Albums of the Year! Honourable Mentions!

Swiftly on to the top albums of the year!  First the bridesmaids...

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories.  The first dozen or so plays through this album were such a joy!  Just misses out on my top 10 due to the fact that it's not as edgy or eccentric as moments on Homework or Discovery.

Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus.  No let up from this duo.  Textures a-plenty.  Again not quite in the top 10 as it didn't move me as much as Tarot Sport (and other albums in my top 10).

 

Julia Holter - Loud City Song.  If 'Ekstasis' was a wonderful eccentricity, part Laurel Halo part Joni Mitchell.  Then 'Loud City Song' is part Fiona Apple part PJ Harvey.  Beautifully fragmented but set to the heartbeat of the world outside.  Love it.

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels.  El-P and Killer Mike released pretty awesome LPs back in 2012.  Their collaborative nous came through on both of those albums, however 'Run The Jewels' wears the crown.  Limitless energy and fantastically interesting flows makes this one of the hip hop records of the year.

Forest Swords - Engravings/ The Haxan Cloak - Excavation.  I've put these together because it's difficult to leave either out. Indulgence.  I came across Excavation several months before I actually lisetened to it, managing to pick up a German copy eventually.  It was a great decision (pat on back).  A very intimate dubstep/electronic listen and mememorable in it's audacity.  If I had listened to it a few more times definitely a top 10 shoe in.  With 'Engravings' I recall picking it up and being lost in this one man world.  Then  'Loud City Song' and Janelle Monae' 'Electric Lady' were released and my attention was diverted.  Coming back to it over the last few weeks reminds me what an electronic delight it is.  Forest Swords and The Haxan Cloak released opposing electronic pieces but together they form a reminder of how much depth this genre continues to show.