the chorus.
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
Niki and the Dove "And people ask me - how I'm doing? But I just pretend I cannot hear them - they're just strangers to me!"
Song: You Stole My Heart by Niki and the Dove
Why: This album is soooooo good. A perfect one to blast during the summer or warm you up in the winter. Holy cow. I liked their debut & Somebody is an ace song, but this truly BLOWS that album out of the water.
It was hard to pick a top song, but I went with this one because it's true funk, disco, neo-soul whatever at its finest! The second verse with the "call and response" with herself & the volcano line is so fun, the song kinda stopping halfway through to have a little soliloquy, it's all sooo good. There's a lot of awesome "tears on the dance floor" type songs and this one is on the higher end of the quality-spectrum.
I also enjoyed:
You Want the Sun - Another great one & the video is so cute
Coconut Kiss - A jam!
Pretty Babies - Very uplifting & I think it's an unintentional ode to Bowie with the chorus!
Scar for Love
Ode to Dance Floor - SUCH a closer! Do I cry? Laugh? Dance? Or all?
I didn't care for:
Miami Beach - Only if I HAD to pick a "disliked song" but even then I like it.
Alright, let's kill 3 more letters since R & S will obvi be quite exciting.
The number of sections in Encyclopedia O is 1!
Olga Bell "You got that ****-eating grin when there’s nobody smiling."
Song: Randomness by Olga Bell
Why: WOOO that new-age Eiffel 65 dub beat is SICK, and hearing Olga over it is so nice as well. This was an immediate highlight from the album for me & who doesn't love enjoying the moments of randomness in our life where we bust a weird dance move on the dance floor or say something a bit silly? Tho not in the XD so lol teh random, i liek waffels way.
I do wish I enjoyed the rest of the album more though. Mainly because I bought it
I also enjoyed:
Power User
Doppio
ATA
I didn't care for:
America
The number of sections in Encyclopedia P is 3!
Pet Shop Boys "Twenty-something, quite a catch, think you'll ever meet your match?"
Song: Twenty-Something by Pet Shop Boys
Why: Super was a pretty nice album! Nothing like... suuuuuper good but it's a good & fun listen!
I feel like I should dislike this song, or these guys made this song to intentionally piss people in my age off, but it doesn't at all. It's a bit "old people snobby" in that way... or maybe they're praising people in their 20s? Really doesn't feel that way.
Either way, there's something really "catchy" about that demonic merry-go-round beat that I really enjoy. Also... that's not at all what I expected the video to end up being. lol
I also enjoyed:
Say It To Me - So sassy
Pazzo
Groovy
I didn't care for:
N/A
Petite Meller "We can have a party, baby, wait and see."
Song: The Flute by Petite Meller
Why: She's a very recent discovery, so I'm still not 100% of my choice in song, but I really liked her album! Went with this song cause I love a flute & play it myself! Her visual seems... interesting. A lot like that Melanie chick who I hate but Petite's music is good.
I also enjoyed:
Hawaii
Milk Bath
America
Argentina
I didn't care for:
Grace
Porter Robinson "And I know, I'm not alone, you'll be watching over us, until you're gone."
Song: Shelter by Porter Robinson (& Madeon)
Why: A good song! I really liked Madeon's album last year so I was pretty quick so check this song out & it's good! It's more Porter's style I think, but overall really pretty & fun.
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
The number of sections in Encyclopedia Q is 0!
Yeah lol, so I know I keep forgetting to ask which musicians I don't have on my listings that you guys haven't seen, SO DO IT! Especially with Q, since I unfortunately don't have any for Q I really tried this year to have every letter covered but - clearly - Q slipped through the cracks. Or qracks........... ?
(I know in particular I forgot Panic & Phantogram)
Petite Meller has some cute songs
Close is kinda meh imo. You should be glad you didn't listen to the rest of his album tho
I was never really into Marina but I listened to her second album this year and it had some nice bops
Gaga disappointed this year but at least Joanne has a handful of good songs. Ayo Mirror On The Ceiling and Hey Girl
Ugh I Wanna Be is amazing!
Kero Kero Bonito Waking Up is my Top 3 from the album Lipslap tho >>>>
all the MMHMs)
A YO is an alright song.
such an underrated girl 
Operator sounds like a hit that got away 
song is amazing too
As usual, THE REPLIES
Joanne was such an amazing album, just further proof that she can do so many different styles of music and stuff.
I LOOOVE Marina live. So good & so lovely.
I mean the whole album was real forgettable imo but... ya.
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I really tried this year to have every letter covered but - clearly - Q slipped through the cracks. Or qracks........... ?
Lipslap tho >>>>