#60. Preoccupations - "Anxiety" Genre: Post-Punk, Darkwave, Art Punk
#59. Junior Boys - "Big Black Coat" Genre: Synthpop, Tech House, Electropop
#30. Katie Gately - 'Color'
Genre: Art Pop, Glitch Pop, Sound Collage, IDM, Progressive Pop, Electroacoustic
Label: Tri Angle || Country: USA
Up until this point, Katie had always fit into the tags of “musique concrète”, “electroacoustic” and “ambient”, using her beautiful voice as an instrument and not much else. Although she had flirted with the genre before but on her proper debut album, ‘Color’ this is the first time we hear her doing actual pop music, with typical structures, actual melodies and everything. However, that does not mean this is conventional at all, since there are multiple layers of music on most of the songs here, as something that could be defined as an “exercise on maximalism”. The best about ‘Color’ is how it shows Katie as an unique, promising singer, songwriter, producer and artist.
#58. Róisín Murphy - "Ten Miles High" Genre: Art Pop, Electropop, Progressive Pop
#57. Kaytranada feat. Syd - "You're the One" Genre: Synth Funk, Alternative R&B, Funky House
#29. The Body - 'No One Deserves Happiness'
Genre: Drone Metal, Industrial, Power Electronics, Art Pop, Sludge Metal
Label: Thrill Jockey || Country: USA
You see, while I’m not really into *actual* metal, I really love it when people take that genre into different, innovative directions, sound-wise. And The Body usually do this, and when they announced that they were releasing a new album I was excited - but given the description, claiming they have made the “grossest pop album of all time”, and that they were influenced by 80′s Pop, and Beyoncé, I was doubtful. Not because I didn’t like Pop (not me out of all people), but because I didn’t know it would actually work. Don’t get me wrong, though, ’No One Deserves Happiness’ is way too far away from typical Pop music n this album, but still, the band push forward their sound, taking it to a next level, blurring the lines between what’s “metal”, “pop”, “noise” and “experimental”, and do it succesfully, making one of their most interesting works to date.
Highlights: “Shelter Is Illusory”, “For You”, “Two Snakes”, “Adamah” “The Fall and the Guilt”, “The Myth Arc”
You’ll like it if you like: early Zola Jesus, Sunn O))), Pharmakon, Boris, Jenny Hval
#28. Lust for Youth - 'Compassion'
Genre: Synthpop, Alternative Dance, Dream Pop
Label: Sacred Bones || Country: Sweden/Denmark
The moment where Swedish-Danish band Lust for Youth where a Noise/Industrial band seems like forever ago, but in their latest works they have been getting progressively more accessible. This new album, ‘Compassion’, seems like thier most complete work to date, despite being only 8 tracks, and a little over half an hour long. LFY have finally completed their transition into a full Synthpop band – yes, it might be 80’s worship at times, it may not be 100% innovative (but then again, in this day and age, what is?) but I feel like there are some elements of their music (like the dark lyrics and raspy vocal performances), that they don’t want to give up even at their poppiest moments. And, honestly, I don’t mind that, since that’s one of the reasons of why I love them so much.
#54. Tegan and Sara - "Boyfriend" Genre: Synthpop, Electropop, Dance-Pop
#53. Charli XCX feat. Lil Yachty - "Reminder" Genre: Electropop, Dance-Pop, Pop Rap
#27. Shura - 'Nothing's Real'
Genre: Synthpop, Alternative R&B, Dance-Pop, Sophisti-Pop, Nu-Disco, Electropop
Label: Polydor/Interscope || Country: UK
The first time most people heard of Shura was when she released her first music video for the song “Touch” in 2014 – with a soft, 90’s R&B-influenced instrumental, a very delicate, sweet vocal delivery, and personal, intimate, vulnerable lyrics. There are a bunch of tracks that sound like that on her debut album – ‘Nothing’s Real’. Maybe the intention behind this album isn’t really being innovative or anything like that – after all, it’s pretty straight-forward modern pop/R&B, but she’s excellent at what she does, and it’s always nice to see artists paying homage to previous musical eras without doing some kind of past-fetishism many artists within these genres are guilty of. And this album isn’t perfect either, but it leaves just enough room for Aleksandra to continue growing as an artist.
Highlights: “Nothing’s Real”, “What’s It Gonna Be?”, “Touch”, “Kidz N’ Stuff”, “Indecision”, “Make It Up”, “White Light”
You’ll like it if you like: CHVRCHES, Carly Rae Jepsen, Haim, Robyn, Blood Orange, Chairlift
#26. Deakin - 'Sleep Cycle'
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Pop, Ambient Pop, Psychedelic Folk
Label: self-released || Country: USA
Animal Collective’s latest album, ‘Painting With’, wasn’t as bad as some people made it out to be – it did have some of their catchy melodies, colorful textures and atmospheres… but it just didn’t feel as good as most of their previous effort. On the other hand, in December 2009 Deakin (frequent member of AnCo) raised over $25,000 in order to perform in Mali in January 2010, to donate to an organization working to help enslaved Tuareg people, and record an album soon after that. But it took him about five or six years to finally release an album, his fans were obviously impatient – but I bet not many people were disappointed by the release of 'Sleep Cycle’, which was a great surprise. He tried to make something subtle, dreamier, and accidentally ended up making one of the greatest experimental-pop records of the year, as well as one of the best debuts, if not the best overall, and I hope that we don’t have wait 6 more years to hear more solo Deakin music, because this is fantastic.
#50. BANKS - "Gemini Feed” Genre: Alternative R&B, Electropop, Art Pop
‘The Altar’ was kinda disappointing. I wished Banks realized that she is more comfortable by making maximalist electropop than she is at making white&B, because honestly this is excellent, probably one of my favorite tracks of hers yet.
#49. Chairlift - "Romeo" Genre: Synthpop, Electropop, Glitch Pop
Probably one of their best singles, only behind “Anaemonesia” and “I Belong in Your Arms” – this is super fun and I love the references to Greek mythology and the vaguely J-pop influenced video. R.I.P. Chairlift – gone too soon.
#25. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - 'Skeleton Tree'
Genre: Art Rock, Spoken Word, Ambient, Drone, Electronic
Label: Bad Seed || Country: Australia
Death and tragedy were always part of Nick Cave’s music, but on his latest album as a part of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, it has never been more evident. Around the time he was recording ‘Skeleton Tree’, Cave’s son died after accidentally falling from a cliff. He was only fifteen years old. At that point, most of the album had been already written, and although none of the tracks explicitly mention Arthur’s death, both theme and sound-wise, it does seem like it is the darkest stuff he has ever made. And that is saying a lot. In some way, I see ‘Skeleton Tree’ as a companion to David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ and Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want It Darker’, except that the point of view taken on the inevitability of death is based on the point of view from the person mourning. And despite all the different circumstances, this is as excellent as the other two.
Highlights: “Jesus Alone”, “Rings of Saturn”, “Girl in Amber”, “Anthrocene”, “Skeleton Tree”
You’ll like it if you like: Scott Walker, David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’, Laurie Anderson, Majical Cloudz
#48. Christine and the Queens - "Tilted” Genre: Synthpop, Art Pop, Electropop
This song appeared last year on my Best Of, but like, the French version. But this became a hit this year at least in Europe so I’m gonna put it again, because both versions are excellent! Legends only!
#47. Solange feat. Sampha - "Don’t Touch My Hair" Genre: Alternative R&B, Neo-Soul, Art Pop
Probably one of their best singles, only behind “Anaemonesia” and “I Belong in Your Arms” – this is super fun and I love the references to Greek mythology and the vaguely J-pop influenced video. R.I.P. Chairlift – gone too soon.
#24. ANOHNI - ’HOPELESSNESS’
Genre: Art Pop, Electropop, Glitch Pop, Alternative R&B
Label: Rough Trade || Country: UK
There are some interesting twists to it – it does not only sound like nothing ANOHNI, Oneohtrix Point Never and HudMo have ever done before, but it’s also her most political work to date. But it is hard to describe this a Dance album – like it was, I guess, “supposed” to be – which, in contrast to the direct, unsubtle lyrics, which address different current themes, it can be quite powerful. Being so direct with your lyrical content doesn’t always work – specially when it’s backed up by a very bright, poppy production, it usually ends up sounding very corny, but in this case, ANOHNI makes it good enough to be one of the best electronic-pop projects of the year so far, giving voice to all those problems, and I really hope she continues with this project.
Highlights: “Drone Bomb Me”, “4 Degrees”, “Watch Me”, “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, “Violent Men”, “Why Did You Separate Me from the Earth”, “Crisis”
You’ll like it if you like: Sia, Kate Bush, The Knife, Rihanna, Xiu Xiu, Autre Ne Veut
#46. Sleigh Bells - "I Can Only Stare” Genre: Electropop, Synthpop, Alternative R&B
This song is the one where Sleigh Bells leave behind their sound of cheerleader noise-rock for something that could only be described as anthemic electro-R&B. It's probably Alexis' most passionate vocal performance too.
#45. Death Grips - "Eh" Genre: Glitch Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop
I'm glad this song exists because it feels like a... I don't know, throwback? to the toned down, electronic sound of 'Government Plates' (my favorite album of theirs). And this is their best video ever. It proves that when they get away from being a dumb meme, Death Grips can be great!
#23. Yves Tumor - 'Serpent Music'
Genre: Hypnagogic Pop, Sound Collage, Ambient, Post-Industrial, Field Recordings, Noise
Label: PAN || Country: USA
Last year, Sean Bowie also released a “mixtape”/digital album titled ‘When Man Fails You' which showed a lot of promise – most of which is fulfilled on his proper debut as Yves Tumor via the excellent label PAN, ‘Serpent Music’. The first thing I noticed when I listened to this is how diverse it is, in just a span of three quarters of an hour he touches on many genres and styles, but it’s also impressive in its cohesiveness. It would be too easy to link the Yves Tumor project to that of other like-minded musicians and producers, but I feel like none of these artists have properly released an album as diverse and strong from beginning to end as this one. For all of these reasons is why I believe this record is one of the year’s most pleasant surprises – and I hope Sean continues with this project for many, many years.
Highlights: “Devout”, “The Feeling When You Walk Away”, “Broke In” (feat. Oxhy), “Seed”, “Face of a Demon”, “Perdition”
You’ll like it if you like: Dean Blunt, Throbbing Gristle, James Ferraro, U.S. Girls, Klein, Chino Amobi
I mean, I think everything has been said about this song. It's great. It took a while for it to click on me but once it did I stanned. She slayed. All day.
#43. Angel Olsen - "Shut Up Kiss Me" Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Noise Pop
I think this is the song that really got me into Angel's rock-ish side. It's like the lo-fi stuff she did on her earlier albums except that this is actually fun! Love this.
SHUT UP KISS ME HOLD ME TIGHT!!!!!
#22. Triángulo de Amor Bizarro - 'Salve Discordia'
Genre: Indie Rock, Noise Pop, Noise Rock, Shoegaze
Label: Mushroom Pillow || Country: Spain
Rock music in Spanish is a bit of a mixed bag - you have great, amazing, innovative bands with a specific style that doesn’t ever age or get old. But, on the other hand, you have bands with a basic sound, that’s either ripped off from other Spanish-speaking bands, or ripped off from American/English ones. That, however, doesn’t seem to be the case with Triángulo de Amor Bizarro, a Galician noisey-indie-rock band that, of course, has some kinda obvious influences (like, the name alone is a New Order reference), but they try to create with that, something completely new, and most of the time, they succeed. Not every moment in 'BSalve DiscordiaSalve Discordia’ is perfect, but again, it feels like it’s not only their best album yet, but also the peak of their sound and, what could be a really bad thing, their creativity. They’ve pushed this sound, in the way that it is, as much as they could, so, what could be next? Well, they actually have a lot of options, but I only know one thing, this is also one of the best Hispanic Rock albums I’ve heard in a long, long time, so I wouldn’t be too worried abut anything else.
Highlights: “Desmadre Estigio”, “Barca Quemada”, “Seguidores”, “Baila Sumeria”, “Que Hizo Por Ella Cuando La Encontró”, “Nuestro Siglo Fnord”, “Euromaquia”, “O Salve Eris”
You’ll like it if you like: My Bloody Valentine, Ought, Sky Ferreira
#42. María Usbeck - "Uno de tus Ojos” Genre: Art Pop, Folktronica, Nueva Canción Latinoamericana
I think this song is about Latin American identity. I feel like that's something underrepresented in modern Indie I guess? So it's cool to hear this. The instrumental sounds like Hundred Waters mixed with Andean folk music (aka: the music I was raised with), and it brings me so much nostalgia yet it feels so unique in some way.
#41. Oneohtrix Point Never - "Animals" Genre: Progressive Electronic, Ambient, Glitch Pop
Actually for the longest time this was my least favorite track on 'Garden of Delete'. But after I watched the video it just clicked with me. It's so emotional, yet robotic and futuristic? And the video makes me feel depressed for some reason. Love Val Kilmer too so that's a nice touch Daniel!
#21. James Blake - 'The Colour in Anything'
Genre: Alternative R&B, Art Pop, Future Garage, UK Bass, Ambient Pop
Label: Polydor || Country: UK
Singer/songwriter and producer James Blake’s path to success is a very weird one. He started releasing weird, dark, mostly instrumental EP’s via well known independent labels focused on the genre – such as R&S, but he got signed up by a major, and his first proper single, “Limit to Your Love” was completely different to the stuff he had released before, he mixed that style of Electronic muic with a more pop-influenced songwriting, using his vocals more often. And not long ago, he was featured on the latest Beyoncé album, 'Lemonade’, on the song “Forward”, a minute-lng interlude, and also co-produced the song “Pray You Catch Me”, and just a few days after that, he announced the release of his much anticipated, and much delayed third album, under the title 'The Colour in Anything’. And there isn’t any doubt that this is his most ambitius record to date, since it’s 17 tracks and over 75 minutes long, and despite this, most of its length is completely justified. Whether this album is that different from his two previous ones or not, is kind of irrelevant, you can still notice a growth in his artistry, and makes him one of the most exciting figures in electronic-pop music.
Highlights: “Radio Silence”, “Points”, “Timeless”, “Put That Away and Talk to Me”, “Waves Know Shores”, “My Willing Heart”, “I Need a Forest Fire” (feat. Bon Iver), “Noise Above Our Heads”, “Meet Me in the Maze”
You’ll like it if you like: Imogen Heap, Burial, FKA twigs
Everyone seems to hate it on here 
Such a cute bop, I hope it can find its footing on the charts at some point (if it's not too late.)
I wished Banks realized that she is more comfortable by making maximalist electropop than she is at making white&B, because honestly this is excellent, probably one of my favorite tracks of hers yet.
