Music
My top 25 albums from the end of every year.
Cyan Blue
Charlotte Day Wilson
Charlotte Day Wilson has one of my favorite voices in music. This crooner has been on my radar since hearing her on some BadBadNotGood songs back in 2016. This is her second studio album and delivers a ton of great songs on love and heartbreak.
Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going
Shaboozey
Shaboozey had himself quite the year. His single “Bar Song” from this album was all over the radio, and he even had a few features on Beyoncé’s album that dropped in the spring. While he isn't new to music (this being his 3rd studio album), I am very interested to see where his career goes from here!
Head Rush
Channel Tres
I’ve been following Channel Tres for a while now, but none of his albums have really resonated with me until now. They weren’t bad, just never really got my attention. But this one was different! It features Thundercat, Toro Y Moi, and Teezo Touchdown, and it is so groovy. I couldn’t stop bobbing my head the whole time I listened to it. I’m so glad one of his projects finally made it through because I’ve always enjoyed some of his singles and features.
Dark Times
Vince Staples
Vince Staples is one of my all-time favorite rappers. His albums always have a cohesive vibe, and this one is no different. There are some really cool tracks like ‘Étoufée’ and ‘Black&Blue,’ but it’s just a vibe from start to finish.
Small Changes
Michael Kiwanuka
This album came out in mid-November, so it was tough to figure out how high it should be on my list. But I knew it had to be in my top 25. I have been a fan of Michael Kiwanuka for a while now, and his last album from 2019 was probably my favorite of that year. I also didn’t know until now that he’s worked with Danger Mouse on producing his last three albums. That’s always a good sign that I’ll like an album when he’s involved.
A LA SALA
Khruangbin
The Texas trio Khruangbin’s album A LA SALA is a perfect blend of their signature sound. While I have loved seeing them work with other artists lately, especially Leon Bridges, some of their recent collaborative albums haven’t been as enjoyable as their solo work. This album has a few upbeat tracks like Pon Pon, but overall, it’s a slower-paced journey. It’s a real treat to follow along and let them take you on a smooth ride through this musical masterpiece.
Persona
half•alive
Checked this album out on the recommendation from a family member and just immediately thought it was a lot of fun. Just a quality indie-pop album that has some fun and unique dance tunes. The album artwork makes me chuckle for some reason. I also feel like the singers voice reminds me of another band but can't put my finger on it. Hit me up if you have any thoughts on who I am thinking of.
The Great American Bar Scene
Zach Bryan
From the very first song on this album, a spoken word poem entitled Lucky Enough, Zach Bryan showcases his incredible songwriting skills. His storytelling is mesmerizing, and his delivery is spot-on. And when you add in some stellar features from John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen, you’ve got a true classic.
I Love You So F***ing Much
Glass Animals
Glass Animals have consistently given me some of my favorite indie rock albums over the past decade. I first heard them when I got their album How to Be a Human as part of my Vinyl Me Please subscription back in 2016. I love the way the lead singer, Dave Bailey, sings his lyrics with a hypnotic melody. It gives their music a really unique sound that I always enjoy listening to again and again. This album is no different from the single “A Tear In Space (Airlock)” to the droning baseline of the track “Wonderful Nothing.” They just have a sound that you won’t find anywhere else in music.
Zorb
Sycco
Sycco was a new artist to me this year, or so I thought. But then I listened to her album and realized I had heard her single, “Ripple,” featuring Flume, last year. That song was pretty catchy, but her sound is much more diverse than that. This album is packed with funky tracks with a broad range of sounds including some psychedelic guitars that sound reminiscent to Tame Impala on the song “Bad World.” It was a real treat to discover this year!
Hyperdrama
Justice
It’s been a whopping 8 years since Justice dropped their last proper studio album. I was super excited for this one, and it totally lived up to the hype. The fact that they brought on Thundercat, Miguel, and even two tracks with Tame Impala was just icing on the cake. These French electronic music legends are simply some of the best in the game, and this album is exactly what you’d expect from them. They’re definitely at the top of my list of artists I want to see live, but I still haven’t made it happen!
Why Lawd?
NxWorries
Anderson Paak and producer Knxwledge’s 2018 debut project was amazing, and after 8 years, their follow-up, “Why Lawd,” was worth the wait! While Paak reflects on some heavy topics such as his recent divorce in the lyrics, the album still find them flexing about their lively and lavish lifestyle. Knxwledge’s production is nothing short of phenomenal, solidifying his place among the top hip-hop producers. It’s great to see these two artists reunite after such a long time.
Radical Optimism
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa has been crafting top notch pop music since her debut. When you combine her pop star power with the production of Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, you create a 5 star pop album. The influence of Parker’s psychedelic guitar riffs is evident in tracks like “Houdini.” This album is a nonstop dance journey from the first track to the last!
TIMELESS
KAYTRANADA
KAYTRANADA’s latest album, TIMELESS, is another solid dance record from the Montreal-based hitmaker. His songs have that signature bounce to their beat that instantly lets you know you’re listening to one of his tracks. He effortlessly blends instrumental tracks with songs featuring collaborators like Don Tolliver, Charlotte Day Wilson, and Childish Gambino, just to name a few. This album definitely lives up to its title.
WORLD WIDE WHACK
Tierra Whack
WORLD WIDE WHACK is an absolute blast to listen to! Tierra Whack is incredibly talented and showcases her skills with a variety of flows throughout the album. Her lyrics range from self-assurance, relationship struggles, to some whimsical stuff, like her imaginary friend and singing in the shower. I’d also highly recommend watching the music videos - they’re just as entertaining as the album itself!
BRAT
Charli xcx
BRAT totally dominated the summer, and after giving it a good listen a couple of weeks after it came out, I get why. It’s got a ton of club bangers, but it’s also way more than that. There’s real meat to the lyrics in a lot of the tracks, which you don’t find in a lot of other pop/dance albums. Take the song “I think about it all the time,” for example, where she finds herself contemplating about becoming a mom. That doesn’t take away from all the party starters, though. It’s just got more depth than most music these days.
ten days
Fred again..
Fred again.. has this amazing talent for turning ordinary everyday conversations and events into something truly special. Each song is inspired by a single day in which he chooses to find joy in the little things we usually miss. He’s been known for producing for artists like Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora and George Ezra before starting his own projects, which mostly feature his Actual Life series. This album is more feature-driven, returning to his roots as a producer. It has a more relaxed vibe, with some upbeat moments like the track “places to be.” Fred again.. has been consistently delivering some of the best dance/electronic music in the past five years and this continues that streak.
CHROMAKOPIA
Tyler, The Creator
This Tyler album has a feel very similar to that of his earlier albums, like Wolf. He is still as braggadocios as you would expect, while fluctuating to more mature self-reflection. He spends time reflecting on his relationship with his estranged father, with several clips from his mother talking about how he is like his dad and even some requests for a grandchild. His ability to craft a whole world for an album is still present, with a very unique aesthetic that you see in his videos and album artwork. His musical influences are also ever-present in the details, such as the Pharrell “Drop It Like It’s Hot” sample in “Darling I”.
GNX
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar had himself a year absolutely wiping the floor with Drake in their rap beef and also being selected to do the Super Bowl Halftime show this upcoming year. It is only fitting that he drop an album to wrap up the year. This album, like most of his work, feels completely separate from his other work. He didn’t use this album to victory lap around Drake though. His pen was as sharp as ever with some standouts for me being the tracks “reincarnated” and “heart pt. 6”. This just shows that Kendrick still is at the top of the rap game!
In Waves
Jamie xx
Crazy to think it has been 9 years since Jamie xx’s solo debut, In Colour. He continues to push the boundaries of electronic music and put together super cohesive projects. This album is packed with dancefloor hits and even a reunion for his The xx bandmates. There’s not much else to say other than this music makes me want to dance and keeps that feeling all the way through. Jamie xx is one of the best in the business.
Deeper Well
Kacey Musgraves
Kacey’s recent albums have been intriguing to follow, as they reflect her current life experiences. Deeper Well, sonically, bears a closer resemblance to her Grammy-winning album, Golden Hour. While Golden Hour was filled with love songs, star-crossed found Kacey in a state of melancholy after her marriage crumbled. Deeper Well, on the other hand, showcases her finding peace in her surroundings and embracing the life that has come her way. She is now focused on self-care and discovering joy in the simple pleasures of everyday life. One of my favorite tracks is “Dinner with Friends,” where she beautifully illustrates the beauty of sharing a meal with loved ones. It was great to witness Kacey’s return to a more positive and uplifting tone on Deeper Well.
Only God Was Above Us
Vampire Weekend
Only God Was Above Us is a return to a familiar sound for Vampire Weekend. Their 4th album “Father of the Bride”, and first without member Rostam, saw them trying some different things. That wasn’t a bad thing, as I thoroughly enjoyed that album, but it felt much different than their first 3 albums. This album captures a sound I wasn’t sure we would hear again after the band lost Rostam. While it is familiar, it still tries some different things, from the jazzy saxophone on “Classical” to the crazy guitar riffs on “Gen-X Cops”. This album is fantastic from start to finish and sounds great if you get the chance to hear them perform some of the tracks live!
This Is How Tomorrow Moves
beabadoobee
This was the biggest surprise of the year for me. This Is How Tomorrow Moves is a fantastic indie rock album from London-based beabadoobee. It grabbed me on first listen and dominated my rotation for a good chunk of the year. The quality of production is so high that I was not surprised when I heard one of the primary producers was Rick Rubin. It gives me serious late 90s/early 2000s indie rock vibes from the way it sounds to even the aesthetic of some of the artwork and music videos. It is really present in the video for the track “Beaches”.
The Alexander Technique
Rex Orange County
Rex Orange County has done it again. He has quickly become one of my favorite songwriters with his last couple of projects. The Alexander Technique is a much different vibe than his 2022 album Who Cares? Where Who Cares was filled with love songs, this album is packed with self-introspective songs and lyrics discussing the importance of mental health and therapy He still manages to create tracks with amazing hooks and vocal melodies. Some of my favorites are “The Table” and “New Year’s,” which both shine in the instrumentation and the lyrical department. Expectations were high on the heels of how much I enjoyed Who Cares in 2022, but he certainly delivered.
Bando Stone and The New World
Childish Gambino
If this is truly Donald Glover’s last Childish Gambino project, then he goes out with a bang, showcasing his incredible versatility as an artist. Sure, there’s supposed to be a feature film coming out with this album, but let’s not forget that this album already proves how broad his skillset is. He dabbles in so many genres on this album, and it feels like he does it effortlessly. While that might make some listeners feel a bit disoriented because the album jumps from one genre to the next from track to track, I thought it added to the wild and exciting journey that is Bando Stone and The New World. In this album, he delivers some straight-up Hip Hop tracks like “Yoshinoya” and “Talk My Shit,” some smooth R&B vibes with “Steps Beach” and “In The Night,” some edgy Alt Rock with “Lithonia” and “Dadvocate,” and even some catchy Pop tunes like “Can You Feel Me” and “Real Love.” While I’m not holding my breath that this is the last Gambino album, I can’t deny that he’s one of the most talented artists out there, no matter what medium he chooses to work with!