#45. NAO - 'For All We Know'
Genre: Alternative R&B, Electropop, UK Bass, Wonky, Neo-Soul, Glitch Pop, Funktronica
Label: RCA || Country: UK
R&B in the last three or four years has shifted into a more electronic-inspired sound. The truth, though, is that this is just a natural evolution, because the genre was always experimental and forward-thinking. And NAO understands this very well. Not everything on the album sounds completely perfect, in fact sometimes the songs sound a bit too much like each other. But this is a great debut from a promising artist, with an incredible voice, who is an incredible songwriter, whose music has an immaculate production (courtesy of people like GRADES, A.K. Paul and NAO herself), and made one of the best R&B albums of the year.
Highlights: “Get to Know Ya”, “Inhale Exhale”, “Bad Blood”, “DYWM”, “We Don’t Give A”, “Fool to Love”, “Girlfriend”
You’ll like it if you like: Aaliyah, AlunaGeorge, Brandy, Jai Paul, Kelela
#44. Sleigh Bells - 'Jessica Rabbit'
Genre: Noise Pop, Electropop, Noise Rock, Progressive Pop, Alternative R&B
Label: Sinderlyn/Torn Clean || Country: USA
This is dangerously close to becoming a complete mess, but for some reason, all of this makes sense. While this is their poppiest, cleanest, most polished album, it's the one where they take the most risks. Most of them pay off. Other thing worth noting is how Alexis has found her voice (and it’s a great one). I guess the lack of attention or positive reception this had from alternative media as well as the commercial one is a bit unfortunate, since this is their most mature work, their best since their debut. But better things will come, I am convinced of that.
Highlights: “Lightning Turns Sawdust Gold”, “I Can’t Stand You Anymore”, “I Can Only Stare”, “I Know Not to Count on You”, “Rule Number One”, “Baptism by Fire”, “Hyper Dark”, “As If”
You’ll like it if you like: HEALTH, Sia, Twenty One Pilots, M.I.A., Crystal Castles
#43. The Avalanches - 'Wildflower'
Genre: Plunderphonics, Alternative Dance, Neo-Psychedelia, Nu-Disco, Experimental Hip Hop
Label: Modular || Country: Australia
Now, after 16 years their sophomore album, 'Wildflower’ is finally released. And it’s everything we’ve come to expect from them. I mean, probably this record isn’t as good as 'Since I Left You’, but then again that’s a very high standard to meet, and this record is a decent way to follow-up that epic album nevertheless, while it isn’t as consistent it definitely has the same amount of hit tracks that their debut had. I just wish they’d a little less time with their next release, you know?
Highlights: “Because I’m Me” (feat. Camp Lo), “Subways”, “Going Home”, “If I Was a Folkstar” (feat. Toro Y Moi), “Colours” (feat. Jonathan Donahue), “Harmony”, “Zap!”, “Live a Lifetime Love”, “The Wizard of Iz” (feat. Danny Brown)
You’ll like it if you like: Their debut album, but also Daft Punk and Madvillain.
#42. Death Grips - 'Bottomless Pit'
Genre: Industrial Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Noise Rock, Hardcore Hip Hop, Electro-Industrial
Label: Harvest || Country: US
Even though the lyrical content isn’t as personal as it was on, say, “On GP”, and it’s not like I was expecting them to do anything like that again, but still, at least they’re as… paranoic as always, but it’s still one of their best records to date, and it’s also nice to see them do something without having to rely on cheap promotional tools, focusing completely on the music – there’s a lot to talk about in it, and its unique blend of electronic, hip-hop, punk rock and industrial, so there’s that as well.
If their next album sounds exactly like this, though... they can keep it.
Highlights: “Giving Bad People Good Ideas” (feat. Clem Creevy), “Spikes”, “Eh”, “Trash”, “BB Poison”, “Ring a Bell”, “Bottomless Pit”
You’ll like it if you like: their previous albums. All of them.
#41. Kaytranada - '99.9%'
Genre: Alternative R&B, Funky House, Synth Funk, Instrumental Hip Hop, Wonky, Pop Rap
Label: XL || Country: Haiti
Kaytranada released his debut album after producing for people like The Internet, Azealia Banks, Katy B, Chance the Rapper and many others – a lot of hype was built on the release of this record, and as a result it gets lots of acclaim. Usually, when stuff like this happens I tend to be a bit skeptical and careful, so that I don’t fall for an album that might not be worth it, but despite a few missteps here and there, '99.9%’ remains one of the better, more interesting records of this year, let alone how impressive it is when considering it’s a debut album. It’s varied but doesn’t lose it’s coherence, and I predict it getting even more acclaim – the hype was more than worth it, it was exactly what we all needed.
Highlights: “Track Uno”, “Together” (feat. AlunaGeorge & GoldLink)”, “Drive Me Crazy” (feat. Vic Mensa), “Breakdance Lesson N°1”, “You’re the One” (feat. Syd), “Lite Spots”, “Leave Me Alone” (feat. Shay Lia), “Bullets” (feat. Little Dragon)
You’ll like it if you like: Frank Ocean, Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, Flying Lotus, Blood Orange
Lloro con Chairlift
Tengo que oír a NAO
Allie X <3 amo a esa gurl :3
Sleigh Bells
Kero Kero Bonito <33333333
la portada de Lafawndah me hace acordar que en ATRL hay muchos tragasables
The Avalanches
YAAS Queen Santigold
Kaytranada no está mal y DW me gusta a secas.
I don't like Crying in Public It's my least fave from Moth.
Jessica Rabbit is better than their sophomore but I was disappointed. Still has a good # of bops and good moments.
Break and Tan
Of the songs, Crying in Public, Break (this one especially LOVE the damn phone call - GOOD BYE), Chasing Shadows, I Remember, & Dangerous Woman.
Good description for NAO's album! Can be a bit same-y but overall is really good R&B. I agree with what you have to say about The Avalanches too (tho it wasn't as long of a wait for me since I was late in the game getting into them lol). Because I'm Me >>>>
The Basement Jaxx comparison to KAYTRANADA Love that album.
Nao, Break, Wildflower, Dangerous Woman, 99.9%
more love for Jessica Rabbit, feel like I've been the only one
Crying in Public is one of my faves off of Moth.
OHD andRage were nice for Allie, but I expected a little more.
Chasing Shadows is really good too. 99cents as a whole was a little underwhelming.
Ari, ha best song 
Lite Spots video tho 
It's my least fave from Moth.
Love that album.
Such an amazing song + lead single.
