Why: I feel a lil bad that my favorite song from this album doesn't have a high amount of Dev in it Oh well. Empress Of sounds really good on this one and Dev supports her really well. Once the beat kicks in, I just wanna start bobbing from side to side.
The album as a whole is rather good too, but I haven't really revisited it and Cupid Deluxe still reigns supreme.
I also enjoyed:
Augustine
E.V.P.
But You
Better Than Me
I didn't care for:
Desiree - Not sure why, it's just always been the one I don't care for
Bon Iver
"Staying at the Ace Hotel, if the calm would allow, then I would just be floating to you now"
Song: 33 "GOD" by Bon Iver
Why: I've honestly never really cared for Bon Iver, but this album is pretty nice & this song in particular is really nice as well.
I also enjoyed:
22 (OVER SOON)
000000 Million
I didn't care for:
10 death breast
Brandy Clark
"But I just wake up hungover cursing the day I fell for you."
Song: Love Can Go to Hell by Brandy Clark
Why: So as said a little earlier metal is a bit difficult for me to get into, country is kinda close behind that. I really need to listen to this album more, but this song is really good!
I also enjoyed:
Girl Next Door
I didn't care for:
N/A
Breakbot
Song: Still Waters by Breakbot
Why: ANYONE REMEMBER THESE GUYS? They released a new album earlier this year - I quite like it. Most of the songs actually have one specific guy & girl on their songs which is really interesting.
This song actually is (from what I remember) the only full instrumental track. It's SO good.
I also enjoyed:
Turning Around - I enjoy the girl voice & the vocoder
BABYMETAL What an interesting pick, but it's really fast paced so I see the appeal. Have you heard their debut?
I like Trainwreck but I'm surprised so many people are choosing it over Gemini Feed! Maybe need to get into it a little more...
Nothing was bad on BFL's album but maybe it was a bit too concept-heavy.
I'm really really really really glad the song with James Blake is the shortest. I just consider it an interlude.
"I'd move across the world, if that's what you prefer, learn your language and convert, whatever it takes to make it work."
Song: Win You Over by Brendan Reilly
Why: I LOVE Brendan Reilly, truly I do. If there's one thing you get from my Best of, I'd hope it's some enjoyment from his music! This actually is his debut album, even after other types of releases, which is extremely exciting.
Win You Over in particular is a really sweet consideration of doing whatever your lover wants to gain their love. I love the instruments used in the song & that little guitar solo. Brendan does his signature scatting on the end of the song too, which is great. If you wanna check out a live version, check it here! He also did a cover from Radiohead's recent album.
Fun Fact: I have actually met Brendan... but that story will be saved for a musician in the D category
I also enjoyed:
Lovin' You - Great cover - especially the key changes towards the end
Me Against Myself - Lovely introspective song of being your own worst enemy
You Don't Know What Love Is
For So Long - This one's a bonus song
The previous EP songs - This would be Higher & Sabor A Mi, which are both FANTASTIC
I didn't care for:
Love Will Save the Day - Eh, fun and all, but too long
Broods
"We had time, we had love, we had everything..."
Song: We Had Everything by Broods
Why: Another band I feel can't really get a full album right? But they have some really good songs! I really enjoy the snaps in this one, as well as the chorus.
I also enjoyed:
Hold the Line
Freak of Nature (feat. Tove Lo) - You may find I have a pretty good appreciation for Tove in this best of...
I didn't care for:
N/A - The album didn't have anything bad, but nothing gripping either :/
Bruno Mars
"Tell me what you're tryna do!"
Song: 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Why: Let's get this straight - I have never, and probably will never again, enjoyed a Bruno Mars album as much as I have with this one. It's... so good! Bruno finally found the niche that really fits him and isn't full of that mopey **** like Grenade.
Now the title track... is PERFECT! It's a perfect follow-up to Uptown Funk with enough distinction to not be a boring copy & with enough time having gone by for us to appreciate it. 24K just ooooooozes swag, and it's truly undeniable. The robotic vocal filter through the 2nd chorus and before the bridge is great. They be like "OOOOOOO SHO PLAYA" ooooooo yes they do! If you don't love this song you're probably boring!
I also enjoyed:
That's What I Like - ooooo almost picked this one over 24K, but I had to let this one take the backseat
Straight Up and Down
Perm - The opening line alone, come on. It's my birthday! .... No it's not!
Versace on the Floor - Getting a little tired of it, but it's really really good
I didn't care for:
Calling All my Lovelies - I enjoy all my lovelies as well, but I think this one I just barely have to put as my least favorite.
Bullion
"Never is the change you make inside your mind, got to move in space in time."
Song: Never is the Change by Bullion
Why: I was kinda slacking on Bandcamp finds this year, but I was definitely doing better than last year. I think this is my favorite Bandcamp find.
I feel the song is a bit of an ode to stubborn people who never change their mind and stick their ground. Very respectable. Also I enjoy the random section towards the end that sounds like a bunch of horses running.
I also enjoyed:
My Lar
Unless
Loop the Loop - This was the one I heard from him first!
FoYoC - Kinda feel like this would be on Neon Indian's most recent album, if that album had been more chill?
I didn't care for:
Palm 2
And that ends this book! What did you like best of the B's, and what chapter/musician was I missing?
Okay I've been kinda rushing to get these out because I did NOT realize I had so many B's (badumtss ) and that I LOVED so many of the B's, but I have to head to bed & won't be able to reply to u guyz & other Best ofs until Saturday/Sunday - gonna be shitfaced at company party tomorrow.
Thank you all for the replies as always & love you all <3
BANKS:
The Altar is the first album I heard from her and I wasn't too impressed. The first 7 songs were good and then the rest was too same-y + relatively boring (from what I remember.) Luckily all the songs you listed are from the first half.
Bastille:
Another album I wasn't a big fan of. Just heard this one real recently, like a week and a half ago, and there were only 2 or 3 standout tracks - one of them being Warmth.
Beyonce:
Yesss Lemonade was a killer release. My top 2, DHY + AN, being in your faves.
Bruno Mars:
Bruno came thru with this one Such a solid album and a great representation of the 80s/90s era. My least favorite is hard to choose but it'd probably be Chunky, it feels like there's something missing from it while the rest don't fall under the same situation.
Banks
Trainwreck is definitely one of her best songs Gemini Feed is obviously her magnum opus tho
Weaker Girl is a cute interlude for the superior Mother Earth
I actually liked a few tracks from Baauer's album.
Love Tirzah
Best of You, 33 "GOD", Don't Hurt Yourself - nice picks
I totally forgot to check out Bat for Lashes
There's good basic & bad basic imo. People really only complain about the latter.
Oooo get into em! I think you'd like their jams. And you definitely have a good point there, and people are very afraid to say that they enjoy basic music. Oh well!
Quote:
Originally posted by madonnas
BABYMETAL What an interesting pick, but it's really fast paced so I see the appeal. Have you heard their debut?
I like Trainwreck but I'm surprised so many people are choosing it over Gemini Feed! Maybe need to get into it a little more...
Nothing was bad on BFL's album but maybe it was a bit too concept-heavy.
I'm really really really really glad the song with James Blake is the shortest. I just consider it an interlude.
Yeah not sure why I like YAVA the most either, but it does get me quite hyped. I haven't looked into their debut actually, will have to do so soon!
I think Trainwreck has always been a fan-favorite. I just like the aggression behind it. Gemini Feed I feel like is... better, but Trainwreck maybe has more of that very slight commercial appeal because pretty much the whole song is upbeat.
Quote:
Originally posted by TheWayWeWere
Wait, some masterpieces here
Banks Altar is pure gold
Bey 6 inch is not good tho
I don't see Brit here tho 🤔
Oopsies at Brit - I don't really listen to her music much outside of the classics :/ Make Me is good though!
Quote:
Originally posted by Remmy
Ariana Grande:
...nothing else needs to be said.
BANKS:
The Altar is the first album I heard from her and I wasn't too impressed. The first 7 songs were good and then the rest was too same-y + relatively boring (from what I remember.) Luckily all the songs you listed are from the first half.
Bastille:
Another album I wasn't a big fan of. Just heard this one real recently, like a week and a half ago, and there were only 2 or 3 standout tracks - one of them being Warmth.
Beyonce:
Yesss Lemonade was a killer release. My top 2, DHY + AN, being in your faves.
Bruno Mars:
Bruno came thru with this one Such a solid album and a great representation of the 80s/90s era. My least favorite is hard to choose but it'd probably be Chunky, it feels like there's something missing from it while the rest don't fall under the same situation.
Happy to see we (mostly) have similar views! I definitely know what you mean with Chunky, I think it's the back and forth with the girl in the song that kinda bumps it up a bit above "Lovelies".
Quote:
Originally posted by K$Ellie
Banks
Trainwreck is definitely one of her best songs Gemini Feed is obviously her magnum opus tho
Weaker Girl is a cute interlude for the superior Mother Earth
Oh yeah, I enjoyed Mother Earth too! The way WG merges into it works very well.
Quote:
Originally posted by MP2K
I actually liked a few tracks from Baauer's album.
Love Tirzah
Best of You, 33 "GOD", Don't Hurt Yourself - nice picks
I totally forgot to check out Bat for Lashes
24K <<<<<<
at Bruno, but Tirzah's solo stuff I suppose I must check that out now!
Why: This song is definitely a jam and should be appreciated, but I really want to highlight these guys's AMAZING emo mixtapes - they're basically mash-ups of our modern pop/electro music and the emo songs that we used to listen to back in like... early/mid 2000s.
They are FREE to download & so good... their first one, check out here! They have amazing drops, mash-up perfectly, and some parts are just HILARIOUS.
I also enjoyed:
This mixtapes!
I didn't care for:
N.A
Carly Rae Jepsen
"You might not see me anymore, anymore - I'm just going to the store."
Song: Store by Carly Rae Jepsen
Why: If you are a Little Rae-pist who doesn't like this song, you can get out of my Best Of right now. Really, gtfo thanks.
This song is true pop perfection. The lyrics being about not wanting to say goodbye to a lover so you lie about where you're going, the opening of the song being so emotional and sentimental, and then BAM Carly whips out that chorus. I'm just going to the store to the store, I'm just going to the store! Holy **** is that chorus so catchy & fun. Out of context you really don't even note the sad part of the song and when you actually listen you're all sad.
I have shown this song to as many people in my life as I can (coworkers, family, friends) and I have ruined going to the store for them all and I LOVE IT. Talent always goes to the store! The rest of the EP is all great too - not cohesive but no faults.
I also enjoyed:
Fever - A close number two
The One - The Knocks were definitely rubbing off on her when she made this one. "Romance is fine, pour me some wine" is perfect.
First Time - WE won't FAIGHT!
I didn't care for:
Body Language - I think the only reason I have it here is because I like it a lot less than when I first listened to the EP
Cash Cash
"I feel like a millionaire, whenever she comes around, whenever I hear that sound!"
Song: Millionaire (feat. Nelly) by Cash Cash
Why: These guys, I don't really care for the album in full, but their good songs I really quite enjoy!
Not sure what it was with this song, but I've always enjoyed it. The child choir-sung chorus is so fun and Nelly kinda brings it! The post-chorus breakdown is probably my favorite part. Passport *****... interesting line though.
I also enjoyed:
How to Love
Broken Drum
Take Me Home
I didn't care for:
N/A
Cerrone
"Can't stop my feet from dancing, like I'm James Brown, I'm Michael Jackson!"
Song: Move Me (feat. Brendan Reilly) by Cerrone
Why: More Brendan Reilly love! I actually need to listen to this album in full cause he has another song on there that I need to listen to.
This song has such a good funky bass and has that awesome mid 2000's house beat. Brendan's voice, as always, is phenomenal. Love him!
Why: Ooooof, how I do really enjoy Chairlift. Their debut = some good songs. Something = really really good! Moth = ALSO really really good! Maybe the songs towards the end aren't really necessary, but I enjoy them.
Polymorphing in particular is some awesome funk/jazz fusion, I guess? With the high-pitched chorus, which becomes weirdly choppy towards the end, the slower parts, the "everybody needs to calm the F**K down!", and then the scream and all time fun towards the end. If you want the song summed up in gif form, here you go:
I also enjoyed:
Ch-Ching/Romeo - Ch-Ching in particular, but they both came out last year sooooo...
Show U Off - That NOTE
Crying in Public - The obvious fan & critic favorite
Moth to a Flame
I didn't care for:
N/A
Chance the Rapper
"You don't want zero problems, big fella!"
Song: No Problems (feat. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne)
Why: Why tf do I always thing 2 Chainz sounds like a... weird... mini version of JAY Z? Like a literal mini JAY Z, like you shrink rayed that guy & you have 2 Chainz? I have no idea. Well I've never really liked Wayne so I don't care for his part, but I don't actively dislike it!
It's a pretty good eff you to the label type of song - very good use of seeming like they don't have "no problems" but also saying that you don't WANT no problems with them. And it's just a fun song.
I also enjoyed:
Finish Line/Drown - LOVE this one
Blessings - The "solo" version
Angels
Same Drugs
I didn't care for:
Smoke Break
All We Got - Ehhhhh this was really not necessary, especially when we have ULB
Charli XCX
"Cause after the afterparty, we're gonna stay 'til mornin', then when the time is up, we'll do it all again."
Song: After the Afterparty (feat. Lil Yachty) by Charli XCX
Why: This song is so fun! The toned-down verses really add to the super fun & shouty, typical Charli chorus. And lord knows we've all done a party, to afterparty, to after that party, etc. kind of night that are pretty fun & ridiculous. THOUGH the Riri line is kinda stupid (love you Riri but it is) AND the rapper is really unnecessary - but doesn't take away from the song.
I guess talking about her Vroom Vroom stuff - I like it! Though I do kinda think Sucker is her best so far? I think I'm alone in thinking so. She's always done pop in a good way with whatever kinda producers she tries to work with so I'm usually pretty pleased when Charli releases.
I literally feel like I say this every year but people need to lay off Charli & get their sticks out their ass! True Romance is good and all, but Sucker is also amazing, as is Vroom Vroom, and this.
I also enjoyed:
Trophy - I feel like most don't like this one Oh and Vroom Vroom is still my fave from that EP.
I didn't care for:
N/A
Cherub
"It's a VIP party, make sure not to tell anybody."
Song: Bleed Gold, Piss Excellence by Cherub
Why: Kind of a stupid name, and it's their album name too, but the song is a jam! The rest of the album was meh. Their last album had more fun songs on it!
"You make it hard for a boy like that to know wrong, I'm wishing I could make this mine."
Song: Redbone by Childish Gambino
Why: This obviously is a pretty recent entry, but I think Redbone has kinda been the common favorite from everyone? It's really good & super funky.
It's so interesting to see how divided people are with this new album. It's like critics LOVE new Childish, but his old fans & casual listeners just HATE it.
I also enjoyed:
Boogieman
Zombies
I didn't care for:
California
Me and Your Mama - I think it just needs to grow on me?
Clare Maguire
"Here I am, here I'll stand, with you, every day."
Song: Here I Am by Clare Maguire
Why: So I never had any interest in her debut album because I just heard from so many people that it was bad, but for whatever reason I was pretty interested in checking out her newest album. I absolutely love it & it's for sure a top album of the year for me.
Here I Am is a pretty central song to the album theme of the aftermath of losing yourself. This song in particular is about when you get to that point where people may be unsure if you are gonna be lost again, but you declare that you aren't turning back - here you are. I LOVE her voice in the song, the backing vocals, the hand claps, the piano, and in particular the bridge & final chorus really kick me in the gut. So pretty.
I also enjoyed:
Elizabeth Taylor - Very similar to Here I Am.
The Valley - This sounds a lot like a Feist song and is more upbeat than the rest of the album.
Whenever You Want It - Possibly my #2 fav - a very pretty piano ballad
Spaceman - This song actually makes me cry
I didn't care for:
N/A
Classixx
"Let your gaze just fall on me."
Song: Eyes on Me (feat. Harriet Brown) by Classixx
Why: A song towards the end of the album, Eyes on Me actually I think was the first song I heard from the album? I'm not sure why. The lyrics are basically all about voyeurism and all that, which is cool, but it's the progressing of the beat going up and down that I really enjoy in the song! Harriet's voice isn't bad either.
I also enjoyed:
I Feel Numb - Just barely missed being chosen, and was my #1 for a while. It's great!
Safe Inside
Grecian Summer
I didn't care for:
Faraway Reach
Clean Bandit
"These tears will get me through, and I'll get over you."
Song: Tears (feat. Louisa Johnson) by Clean Bandit
Why: I have NEVER liked Clean Bandit's music outside of their singles, and even then some I don't really care for, BUT Tears & Rockabye are... really starting to make me like them????? smh
I think of the two I had to go with Tears because it's SUCH a jam. Once the beat kicks in for the first chorus it really goes off. I love it. Louisa sounds really nice too.
I also enjoyed:
Rockabye - I swear to god, I'm lowkey in love with Sean Paul's weird ass resurgence in pop music. He totally ruins every song that he's on, but that's why I love it! Anne-Marie is good on the song too. #DAILYSTRUGGLE
I keep forgetting to comment on this ff the C set is cool, I especially liked Chance's and Carly's (Store is pop perfection, poor haters ) stuff but I also enjoyed that Chairlift sing and Chilidish, need to listen to his album in full. After the Afterparty is bad though, her post-TR music has been very hit-and-miss for me, and this one is a miss