Music we love.

There have been far too many amazing albums out this year and I gotta say it was tough figuring out a top ten. I managed to leave out even some of my favorite artists’s new releases this year (Bombay Bicycle Club, Drake, Interpol, Born Ruffians, etc.), so clearly this was a tough choice. But here it is!

10. Justin Nozuka - You I Wind Land and Sea

This particular artist was brought to me by my fellow blogger and friend, George. This album is one of those albums that I could listen to in bed all day because of how damn soothing it is. Not only is Nozuka’s vocals incredibly heartwarming but his soulful flavor brings a bit of an R&B mix to his music which I absolutely can’t get enough of. This particular album is filled with songs of love,heartbreak and all that usual stuff, however he brings so much emotion into what he does it feels different than most male solo artists out these days. This album is solid and beautiful, I can only hope he continues on and gets his name out there because he deserves the recognition.

9. Everything Everything - Man Alive

 

When I heard the song MY KZ UR BF, earlier this year I knew immediately that this band had major potential. That song itself was catchy, weird and just had you thinking “what the hell is this… I love it”. Low and behold, when this album came out and I had heard it all the way through I was pleased to hear that they were just as quirky and unique as I was expecting them to be. The obvious different between these guys and other bands is of course lead vocalist Jonathan’s voice. It fits along so well with the music they make, it’s all upbeat and just in a different direction than what I usually hear from bands in the UK. It’s safe to say many bands these days have a lot of similiarities, however I think EE bring something unique and fun to the table which had me loving this debut release.

8. Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels

Now that we’re on the topic of unique, Marina happens to be no exception to that term. I discovered this lady while I was in Germany earlier this year, constantly saw her video on the television and constantly wondered who she was. I wasn’t sure I’d be into her as a whole but after I got the chance to listen to The Family Jewels, I instantly fell in love with her. She’s got a fabulous voice to go along with the catchy, upbeat, and quirky music she makes. She seems to have strong views that come out creatively through her album but not in an obvious way. She’s fun to listen to yet makes catchy music in a smart way. She may only be number 8 on this list, however she’s definitely one of my favorite new artists to emerge this year.

7. Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Despite the constant hate I see for this band, I will never not love them. You hear about people not liking anything that’s not their first couple of albums and well, I continue to disagree album after album. Come Around Sundown was no surprise to me when I listened and loved everything about it. It’s got more of an old KOL feel to it than the last album did, however of course it still had it’s own newer KOL flavor. I continue to love their grungy rock and also love their toned down songs because it’s all got that sound I love that they’ve always stuck with in some way or form. I can only hope they continue on making solid albums because I doubt I’ll ever stop loving them.

6. Good Shoes - No Hope, No Future

This may be one of my most listened to albums this year. It’s basically the perfect indie rock album, filled with catchy songs and just upbeat good ass music. I have a thing for English artists singing very distinctively in their accents and Good Shoes happens to be one of those bands that may just be making their music ten times catchier because of the way they sing. Regardless, this band is great at what they do and probably make my favorite type of music so I’ll definitely enjoy hearing more from them for years to come.

5.  Foals - Total Life Forever

I’m not sure if there’s a way to describe this band, I’m not sure if there’s any words I can use to rightfully describe them. They’re incredible, unique, amazing live, and if I could use this word… next to perfect. I loved their debut album and wasn’t sure there was a way to top it. Although Antidotes still remains my favorite Foals album, I adore the hell out of TLF. It’s probably one of the best sophmore releases I’ve ever heard and not to mention the album is amazing live. All I can say is, Foals keep doing your thing because I love you.

4. Vampire Weekend - Contra

Not only are these guys my favorite live act, but they continue some damn amazing music. It could be the coldest and snowiest day of winter and all I’d have to do is turn on this album and feel like I’m on the fucking beach. That’s a strong statement if you ask me. Contra has the same vibe as their first album had but even better. This album is easy to go through without skipping a single song and just loving every second of it. The vibe that this band gives is just too lively and ejoyable to turn down.

3. Tokyo Police Club - Champ

TPC are definitely one of my favorite bands and I can’t even express how excited I was for this album. I’ve loved every piece of work this band has done and Champ was just another great effort to add to the list. This album had that same spunk TPC has always had yet they’ve grown a bit from when they first came out. Songs are still quite damn short, but as always they’re all catchy and upbeat. All the songs on this album are so likeable and easy to sing along to, which has definitely made a TPC live show even more enjoyable for their fans. Champ is an ace third release that almost topped my list.

2. Kate Nash - My Best Friend Is You

Another favorite artist of mine with a new release this year and once again, no dissappointments here. Nash took her quirky, naughty mouth ramblings to a whole ‘nother level this time around. Each song has it’s blunt message with a fun beat and Nash’s wittyness attached. I tend to expect this girl to write an album to relate to and this album was exactly that. Girl power is in this girl’s blood and hell I’m happy there’s an artist like her out there to spill her heart out about topics we can all relate to. I really hope this lady never runs out of steam because she’s one of my favorite artists out there today. Keep it comin’ Kate.

1. Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History

And here it is, number one. Favorite band of the year, favorite new artist of the year, and of course.. favorite album of this year. TDCC might be one of my favorite finds ever. They’re incredibly addicting, energetic, and beyond catchy (if that’s possible to say). Tourist History is filled with hit after hit. Each song is impossible to not love because it’s always got that fun beat and even the words are catchy and easy to sing along with. They became that band for me that I became attached to, learned the words to, and just couldn’t get enough of this year.

I’d more or less got this down by November, last year I did a Top 5 which, if your interested, you can find here, this year having to pick TEN was a bit more of a challenge. So here is my list, if I had to write this again I’d probably switch the entries around, but I think the top, say, 3 are probably concrete. Anyway:

1. Delphic - Acolyte

Despite being released in January of this year I am yet to hear an album as solid as Acolyte, even with releases from some of my favourite bands Delphic is still my album of the year. Mixing Europhic techno sweeps with dancefloor house music, whilst maintaining all the appeal and cult of a British Indie band, Acolyte, and by association Delphic, was a total breath of fresh air for me and seemed to be a real head and shoulders above other Synthesizer Indie fusion bands that have sprung up recently.

2. Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws

Last year I couldn’t say enough good things about ‘I had the blues…’ This year, Flaws doesn’t disappoint. In being almost the comparative opposite to it’s Electric predecessor but still maintaining enough individual appeal to be considered an independent record. It really takes Bombay Bicycle Club to a whole next level, beyond being a sticky dancefloor academy “NME” band and into the realms of being one of the great British bands of history, for me it takes a special kind of band to produce a real quality acoustic album and not many bands have managed to pull it off. Bombay have executed it perfectly and only on their second record.

3. Foals - Total Life Forever

When I first heard this record I wasn’t sure how to interpret it, that being I suppose, because I fully expected “Antidotes II” but instead TLF is a totally different record in a brave new direction which can either transform a band into super rock stardom, or leave them totally exposed. TLF works because Foals are truly talented musicians and although it didn’t completely blow my mind when I first heard it, a few listens will teach you to appreciate it for what it is. It really demonstrates a band developing from their houseparty dancefloor indie club roots into a fully fledged alternative rock powerhouse.

4. Blood Red Shoes - Fire Like This

Probably the most, underrated band in recent history (since the sad demise of Hell Is For Heroes). I just don’t see enough Blood Red Shoes hype in magazines or on TV on on the radio, and wrongfully so because they are AWESOME. Fire Like This is nothing short of outstanding. Each track is perfect crafted musicianship and the BRS combination of alternative rock with a DIY punk ethos is so appealing it’s hard to dislike them. Possibly the most hardworking band (second to perhaps Frank Turner!) in terms of touring schedule they have been on a Euro British American tour for about the past 4 months!

5. Colour Revolt - The Cradle

For a little while it looked like Colour Revolt we’re finished. after losing 3/5ths of the band they went quiet for a little while and had seemingly vanished. Then I suddenly discovered they we’re putting out a new record so of course I immediately pre-ordered it. The Cradle is probably my favourite indie record of the year. More or less totally self produced and distributed it is almost a complete change in sound, a given since that only Jesse (vox, guitar, keys) and Sean (vox, guitar) are the original members, but if this was a debut record it would be something special. A real bounce back to form given that I wasn’t too impressed with Plunder, Beg & Curse, The Cradle is a real solid effort.

6. Klaxons - Surfing The Void

Another album that seems to have slipped beneath the radar, so to speak, is Klaxons. Myths of the Near Future was a pretty exciting release back in 2007, and speaking from personal experience after the abrupt split of Test Icicles it was hard to find a band that could carry their mantra, but Klaxons pulled it off. So when I heard about Surfing The Void it sparked my curiosity, would it be able to live up to the expectations and hype that it’s predecessor had set before it, and the short answer is yes, it does. Could easily be higher up my list had it not been for more quality releases this year.

7. Axwell presents: Axtone Vol 1

I’ll make no secret of the fact that I love House music. When I was a kid in school I basically listened to nothing except Alice in Chains, Metallica and Nirvana so when I first started at college I needed something different. I got into Axwell when I heard ‘I Found U’ and I don’t even care to look how many years ago that was released! Nowadays Dance music charts are awash with House music and techno producers and it’s difficult to find the ‘needle in the haystack’ but for me Axwell as always been consistent and one of the few producers you can rely on to put out a quality record. Axtone is easily my favourite dance record this year and in my opinion is a better collection than Until One by Swedish House Mafia, if you need to choose between the 2, pick Axtone. All day long.

8. Tokyo Police Club - Champ

I nearly missed this record, which would have been disappointing since Elephant Shell is still one my favourite albums. Champ is a little different from that it seems, taking a bit of a break from the quirky pop sound that has come to define TPC and instead focusing on a much more… bohemian (for want of a better word) style of music. The apparent TPC sound is still there but it seems to have grown older and matured. Champ is still a good record, still has all the sing-a-long appeal of the older releases and is brave enough to take things in a new direction. If ‘Bambi’ is anything to judge the direction of thier next recordings TPC could become a real huge band.

9. Ellie Goulding - Lights

Lights was an interesting record for me, it was good purely for the fact that it was personally forfilling just to finally get a full length record out of Ellie Goulding, and for a little while I would have ranked this about 3rd or 4th on my top 5 but in comparison to Foals and Bombay it just doesn’t quite make the cut. It’s a good record though, if your into EG you will love it.

10 Deftones - Diamond Eyes

I’d pretty much written Deftones off as a casualty of the ‘Nu-Metal’ crisis which essentially saw Limp Bizkit and Korn fall from grace quicker than an Usain Bolt 100m sprint, and I will confess that I didn’t pick Diamond Eyes up and give it a listen until I heard ‘You’ve Seen The Butcher’ on TV. It is a real bruteforce album, not quite ‘White Pony II’ but still a great stand alone record and a solid record from one of Post Hardcore’s pioneers.

This was hard and took me ages :/ but it’s done! Sorry if it’s a little long and wordy but I hope you all found it interesting!

xjw.