Alright Arca has done some great work as a prod. for others but I cannot get into the solo stuff, when I tell you it does NOTHING for me outside off the lead single off the last album which I forget the name of. and I didn't like Honeymoon actually but Currents is dope, U.S. Girls I like a lot from what I've heard along with Future Brown, HI, CFMF, good shtuffs
I didn't even know OPN put out an EP so maybe I'll listen to that before I check the big album. m3l is fresh ofc and I want a new album from Nicolas Jaar too! + didn't know easyFun had a project out either but have to check too now of course because Laplander is a beast.
#60. Adele - "Hello" from '25' Genre: Pop Soul
Adult Contemporary Country: UK - Label: XL/Columbia
"Hello, it's me..."
Not my favorite Adele song, to be honest. But, damn, the final chorus. And her vocal performance yes mama. Also, this goes to all the pop girls' careers:
#59. Chelsea Wolfe - "Carrion Flowers" from 'Abyss' Genre: Darkwave, Gothic Rock, Industrial Rock
Ethereal Wave, Noise Rock Country: USA - Label: Sargent House
"We learned how on our own..."
Probably one of her heaviest tracks, it sounds like it was influenced by Nine Inch Nails, Cocteau Twins and Sunn O))), all at the same time. So, yeah, it's terrifying.
#30. HEALTH – 'Death Magic' Genre: Synth Punk, Electropop
Noise Pop, EBM, Electro-Industrial Country: USA - Label: Loma Vista Highlights: “Victim”, “Stonefist”, “Courtship II”, “Salvia”, “New Coke”, “Hurt Yourself”, “Drugs Exist” You'll like it if you like: Crystal Castles, TR/ST, Nine Inch Nails, CHVRCHES as much as Sunn O)))
While taking influences from various Pop and Electronic music acts, they still sound like themselves, which is something that is really hard to achieve in this day and age, and I might get it if you don’t like this album if you hve some kind of attachment to HEALTH’s singature sound, and maybe it wasn’t the album you would expect from them 6 years after the release of their previous one, but that only means they’re evolving. And as long as they’re as exciting as always… I will be interested.
#58. HEALTH - “Stonefist" from 'Death Magic' Genre: Synth Punk, EBM, Synthpop
Electropop, Electro-Industrial, Noise Pop Country: USA - Label: Loma Vista
"That's not enough..."
This song was, apparently, inspired by Katy Perry and Rihanna. But actually, it sounds like equal parts Rihanna and equal parts Nine Inch Nails or something like that, so yeah, it's dense, and those bursts of loud noise might kept it away from the radio, but it's, at the same time, SO catchy. The video is... bizarre, to say the least.
#57. iamamiwhoami - “The Deadlock" from 'CONCERT IN BLUE' Genre: Synthpop, Art Pop, Downtempo
Ambient Pop, Dream Pop Country: Sweden - Label: To whom it may concern.
"..."
Oh, you know, I'm still a huge iamamiwhoami fan. And, yes, 'Blue' was my favorite album of the year, and one of the albums I listened to the most. But my excitement for iam in 2015 was a bit... decreased? In some ways. Probably thanks to Carly Rae Jepsen and Oneohtrix Point Never, and the fact that they were not really active. But this song, mind you, is amazing. The production is tense and Jonna's vocal performance is good (as usual). Also, it's a “live” recording, so like on “.”/“Shadowshow” from 'in Concert', that later appeared on 'Blue', a studio could appear on a future album. So, bring it!
(skip to 39:45)
#29. Beach House – 'Depression Cherry' Genre: Dream Pop
Indie Pop, Shoegaze, Ethereal Wave Country: USA - Label: Sub Pop Highlights: “Levitation”,*“Sparks”, “PPP”,*“10:37″,*“Days of Candy” You'll like it if you like: My Bloody Valentine,*‘Bloom’, Slowdive
Dream-pop duo Beach House, despite having their own specific sound, have clearly evolved over the years - like, for example, you can really notice the difference between their 2006 self-titled debut album, and*‘Bloom’, released in 2012. They are, also, getting better. And their latest release,*‘Depression Cherry’, is no exception, either. Their ethereal sound it’s there, but it’s not*just*that anymore. There are some songs here that could be a bit shorter, or use some more exciting souns - but, I mean, they have their own sound right now, and I’m hoping that both Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally will continue to work on that, since is this probably one of their best works yet… after ‘Bloom’, that is. Also, by the way, 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' was OK, but this was better.
#56. Fetty Wap - “Trap Queen” from 'Fetty Wap' Genre: Contemporary R&B, Pop Rap
Trap Rap, Bop Country: USA - Label: 300
"I'm like, hey, what's up, hello?..."
OK, I love this. This song is basically 90% hook (the trap-rap part is actually the worst part of the song, but even then it seems kinda... necessary?), and it works! Fetty was probably the hitmaker of the year, but his album, again, kinda dissapointed me, but there's no way you'd be bored while listening to this.
#55. Shamir - “On the Regular” from 'Ratchet' Genre: Hip House
Electro-Disco, Synthpop Country: USA - Label: XL
"While everyone is minus, you could call me multiply..."
This is probably “212” part 2, in the way that Shamir delivers killer-line-after-killer-line (replace killer with hilarious if you want to, either way both are good), over a catchy disco-house beat. Love the cowbells. And that synthpop bridge too. And the music video.
#28. Gwenno – 'Y Dydd Olaf' Genre: Indie Pop, Indietronica, Neo-Psychedelia
Dream Pop, Synthpop, Psychedelic Pop Country: USA - Label: Sub Pop Highlights: “Chwyldro”, “Patriarchaeth”, “Dawns Y Blaned Dirion”, “Stwff”, “Y Dydd Olaf”, “Fratolish Hiang Perpeshki” You'll like it if you like: Chromatics, Föllakzoid, Stereolab
Gwenno Saunders’ debut album (her first since The Pipettes), is sung entirely in Welsh, except for one song, “Amser”, sung in Cornish, a language which has*only 550*speakers (including probably Aphex Twin?). Which, is odd, but despite this, 'Y Dydd Olaf’ (The Last Day) isn’t some “back-to-our-roots”/throwback album – yes, it does have elements from psychedelic music, and some elements of Krautrock and New Wave here and there, and it’s also named after a Welsh novel from 1976, but it’s probably the most forward-thinking Indie Pop album in a long time. Gwenno mixes the weird and futuristic with the catchy hooks and the accessible melodies in this record, and if she keeps on doing that, she might get a really large following, regardless of whatever language she’s singing on her records.
#54. Kendrick Lamar - "King Kunta" from 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Genre: Conscious Hip Hop
G-Funk, Hardcore Hip Hop Country: USA - Label: Interscope
"WE WANT THE FUNK!"
It's probably the most accessible song on his iconic album 'To Pimp a Butterfly', but it's good too! It is, indeed, funky! The hook is catchy, and there's some kind of message in it with the lyric I quoted above, that might be about re-appropiating funk music. I love it!
#53. Le1f - "Koi" from 'Riot Boi' Genre: Hip House, Bubblegum Bass
Experimental Hip Hop, Dance-Pop Country: USA - Label: Terrible
"Not here for you, boy..."
We need more people like Le1f. He delivers killer, shady lines after lines, over a SOPHIE-produced beat (which, by the way is aweeeeesooooomeeee), probably the poppiest track on his album (that hook!), and the one with the most sense of humour. A colorful ride.
#27. Deafheaven - 'New Bermuda' Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Blackgaze, Post-Rock, Screamo Country: USA - Label: Anti- Highlights: “Come Back”, “Luna”, “Baby Blue” You'll like it if you like: Explosions in the Sky, Swans, Alcest, their previous works.
One of the things you can notice about this is how this is more centered and straight-to-the-point, compared to their previous album – there are no interludes or instrumental tracks on the album at all, which could be a good thing, but I kinda wish there was a track like “Please Remember” from their previous album. But, I guess, it’s also a part of them maturing as artists, they really know what they want, and while I’m not sure if this is better than their previous album, I’m glad they’re as consistent as ever.
#52. Clarence Clarity - "Meadow Hopping, Traffic Stopping, Death Splash" from 'NO NOW' Genre: Glitch Pop, Indietronica
Alternative R&B, Electropop, Hypnagogic Pop Country: UK - Label: Bella Union
"I was in Hollywood, at the Witch House..."
This is a bit like M.I.A.'s "XXXO" but it's kind of... noisier? Like, it's expected from CC at this point. Anyways, that vocal sample he uses is catchy as hell, so is the hook, and the video is really awesome too. The lyrics are a bit silly, but that's kind of the appeal of it as well.
#51. Róisín Murphy - "Exploitation" from 'Hairless Toys' Genre: Microhouse, Art Pop
Deep House, Ambient House, Nu-Disco Country: UK - Label: PIAS
Who's exploiting who?...
First, yes, the video is 4-minute-ish long, but the whole song is NINE MINUTES LONG. And every single minute kills it, to be honest. The beat is insane, the lyrics are actually deep (about sexuality and oneself exploiting yourself), and the way the beat builds-up in the last 4-5 mins... it KILLS me.
#26. Empress Of - 'Me' Genre: Electropop, Art Pop
Dance-Pop, UK Garage, Synthpop, Alternative R&B Country: Honduras/USA - Label: Terrible/XL Highlights: “Everything Is You”, “Water Water”, “How Do You Do It?”, “Kitty Kat”, “Threat”, “Icon” You'll like it if you like: Katy B, Lorde, early Björk
Lorely Rodriguez is a young Honduran-American musician, who has been releasing music under the name Empress Of for about 4-5 years, however, she released her debut album, the aptly-titled 'Me’, a few months ago, after releasing quite a few EPs and singles. It’s a ten-song album, that alternates between avant-pop ballads, and UK Garage-influenced bangers, that wouldn’t look totally out of place in a Katy B album. I think that Empress Of is definitely going to be one of the most interesting, promising Pop acts in the upcoming years, and this record proves it.
Oh, well, since everyone is busy with Anti (and rightfull so!), let me get a little bit closer to finishing this:
SINGLES:
50 Gwenno – Chwyldro
49 Carly Rae Jepsen – Your Type
48 Sufjan Stevens – No Shade in the Shadow...
47 Arca – Soichiro
46 Björk – Stonemilker
45 Christine and the Queens – Paradis Perdus
44 Charli XCX feat. Rita Ora – Doing It
43 M.I.A. – Swords
42 Florence + the Machine – Ship to Wreck
41 Jamie xx feat. Young Thug – I Know...
40 Marina and the Diamonds – I'm a Ruin
39 Björk – Lionsong
38 Beach House – Sparks
37 Tove Lo – Talking Body
36 St. Vincent – Birth In Reverse
35 FKA twigs – Glass & Patron
34 Azealia Banks – Ice Princess
33 Death Grips – Inanimate Sensation
32 Tove Styrke – Number One
31 David Bowie – Blackstar
30 Sia – Elastic Heart
29 Kelela – A Message
28 Tame Impala – Let It Happen
27 SOPHIE – Just Like We Never Said Goodbye
26 Empress Of – How Do You Do It?
25 FKA twigs – Pendulum
24 FKA Viet Cong – Silhouettes
23 Grimes – Flesh Without Blood
22 Joanna Newsom – Sapokanikan
21 Purity Ring – Bodyache
ALBUMS:
25 Charli XCX – Sucker
24 Kiasmos – Kiasmos
23 Christine and the Queens – S/T
22 Clarence Clarity – No Now
21 Prurient – Frozen Niagara Falls
20 Chelsea Wolfe – Abyss
19 Grimes – Art Angels
18 SOPHIE – Product
17 Death Grips – The Powers That B
16 Natalia Lafourcade – Hasta La Raíz
15 Joanna Newsom – Divers
14 Purity Ring – Another Eternity
13 CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
12 Julia Holter – Have You In My Wilderness
11 Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell
Top 20 singles and top 10 albums tomorrow. With cute pictures and everything.
#20. Florence + the Machine - “Queen of Peace" from 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' Genre: Art Pop, Chamber Pop
Pop Soul, Indie Rock Country: UK - Label: Island
"Like a boat into oblivion, 'cause you're driving me away..."
This song took me a while to get, but then again it's probably the closest Florence gets to the hugeness of her previous album, 'Ceremonials', and those horns sound absolutely beautiful. The video is amazing too.
#19. CHVRCHES - “Leave a Trace" from 'The Bones of What You Believe' Genre: Electropop, Synthpop
Synthwave, Dream Pop Country: UK - Label: Glassnote
"I know, I need, to be released..."
I kind of got tired of this song rather quickly, I guess I overplayed it, but recently this has hit me hard again, and that hook + the synthesizer melodies are absolutely great, so... yeah, I love this. But, yeah, that video is kinda boring and pointless.
#10. Marina and the Diamonds – 'Froot' Genre: Electropop, Synthpop
Dance-Pop, Art Pop Country: UK - Label: Atlantic/Neon Gold Highlights: “Happy”, “Froot”, “I’m a Ruin”, “Blue”, “Can’t Pin Me Down”, “Gold”, “Solitaire”, “Savages” You'll like it if you like: Robyn, CHVRCHES, Lana Del Rey, the poppiest moments from 'The Family Jewels’ and the weirdest from 'Electra Heart’
Froot' might not be Marina’s best album ('The Family Jewels’ still wins, sorry!), but it’s the one where she finally choses what to do with her music – here, she started to produce music on her own, often collaborating with David Kosten -, and it shows. I hope that, in a few years, Marina, besides releasing her best album to date, also gains the status of a pop queen, even if the charts are not involved this time.