Take a listen to the playlist for my countdown here (and feel free to follow me on Spotify!):
Manchester Orchestra – Hope : Andy Hull & company have done it again! This album is an acoustic re-imagination of their latest album Cope. Cope’s wonderfully ear-crushing sound is a direct opposite to this album, Hope. The band took all of the songs from Cope and rebuilt them to be softer, acoustic, and nearly symphonic. I can’t get enough of these renderings. Hull’s vocals resonate well with the soft acoustics and the instrumentals are beautiful. Take a listen to Top Notch and Girl Harbor.
Shakey Graves – And The War Came : This dually rousing and melancholy Americana breakthrough album is definitely something to give a chance. Shakey Graves walks circles around the genre by providing electric guitar solos, vocally layered choruses, and even some duets with the beautiful and talented Esmé Patterson. I got to see them perform together and their stage presence is amazing and upbeat. Take a listen to Dearly Departed and Hard Wired.
Noah Gundersen – Ledges : I only recently discovered Noah Gundersen after an Americana binge (thanks to Shakey Graves). This album opens acapella with a gospel-esque tune. It’s gorgeous. The rest of the album is just as thrilling, with his sister and brother helping him out on instrumentals. This was Gundersen’s first full length, yet it doesn’t show. The wordsmith shows the perspective of an old soul. Take a listen to Poor Man’s Son and Cigarettes.
Bombay Bicycle Club – So Long, See You Tomorrow : Making a bit of a genre leap here with this one, but man was this album great. Jack Steadman has a vocal style that is an acquired taste, but the music behind it would get anyone dancing. Although the album is heavy on the electronic side, the production shows experimentation yet accentuates the songs well. It does get soft at times but always ends with a bang. Take a listen to Home By Now and Luna.
Ed Sheeran – X : Call me a preteen girl but Ed’s a brilliant songster and a menace with a loop pedal. He can rap and it doesn’t sound absolutely ridiculous next to a slow chorus, he can hit high notes and low notes, and doesn’t only sing about getting drunk. Okay, maybe he does sing about getting drunk a lot but he’s from England, that’s what they do right? Anyway, just give it a chance, you might emerge with a new favorite jam. Take a listen to I’m A Mess and I See Fire.
Hozier – Hozier : Andrew Hozier-Byrne has the voice I’d imagine an angel would have. I never thought I’d get to see this wonderful human live, but to my surprise about two months after I had discovered him, his single Take Me to Church blew up on the charts. Next thing I knew it was October 31st and I was seeing him at the Paradise in Boston. There was a woman playing cello, a keyboardist, two female back up singers, and Hozier himself playing guitar. I felt like I was in heaven. Seeing him live was so much better than listening to the songs I had been coveting for months prior. Take a listen to From Eden and Work Song.
Damien Rice – My Favourite Faded Fantasy : Any fan of the indie singer-songwriter genre rejoiced when Damien Rice released this album. It was only just released in November but it is already set in stone on this list. It’s been almost eight years since his last album release. Eight songs slowly build up to a beautiful orchestral end. Not much more to say other than everyone should immerse themselves in this for the whole 50 minutes it runs. Take a listen to My Favourite Faded Fantasy and I Don’t Want to Change You.
Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos – Sling Shot to Heaven : I like the sounds that come out of this album but the lyrics are pretty dang stupid. But with hits nowadays it really just has to be catchy right? So it’s lacking lyrical prowess but it’s definitely something I can chill, study, or fall asleep to. Which is fine. It’s pretty, it’s soothing, it’s all I need right now from Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos. Take a listen to When You’re Gone and Flying Saucer Blues.
You+Me – Rose Ave. : Another somewhat recent release (October 14th), is Dallas Green (City and Colour/ Alexisonfire) and Alecia Moore’s (Pink) duet project. Both are very strong singers and they don’t let heavy instrumentals get in the way of that. Their voices mesh together perfectly. This album is two friends making music and not trying to outshine each other. Take a listen to Capsized and You and Me.
Neversleep – Dead Ends & Thin Ice : Over the summer I was contacted by an old friend regarding designing album art for the new EP his band was planning on putting out. I was flattered and surprised because we hadn’t spoken in a while. Obviously I’m putting it on this list because it was a really important event of my year, I mean, it’s pretty rad to do album art, I had a lot of fun. But, these five songs are also really great! Although pop-punk is no longer my thing, it is reminiscent of the genre I used to really enjoy. Take a listen to It’s Whatever and Long Story Short.
As you can probably tell, I’m a sucker for a good acoustic track, I have a soft spot for singer-songwriters, and I’m definitely indie-minded. Feel free to suggest music you think I’d dig in the comments and here’s what I’m looking forward to musically in 2015:
- Ryan Hunter (1st Vows) – Let’s face it, I haven’t been the same since Envy on the Coast broke up. But rejoice! Ryan Hunter is getting synthy and releasing a batch of songs in January and then a batch in February and I’m pumped.
- Decemberists – Who doesn’t want new Decemberists jams?
- Fall Out Boy – Unpopular opinion: Hopefully this will be better than anything they’ve put out so far after the hiatus…
- Frank Turner – YESSSSS
- Muse – I’m always excited for Muse, new music or not.
