Things got a little wacky with music this year, obviously. There were some great albums out, though. This list is mostly a time capsule and things shift around a lot on a daily basis, but that’s okay. This is what I feel like I should put on this list right now.
Nicer sounds section:
Alias Ensemble – A Splendour of Heart
Of course, Daniel Romano released about 40 albums of great music this year, but this was the one that stuck with me the most. When the band drops out in Lilac About Thy Crown and it’s just Kelly Sloan… that’s it for me.
Half Stack – Wings of Love
I don’t know what it is about Half Stack, but I like it. Just that little dash of whimsy sprinkled on those twangy licks.
Anna McClellan – I Saw First Light
I’m a big fan of Anna McClellan and this record clicked perfectly for me.
Beach Bunny – Honeymoon
Infectious and fun. This was on repeat for at least a month when it came out.
R.A.P. Ferreira – Purple Moonlight Pages
Who would have thought I’d be so charmed by a rap song about doing laundry? This reminded me of the best parts of the old Anticon records, but the live-band production really puts it over the top.
Bartees Strange – Live Forever
His National covers EP didn’t really give the sense he was capable of a record like this. Dense in the best way; there are new things to unpack on every listen.
Louder section:
Hum – Inlet
Unexpectedly released and even more unexpectedly great.
SPICE – SPICE
I love everything about this album. It just moves and it makes me smile. I like the little samples tossed in and when the violin parts come in over the top, it all coalesces perfectly.
The Cowboy – WiFi on the Prairie
Doing some version of what I liked the most about The Men from their early records, and doing it even better.
Mini Skirt – CASINO
Gritty melodies with some pretty compelling lyrics on top.
Tony Dork – Struggle Street
I guess this is “garage rock” or something, but it’s more angular, a little more punk, and much more interesting than that label makes it seem like it would be.
Punk rock section:
Broadway Calls – Sad in the City
Broadway Calls never fully clicked with me in the past but this record did big time. Treads that fine-line that pop-punk rarely can of being melodic without being cloying.
The Lawrence Arms – Skeleton Coast
Aging gracefully as a punk band? An impossible task that The Lawrence Arms seem to be doing effortlessly. It’s the perfect next step after the really wonderful Metropole.
My Bad! – My Bad!
Speaking of pop-punk that’s good (were we?) how about My Bad!?
Somerset Thrower – Paint My Memory
I thought they just released a record, but I guess it was two years ago now. Anyway, this one is better and I didn’t realize I needed it but I needed it.
Witches With Dicks – Straight To Hell
More good punk rock, what the heck?
Faster and heavier section:
Chainshot – Chainshot
Driving 100mph, flying off a cliff, and loving every second.
Bitter Branches – This May Hurt a Bit
Tim Singer is one of my all-time favorite, uhhh, singers. He still sounds amazing with the different dynamics Bitter Branches provides compared to those of Deadguy and Kiss it Goodbye.
Exhalants – Atonement
Sometimes I think all the juice has been extracted from the “noise rock” fruit and then something like Exhalants comes along and proves I’m stupid.
Boris – NO
It’s almost like Boris had a focus group to ask what their new album should sound like and I was the only one there. This contains all my favorite sounds that Boris makes put into one record.
Gulch – Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress
Gulch.
Sunset – Destroyer
I think this came out but is getting a physical release next year? I don’t know if I’m allowed to put it here but it was one of my favorite hardcore releases this year.
End – Splinters From An Ever-Changing Face
I’d been waiting a long time for this LP, and it didn’t disappoint at all. Crushing.
Leeched – To Dull The Blades Of Your Abuse
A monster record. Unrelenting and thrilling (I’m sick, I realize).