volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 On 10/01/2018 at 1:11 PM, Pink Matter said: Some of these are great! Makes me wonder what you got in store for your top 10 Ibeyi, Sampha, PG, Fox, and St. V all excellent. hope it won't be a disappointment 19 hours ago, Lazuli said: Process, No Shape, Soft Sounds, MESSEDUCTION ALBUMS
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 30. Lust for Life - Lana Del Rey I was worried about this album for a number of reasons, she said she was going to return to BTD sound which I would really hate, and also the pre-release singles Love and Lust for Life I disliked. Coachella was better than those two but still on the weaker end of songs she's written, compared to her last two albums especially. Thankfully, I got such a surprise when the album was released and some of the deep cuts ranked with the best material she's ever written. I also liked the venture into some more modern hip hop production, such as on the standout Summer Bummer. This album could've easily been condensed though, I basically listen to it in sections, such as 13 Beaches -> Cherry, because there's songs like In My Feelings which are trash and just get into the way. It's really that closing stretch that allows the album to stand this high here, and it's not just the final 3 tracks but even BPBP and TNC which are lovely songs that aren't given proper respect on here. A mixed bag, not up to UV or HM level, but still a solid entry in her discography, and with Get Free, hopefully a transition to a happier state of mind for the next project. GENRE: ART POP, CHAMBER POP HIGHLIGHTS: CHANGE, GET FREE, SUMMER BUMMER, CHERRY
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 (edited) 29. Relatives in Descent - Protomartyr First of all, I have to say that that's one of my favourite album covers of the year. It captures a certain mood and theme very perfectly. As for the album itself, it's excellent and easily their best album thus far. Even though the songs are amazingly composed and presented, and are really amazing to listen to, they didn't overlook the importance of lyrics, as the writing on this album is very good, full of moments of interest and cultural references. It comes at a great time too, politically. I'd recommend this as a listen to anyone. GENRE: POST-PUNK HIGHLIGHTS: A PRIVATE UNDERSTANDING, DON'T GO TO ANACITA, NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS Edited January 11, 2018 by volition
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 28. A Deeper Understanding - The War on Drugs I'd be behind The War on Drugs bringing rock back into the mainstream. It's so traditional you know, so pure and beautiful, without various different genres and influences all coming in. It's just an excellent rock record due to the strength of its songwriting and production. And whew, does it have some excellent moments on here, such as the eleven minute long epic Thinking of a Place, or the incredible Strangest Thing. I didn't know if he'd be able to top his last record, but he absolutely did, he may have even beat out Red Eyes for his best song. A really great effort. GENRE: HEARTLAND ROCK HIGHLIGHTS: THINKING OF A PLACE, STRANGEST THING, HOLDING ON
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 27. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time - Big K.R.I.T. I'd almost forgotten about Big K.R.I.T. Last I'd heard of his music was a feature on someone else's song from a couple years back, I know he has a bunch of great albums from a while ago but I'd honestly forgotten about him so I was completely surprised when he came out with a new album this year, and even more surprised to find out just how good it was. It's easily one of the best rap albums of the year and it seems like it's lost attention amongst some of the major releases in rap, but it shouldn't have, because it stands up there with them. It's a double album but it manages to stay consistent throughout and not lose most of its energy in that first half. Definitely feels like his most fully realised artistic statement so far. GENRE: SOUTHERN HIP HOP HIGHLIGHTS: THE FIRST 4 TRACKS (this makes it sound top heavy but it isn't really)
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 26. Rest - Charlotte Gainsbourg This is an incredibly beautiful and inventive album reflecting on the tragedy of death, one particular victim being her father, who it is obviously very difficult to live in the shadow of, but I think this album would have made him proud. I'm not exactly an expert in French, but some of the lyrics are worth translating because they're really important to the album. There's some influence of electronic genres here, such as synthpop and disco, as well as dream pop, and the songs are well enough designed so that even the French parts get across whatever they're trying to convey. It's an absolutely touching and beautiful album. GENRE: ART POP, NEW CHANSON HIGHLIGHTS: DEADLY VALENTINE, REST, LES OXALIS
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 25. Pure Comedy - Father John Misty I was very happy with this album when it first came out, because despite all the calls of pretentiousness and such, I felt like he really explored a lot with his lyrics and there was a lot to be gleaned from the messages he was communicating. This is obviously a very lyric driven record, but the production is really polished and clear so the album doesn't tend to lose interest as some lo-fi records can in some cases, even with the long runtime of this album. I was impressed with the very worldly outlook of the writing on here, in songs such as the title track. One thing though, this doesn't get many repeated listens from me. GENRE: PIANO ROCK, SINGER/SONGWRITER HIGHLIGHTS: PURE COMEDY, THE BALLAD OF THE DYING MAN, LEAVING LA
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 24. SATURATION II - Brockhampton These guys had to be the most exciting thing about 2017. To see their rise to cult fame from their origins is nothing short of extraordinary and with every new release of theirs, they get better and better (perhaps even with Sat III but it came out too late for this list). I just get so thrilled thinking about it honestly, and how beloved they are in certain circles of the internet. They deserve it of course, because this album, just like their other two from this year, is incredible. The rapping is excellent, flow-wise and lyrically, the production is engaging, and there is such a pop sensibility here in putting in all sorts of great hooks in these songs. There is a mad sense of humour, and serious cohesion despite all the different members. I also love the LGBT themed tracks; their inclusion makes me dig these guys even more. GENRE: POP RAP HIGHLIGHTS: JUNKY, QUEER, GUMMY
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 23. Drunk - Thundercat Thundercat's work with other artists, such as Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar, has been well noted, but his solo work should never be overlooked (not that I think that is the case with Drunk). He is an incredible musician, exceptionally technically accomplished, and in a supporting role, he manages to amplify songs to incredible levels. But it's his own albums, such as Drunk, that differ from those he works on, due to his absolutely mad sense of humour that drives the tracks in crazy directions. Drunk is a swirling mass of 23 short funk tracks that are a blast to listen to. GENRE: FUNKTRONICA HIGHLIGHTS: CAPTAIN STUPIDO, FRIEND ZONE, TOKYO, DRUNK
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 22. Kelly Lee Owens - Kelly Lee Owens This is such a lovely and calm take on techno-inspired ambient pop with a unique feminine appeal. It's very chill and intimate, but there's also plenty of examples of creative nuances throughout the tracks on this album. It also finds a way to balance this beauty while being danceable at the same time. Her vocal performance perfectly compliments the mood of this record, being very atmospheric. Love the minimal techno influence on an art pop narrative, and the Jenny Hval feature is nice too. GENRE: AMBIENT POP, MINIMAL TECHNO HIGHLIGHTS: ANXI., LUCID, EVOLUTION
volition Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 21. FORGET - Xiu Xiu Xiu Xiu have had a pretty long career at this point, largely defined by their incredible earlier material, including A Promise and Fabulous Muscles, but it felt like they were losing steam as we came into the new decade. In 2016 though, they released Plays the Music of Twin Peaks, which was a critical success and perhaps a return to form. Then they released FORGET, which is an excellent album and I'm pleased they got back on track and were able to create this. It's melodic enough to be considered pop, yet experimental enough to sometimes creep the **** out of me. I love the warped and twisted, haunting take on pop music, and Jamie's lyrics are consistently hilarious in the best way. It's also an album that I can listen to many times without getting sick of it. They continue to make exactly what I love, and what I wish other artists would draw influence from. GENRE: ART POP, EXPERIMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS: JENNY GOGO, GET UP, FAITH, TORN APART (mostly for the outro)
Tom Vercetti Posted January 11, 2018 Posted January 11, 2018 9/10 this set (couldn't get with that fjm album like his previous two. Was musically underwhelmed)
theblackestday Posted January 11, 2018 Posted January 11, 2018 Poor LFL your writeup serving nothing but facts though. Even your highlights are accurate. If only you included Heroin Relatives in Descent, Forget, Kelly Lee Owens
World Eater Posted January 11, 2018 Posted January 11, 2018 Wish some of these were a bit higher but I LOVE the list so far
Pink Matter Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 This set looks great too! Wish some of these were a tad bit higher though (Lana, KRIT, TWoD, Brock) I have Xiu Xiu queued for later. Love your write up for it!
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 21 hours ago, Lazuli said: Lust For Life and A Deeper Understanding 21 hours ago, Tom Vercetti said: 9/10 this set (couldn't get with that fjm album like his previous two. Was musically underwhelmed) yeah I totally get that, I also prefer his previous albums but I had to give this a shoutout for the lyrics and concept. could definitely have used some more interesting productions. 9 hours ago, theblackestday said: Poor LFL your writeup serving nothing but facts though. Even your highlights are accurate. If only you included Heroin Relatives in Descent, Forget, Kelly Lee Owens i would've included heroin next but i'm doing 4 highlights max so that's why. it's a great song and my initial favourite but it wore off me. i think lana's next album could be ha magnum opus. also i tried to find your last fm on my phone and there was a different stonemilker user and it was super annoying but on a whim i changed the 'l' in the url to a capital i and your profile came up trickery 4 hours ago, AlexisNeiers said: Wish some of these were a bit higher but I LOVE the list so far thanks always got to be some that seem low haha 48 minutes ago, Pink Matter said: This set looks great too! Wish some of these were a tad bit higher though (Lana, KRIT, TWoD, Brock) I have Xiu Xiu queued for later. Love your write up for it! oh i'd definitely recommend it. and thanks
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 20. Reaching for Indigo - Circuit des Yeux Haley Fohr is something incredible, and her album Reaching for Indigo manifests itself as something I would love to hear far more often. Key reference point her is the haunting folk of Nico, although this album delves more into the experimental. Of course it is anchored by her incredibly deep voice, which contributes to the ghostly feel of the album. This record is musically creative, evokes a particular mood very well, while also being well sung and lyrically clever, such as on the final verse of Black Fly, one of my favourite songs of the year. If you liked this album, her previous one is also excellent too. GENRE: AVANT-FOLK HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK FLY, PAPER BAG, A STORY OF THIS WORLD PART II
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 19. Utopia - Bjork Surprise? This is quite low on here, so first I will say that I do really enjoy this album and while it's not one of Bjork's best, it would be almost impossible for her to release another album to that level, Vulnicura alone was a massive surprise in terms of quality and for her to do that again would be beyond belief. As for Utopia, I was very hyped when it came out, I liked the flute direction and the shift to happier themes after Vulnicura, I also felt that the lyrics on this record were particularly strong and the songs all had nice melodies and of course, excellent production. I can easily listen to this album whenever I want and not be bored or anything. The thing is, Utopia doesn't really captivate me enough to want to listen to it over and over the way some of her previous records have, which stops me from putting it on over other albums. It's pleasant enough on its own but it doesn't have enough interesting ideas to justify its long run time. I love it and appreciate its placement in her discography, but it didn't wow me like the albums above it in this list. GENRE: ART POP, GLITCH POP HIGHLIGHTS: BLISSING ME, LOSSS, TABULA RASA, CLAIMSTAKER
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 18. Slowdive - Slowdive I was worried when they announced their comeback for sure. Slowdive had such a secure legacy rooted in their 90s output, three truly seminal albums in the shoegaze and dream pop scene. There was excitement, but I didn't want them to tarnish their legacy by releasing a cash grab of uninspired songs. Thankfully, they did not. Slowdive's self-titled album is fantastic and it's not even that far behind their other albums. They've still managed to capture that distinctive Slowdive feel of lush dreaminess, or full on sound hurricanes. Sugar for the Pill is a moment of extreme beauty, thanks to some simple but perfect guitar riffs, while Star Roving opts for something a bit heavier. It's so great to have got an album from these guys again (now that we know it turned out good). GENRE: DREAM POP, SHOEGAZE HIGHLIGHTS: STAR ROVING, SUGAR FOR THE PILL, SLOMO
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 17. Hug of Thunder - Broken Social Scene I can't believe I nearly let this one slip past me. I didn't even notice it came out until I saw one of the tracks featured on the cover of a magazine in passing, which was fortunate, because then I looked it up and realised they had a new album out. I was a massive fan of 2002's You Forgot it in People so I figured I'd give it a listen, and I was so pleased that it was great. It feels so characteristically Broken Social Scene, which is what I said about Slowdive for the past album but it's true here too, you could identify them from a mile away. The way their sound twists and changes manages to recall YFIIP. There's some great tunes on here, such as the brilliant Stay Happy, a good example of the creativity this collective employs with their instrumentation and production choices across the whole record. Glad to hear they still got it. GENRE: INDIE ROCK HIGHLIGHTS: STAY HAPPY, VANITY PAIL KIDS, HALFWAY HOME
volition Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 16. Plunge - Fever Ray This is a fan favourite on ATRL it seems. I love The Knife, so I was obviously going to listen to this, and I have to say, this comes absolutely nowhere near Fever Ray's self-titled album, which was completely mindblowingly incredible. Here, she decided to skimp on the subtlety and she comes through with a politically inspired album featuring some of her most blunt lyrics, and most-in-your face instrumentals. The electro-machinery stomp on some of these songs is really cool, so I can appreciate the different direction of this album to her debut, but at the same time, not all of the songs are as interesting as the ones on Fever Ray. On its own however, it's still a highlight album of the year, because Karin's unique charm and talent make most of these songs real stunners. I have to emphasise that even as a disappointment for her standard, it's still a really good album on its own. It's also very quotable. GENRE: ART POP, ELECTRO-INDUSTRIAL HIGHLIGHTS: THIS COUNTRY, IDK ABOUT YOU, WANNA SIP, TO THE MOON AND BACK (mostly for the lyric)
Lazuli Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 Utopia is not low at all Slowdive Hmm Hug of Thunder was okay I guess I expected more tho!
theblackestday Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 4 hours ago, volition said: i would've included heroin next but i'm doing 4 highlights max so that's why. it's a great song and my initial favourite but it wore off me. i think lana's next album could be ha magnum opus. also i tried to find your last fm on my phone and there was a different stonemilker user and it was super annoying but on a whim i changed the 'l' in the url to a capital i and your profile came up trickery
theblackestday Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 Poor Utopia, but at least it’s top 20 you made valid points. You spreaded lies on Plunge, but stan. Slowdive
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