K$Ellie Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 nnn I kinda hate Betty Who but she's a kii, I remember seeing an interview where she genuinely thought Mama Say was like, the pinnacle of pop music Didn't like the Bats For Lashes alberm but Kids In the Dark was cute at least Billie made the list Carly and Charli really disappointed this year, a huge step down for me, especially Charli the NDLM praise tho Caroline deserved Pang was a really great album agree with Cardi's placements, she needs to step it up next year x
Ewan Chaos Posted December 10, 2019 Author Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) I see that Best Of demand/audience has kinda come back! Was fun checking out other Best Ofs yesterday - so here's a quick update from me. Letter: D Top Artist: The Drums I am expecting the shade from y’all for picking him, but I think this album was really underrated! Or maybe I’m just so obsessed with the lead single that I forced myself to love the full album lol. As aluded to, Body Chemistry is such a great and funky little ditty that I obsess over every time I turn the track on. The rapid drumming with the “lazy days” bass in the background in the verses is super rad, and then the plucking guitar joining along in the pre-chorus, which easily has some of my favorite lyrics of the year with “I know some good luck, and a good ****, a nice glass of wine, and some quality time is gonna make you mine.” Like ****… I want to say this to someone. Outside of that, the title track Brutalism would be my number 2, probably for the album-cover imagery of grabbing an ex-partner’s shirt and touching yourself in hopes of reigniting a feeling that’s definitely gone. I think the production is pretty top-notch here too. Blip of Joy is definitely the best in an objective sense I’d say, and a really sweet closer to the album. Other tracks I enjoy are Loner, Kiss it Away, and I Wanna Go Back. Yeah the more I listen to this for this write-up, the less I’m into it as I was in April LMFAO but hey, I still dig it and I'm okay having it as the top pick. Runner-Up: Divino Niño This is a super underrated album that I decided to give a listen too because I thought the album cover was cool and the brief description of the album was neat. I didn’t expect some bilingual psychedelic jams, but I’m glad I got them! When Quiero opens up into that slide guitar right after the little intro, holy cow, I think a smile pops up on my face every time. And then the cymbals and “yeah yeah”s in the background, and then the Spanish verses that build up into the English chorus. This was one of my favorite songs to play in the summer, especially on a warm day. Foam is another great track, more upbeat but still feels like a more intimate track (I mean they all do). Melty Caramelo, very pretty. As is Maria and Plastic Love. Coca Cola is a must-listen to as well, of course. Gosh, what a great album. Maybe they should have been my #1 for D, oops. Additional Musicians Under this Letter: *bolded artists/songs are my recommendations* Artist Loves It She's a Cute Girl It's a No From Me Notes Daniel Caesar LOVE AGAIN Open Up Not as good as his 2017 album for sure! Danny Brown Best Life 3 Tearz, Savage Nomad, Dirty Laundry Pretty good! Daughter of Swords Shining Woman I was hoping for a cooler album given the name of the artist DaVido Assurance 1 Milli, Big Picture, Check AM Good album, but WAY too long Dawn Richard we, diamonds vultures/wolves, dreams and converse Cute earlier-in-the-year album DIIV The Spark This was okay Dorian Electra Guyliner Career Boy, Daddy Like, Flamboyant We love a gender-neutral legend! Drugdealer Lost In My Dream Honey (Weyes Blood is on this song, gays!), Fools, Lonely It was odd having my dad text me doing "you should check out a band called Drug Dealer" Dua Lipa Don't Start Now Honestly... this was the disco-pop resurrgence I wanted like 6 years ago. Thank you Dula Peep. Assuming I'm gonna love the next song too. Dude York Longest Time Doesn't Matter A cute girl & guy vocal band. Longest Time is my fave girl-led song, and Doesn't Matter is my fave dude-led song, esp the last minute The Darkness Rock and Roll Deserves to Die Didn't listen to the full album really ever, but I always sing I Believe in a Thing Called Love for karaoke, so wanted to support them. This song's AIGHT Edited December 12, 2019 by Ewan Chaos
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted December 10, 2019 ATRL Moderator Posted December 10, 2019 Dorian Electra deserved more.... Lemme check out your top 2 though.
Vilppu Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 NDLM, Julien and WYIMR probably the only songs on Carly's album that are in any way above average so good choices there but wow was the album crap Don't know much from the D selection but Dorian Flamboyant was fun for like 3 days when I remembered about it
Sbbmsve Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 OH MY GOD YES THE DRUMS!!!!!!! I loved Brutalism, the title track is so good. Nervous is mostly disliked but I think it's the best song here and it's very unusual for The Drums. Every single Drums album has catchy melodies like how does he do it idk. 32 minutes ago, Ewan Chaos said: Guyliner Another good pick, they ended toxic masculinity! 33 minutes ago, Ewan Chaos said: Don't Start Now Cute but nothing groundbreaking. It's very catchy.
Body Electrician Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 I agree with the DIIV album just being okay, a few great tracks but it didn't do much overall
Remmy Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Dua Yup, Don't Start Now is already one of her best songs along with Electricity, Begging, New Rules...
Pink Matter Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Hey there, loving a lot of your choices thus far. As for this update, I agree with your Dua and Daniel Caesar remarks. Especially Caesar; the album was cute on first listen but it didn't have the staying power Freudian had.
Ewan Chaos Posted December 11, 2019 Author Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) Squeezing in one more update today and I'll reply to peeps and other Best Ofs Letter: E Top Artist: Emily King I love this bitch! Absolutely adore her so much. The discovery of her song The Distance in 2014 leading into one of my favorite albums in 2015, The Switch, is just amazing. And I got to see her live and she’s AMAZING live too! I just can’t… I love her so much and she’s beyond underrated. Well… not TOO underrated given she just got 2 Grammy noms AHHHHHH. Now let’s focus on some specific songs. The top pick for me would definitely be Forgiveness. The gradual buildup in the song is so good, and you feel like it just builds up into the chorus each time, until you get right to the end and that last “BEEEEEGGGGGG!” really just stomps into your chest, sending you into another plane. Another sexy bop on my top listing of songs! Go Back is an obvious second pick for me because it made me cry when I first listened to it and then I quit my horrendous job the next day. This song will always mean a lot and is such a beautiful send off to anything that you’re leaving in your past. It’s very similar to Robyn’s Ever Again in that way. A following third pick would be 2nd Guess, filled with a soft and beautiful acoustic guitar lead, paired with some shimmers in the chorus and a sweet chorus. That beautiful switch on the bridge into one final delicate chorus is immaculate. Look At Me Now, the Grammy nominated one, was my favorite from last year, and for good reason. Emily upped her “good bye **** you” anthem that she tested out with 2016’s BYIMM, and the lead single from last year Remind Me is also a great opener. Can’t Hold Me is the classic “King bop”, and I quite like it too. Blue Light is such a divine track as well - I’ve found myself going back to that track a lot. Do yourself a favor and LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM, and when you’re done, listen to The Switch as well! Runner-Up: Erika de Casier Speaking of R&B excellence, Erika de Casier also released a lovely record that I was a little late to discovering. I feel like this is a slightly underrated pick, but my top choice is definitely Puppy Love. The strings and other little funky beats in the song pair really well with Erika’s sweet voice and the random dude too. There’s a lot of super cute lyricism in this too, from the multiple questions to the “Is it true that you’ve never loved anyone… but me?” to which her man whispers “Yeah” back to her. Do My Thing, which I assume is the big single, was my following favorite track because what a mood! Like I’m trying to dance, have fun, and do what I want… get out of my way if you’re not wanting to be a part of it! Space is a very 90s R&B-inspired track with those “UHN”s and spacey beat, which I enjoy. The Flow is also a cute spacey track, which seems to get more inspiration from the Amanaska side of musicians. And Intimate… is ****ing hot. Additional Musicians Under this Letter: *bolded artists/songs are my recommendations* Artist Loves It She's a Cute Girl It's a No From Me Notes Edwyn Collins Glasgow to London Gotta rep the Scots. Can't believe this dude has had such a long career! Elbow Seven Veils The Delayed 3:15, Weightless Better than the 2017 album, not as good as the 2014 one Eli Paperboy Reed Tryin' It was okay. Emeli Sande Love To Help Same Old Feeling, Sparrow It was okay. [2] Edited December 12, 2019 by Ewan Chaos
Mr. Loco Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I love Dua Lipa, but her new single was just meh for me, she could've done better
Ewan Chaos Posted December 11, 2019 Author Posted December 11, 2019 Spoiler On 12/8/2019 at 1:23 PM, Eeveelution said: I really liked Brittany's album, a nice surprise cause I wasn't really anticipating it or anything. Same! I remember when she announced and I was like "why is this name familiar" and wrote her down in my "to check out" and then I realized when I started listening to the album On 12/8/2019 at 1:55 PM, Sbbmsve said: Oh wow another Blue Hawaii stan? They’re so underrated, ORIF was a great body of work Betty Who is an interesting choice, I haven’t listened to her since The Valley maybe I should check her out. Big Thief and BFL had two of the best albums this year (maybe three ). Honestly I don’t like Lost Girl’s aesthetics... Should’ve been darker imo. The Bride was a serve in terms of visuals. YES Blue Hawaii was a late listen and I can't remember why I checked them out, but I love that record. The top pick for mine, with the second chorus, I was like that **** hurted. Yeah I'd check out Betty's newest album! It has some great pop tracks for sure. Kinda agreeing with you though on the visual front for BFL, though the single cover for The Hunger is one of my faves of the year, so. On 12/8/2019 at 2:22 PM, Vilppu said: I was not aware Betty Who was still alive. Good for her really bring me the horizon were probs my favourite out of these, didn't expect them to be good ever so this was a nice surprise fnidenfiosjdos I mean she got dropped from her label so. Agreed on Bring Me the Horizon! On 12/8/2019 at 4:40 PM, Tsareena said: kinda shook betty is your no. 1. bat for lashes had a slay album and I just got into big thief this year. some other slay choices in hms It was just such a strong pop record for me! It helped seeing her live too. On 12/8/2019 at 6:12 PM, Remmy said: Betty claiming B oh wow An amazing choice, she really dropped her best album on us (that contains her best song JTYSK) Between You and Me had to grow on me when it came out, All This Woman is the main track I'm not in love with. I feel like Bey & The Gift were actually pretty underrated this year. Your Billie picks You really just listed my Don't Feed the Pop Monster top 5, huh? We don't deserve them... truly. Yesssss at the JTYSK stanning. I didn't listen to it as much as the rest of the album when it first came out cuz I kinda overplayed it last year with the EP release. For All This Woman, once that grew on me I was like YES sexy bop! On 12/8/2019 at 10:08 PM, TheWayWeWere said: omg, finally some recognition for Betty she's so underrated, I hate her label for that this album actually her best project to date Well she seems to be doing better in her own lane as an indie chick, so major props to her! On 12/8/2019 at 11:58 PM, Lazuli said: thankfully you bent the rules for big thief cuz they truly SERVED this year sad that you can't seem to stan bon iver iMi, Salem, Naeem and Faith are also a must from i,i!! i'm so annoyed by people who keep on comparing emotion and dedicated, like, they can only like an album if it's full of explosive bops like NTIFY caroline shut up is a standout after hmwih Idk maybe i just need to listen to i,i more. I liked the 2016 album more and I can't say I disliked i,i, but idk. On 12/9/2019 at 2:52 AM, BlackoutZone said: Glad to see some BROODS and bring me the horizon stanning Carly deserved, but Caroline deserved equally Charli can go nnnnnn well as long as you'll accept 2 of my top 3 for C's I'll take it! On 12/9/2019 at 1:06 PM, Remmy said: I am TIRED of the CHVRCHES' Love Is Dead slander a year after it has been released! I wasn't really feeling Charli (album) but Gone & Cross You Out are those girls, yep. Caroline did a great job w/ Pang, HMWIH was initially in my bottom 3 but then one day it just clicked. Now it's my #3. Wow everyone I love has won a letter so far "No Drug Like Me would actually probably be my favorite song of… the year. THAT is a phenomenal chorus." "WAY underrated funk of Feels Right, and the beautiful “closer” Real Love." Okay...... we are LEGIT on the same page here. HMM maybe I just need more time with Hit Me Where it Hurts then. We'll see. YAS at the NDLM stanning! On 12/9/2019 at 6:21 PM, Sunderland 4ever said: Bibio, Cigarettes and The Chemical Brothers are my favorites from the last updates. I didn't know Best Coast had released new material this year. Will check it out. Best Coast have an album coming out next year! The new single is cute, not anything that's like WOW, but makes me interested in checking out more next year! 23 hours ago, Madame X said: I didn't like any of Betty's previous releases, so I just kinda gave up on her BFL.... wrong choice, you KNOW what the best song is from that album. No Drug Like Me is def top 5 on the album but its too similar to emotion to be the best choice from the album. warm and white mercedes being your bottom 2, good to see that you are on the right side of history. nnnnnn okay fair on Betty... tbh I don't think you'd be as into her newest album as I was, but you'd like some songs for sure! Uhhhhhh was KIds in the Dark correct choice? idk. Weird on you thinking NDLM sounds like Emotion... I don't get that at all! But I'm glad we're in agreement on the bottom 2 for Chahlay. 14 hours ago, K$Ellie said: nnn I kinda hate Betty Who but she's a kii, I remember seeing an interview where she genuinely thought Mama Say was like, the pinnacle of pop music Didn't like the Bats For Lashes alberm but Kids In the Dark was cute at least Billie made the list Carly and Charli really disappointed this year, a huge step down for me, especially Charli the NDLM praise tho Caroline deserved Pang was a really great album agree with Cardi's placements, she needs to step it up next year x I AM SCREAMING let me look up this interview... Betty sis the song is great, but take a seat. Glad we at least agreed on a few things lmao! Especially Caroline, a queen and NDLM 8 hours ago, Madame X said: Dorian Electra deserved more.... Lemme check out your top 2 though. Okay, if I allowed myself more time with the album I feel they would be a lot higher up on the list! Oh well, that's my b. The Drums - you'd like probably a handful of songs. I'd for sure recommend Divino Nino to you though! Some great psychedelic pop. 8 hours ago, Vilppu said: NDLM, Julien and WYIMR probably the only songs on Carly's album that are in any way above average so good choices there but wow was the album crap Don't know much from the D selection but Dorian Flamboyant was fun for like 3 days when I remembered about it Well... at least we have the same top 3 from Dedicated lmaoooooo 8 hours ago, BlackoutZone said: Dua She will sure bring more I BELIEVE YOU I see you teasing songs in her threads... 8 hours ago, Sbbmsve said: OH MY GOD YES THE DRUMS!!!!!!! I loved Brutalism, the title track is so good. Nervous is mostly disliked but I think it's the best song here and it's very unusual for The Drums. Every single Drums album has catchy melodies like how does he do it idk. Another good pick, they ended toxic masculinity! Cute but nothing groundbreaking. It's very catchy. A DRUMS STAN WOO. Glad we have such a strong enjoyment of the title track too. 6 hours ago, Pink Matter said: Hey there, loving a lot of your choices thus far. As for this update, I agree with your Dua and Daniel Caesar remarks. Especially Caesar; the album was cute on first listen but it didn't have the staying power Freudian had. Yeah like... I haven't gone back to listen to the album in full ONCE! But Freudian is still quite lovely. Ah well.
TheWayWeWere Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Dawn getting some praise she's so criminally underrated Dua Lipa serves with this bop
ATRL Moderator kelly-clarkson Posted December 11, 2019 ATRL Moderator Posted December 11, 2019 Emeli Sandé Her new album is great even though I prefer Long Live the Angels.
BlackoutZone Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Emeli? Honestly her new record was so boring to me, no stand outs
K$Ellie Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Dua getting a mention Don't Start Now is a cute bop but I hope she really serves with the album Haven't really listened to the others 11 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said: I AM SCREAMING let me look up this interview... Betty sis the song is great, but take a seat. WaiT it was actually about Some Kinda Wonderful jdhfsjkhdj Quote It’s hard to find perfection in the world, just in general. As humans, we are destined to be imperfect. I love pop music because I think there is such a thing as a perfect pop song. My quest to create something that feels like a perfect pop song has been one of the greater challenges of my life, and it’s something that I’m still trying to do and I still love to do. So I was talking to them about that, and I went in the next day, and they had come in early and started the track. I walked in, and they were like: Dude, we’ve done something crazy, and I don’t know how you feel, or if you’re gonna **** with it, but I’m gonna play it for you. I heard it and was like: This is arguably the most up-beat song that has ever existed in the in the world. From the very beginning, it’s like buck-wild. It’s like if you took three shots of tequila in a row — that’s what it makes me feel mentally. I loved it, and they were like: What are you gonna do over that verse? And I was like: What else am I gonna do? — I’m gonna yell. Like I can’t do anything it’s like so crazy, like I’ll just yell what the 808 is doing. And they were like: I knew you were gonna say that! I think we wrote it in like two hours. I called my manager and left him a voicemail (He still has it; he saved it.) being like: I just wrote the craziest song, and I am literally obsessed with it.
Eeveelution Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Erika possibly my favourite discovery of the year
Ewan Chaos Posted December 12, 2019 Author Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Going to do an update now and try another later, since I think I may only be able to get in one update tomorrow. Hopefully 2 on Friday, and hopefully one on Saturday. WE SHALL SEE. Letter: F Top Artist: Friendly Fires We have been WAITING for them to release a new album, and after some teasing last year it is finally out! I can kinda see why people are a tiny bit disappointed in the release, but I think it’s a pretty awesome return. I really love the house influence throughout the album & the fact that they have lots of live instruments, including horns, is super cool. I’d love to take this album to the beach. Silhouettes would be my top pick! How can you NOT be enticed by the “ba-ba-ba” hook with the little guitar riff? Probably my favorite bit of the song actually would be the pre-chorus. I find it getting stuck in my head the most and bopping the most when that part comes up. I do kiiiiiinda wish the outro was tidied up just a bit, but it’s not detracting or anything! Offline is a ****ing bop too. The horns in the chorus is truly everything, and the chorus in general is one of the most fun parts of the album. Almost Midnight is one of the more house-influenced tracks on the album and it works super well imo. Kiss and Rewind is like a basic version of a La Roux track, but I actually really bop to it. Lack of Love is a dope cover that you can really STOMP to down the street. Sleeptalking is so interesting, it’s almost like a Little Red era Katy B. Opener Can't Wait Forever is perfect because... yes lads... I can't wait forever for this album, thanks for releasing it and kicking it off with a banger. And of course, I’m gonna have to give a shout out to last year’s songs, Heaven Let Me In, and Love Like Waves. The latter would have been my favorite had you asked me last year, but since I saw them live Heaven is my favorite for sure. That production is CLEAN and it’s performed live so well. If you can get the chance to see these dudes live, it’s a serious treat. Ed dance moves are just hilarious and I’ve definitely stolen some of them. Runner-Up: FKA Twigs WHOA a girl who I would still to this day say had the most overrated album of 2014, being included in the top listing of musicians for ME?! Who would have THOUGHT?! I feel like she actually learned how to make her weird ass whispery voice more impactful with this new production she has, but the SONGWRITING on this album is really what grabs my attention. Underrated Daybed is my top pick, solely for the fact that I know exactly what she means when she sings this to the point that I want to well up. Just feeling like nothing anymore and laying in bed with that awful feeling that switches from numbness to static… but then you somehow get out of it and carry on with things. Fallen Alien, another underrated one! Admittedly though… not sure why I’ve been liking this one so much. And then both Mary Magdalene and Sad Day are other songs on this album that are just so beautiful. Home With You was my favorite of the singles, and I ignore that song with Future! Additional Musicians Under this Letter: *bolded artists/songs are my recommendations* Artist Loves It She's a Cute Girl It's a No From Me Notes Faye Webster Kingston Right Side of My Neck, Pigeon, Jonny, I liked this! Faze Action Kubatana Fun disco bop Felix Cartal Love Me Lights & producer snapped! FIDLAR By Myself The rest of the alberm Love this chavvy bop. The album, however, SUCKED Finn I Know, I Know Do What You Want Forever, Friends & Lovers Check out this EP if you like disco! It's awesome! Fitz and The Tantrums OCD Meh, they really fell off in 2016 and haven't recovered Florence + The Machine Moderation Jenny of Oldstone Cute sings. Flume Rushing Back Let You Know Cute sings. [2] He had a mixtape? Flying Lotus Takashi 9 Carrots, Burning Down the House, The Climb This was pretty good! I don't have as many specific song standouts tho Foals On The Luna (album 1), Wash Off (album 2) Alberm 1 >>>> Too lazy to back and listen to pick other highlights LOL Foxygen Mona Whew, chile, the ghetto Frank Ocean DHL I can't follow along these singles, just release an album Free Nationals Time Good track, RIP mr. Mac FRENSHIP Won't Let You Go A bop! The rest of the album honestly was meh Freya Ridings Poison Castle Ehhhhhh only listened cuz she was gonna open for Hozier and then didn't show up... The Felice Brothers Special Announcement Undress It was alright. Edited December 12, 2019 by Ewan Chaos
smholiv Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 I'll jump in with F and say Flying Lotus and FKA Twigs both had great moments this year! I enjoyed several songs from their respective releases, and your specific choices are great.
ATRL Moderator Tsareena Posted December 12, 2019 ATRL Moderator Posted December 12, 2019 the drums album was cute but didn't listen too many times. Davido yaas not your dad texting you on Drugdealer. I really only used the Weyes sing Don't Start Now whew a bop Emily King so in love with her album Erika talent shook Twigs is just your runner up. Faye Webster
Lazuli Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 Quote Idk maybe i just need to listen to i,i more. I liked the 2016 album more and I can't say I disliked i,i, but idk. honestly i find i,i and 22am pretty similar? i suppose 22am is stronger as a whole but i,i has many standouts too don't really care for any of the Ds except for dua kinda, and maybe diiv (but yea their albums was just okay) much less for the Es fka twigs u aint **** for shading lp1 but at least you're into magdalene! other than that, faye nnn i'm too lazy to listen to foals double album again but in degrees is a bop!
TheWayWeWere Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 FKA twigs really slayed this year Madgalene probably is one of the best albums this decade Moderation is cute indeed, but I hope we can forgot that godawful HAH era soon
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