Brostep's Very Official Last Ever List
Probably not, but I did go emeritus a few weeks ago. Wish I had more time to contribute to the esteemed sputnikmusic dot com, but unfortunately life gets in the way. I'll still be around, and hopefully will re-staff myself this summer when school isn't too much. List is albums I enjoyed this year, unranked except for #1. Much love all |
| 1 |  | Anderson .Paak
Malibu
My #1 on the year. Smooth, fluid, wonderful grooves from the most exciting young face in hip-hop. An electric album, highly recommended |
| 2 |  | Carly Rae Jepsen
E MO TION Side B
Queen of pop album of the year two years running... |
| 3 |  | Ariana Grande
Dangerous Woman
...if this hadn't come out. A near-perfect pop album, half of which are legitimate contenders for Song of the Year. Special shoutout to "Greedy," the second-best song of the year... |
| 4 |  | Charli XCX
Vroom Vroom
...behind the t/t of this one. Fight me. |
| 5 |  | Rihanna
ANTI
Never vibed with full albums from this one before, but Rih absolutely knocked this one out of the park. First half of this album especially is some of the best music of the year. Props to Mustard for making his best ever beat on "Needed Me" |
| 6 |  | Frederic Robinson
Flea Waltz
Med School is the DnB label of the year, exhibit A. Takes the format (loosely) and makes it so playful and light. A worthy follow-up to Mixed Signals, one of my favorite albums three years ago |
| 7 |  | Keeno
Futurist
Med School is the DnB label of the year, exhibit B. The most underrated pop-heavy album on the year. "Lifeline" is a perfect song |
| 8 |  | Richie Brains
Who is Richie Brains?
Med School is the DnB label of the year, but Exit gives it a run for its money. The most exciting producers in the scene making the most exciting music in the scene. Shit is wild |
| 9 |  | Pusher
New Laces
The whole "future bass" bullshit has gone on too long, but this EP is real good regardless. "Clear" is the best of the bunch - what a chorus |
| 10 |  | SHADES
XLR8R Podcast 424
Disappointing recorded material, fire mixes. "There Are No Penguins In Alaska" is an absolutely fire track and I'm eternally grateful to this mix for introducing it into my life |
| 11 |  | Alix Perez
Ghosts
Perez is quietly one of the best in the DnB/halftime game, and this is why. Absolutely stunning mixes, guaranteed to pop off |
| 12 |  | Elohim (US-CA)
Elohim
Solid pop from an exciting (and *checks smudged writing on hand* "mysterious"? "enigmatic"?) new LA artist. We've got quite enough of inscrutable young pop singers from the Promised Land, but this one's good nonetheless. |
| 13 |  | Dawn Richard
Redemption
Criminally underrated music from yet another singer who's made an incredible career out of her talents post-manufactured-girl-band (not that the Pussycat Dolls were bad, because they were fucking amazing, but y'know). Lush, bassy arrangements that dive deep |
| 14 |  | Kaytranada
99.9%
Some of the best hip-hop on the year from an album that steadfastedly refuses to take on that label (thanks Potsy). "Bus Ride" is the underrated jam of the year |
| 15 |  | Danny Brown
Atrocity Exhibition
This man can do no wrong. He's arguably gotten better on every major-label release he's put out, which is impressive given that the first of these will likely be considered essential early-2010s hip-hop twenty years from now. Everything here is astounding. Essential listening |
| 16 |  | NxWorries
Yes Lawd!
Leave it to Anderson .Paak to be the co-conspirator behind one of the best albums of year six months after dropping the best album of the year himself. Knxwledge is hitting his stride, and it'll be fun to see the two of them take over the world in the next few years, whether together or otherwise |
| 17 |  | BASECAMP
In Stone
OWSLA has made itself into a phenomenal label, and this one's ample evidence of that. Downward-facing dubstep in the vein of Submotion Orchestra or Bonobo's moodier shit |
| 18 |  | Mark Johns
Molino
Same as above. iTunes describes this as "left-field pop," which isn't terribly accurate as this is about as center-field as you'll get, but it's a beautifully moody collection of #sadbangers. Moving Castle for life |
| 19 |  | Noname
Telefone
Blissfully chilled-out R&B with quite a few sharp edges hidden inside. Highfalutin' concept be damned, this one's pretty solid |
| 20 |  | Jamila Woods
HEAVN
Despite one of the worst P4K reviews on the year (kris ex cannot write about music for shit), this one's excellent. Luscious and flowing, with enough lyrical snags to keep the listener on their toes |
| 21 |  | Heirsound
Merge
Decent debut post-hardcore from the ashes of Love, Robot. There's a lot to be improved here, but it's an excellent foundation - excited to see how these folks continue on |
| 22 |  | Abra
Princess
The best off-center R&B of the year and it's only 15 minutes long. Tantalizing taste of what's to come, keep an eye on this one |
| 23 |  | dvsn
Sept. 5th
The best on-center R&B of the year and it delivers in full. Don't like it as much as I did on first listen but it's still nearly ineffable in its magnificence |
| 24 |  | Baauer
Aa
Baauer was never a one-trick pony, which is why it was a bit of a shame that Harlem Shake took off like it did given that it's one of his worst songs. This shit bangs, particularly "Kung Fu" and "Sow" |
| 25 |  | Kiiara
low kii savage
Pop music that fits Instagram captions better than Serious Music Journalism Websites, which is an attitude I love and think we need more of. Props to "Gold" for being one of the best tunes on the year |
| 26 |  | Submotion Orchestra
Colour Theory
Not going to be Finest Hour Part 2, but that's fine. Also not going to be as good as Finest Hour, but that's also fine. This is aight, and "Amira" is smooth as fuck |
| 27 |  | Flume
Skin
Some perfect songs ("Say It"), some less so ("Never Be Like You"), altogether a pretty solid package. Wish he'd go harder more of the time - "Wall Fuck" is brilliant - but you can't have everything, I guess |
| 28 |  | Lance Skiiiwalker
Introverted Intuition
Not the best, but still underrated - fingers crossed that this kid goes places. "Speed" is niiice (get it?!?!?) |
| 29 |  | Kanye West
The Life of Pablo
yep |
| 30 |  | Chance the Rapper
Coloring Book
most overrated album of the year goes to! |
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