Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
http://open.spotify.com/album/2d1qh5shChct7T93JEQ5Oa
I was both surprised and not surprised by the quality of this soundtrack. Not surprised, because the first was also incredible; surprised because the quality was maintained (if not, improved). Some really incredible stuff here that actually thematically matches the source material (unlike the Twilight soundtracks). Powerful, powerful stuff that moves towards Revolution.
Standout tracks: Atlas, Who We Are, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Silhouettes
Random Access Memories
http://open.spotify.com/album/4m2880jivSbbyEGAKfITCa
One of the few albums that 100% lived up to expectations this year (surprisingly, 3 of my Top 5 albums belong in this category). So many amazing moments here. I play one song from the album and find myself wanting to listen to the entire album (after having already played it over a hundred times easily). Disco is back and its' name is DAFT PUNK.
Standout tracks: Giorgio by Moroder, Instant Crush, Touch, Get Lucky
Matangi
http://open.spotify.com/album/3dAxXNscIj0p53lBMEziYR
This is an album that delivered on Lady Gaga's failed promises: music of the future; an artistic statement that still remains utterly dance-worthy. The album feels wholly authentic, which is something that many artists cannot say. It's got a massive name to live up to (Matangi is a Hindu goddess), and it actually completes that task. It's got a challenging name with challenging music rather than mindless, safe crap.
Standout tracks: Warriors, Come Walk With Me, Double Bubble Trouble, Bring The Noize
BEYONCÉ
Another album that delivered on Lady Gaga's failed promises. While I'm not judging any visuals in this countdown, you can't really forget the fact as this is a VISUAL ALBUM. This album threw a wrench in my countdown, but what a beautiful, borderline masterpiece wrench it is. It's so refreshing to listen to an album from such a major artist that remains an entire body of work rather than a few singles and lots of filler (like many artists that made by singles countdown, but didn't make my albums countdown). Yoncé all on this countdown like liquor.
Standout tracks: Drunk In Love, Partition, Superpower, XO
Modern Vampires of the City
http://open.spotify.com/album/2Qi2SySN2ePZwMLDSv9Krn
I'll be honest: it was a toss-up between MVOTC and BEYONCÉ, and I didn't really make my final decision until a few days ago. Both are masterpieces; both speak to our generation in an anthemic way; both make me bop; but ultimately I went with MVOTC as my album of the year. If you haven't listened to it yet, please do me a favor and click on that Spotify link. Unlike some of the other albums on my countdown, it's not hard to get into. I'm happy to be ATRL's #1 Vampire Weekend stan (and turned so many amazing posters onto them). Ezra and Rostam, band members and lyricists, write about
: the millenials struggle for employment, PTSD, cultural assimilation the cost of living, and capital H-I-M and the struggle with faith. But you don't have to think about all of that if you don't want to (minus the agnosticism of the album - pretty difficult to ignore that). Just sit back, relax, and press play.
Standout tracks: Unbelievers, Diane Young, Ya Hey, Hannah Hunt
love this list!
