TheWayWeWere Posted December 25, 2023 Posted December 25, 2023 Home to Another One should've been the direction of her album I can't believe she wasted this sound just on single song Rush 1
perpetual novice Posted December 25, 2023 Posted December 25, 2023 Great list so far! I really wish I liked Rush, it seemed like it was such a fun era to follow along if the music clicked. It just didn't for me.
ATRL Moderator Legend E Posted December 25, 2023 ATRL Moderator Posted December 25, 2023 Rush is okay, a bit overrated tho. Home To Another One is also nice
Mr. Blue_Shirt Posted December 26, 2023 Posted December 26, 2023 The Land Is Inhospitable... is one of my favorite albums this year also Jessie Ware, SZA & Victoria Monét sub in the album list nooo Greedy, Where She Goes, Fly Girl and Rush are such bops. I'm obsessed
worldwide angel Posted December 26, 2023 Posted December 26, 2023 fly girl, home to another one, and rush
TRF. Posted December 27, 2023 Author Posted December 27, 2023 #40. Maria BC Spike Field Genre: Psychedelic Folk Ambient, Indie Folk, Avant-Folk, Post-Rock, Electroacoustic Label: Sacred Bones || Release Date: 20/10 || From: Oakland, USA Singer/songwriter Maria BC has been behind some of the prettiest-sounding music of the past few years, but the growth that they've shown from release to release has been stunning to watch in and of itself. On their second album Spike Field, their first for Sacred Bones, they have reached newer heights that go even beyond most combinations of ambient music, pop and folk would. With emotive lyrics accompanied by an excellent production, beautiful harmonies, digital glitches and soaring guitars that build like the best post-rock would, Spike Field is a wonderful journey that you hope has only just begun. RIYL: Lisa Germano, Grouper, Angel Olsen, Fennesz Highlights: "Amber”, “Watcher”, “Haruspex”, “Return to Sender”, “Tied”, “Still”, “Lacuna”, “Mercury”, “Spike Field” LISTEN #39. a.s.o. a.s.o. Genre: Trip Hop, Ethereal Wave, Art Pop Dream Pop, Ambient Dub, Ambient Pop Label: Lying Low || Release Date: 2/6 || From: Melbourne, Australia/Berlin, Germany Trip hop has never really died. And while someone might see the work of Berlin-via-Australia duo a.s.o. as derivative from the classics, it still feels as contemporary as anything. a.s.o.'s music can feel really cold and distant either through the constant presence of reverb, but also memorable enough thanks to its hooks, ultimately feeling very inviting towards the listener. Lifting from the most experimental corners of the genre, but also from its influence in mainstream pop via, say, William Orbit's production work for major popstars, the sound of a.s.o.'s debut album is proof the genre is more alive than ever. RIYL: Madonna’s Ray of Light (and other William Orbit stuff), HTRK, Bowery Electric, Sneaker Pimps Highlights: "Go On”, “My Baby’s Got It Out for Me”, “Rain Down”, “Love in the Darkness”, “True”, “Falling Under”, “Understand”, “Somebody” LISTEN #38. Rắn Cạp Đuôi *1 Genre: Epic Collage, Glitch Drill and Bass, Deconstructed Club, Ambient, Experimental Rock, Progressive Electronic Label: Nhac *** || Release Date: 23/4 || From: Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam Vietnamese group Rắn Cạp Đuôi first started as a post-rock-ish band, but on their Ziúr-assisted 2021 album Ngủ ngày ngay ngày tận thế they broke through with their style of chopped up, densely-packed psychedelic collages. On their follow-up record, simply titled *1, they continue what they started on their predecessor, but go even wilder places. While the frequent, intense, disorienting use of sampling remains present, the presence of guitars and live instruments becomes more evident, a combination of RCĐ's past and present music, if you will. If this is what rock bands will sound in the future, I'm all in. RIYL: Ziúr, **** Buttons, Aho Ssan, Squarepusher Highlights: "Straws”, “What Cherubs”, “Bloody”, “Pressure”, “Bugs Life” LISTEN #37. Slauson Malone 1 EXCELSIOR Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Art Pop, Experimental Glitch, Ambient Pop, Hypnagogic Pop, Sound Collage, Folktronica, Psychedelic Soul, Neo-Soul Label: Warp || Release Date: 6/10 || From: New York, USA Jasper Marsalis' first album as Slauson Malone was a collection of short vignettes that found a midpoint between rap, ambient, jazz and experimental music. His first album on Warp Records, EXCELSIOR is not exactly not that, but it's still very different. Now as Slauson Malone 1, there seems to be more of a presence of rock of all things, with the presence of a live band and all... and yet that alone would also be a disservice as a description, as each track brings a surprise of its own, it's a very interesting new direction but one I welcome definitely. RIYL: King Krule, Dean Blunt, Body Meat, Jenny Hval Highlights: "The Weather”, “House Music”, “Olde Joy”, “New Joy”, “Love Letter Zzz”, “I Hear a New World”, “Destroyer X”, “Voyager”, “Decades, Castle Romeo”, “Us (Tower of Love)” LISTEN #36. Niecy Blues Exit Simulation Genre: Alternative R&B, Ambient, Ambient Pop Trip Hop, Ambient Dub, Neo-Psychedelia, New Age Label: Kranky || Release Date: 10/11 || From: Charleston, USA Released on ambient/post-rock-leaning label Kranky, Charleston artist Niecy Blues' Exit Simulation is one of the greatest surprises of the year, and one of their best in a while. The influence from R&B, gospel and soul are all definitely throughout it, but the way in which it's just as present as haunting, droning ambient music is, genuinely feels innovative. It also helps that Niecy Blues is, first and foremost, a fantastic vocalist who elevates these ethereal songs into glory. Exit Simulation is not only one of the best debut albums of the year, but a revelation in and of itself. RIYL: Grouper, L’Rain, Kelela, Space Afrika Highlights: "1111”, “U Care”, “Violently Rooted”, “Exit Simulation”, “Soma”, “Lament”, “The Architect”, “Cascade” LISTEN #35. cabezaden, Leyblack & Mbé MIMOSA Genre: Funk brasileiro, Plunderphonics Funk 150 bpm, Sound Collage, Candomblé Music, Tamborzao, Jongo, Funk mandelao Label: QTV || Release Date: 23/11 || From: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Each year, it seems like Brazilian funk reaches new heights not only of popularity, but also of sheer insanity, which we've seen with the international attention the DJ K and DJ Ramon Successo albums have gotten. No less insane is MIMOSA, a project by performance artist Luíz Felipe Lucas and producers Mbé and Leyblack, which, in some sort of way, feels like a genre deconstruction of sorts from its roots in heavily-sample-based Miami bass/rap, Afro-Brazilian folk music and club beats. And while it certainly is chaotic and heavy, it's far from pretentious, still feels like a party all in all. RIYL: Tati Quebra Barraco, Linn Da Quebrada, DJ Travella, Elysia Crampton Highlights: "Roda”, “Toque”, “Chora”, “Quinta”, “Dfb”, “Taca”, “Matuta”, “Lanca” LISTEN #34. Laurel Halo Atlas Genre: Ambient Electroacoustic, Modern Classical, ECM Style Jazz Label: AWE || Release Date: 22/9 || From: Ann Arbor, USA Laurel Halo might be one of the most important artists in electronic music from the 2010s on. Whether crafting experimental club music or futuristic pop tunes, she's always delivered nothing but the best. On her album, Atlas, she opts for ambient music that, while not necessarily dark, never feels like something you can just zone out to. That isn't a bad thing, as the tense-sounding influences of jazz and classical music are a perfect fit. With contributions from like-minded artists like Lucy Railton, Coby Sey or Bendik Giske, Atlas is one of the most remarkable releases in an already-impressive discography. RIYL: Kelly Moran, Harold Budd, Eberhard Weber, Tim Hecker Highlights: "Abandon”, “Naked to the Light”, “Sick Eros”, “Belleville”, “Atlas”, “You Burn Me”, “Earthbound” LISTEN #33. Chini.png El día libre de Polux Genre: Art Pop, Art Rock Dream Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Indietronica, Shoegaze, Twee Pop Label: Fisura || Release Date: 31/3 || From: Santiago, Chile Chini Ayarza had already made her name in Chilean indie music circles with her band Chini and the Technicians, but on her solo project as Chini.png she truly shines. Her debut El día libre de Polux goes considerably beyond alt-rock, incorporating elements from both pop and experimental electronic music, and whether drowning in distortion or over minimalist semi-acoustic accompaniments, Chini's artistic voice sounds very distinctive. A record in which she worked with quite a few present-day greats of the Chilean underground scene, it's one of the most refreshing works to come out of Latin American indie in quite some time. RIYL: Water from Your Eyes, Juana Molina, Hatchie, Stereolab Highlights: "Nanai”, “No midas las palabras”, “Laurel”. “Yo misma”, “Loop”, “Árboles y pasarelas”, “Sofía”, “Tonto” LISTEN #32. Little Simz NO THANK YOU Genre: UK Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Gospel, Choral Label: Forever Living Originals || Release Date: 12/12 (2022) || From: Islington, UK British rapper Little Simz reached a whole different level of acclaim and fame with her album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Released in 2021, it was a grandiose, maximalist record that was undoubtedly one of the best of that year. So naturally, in typical introvert fashion, her following project NO THANK YOU takes a more subdued nature. But by no means is it less good than anything she's done before, alongside the gorgeous production from her frequent collaborator Inflo, it is an introspective, wonderful analysis of the impact of fame in her life and her experiences with the music industry. RIYL: Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, Lauryn Hill, SAULT Highlights: "Angel”, “Gorilla”, “Silhouette”, “No Merci”, “X”, “Heart on Fire”, “Broken” LISTEN #31. Caroline Polachek Desire, I Want to Turn into You Genre: Art Pop, Alt-Pop, Electronic UK Garage, Downtempo, Ambient Pop, Contemporary R&B Label: Perpetual Novice || Release Date: 14/2 || From: New York, United States Caroline Polachek's first solo album under this name, Pang, slowly became one of the most beloved records of the past decade, and with its brilliant production as well as Caroline's fantastic vocals, it's clear why. And while it took a little for her sophomore record to take form, Desire, I Want to Turn You feels a very appropiate follow-up. Taking clear inspirations from 00's pop music (Dido is on it, after all) as much as Scottish folk, flamenco or ambient, it's equal parts fun and carefree as it is moving and passionate, there's gotta be something in it for you. RIYL: Imogen Heap, Kate Bush, Dido, Oklou Highlights: "Welcome to My Island”, “Bunny Is a Rider”, “Sunset”, “Crude Drawing of an Angel”, “I Believe”, “Blood and Butter”, “Hopedrunk Everasking”, “Smoke”, “Billions” LISTEN
TheWayWeWere Posted December 27, 2023 Posted December 27, 2023 Pang is still my favorite from her, but Desire was amazing too
ATRL Moderator Legend E Posted December 27, 2023 ATRL Moderator Posted December 27, 2023 Desire is immaculate
TalkThatRihanna Posted December 28, 2023 Posted December 28, 2023 That Caroline cover is so iconic but I never listened to her. Maybe I’ll give her a stream
TRF. Posted December 29, 2023 Author Posted December 29, 2023 On 12/27/2023 at 4:59 PM, TheWayWeWere said: Pang is still my favorite from her, but Desire was amazing too Agree! Pang was unbeatable, but Desire is not that far off! On 12/28/2023 at 2:33 AM, TalkThatRihanna said: That Caroline cover is so iconic but I never listened to her. Maybe I’ll give her a stream You should! Would recommend
TRF. Posted December 29, 2023 Author Posted December 29, 2023 #30. Loraine James Gentle Confrontation Genre: IDM, UK Bass Deconstructed Club, Drill and Bass, Glitch Pop, Ambient, Glitch Hop Label: Hyperdub || Release Date: 22/9 || From: Enfield, UK With each project she puts out, British producer Loraine James shows a new facet of her artistry. On her third album for Hyperdub, Gentle Confrontation, she reflects her affinity for Midwest emo as well as early 2000's IDM-pop crossovers like Telefon Tel Aviv. The result is a record that blends the futuristic club music and ambient sounds she works with a much more emotional, reflective tone with a very slight tinge of nostalgia. Alongside a number of collaborators who each give their best, help Loraine in Gentle Confrontation bring her artistic vision to fruition in one of her best works yet. RIYL: Telefon Tel Aviv, Clark, Jessy Lanza, Actress Highlights: "Gentle Confrontation”, “2003”, “Déjá vu” (feat. RiTchie), “Prelude of Tired of Me”, “Glitch the System (Glitch ***** 2)”, “I DM U”, “While They Were Singing” (feat. Marina Herlop), “Tired of Me”, “Speechless” (feat. George Riley), “I’m Trying to Love Myself” LISTEN #29. Liv.e Girl in the Half Pearl Genre: Alternative R&B, Neo-Soul, Neo-Psychedelia Hypnagogic Pop, Psychedelic Soul, Jungle, Jazzstep, Art Pop, Minimal Wave Label: In Real Life || Release Date: 10/2 || From: Dallas, USA The debut album from Dallas-born musician Liv.e, Couldn't Wait to Tell You, fused jazz, R&B, rap and soul into a psychedelic and hazy concoction that was equally as beautiful as it was disorienting. However, on her second album Girl in the Half Pearl, things sound normal by comparison. While there are some clearer moments, she pushes things even further when it comes to her experimental side, and inspired by grief and changes in her life, it does sound more intense and even gloomier at times, but this only works to her favour, as it is probably Liv.e at her best. RIYL: Solange’s weirder stuff, Kelela, KeiyaA, Mica Levi Highlights: "Gardetto”, “A Slumber Party?!”, “Ghost”, “Find Out”, “Heart Break Escape”, “HowTheyLikeMe!”, “Snowing!”, “Wild Animals”, “RESET!”, “Our Father” LISTEN #28. Tujiko Noriko Crépuscule I & II Genre: Ambient, Electroacoustic Drone, Field Recordings, Ambient Pop, Dark Ambient Label: Mego || Release Date: 13/1 || From: Osaka, Japan In 2021, Editions Mego founder Peter Rehberg passed away suddenly. His label was one of the most important in the development of modern experimental electronics, giving chances to artists in the genre to be heard, one of them being Tujiko Noriko. The Japanese musician's newest record, the double album Crépuscule I & II, was conceived largely before his passing, but it does feel mournful and oddly peaceful, like a distant memory of a loved one. While largely on the experimental end of ambient, it still carries the DNA of her 00s avant-pop works, only extended into wonderful yet haunting pieces. RIYL: Grouper, William Basinski, Steve Roden, Eiko Ishibashi Highlights: "The Promenade Vanishes”, “Fossil Words”, “Cosmic Ray”, “A Meeting at the Space Station”, “Bronze Shore”, “Golden Dusk”, “Roaming Over Land, Sea and Air” LISTEN #27. Emilia .mp3 Genre: Dance-Pop Pop Rap, Electropop, Contemporary R&B, House Label: Sony || Release Date: 2/11 || From: Nogoyá, Argentina If you'd told me a year ago that Emilia Mernes would release one of 2023's best albums I would've been... confused. And yet! A far call from her music as part of Rombai or even her pre-2023 output, Emilia's second album .mp3 is one of the most exciting mainstream pop albums to come out of Argentina in recent memory. With overt nods to Y2K-era stars but with a modern twist, it's pop music that isn't afraid to be what it is, but still has enough personality to catch attention. I hope she continues this path, because it's the right one. RIYL: Tove Lo, Shakira, Rina Sawayama, Kylie Minogue Highlights: "Facts.mp3”, “Jagger.mp3”, “JET_Set” (feat. Nathy Peluso), “Iconic.mp3”, “GTA.mp3”, “Exclusive.mp3”, “No_se_ve.mp3” (feat. Ludmilla), “24_Hs.mp3”, “Guerrero.mp3” LISTEN #26. Lana Del Rey Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd Genre: Art Pop, Singer-Songwriter Alt-Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Baroque Pop, Traditional Pop, Chamber Pop Label: Interscope || Release Date: 24/3 || From: New York, USA What can be said about Lana Del Rey that hasn't been said before whether good or bad? In some way, Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. is her trying to answer that question. It is a very open album, touching on fame, relationships and mortality, not unlike she did before, but from a much more Adult perspective, as well as talking about her family in more detail, getting older and everything it implies. The album might not be as tight as Ultraviolence or consistent as NFR!, but its honesty, messiness and havoc is why it's lovable. RIYL: Joni Mitchell, Weyes Blood, Fiona Apple… but really, just Lana Del Rey Highlights: "The Grants”, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd”, “A&W”, “Candy Necklace” (feat. Jon Batiste), “Paris, Texas” (feat. SYML), “Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he's deep-sea fishing” (feat. Paris, Texas), “Peppers” (feat. Tommy Genesis), “Taco Truck x VB)” LISTEN #25. Sofía Kourtesis Madres Genre: Deep House Microhouse, Latin Electronic, Latin House, Organic House Label: Ninja Tune || Release Date: 27/10 || From: Lima, Peru The debut album of Berlin-via-Lima producer Sofía Kourtesis, Madres, doesn't necessarily deviate much from her earlier house music EPs, but like any good debut would, it expands on what she's been doing, adding new depth and color to her sound. Inspired by Peruvian traditional and Latin popular music, as well as by personal hardships and family history, it's a record that, despite basing itself around repetition, never feels mechanic nor distant, but more like a friend kindly inviting you to dance. While there's been lots of great stuff, Madres is definitely one of the crowning-jewels of dance music this year. RIYL: DJ Python, Nicolás Jaar, Peggy Gou, Moodymann Highlights: "Madres”, “Si te portas bonito”, “Vajkoczy”, “How Music Makes You Feel Better”, “Funkhaus”, “Estación esperanza” (feat. Manu Chao), “El carmen” LISTEN #24. Fever Ray Radical Romantics Genre: Art Pop, Synthpop Electropop, Kuduro, Post-Industrial, Indietronica, Darkwave Label: Rabid || Release Date: 10/3 || From: Gothenburg, Sweden Fever Ray's previous album, Plunge, saw them shifting from the gloomy, mysterious reflections on parenthood and childhood of their self-titled debut into colorful, abrasively queer and sexual industrial-electropop, which naturally isolated part of their public. While Radical Romantics is not an effort to appease anyone, it can be considered some of sort of midpoint between the two records. A record primarily about love, relationships and romanticism that inevitably delves into the political, Radical Romantics retains the vibrant and energetic rhythms of their previous album while adding the sinister, doomy touch that characterized some of Fever Ray/The Knife's best music. RIYL: The Knife, iamamiwhoami, Arca, Zhala Highlights: "What They Call Us”, “Shiver”, “New Utensils”, “Even It Out”, “Looking for a Ghost”, “Carbon Dioxide”, “Tapping Fingers” LISTEN #23. Yves Tumor Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Post-Punk Art Rock, Noise Pop, Post-Punk Revival, Dance-Punk, Glam Rock Label: Warp || Release Date: 17/3 || From: Miami, USA Yves Tumor has taken so many shapes it is impossible to determine what they're going to do next. And Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) seems like their rockstar image being pushed to its logical conclusion. While arguably less "avant-garde" and cleaner than their previous albums, it never loses its charm and what makes Yves' music interesting beyond all experimentation, still feeling adventurous and new while paying homage to genres of the past. If this is what stadium rock is going to sound like in the future, I am all in. RIYL: Bloc Party, Suicide, Television, A.R. Kane Highlights: "God Is a Circle”, “Lovely Sewer”, “Parody”, “Heaven Surround Us Like a Hood”, “Operator”, “Echolalia”, “Purified by the Fire”, “Ebony Eye” LISTEN #22. MON/KU MOMOKO blooms in 1.26D Genre: Art Pop, Glitch, Epic Collage Alternative R&B, Deconstructed Club, Ambient Pop, Glitch Pop, Nu Jazz, Ambient Label: i75xsc3e || Release Date: 30/3 || From: Tochigi, Japan Japanese producer MON/KU's debut album MOMOKO blooms in 1.26D caught me by surprise. After diving into the 62-minute long album for the first time, it still felt like a there was a lot of it I needed to process, but truth be told there are very few records this year that have left me feeling as intrigued and starstruck as this has. With an immaculate production and sound design reminiscent of some of the best avant-garde-club music of recent years, MON/KU still detours into some shocking places, like R&B, hip-hop or even jazz, it's experimental-pop at its peak of innovation. RIYL: S280F, Holly Herndon, World’s End Girlfriend, Arca Highlights: "al8”, “yu-32”, “Tloo-23”, “閉区間” “HERBALISM”, “Sixth Horn”, “味覚”, “STUCK IN MY ARM”, “MOMOKO”, “muuu6” LISTEN #21. Sufjan Stevens Javelin Genre: Indie Folk, Chamber Folk, Singer-Songwriter Folktronica, Indietronica Label: Asthmatic Kitty || Release Date: 6/10 || From: Detroit, USA Sufjan Stevens' album Javelin was billed as a return to the Carrie & Lowell sounding, which at first it kind of confused me, since even though it's acoustic guitar-led, it felt just as dense and massive-sounding as his maximalist masterpiece The Age of Adz, like a midpoint between the two. Learning about what happened to him in the past year, it helped me understand the reasoning behind that description and the grief behind those beautiful tracks. And yet, while not "optimistic" per se, in these songs you still appreciate a little glimmer of hope that, while heartbreaking, still feels divine. RIYL: both Carrie and Lowell and The Age of Adz equally Highlights: "Goodbye Evergreen”, “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?”, “Everything That Rises”, “Genuflecting Ghost”, “My Little Red Fox”, “So You Are Tired”, “**** Talk” LISTEN
ATRL Moderator Legend E Posted December 30, 2023 ATRL Moderator Posted December 30, 2023 .mp3 is a very generic record for me Javelin is nice, but I was never able to fully get into Sufjan. Lana is great
TheWayWeWere Posted December 30, 2023 Posted December 30, 2023 Did You Know is not her best work ever , but such a solid record the way her discography is so perfect
TRF. Posted December 31, 2023 Author Posted December 31, 2023 #20. Carly Rae Jepsen The Loveliest Time Genre: Dance-Pop Nu-Disco, Alt-Pop, Contemporary R&B, Funk Label: Interscope || Release Date: 28/7 || From: Mission, Canada With modern-day pop-bible E·MO·TION, Carly Rae Jepsen stopped being the "Call Me Maybe" girl to many, but also kinda set herself up in being defined by it. The Loveliest Time, which is technically just B-sides from her 2022 album, is one of her first to not be concerned in being an E·MO·TION follow-up, and in turn, it's her best album in years. With a sound that still has Carly's charming personality but also allows for experimentation, from the most mellow to the most upbeat, The Loveliest Time is a reminder of what makes her so special among other pop artists. RIYL: Robyn, Magdalena Bay, Janet Jackson, Tame Impala’s poppiest stuff Highlights: "Anything to Be with You”, “Kamikaze”, “After Last Night”, “Shy Boy”, “Kollage”, “Psychedelic Switch”, “So Right”, “Come Over”, “Put It to Rest” LISTEN #19. Danny Brown Quaranta Genre: Conscious Hip Hop Abstract Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Hardcore Hip Hop Label: Warp || Release Date: 17/11 || From: Detroit, USA Danny Brown had a great year musically. Scaring the Hoes with JPEGMAFIA was one of the most acclaimed albums of the year, an insanely fun record. Personally, things were a bit different. Earlier this year he entered rehab and has been practicing sobriety since, and despite most of Quaranta being already finished by then, it still mirrors what he had to go through in some way. The album's production is (mostly) more toned-down, matching the album's contemplative tone. Saw this somewhere: if XXX was the party (with all its good/bad), Quaranta is the comedown, reflecting on what happened before. RIYL: Freddie Gibbs, Earl Sweatshirt, Nas, Tricky Highlights: "Tantor”, “Ain’t My Concern”, “Dark Sword Angel”, “Jenn’s Terrific Vacation”, “Down Wit It”, “Celibate” (feat. MIKE), “Bass Jam” LISTEN #18. Sprain The Lamb as Effigy Genre: Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Noise Rock, Experimental Noise, Post-Hardcore, No Wave, Drone, Totalism, Neoclassical Darkwave, Post-Metal Label: The Flenser || Release Date: 1/9 || From: Los Angeles, USA Sprain kind of came up as a slowcore-adjacent band, but their second album The Lamb as Effigy is anything but. A concept record about a man's relationship with God (among other things) that in its over-90-minute-length never ceases in its intensity, it often transcend rock music altogether pushing into straight up noise horror, it's a record that sounds torturous and heavy, yet, at least briefly, beautiful. It would've been very exciting to see where Sprain would move on after this, but they announced their (apparently messy?) break-up shortly after. Nonetheless, it is a very impressive closing statement for the band. RIYL: Swans, Glenn Brance, Iannis Xenakis, Have a Nice Life Highlights: "Man Proposes, God Disposes”, “Privilege of Being”, “Margin for Error”, “The Commercial Nude”, “God, or Whatever You Call It” LISTEN #17. Christine and the Queens Paranoïa, Angels, True Love Genre: Art Pop, Alt-Pop Trip Hop, Alternative R&B, Synthpop, Post-Rock, Ambient Pop, Progressive Pop Label: Because || Release Date: 9/6 || From: Nantes, France Christine and the Queens has always been a favorite of mine, but on his latest album Paranoia, Angels, True Love he truly stands out. Dealing with the passing of his mother and inspired by the TV series adaptation of Angels in America, he creates a three-part, 90-minute-long album that is somewhere in between a rock opera and The Knife's Shaking the Habitual, with less nods to Prince, owing more to trip-hop and first-wave post-rock. It's an ambitious statement that feels notoriously anti-pop despite having Madonna on three tracks (as a... narrator?), a career-defining album that's probably his best to date. RIYL: The Knife, The Who, Kanye West, Jenny Hval Highlights: "Tears Can Be So Soft”, “A Day in the Water”, “Full of Life”, “Track 10”, “He’s Been Shining Forever, Your Son”, “Flowery Days”, “I Met an Angel” (feat. Madonna), “True Love” (feat. 070 Shake), “Aimer, plus vivre”, “We Have to Be Friends”, “To Be Honest”, “I Feel Like an Angel”, “Big Eye” LISTEN #16. Sampha Lahai Genre: Alternative R&B Neo-Soul, UK Bass, Future Garage, Art Pop Label: Young || Release Date: 20/10 || From: Merton, UK Sampha has been relatively quiet since the release of his debut album Process. Well not exactly, since he's collaborated with people like Drake or Kendrick Lamar, but also people like Actress and Lil Silva, but hasn't put out much music of his own. His long-awaited second album Lahai deals with his newfound fatherhood, relationships, family history and the past few years’ events. And it was certainly worth the wait, a gorgeous record that even surpasses his already-impressive debut, maintaining his status as one of the greatest innovators of the crossover between R&B and soul songwriting with forward-thinking, tense electronic production. RIYL: Frank Ocean, FKA twigs, Coby Sey, D’Angelo Highlights: "Stereo Colour Cloud (Shaman’s Dream)”, “Spirit 2.0”, “Dancing Circles”, “Suspended”, “Jonathan L. Seagull”, “Can’t Go Back”, “What If You Hypnotize Me”, “Rose Tint” LISTEN #15. Armand Hammer We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Genre: Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop Drumless, Industrial Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Political Hip Hop, Cloud Rap, Jazz Rap, Glitch Hop Label: Fat Possum || Release Date: 29/9 || From: New York, USA On their own billy woods and Elucid are already very accomplished, but together as Armand Hammer are unstoppable, and their latest album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is a good example of what they can do. With clever lines about the United States, capitalist society and political affairs, both past and present, it's a brilliant showcase of their lyrical and poetic abilities as rappers. Featuring a line-up of great producers like fellow rappers El-P, JPEGMAFIA, deconstructed club pioneer DJ Haram, or frequent collaborator Kenny Segal, it's a very valid answer for the very difficult question of what their album is. RIYL: Pink Siifu, Deltron 3030, Saul Williams, Moor Mother Highlights: “Landline”, “Woke Up and Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die” (feat. JPEGMAFIA), “When It Doesn’t Start with a Kiss”, “Trauma Mic” (feat. Pink Siifu), “The Gods Must Be Crazy”, “Y’all Can’t Stand Right Here” (feat. Junglepussy), “Empire Blvd” (feat. Junglepussy & Curly Castro), “Supermooned”, “The Key Is Under the Mat” (feat. JPEGMAFIA) LISTEN #14. Ralphie Choo SUPERNOVA Genre: Art Pop, Glitch Pop Alternative R&B, Pop Rap, Neoperreo, Experimental Hip Hop, Flamenco Pop, Neo-Psychedelia Label: Warner || Release Date: 15/9 || From: Madrid, Spain Madrid-based producer Ralphie Choo is part of crew Rusia-IDK, who have been behind some of Spain's most exciting pop music recently. SUPERNOVA is the first full-length album of any member of the group, and while it is a good snapshot of where they're currently at, it's more than anything a good introduction for Ralphie Choo artistry and personality, singing about broken hearts, friendships and the pains of growing up. On SUPERNOVA, flamenco occupies the same space as ambient, as does reggaetón, experimental electronics or trap, all forming a collage of forward-thinking pop that feels like many will take notes of. RIYL: Rosalía, Ecco2k, Alex G, Clarence Clarity Highlights: "NHF”, “Bulerías de un caballo malo”, “Total90Nostalgia”, “Gata” (feat. Rusowsky), “Máquina culona” (feat. Mura Masa), “Supernova” (feat. Abhir Hathi), “Tangos de una moto trucada” (feat. Drummie), “Beso bruma” LISTEN #13. yeule Softscars Genre: Dream Pop, Indietronica, Indie Rock Neo-Psychedelia, Glitch Pop, Shoegaze, Emo, Noise Pop, Indie Pop Label: Ninja Tune || Release Date: 22/9 || From: Singapore, Singapore Singaporean artist yeule has been working within electronic music since their debut, molding it into the emotional and heartbreaking as much as raging or visceral. Which is why Softscars comes across as a bit of a shock since it's mostly... rock? Well, yes... and no. You can hear emo, shoegaze and other 90's alt-rock subgenres, but feels akin to the digital world, through its effects, its production or lyrical content even, it feels very yeule. Not sure what they have in store next, but this display of versatility proves that just about anything they have, will be the right thing. RIYL: Parannoul, Slowdive, Grimes, Sweet Trip Highlights: "x w x”, “Sulky Baby”, “Softscars”, “4ui12”, “Dazies”, “Software Update”, “Inferno”, “Bloodbunny”, “Aphex Twin Flame” LISTEN #12. Marina Herlop Nekkuja Genre: Art Pop, Electronic, Avant-Folk Glitch Pop, Chamber Folk, Folktronica, Ambient Pop Label: PAN || Release Date: 27/10 || From: Barcelona, Spain On last year's Pripyat, Barcelona-based experimental musician Marina Herlop had a big breakout, swapping her piano-led compositions from previous albums for futuristic avant-garde-folk music. Written while she was waiting for Pripyat to see its release, Nekkuja comes only a year and a half later, and continues the path she started with that album, but also expands her scope. With a more full-live-band sonic approach but still carried by the presence of electronics, as well as field recordings that help you situate in its nature, it's a beautifully dense record that packs a lot in a relatively short amount of time. RIYL: Juana Molina, The Books, Eartheater, Björk Highlights: "Busa”, “Cosset”, “Karada”, “La Alhambra”, “Babel” LISTEN #11. León Cordero Jueves Genre: Art Pop, Glitch Pop Folktronica, Chacarera, Alternative R&B, Glitch, Epic Collage, Latin Electronic, Wonky Label: self-released || Release Date: 15/12 (2022) || From: Santiago del Estero, Argentina In early 2022, Santiago del Estero singer, rapper and producer Luan (or luan sounds) changed his stage name to León Cordero, and released a couple of poppy, upbeat reggaetón songs to get his career going properly. These didn't do much, so he released Jueves instead, one of the most exciting artistic statements coming from Argentina lately. Far from the noise-rap of his debut 2002 or radio-ready latin-pop, its collage of pop, R&B vocal runs, insanely weird electronic music and Argentinian folk genre chacarera feels like new ground being touched, combining these seemingly disparate genres into something truly stunning and innovative. RIYL: Feli Colina, Elysia Crampton, Arca, Tirzah Highlights: "Estampida”, “Guara Uva”, “Valentino”, “Luz”, “Pastel lunar” (feat. Feli), “Sol de Mayo” LISTEN
TheWayWeWere Posted December 31, 2023 Posted December 31, 2023 TLT is such a great surprise the way it's even better than previous album Paranoia is amazing amazing record, I love how it combines both her indie days' music and fresh sound
TRF. Posted January 1 Author Posted January 1 #80. Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar "The Hillbillies" #79. Doechii "Pacer" #78. Aya Nakamura "Baby" #77. Bad Gyal feat. Tokischa & Young Miko "Chulo Pt.2" #76. Lostrushi "Infinitude/Uroboros" #75. Hannah Diamond "Perfect Picture" #74. Loraine James & RiTchie "Déja vu" #73. Earl Sweatshirt "Making the Band (Danity Kane)" #72. Ana Frango Elétrico "Insista en mim" #71. Bianca Scout "This City Had a Wall" #70. Mandy, Indiana "Drag (Crashed)" #69. Julia Holter "Sun Girl" #68. Lila Tirando a Violeta & Sin Maldita "Ideoglossia" #67. EthanUno "Pensando en ti" #66. Faraonika "Distraída" #65. Brazy "Attends" #64. Sufjan Stevens "Will Anybody Ever Love Me?" #63. billy woods & Ken Segal "Soft Landing" #62. Victoria Monét "On My Mama" #61. Kesha "Eat the Acid" #60. Mitski "Star" #59. yaeji "For Granted" #58. Allie X "Black Eye" #57. Peggy Gou "It Goes Like (Nanana)" #56. Six Sex & Ms. Nina "Arrodillate" #55. L'Rain "New Year's UnResolution" #54. Desire Marea "Be Free" #53. JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown "Scaring the Hoes" #52. Jessy Lanza "Midnight Ontario" #51. Lankum "Go Dig My Grave"
TRF. Posted January 1 Author Posted January 1 Wishing everyone a good start to their 2024! Will be posting albums top 10 tomorrow hopefully
ATRL Moderator Legend E Posted January 1 ATRL Moderator Posted January 1 Eat The Acid The Loveliest Time is a v cute album, but placed a bit too high tho x Christine also delivered a pretty nice album, but way too long. Softscars is also great
TRF. Posted January 2 Author Posted January 2 21 hours ago, Legend E said: Eat The Acid The Loveliest Time is a v cute album, but placed a bit too high tho x Christine also delivered a pretty nice album, but way too long. Softscars is also great I think the length of the album kinda works for me in an odd way but I understand how someone can think it is too long... it kind of is but I still like that idk
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