Mikalli’s Top 40 Albums of the 2010s (so far) – PART 2

No need for an intro, let ‘s just pick off where we left off 🙂

20.  JESSIE WARE – DEVOTION (2012)

In Jessie Ware’s debut, pop and soul has never sounded so mature and elegant!  It’s very low key and chill yet I stayed so engaged and drawn to the music and her voice from start to finish.  In the midst of all the hipster rock and EDM taking over in the first half of the decade, Devotion was that new breath of fresh air that was much needed.

19.  ELLA HENDERSON – CHAPTER ONE (2014)

Not one to favour artists coming from The X Factor but Ella Henderson shows in her debut that she was much bigger than that show!  Henderson takes plenty of creative control with her songwriting skills and incredible voice and the end results are flawless.  It ranges from simple piano ballads (Lay Down) to booming anthems (Ghost) but Ella is always the main focus.

18.  FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS – MORE THAN JUST A DREAM (2013)

I did not see this underrated group coming miles away and man do they make great old school soul party tunes!  It’s loud, catchy, entertaining, and the collaborative voices of Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs really compliment one another.  If you need a very energetic album for working out, a road trip, or a get together, More Than Just A Dream is a must!

17.  KELLY CLARKSON – STRONGER (2011)

Kelly Clarkson has always been my guilty pleasure from day one.  Anything she sings sounds magical, regardless of genre.  Naturally, Stronger grabbed my attention instantly.  She mainly sticks with pop-rock but with some surprises in between, like the danceable title track.  She also continues with her angry breakup anthems which never get old in my ears, but also shows vulnerability in tracks like Dark Side and my personal favourite, Honestly.

16.  HAIM – DAYS ARE GONE (2013)

The Haim sisters’ debut is an playful album that can appeal to all audience as it dabbles with rock, 90’s r&b, pop, & electro.  These girls are extremely talented as proven in their harmonies, playing their own instruments and writing the songs.  Each and every one of the tracks had the makings to be a massive hit single.  Why that didn’t exactly happen is beyond but still, Haim is by far one of the new acts of the 2010s I can’t wait to hear more from.

15.  KATY B – ON A MISSION (2011)

The late 90’s/early 2000s trend of UK garage & underground house made a return in Katy B’s debut album, while staying intact with more current sounds like dub step.  Nonetheless, the songs are Katy B songs and On A Mission totally sets itself apart from the rest.  Her r&b tinged vocals that sing about relationship woes and life in the club scene is completely believable.  As far as dance albums go, this is one that manages to be mature and smart, yet fun!

14.  THE NATIONAL – HIGH VIOLET (2010)

It seems like each album The National releases sounds more and more melancholy.  They also sound more and more beautiful, rich, and powerful.  High Violet was their most sophisticated work yet.  The titles of these tracks alone, such as Terrible Love, Sorrow, and Afraid Of Everyone show theme the album’s going for but just the names just touch the surface.  From the string arrangements, guitar & piano solos, and Matt Berninger’s haunting baritone voice, The National stays true to who they are.

13.  TINASHE – AQUARIUS (2014)

A solid R&B record that reminds us of the glory years of artists like Janet Jackson and Aaliyah, Aquarius is full of personality, demonstrating love, lust, life, and self-reflection.  Tinashe sings at a minimal level at most but surprises us in tracks like Bet and Bated Breath which justifies her vocal range.  The electronic production is just icing on the cake.

12.  PASSION PIT – GOSSAMER (2012)

Similar to their 2009 debut Manners, Passion Pit’s sophomore set provides more of the soulful synth dance-pop I loved when first hearing them.  The tracks put you in a summer daze, thanks to the uplifting sounds, rhythms, and Mike Angelakos’ crazy falsetto voice.  Though the lyrics are rather dark, as it mainly focuses on Angelakos’ personal struggles, the music and melodies help remind the listener that we are human and things can get better after the storm.

11.  FUTURE ISLANDS – SINGLES (2014)

Upon hearing the thriving and dynamic opening track Seasons, I knew this was going to be a rock solid record!  Everything that the first track precedes did not disappoint.  The album feels both nostalgic and futuristic at the same time.  While they excel at the many danceable tracks found, ballads like Fall From Grace only adds more strength.  Their may be influences in disco, new wave, and r&b music from the last few decades, Future Islands sound like themselves at the end of the day and I guarantee are going to be influential to many musical acts in years and decades to come.

 

OK, we’re at the top 10 now, ready??

 

10.  KASABIAN – VELOCIRAPTOR! (2011)

I was always a casual of listener of Kasabian but didn’t really find their previous albums to be completely epic from start to finish.  That completely changed upon hearing Velociraptor!  I had never felt more excited while hearing their new batch of songs.  They slightly shift towards a pop/electronic approach in songs like I Hear Voices but for the most part they stick with their traditional rock and space rock sound in songs like Velociraptor and Goodbye Kiss.  The experimenting truly works in this album and makes it all the more cohesive.

9.  BANKS – GODDESS (2014)

This gothic pop/r&b debut full length from BANKS was full of aching, emotions, and beauty.  I found Goddess to be a very risky album due to its non-conventional rhythms and styles, which makes it almost impossible to compare BANKS to other artists.  She is really one of a kind.  They are mostly ballads, yes, but many are raw and hard-hitting, that it provides so much thrill, thanks to her soulful voice and unpredictable production.

8.  THE BLACK KEYS – EL CAMINO (2011)

El Camino in my books is the ultimate, pure old fashioned rock ‘n roll album of the decade, so far.  With influences from 60’s and 70’s glam & blues rock, The Black Keys put on an 11-track party record with the banging drums, guitar, and keyboard solos.  There is absolutely no holding back in El Camino with its dirty hooks and retro choruses.  This album can put anyone in a good mood even as soon Dan Auerbach strums that guitar in the first 10 seconds of the opening track Lonely Boy.

7.  DRAKE – TAKE CARE (2011)

Take Care is the one of the most silkiest, sexiest, smoothest rap albums heard in recent years, or maybe even longer.  His debut Thank Me Later introduced us to his atmospheric, down tempo, moody style but Take Care is really where that concept expands and truly defines the “Drake” sound that we’ve all come to love to this day.  The low-key and mellow tunes align with the themes of love, loss, personal relationships, and struggles with fame.  The album includes many guest collaborators, all who have excellent chemistry sharing the mic with Drake (i.e. Take Care with Rihanna, Crew Love with The Weeknd).

6.  THE NATIONAL – TROUBLE WILL FIND ME (2013)

Ahh, we meet again!  After High Violet, I didn’t think it would be possible for the band to top that album.  But they beat the odds with Trouble Will Find Me.  The sounds and theme isn’t really much of a departure from their predecessor, more of a continuation.  And that’s how it should be.  The National is doing just fine with settling with the music they’re making for now.  So why is this album higher?  It sounds more established, comfortable, and confident, as The National have found their sound.  They pulled back slightly in terms of darkness that was found in High Violet and provided more of a balance, where we can hear some beauty in misery, as heard in songs like Heavenfaced and I Need My Girl.

5.  ADELE – 21 (2011)

There was no way I could exclude the phenomenon of the decade so far that is Adele’s 21.  It won over critics and fans everywhere (the 30 million copies sold worldwide speaks for itself).  21 is indeed THE healing album after a breakup.  The pain and emotions heard in her voice, the arrangements, and the words are all so realistic.  Furthermore, 21 expands in styles, where Adele dabbles with more soul, blues, and even a little country.  Definitely a masterpiece and 4 years later people everywhere are STILL waiting for album #3.  Could the wait finally be over in 2015?

4.  BIRDS OF TOKYO – BIRDS OF TOKYO (2010)

The third album of the Australian band was more toned down from their previous work and the results have caused me to continue to play this album on repeat 5 years later.  It is somewhat reminiscent of late 90’s/early 00’s post-grunge alternative, with radio friendly soft rock tunes like Plans and Wild At Heart.  And then there are the more theatrical, dramatic songs like Saddest Thing I Know.  And then there are the songs that land in between the two styles, like The Dark Side Of Love.  Birds of Tokyo touches on all areas of the rock spectrum and it’s a real shame they still aren’t well known outside of their native land.

3.  KATY B – LITTLE RED (2014)

On A Mission was where Katy B started the ignition whereas Little Red is where she accelerates top speed!  The beats are wilder, the lyrics are more sensual, the variety has expanded, and Katy B sounds spectacular.  The first three tracks are all club-pounding dance tracks and just when you expect the rest to sound the same, she suddenly slows things down with Crying For No Reason, and the rest of the album gets more unpredictable, with tracks like the midtempo Tumbling Down, and the chill trance Sapphire Blue.  The bonus tracks on the deluxe edition are also addictive, and shows that you can never have too much Katy B playing on your stereo slash iPod.

2.  FRIENDLY FIRES – PALA (2011)

Friendly Fires’ sophomore effort is well accomplished, further diving into their dance-punk-pop sound heard in their debut, but making it more woozy, shoegazing, and soulful.  Many of these tracks have a very summer breeze feel to it (i.e. Hawaiian Air, Show Me Lights), which makes it a must-have for any outdoor patio party.  Even their more serious tracks of heartbreak, as heard in Blue Cassette and Hurting, sound more of a celebration of a new chapter in life, making Pala is more than just another “party” album.

1.  KANYE WEST – MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY (2010)

And here we have it.  This is THE album of the decade that I cannot stop getting excited hearing every time, even 4.5 years later!  Kanye West incorporates hip hop, electronic, soul, indie rock, and classical, with the help of wide range of guests, some I did not see coming (i.e. Bon Iver, Elton John, Elly Jackson of La Roux).  Alot of the tracks touch on Kanye’s self-examination and the consequences of his celebrity status.  There are so many risks taken in this album and all paid off!  The production is like nothing I’ve heard before and probably never will again.  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is in a league of its own, in another planet, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a musical ended up being made based off it.

 

And there you have it – 40 albums of the 2010s so far that I fell in the love with the most.  I wonder what the rest of the decade will have in store?  In the meantime, I’ll be keeping these albums on repeat still.  Next blog – favourite songs of this decade so far.  And this will be my last list, for now!

Mikalli’s Top 40 Albums of the 2010s (so far) – Part 1

After writing about the albums and songs that made a mark on me last year, time to do the same again, but instead starting from 2010.  This actually took sometime for me to decide what albums belong on this list.  Some factors I considered were which albums was it pretty much difficult for me to ever skip a track when listening, albums from newcomers who have gradually gained a massive following, albums that critics everywhere raved about which drew me in, and some that in my opinion were hugely underrated and overlooked and deserved far more praise commercially and critically.  As I intend to write a blurb about each and every album, I’m going to split the list in two blog posts, so for this one I will list #40-21.  Also, I am allowing multiple albums from the same artist to be included in the list because I honestly believe that the different albums from the same artists I’ve included have their own distinct sound and themes to them and each is a body of work on their own, even if it is the same vocals.  Despite being one month in of 2015, I’m omitting albums released this year so far as I feel it’s too soon to determine where certain albums that I’ve enjoyed stand in this list.  Now time to countdown:

40.  MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS – THE FAMILY JEWELS (2010)

To kick off the list, we have the debut album of the quirky Greek-Welsh Marina Diamandis, whose album embodies several styles from baroque pop to classic disco.  What really makes this unique is her writing ability in which take many dark turns (i.e. Hollywood, which describes the harsh reality of fame, and The Outsider – the title speaks for itself) and yet the musical arrangements and her animated vocals make them sound quite the opposite!

39.  BIRDY – BIRDY (2011)

I don’t care for cover albums.  I really don’t.  Yet I have this album included.  Birdy’s self-titled debut is a huge exception in my books due to her non-conventional choices of bands to cover (such as Phoenix, The National, The xx, Bon Iver) as opposed to typical pop artist songs that get stripped down with a piano or guitar by aspiring singers on YouTube or reality talent shows.  She gets extra points for her ability to completely make the songs sound like her own.  Oh and she was 15 upon this release, that does count for something!

38.  HURTS – EXILE (2013)

The songs on Exile either fall on two extremes: explosive, anthemic pop as heard on songs like “The Road” and “Miracle,” and soft and passionate as heard on songs like “Somebody To Die For.”  Comprehensively, both ends of the musical spectrum create one very cinematic album that remains attached to the main electronic and new wave sounds of HURTS, with surprises in between.

37.  JANELLE MONAE – THE ARCHANDROID (2010)

One of the most adventurous and futuristic albums on this list – even in 20 years from now it’ll still sound ahead of its times.  It was very unpredictable as Monae would change up her style every few tracks and pull it off wonderfully.  Kicks off with some r&b funk and pop tunes (including Tightrope and Cold War – which I still haven’t gotten sick of 5 years later), then progressing to psychedelic (Mushroom & Roses) to even indie rock (Make The Bus).

36.  LINKIN PARK – LIVING THINGS (2012)

I’ve always found Linkin Park albums to either be a hit (Hybrid Theory) or a miss (A Thousand Suns).  Living Things to me is definitely the former!  It demonstrates the band’s ongoing musical development, as it steers away from pure nu-metal and adds some electronics and synths to the mix.  They haven’t completely abandoned their original sound and it works.  Lyrically, it’s also impressive as it takes a more personal approach .

35.  D’ANGELO AND THE VANGUARD – BLACK MESSIAH (2014)

The most recent release on this list, I definitely did not see this surprise comeback coming but I’m glad it did!  Black Messiah was needed in this day and age where certain recent issues in society are prevalent.  The multi-genre album may have taken years to create but the end results sound so effortless through some old school sounds and D’Angelo’s smooth vocals.

34.  LITTLE BOOTS – NOCTURNES (2013)

In Little Boots’ sophomore album, there’s a ton of influence from 70’s, 80’s and 90’s dance music.  Still, Nocturnes is very consistent throughout, as all it takes to make an excellent dance-pop album is some hopping electro beats, soft vocals, and catchy hooks.  The structure is simple but sometimes house and dance is best heard when there is no extreme production needed.  Listen to Motorway or Strangers if you don’t believe me!

33.  ELLIE GOULDING – LIGHTS (2010)

Similar to Nocturnes, Ellie Goulding’s debut relies mainly on electro-dance beats and synths but also blends it with some acoustic folk, as proven in the opening track Guns and Horses.  Goulding is an artist who knows her strengths artistically and knows how to work them together.  She sings very softly in many tunes that you would think aren’t fitting for a dance track, like in Lights, but again, she pulls it off.  This is the album that has caused her to grow gradually throughout the decade.

32.  THE WAR ON DRUGS – LOST IN THE DREAM (2014)

Despite its main lyrical themes revolving about depression, confusion, this album to me was full of life, where in the longer tracks like Under The Pressure, it felt like multiple songs playing with a song.  Lost of the Dream can really put one at ease with its shoegazing vibes and restless guitar sounds that are constantly heard and felt throughout the mood changes in the album.

31.  BASTILLE – BAD BLOOD (2013)

While not hugely favoured among music critics, I really admired Bad Blood for its great use of all sorts of instruments from keyboards to strings, Dan Smith’s bold voice (especially in choruses) and overall harmless pop fun!  Truly set the stage for a band I predict can only get better from here and manage to win everyone over.

30.  PEARL JAM – LIGHTNING BOLT (2013)

More than 20 years since they entered the music world with the legendary album “Ten”, Pearl Jam proves on album no. Ten (see what I did there?) that they have not lost their large riffs and Eddie Vedder’s growls that the band is best known for (i.e. Mind Your Manners, My Father’s Son).  However, they show more of their sensitive side in tracks like Sirens, and probably my favourite, Infallible.  Pearl Jam is a rock band that has truly aged gracefully, and can’t wait to hear more from them.

29.  THE XX – COEXIST (2012)

Following their spectacular debut xx, The xx continues their “less is more” approach in their sophomore release and honestly, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.   However, Coexist does dabble a little more on various uses of percussion and even some deep house – all while staying true to their minimalist sound.  And I could listen to the soft yet rich voices of Romy and Oliver singing back and forth to one another about heartbreak and dysfunctional relationships all day!

28.  LYKKE LI – WOUNDED RHYMES (2011)

After her playful 2008 debut with Youth Novel, Lykke Li returned with a more harsh and loud album 3 years later.  She demonstrates a greater vocal range, heavy usage of tribal drums (Get Some, Youth Knows No Pain), and ’60s pop influence (Sadness Is A Blessing).  This is a very pure, artistic pop record that can only be crafted so carefully, and Li achieves it!

27.  DRAKE – NOTHING WAS THE SAME (2013)

Drake continues with his signature style of talk-rap and singing, mostly about his faults and regrets in a very beautiful manner, but it shows how human he really is.  The 40-produced beats remain chill and mesmerizing and the support of artists like Jhene Aiko, Jay-Z and Sampha only strengthen the album more.

26.  FLORENCE + THE MACHINE – CEREMONIALS (2011)

Massive production and efforts were used in Flo’s second album, and the result is beautiful!  With the continuity of harps and thrashing drums, along with Flo’s unique vocals and a gospel-like choir to back up on songs like Lover To Lover and No Light No Light, it’s only natural to describe Ceremonials as confident.  A spooky yet soulful record!

25.  TV ON THE RADIO – SEEDS (2014)

After the untimely death of their bassist Gerard Smith, TV On The Radio returns in album where much of it copes with grief, acceptance, and finally moving on.  The songs so sound less experimental than earlier work but are more polished and comfortable.  That’s far from a bad thing as we can sit and enjoy the music of a band that has evolved and found their style, and will continue to develop again in years to come.

24.  OH LAND – OH LAND (2011)

Once again I’ve included an album from a Scandinavian pop artists – what can I say, they really know how to make great pop music in that region of the globe!  Oh Land’s self-titled album is clever, witty, and catchy!  It bounces back and forth from sounds of mysterious darkness (Perfection, Wolf & I) to cheerful bubblegum (Sun Of A Gun, White Nights) while maintaining that originality Oh Land carries in her singing and songwriting.

23.  SIA – WE ARE BORN (2010)

Just shortly before Sia was known worldwide for writing smash hits for artists like Rihanna and swinging on chandeliers, she released We Are Born, which looking bad, was a foreshadow of how the pop world would look this decade thanks to her contributions.  This album is a pure party album, full of hooks, disco (You’ve Changed), anthems (Bring Night), and ballads (Be Good To Me).  We Are Born is very whole-hearted, what more could you ask for?

22.  ELLIE GOULDING – HALCYON (2012)

The first artist repeater on my list, Ellie Goulding took greater risks on Halcyon and it paid off!  The arrangements are louder and more diverse and Goulding shows off more of a vocal range – although for the most part she still sticks with her trademark bird voice.  Halcyon steers more towards the electronic a genre without going overboard, and it shows that Goulding is growing up and becoming more confident as an artist.

21.  PENDULUM – IMMERSION (2010)

A band who primarily focused on drum ‘n bass in their first two studio albums, Immersion introduces us to a much more versatile Pendulum.  While we continue to hear the sound this band is known for, there are many surprises to hear from including industrial rock, dub step, acoustic, and electro-house.  It’s a shame a Pendulum album hasn’t been released since, as Immersion made me very hungry for more!

 

That concludes part one!  If you think albums #40-21 are an indication of what to expect in the second half, I am sure you’ll see many surprises 😉

Mikalli’s Top 30 Favourite Songs of 2014

Time to countdown the songs of 2014 that I couldn’t stop playing over and over.  For this list, I decided to limit it to 1 song per artist, just so you can get a wider idea of what I’ve been listening to.  I’m not going to commentate on every track on this just because that would make for a rather lengthy blog post and I don’t want you to have to sit for awhile and read my analyses in depth.  Instead, I’ll merely list songs 30-11, then summarize why my top 10 is my top 10.  That said, songs 30-11 range from hard rock to rap to electro and everything in between.  Goes to show how diverse my music library is and you can see what I enjoyed most from each genre.  Some of the songs became major commercial hits, some were minor, and some were never released as a single but still drew attention to me.

 

30.  Mando Diao – Black Saturday

29.  Neon Trees – Sleeping With A Friend

28.  alt-J – Every Other Freckle

27.  Paloma Faith – Only Love Can Hurt Like This

26.  Ledisi – I Blame You

25.  ScHoolboy Q feat. Kendrick Lamar – Collard Greens

24.  FKA twigs – Pendulum

23.  Troye Sivan – Happy Little Pill

22.  The Black Keys – Waiting On Words

21.  Broken Bells – After The Disco

20.  Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance

19.  Tove Lo – Habits (Stay High)

18.  Jhene Aiko – Eternal Sunshine

17.  Mallory Knox – Shout At The Moon

16.  Chromeo – Jealous

15.  The War On Drugs – Red Eyes

14.  Royksopp & Robyn – Do It Again

13.  Shakira – Empire

12.  Lana Del Rey – West Coast

11.  You Me At Six – Win Some, Lose Some

10.  Mr. Probz – Waves (Robin Schulz Mix)

• A very breezy, summery house beat mixed with smooth r&b vocals.  The perfect combination!  It’s a simple track that can easily be loved by music lovers of many kinds.

9.  Route 94 feat. Jess Glynne – My Love

• Another house track yes, this one falls more into the deep house category.  Once again, it’s combined with unreal vocals from Jess Glynne whose voice strongly resembles 90’s r&b and dance vocalists.  The 90’s touch was what caused me to place it one spot ahead of Waves.

8.  TV On The Radio – Love Stained

• Very difficult to pick just one song from their epic album Seeds but this one truly stood up with its vulnerable lyrics of love, its harmonic and haunting bridge which leads to an uplifting chorus.

7.  BANKS – Beggin For Thread

• Between the unusual beats and the direct lyrics (“I know my actions, they may get confusing, but my unstable ways is my solution”), this tune off one of my favourite albums of the year is quite an aggressive one and I can easily see it becoming a sleeper hit real soon.

6.  Lykke Li – No Rest For The Wicked

• Beautifully sad, Li does not hold back one bit expressing her pain and loneliness.  Not only did I love the words themselves but the piano support and the unexpectedly loud chorus just enhances the emotions.

5.  Sam Smith – Like I Can

• Sam Smith was indeed one of the most talked about artists of 2014 and there’s no denying his talent.  While most people were cooing over songs like “Stay with Me” and “I’m Not The Only One”, “Like I Can” was the one I had on repeat.  It’s short, sweet, and catchy, and I especially love the choir and his falsetto join together in “He’ll never love you like I can, can, can.”

4.  Tinashe feat. Devonte Hynes- Bet

• Can’t get enough of the production in this cut!  The synths and electric guitar outro are addicting.  More importantly, Tinashe proves she’s got pipes and confidence in her singing and style.  She truly owns this song.

3.  Ella Henderson – Ghost

• I love when an artist releases their debut single with a bang, and that’s what Ghost is.  A song about getting past hurt, yes sounds familiar, but like Tinashe with Bet, Henderson completely controls this song from beginning to end with her outstanding vocals and songwriting skills, with backup from stomping drums and gospel-esque piano.

2.  Katy B – Crying For No Reason

• Known for her many unique underground dance songs, Katy B’s first real ballad hit is a memorable one, as it provides more edge and honesty and less sap like in most ballads.  It still maintains the garage beat that can be heard in Katy B’s more uptempo tracks which is all the more impressive as it shows she’s able to try and pull off new tricks.

1.  Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You)

• All the elements of the opening number from the incredible “Singles” album – Herrig’s unique baritone voice, 80’s new wave keyboarding, hard guitar riffs in the chorus, storytelling and relatable lyrics about coping with change – all make up a song I found to sound like nothing I had heard in ages and one that is impossible to get sick of.  I won’t lie, while it was hard to place numbers 30-2 on this list, I knew Seasons was a no-brainer for the top spot.

 

And there you have it, 30 songs I thoroughly enjoyed in 2014 and will continue playing for years beyond.  Next blog post: my favourite albums of the decade…so far!

Mikalli’s Top 12 Favourite Albums of 2014

Since 2015 just begun, it’s only natural my first official post (intro post is an intro, sorry) is to reflect on releases from last year.  Personally, I don’t feel like 2014 was one of the stronger years in music in this decade so far, but there were still many gems and I will be listing them.  I was originally going to make this a top 10 only but had a really tough time narrowing it down, which made me realize that hey, maybe 2014 was better than I thought for music!  So I’ve extended it to 12.  As a reminder, these are my personal favourites, some you may not find on any professional critics year end lists so please don’t start arguing why I omitted albums that were widely considered “the best”.

12.  Jessie Ware – Tough Love

The tunes on Ware’s follow-up to the amazing “Devotion” are very simplistic.  Easy, breezy r&b, soul, and pop, all sung by Ware’s soft yet effortless vocals.  The songs are all about love but are told in such a vulnerable tone.  The mature sound makes these love songs very believable and relatable.

• Standout Track – Cruel

11.  Lykke Li – I Never Learn

This short but sweet nine-track album was full of heartbreak and sadness.  There are many records that use breakups as a concept but what really stuck out for me was the emotion heard in Li’s voice throughout the songs – like you could truly sympathize.  That, along with the beautifully haunting arrangements in the songs (The title track and “Gunshot” come to mind), makes for an engaging record that is heard best when listening from beginning to end, no interruptions.

• Standout Track – No Rest For The Wicked

10.  Jhene Aiko – Souled Out

After originally hearing her addicting sounds in Drake’s “From Time”, I knew I needed to look out for Jhene Aiko in the future.  She didn’t disappoint with her EP from last year and Souled Out is a continuation of that.  The production of this album as a whole is rather interesting, where it keeps sounding fresh as it goes along, while her voice remains consistent – in a good way of course!  Aiko’s songwriting is very autobiographical which drew me even more to the songs.  Very chill album, perfect to play at home.

• Standout Track – Eternal Sunshine

9.  Mallory Knox – Asymmetry

I’m not the biggest hard rock listener, but there are certain bands in this genre that stick with me mainly because they have somewhat of a soft touch within their loud sounds – I found plenty of this in Asymmetry.  All the songs could easily be a hit singles as they are quite catchy.  And there’s no denying lead singer Mikey Chapman’s has quite the pipes.

• Standout Track – When Are We Waking Up

8.  D’Angelo and the Vanguard – Black Messiah

The surprise end of the year release was D’Angelo’s first album in 14 years.  While there was some hinting around in recent years of a new album coming out, no details were giving and as a result, D’Angelo almost entirely pulled a Beyonce and released Black Messiah out of nowhere.  Critics everywhere went nuts for the album and I can see why.  It has it all – funk, rock, r&b, soul, and jazz.  The songs touch on many aspects of D’Angelo’s life and society as a whole.  His diverse vocals and wicked guitar playing also win extra points.

• Standout Tracks – Another Life, The Charade

7.  TV On The Radio – Seeds

Seeds isn’t quite as experimental as TV On The Radio’s previous albums but it’s very enjoyable nonetheless.  They still maintain their general style which includes irresistible guitar riffs (Winter) and synths (Careful You) and Tunde Adebimpe’s singing which hasn’t changed much – and that’s a good thing!

• Standout Tracks – Love Stained, Happy Idiot

6.  The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream

This was a last minute inclusion and I’m glad it’s in.  The more I listened to this album the more attached I got.  There is so much life from beginning to end and even the titles of the songs describe the feels of the music (i.e. Suffering, Eyes to the Wind, Lost in the Dream).  The album evolves gradually, with the moods changing over the course of 1 hour.

• Standout Tracks – Eyes To The Wind, Red Eyes

5.  Ella Henderson – Chapter One

I’m normally not one to praise artists who come from talent shows, especially the X Factor UK, as the artists normally come out of the show releasing rushed, half-assed, money grabbing songs.  Ella Henderson is not one of them and thank god!  Chapter One is authentic, from her rich voice to her heavy songwriting.  It doesn’t matter whether the songs are overly produced (Glow) or piano-driven (Missed) – Ella always shines through.

• Standout Tracks – Ghost, Missed

4.  Tinashe – Aquarius 

By far the sexiest R&B album in recent years, Aquarius is full of gems.  It’s a very personal record but that doesn’t mean there’s some fun included as well, as proven in her popular hit “2 On.”  I also could not get enough of the beats and electronics used throughout the album.  The interludes are very necessary too, as it prepares you for the change in mood after every few tracks.

• Standout Tracks – Bet, Watch Me Work, Feels Like Vegas

3.  Future Islands – Singles

Fun, adventurous, and catchy – 3 of many adjectives that come to mind when raving about this album.  Gotta love lead singer Samuel Herrig’s growls, snarls, and overall theatrical vocals in the tracks.  The songs sound so futuristic yet manage to take influences from 80’s New Wave and even some 90’s r&b.  The bass hooks in the tracks also stood out to me, especially in the gorgeous ballad “A Song for Our Grandfather.”

• Standout Tracks – Doves, Seasons, A Song For Our Grandfather

2.  BANKS – Goddess

Alternative pop at its finest.  Or alternative r&b?  Or is it folktronic?  There’s so many genres packed in BANKS’ debut album that it’s really hard to give it one category.  Yet through it all she maintains a consistent tone to the album – raw, dark, and fearless.  She has quite a vocal range as well, as proven in tracks like Brain and You Should Know Where I’m Coming From.

• Standout Tracks – This Is What It Feels Like, You Should Know Where I’m Coming From, Fuck ‘Em Only We Know

1.  Katy B – Little Red

Katy B’s sophomore album was released in early 2014 – almost a year later and I’m still hooked!  Her R&B vocals and lyrics mixed with electronic beats is just the perfect combination.  Little Red is how a dance album should sound, as production is not over the top and it still maintain catchy hooks and intense choruses.  The tempo changes throughout the album, as there are ballads (Still, Crying For No Reason), and mid-tempo (Tumbling Down) songs that keep us at ease before hitting the dance floor yet again.  Little Red is album that can be played at a club, party, in the car, at the gym, cleaning, or relaxing at home.  Anywhere, really!  And these are just of a few of the many reasons why it’s stood out to me as the best album of 2014.

• Standout Track – Crying For No Reason, Sky’s The Limit, 5am

Albums so damn close to making the top 12: Magic Man – Before The Waves, Walk The Moon – Talking Is Hard, Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence, Kasabian – 48:13, The Black Keys – Turn Blue, Ledisi – The Truth

Agree/Disagree with any?  Got any suggestions?  Comment below 🙂  Next list: My favourite songs of 2014!

Welcome to my music world! First blog – intro, expectations, etc.

So here I am, on January 1, 2015, starting a music-related blog!  It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for awhile and one I want to last for a very very long time.  No, this is NOT a New Year’s resolution, I don’t believe in that, the fact I’m beginning this on Jan. 1 is merely a coincidence.

Why another music blog?  I am a lover of many genres of music and am always open to new artists and sounds everyday.  It’s something that I can’t relate to with many of my family and friends, who don’t share that same appreciation as I do.  This is why I’ve resorted to blogging.  To share what I love out there, and to receive new stuff from readers.  So yes, feel free to comment on my posts with links to any music recommendations.

What am I going to post on here?  For one, I want to give my input on albums that I am personally fond of.  I’m going to stick with what I know currently, and by no means do I expect everyone to agree with me.  These are solely MY opinion, but if you enjoy what I like, comment away 🙂  If not, but you think I may like something similar, recommend it!  My choices of album reviews will be random, could either be something released today or 15 years ago.  And I plan to post on songs I am currently obsessing with.  I love lists too, so look out for my own lists such as “top 10 rap albums of all time” or “top British artists”  – feel free to give me ideas for lists as well!

I am in the midst of finally bringing my own original music to life!  Don’t hold your breath, will be quite sometime before I post a recording of my own (from a laptop of course!), but it is definitely something I want to share.  I played piano for several years, took a long break (which I regret as I became rusty), but am back at it, composing tunes to lyrics that I have written.  I love songwriting and have written many lyrics for almost a decade now, stuff I’ve kept to myself.

So talking about my favourite music and posting my own music is not all I hope to accomplish on here.  Expect the odd concert reviews, music news, feature artists, and new discoveries (Got a band of your own?  Let me know!  I’ll give it a list and if I like, I’ll blog alllll about it!)

As you notice, my blog writing is not the most witty or creative or grammatically correct – not a professional here!  Hopefully in time I can learn from this and be able to improve in each post.  I’m sure in 6 months from now I’m going to re-read this first blog and cringe at what I wrote and wish I could turn back time.

I’m also challenging myself to NOT share this with any social media, or even word of mouth.  I’d like to see if this can be discovered on its own – just by chance, even – and see where it goes from there.  If I fail, then I will conform to social media.

That is it for now.  I shall now conclude by leaving you with a song that I’m listening to at the moment.