2014 So Far...
Have been away from sputnik for a little while, list is an from earlier
in the year.. |
| 50 |  | Big Ups
Eighteen Hours of Static
Nothing particularly groundbreaking but an exciting release nonetheless. |
| 49 |  | Wreck and Reference
Want
Still prefer the 'Black Cassette' EP but this is another unique sounding record from
The Flenser in 2014. |
| 48 |  | Ought
More Than Any Other Day
Wear their influences on their sleeves but still an undeniably good record. |
| 47 |  | Triptykon
Melana Chasmata
Not really a weak moment on this; heavy and dark. |
| 46 |  | Gobby
Wakng Thrst for Seeping Banhee
If you're looking for something different... |
| 45 |  | Carla Bozulich
Boy
Perhaps her most accessible release but still remains interesting with some of her
best tracks. |
| 44 |  | The Horrors
Luminous
Although not the most original sound it's still pure ear candy. If you liked their
previous releases and dig shoegazey stuff this will not disappoint. |
| 43 |  | Current 93
I Am The Last Of All The Field That Fell
Quirky vocals and instrumentation; their best in years. |
| 42 |  | Lone
Reality Testing
Not as good as Galaxy Garden but still has a handful of amazing tracks. Love the
textures and chord progressions from this guy.. |
| 41 |  | Oneohtrix Point Never
Commissions I
Three more stellar tracks following up last year's amazing LP |
| 40 |  | Mac DeMarco
Salad Days
One for the summer, pretty much as good as '2'. |
| 39 |  | GridLink
Longhena
Accessible grindcore? Their most melodic release. |
| 38 |  | Wen
Signals
Equals his 'Commotion' EP. Some of these tracks will remain in rotation for the
foreseeable future |
| 37 |  | Real Estate
Atlas
Good job. |
| 36 |  | Jamie xx
Girl/Sleep Sound
Including 'All Under One Roof Raving' with this. Maybe an album coming later this
year which could end up fairly high on year end lists. All three tracks are amazing |
| 35 |  | Artificial Brain
Labyrinth Constellation
Very accomplished debut, can't wait for their next one. |
| 34 |  | tUnE-yArDs
Nikki Nack
Really eclectic mix of tracks, used to like Water Fountain before youtube started
advertising it before every other video I watch. |
| 33 |  | The Body
I Shall Die Here
Collaboration with The Haxan Cloak makes them sound even more earth shattering. |
| 32 |  | Millie and Andrea
Drop The Vowels
Has flown under the radar slightly considering Andy Stott's recent success. |
| 31 |  | How to Dress Well
What Is This Heart?
Continues his streak of great pop records, will probably jam this over the summer. |
| 30 |  | Cloud Nothings
Here and Nowhere Else
Great record with improved vocals imo. |
| 29 |  | Thee Silver Mount Zion
Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything
Took me a while to listen to this for some reason but glad I got round to it. These
guys can basically do no wrong. |
| 28 |  | Fennesz
Becs
Just got 'Endless Summer' as well, this is almost as good which is saying something. |
| 27 |  | Lord Mantis
Death Mask
Unsettling and heavy listen. Not for the faint of heart... |
| 26 |  | The Antlers
Familiars
Thought this record was pretty homogeneous at first but am appreciating each
track more and more. Really beautiful release |
| 25 |  | Hiss Tracts
Shortwave Nights
Great soundscapes. If you like the ambient/drone sections of Godspeed.. |
| 24 |  | Luke Abbott
Wysing Forest
1 rating!! Holkham Drones was pretty great and this surpasses it imo. |
| 23 |  | BADBADNOTGOOD
III
Their first fully original album with some really amazing tracks. |
| 22 |  | Fatima
Yellow Memories
This needs more attention on this site, some of the best soul music I've heard. |
| 21 |  | Actress
Ghettoville
This continues to grow on me, shame it's his last. |
| 20 |  | The War on Drugs
Lost in the Dream
Didn't love this as much as everyone else at first but some of these tracks are so
smooth. |
| 19 |  | Sd Laika
That's Harakiri
Experimental grime (enough said) |
| 18 |  | Liars
Mess
Another grower, still doesn't match 'Drum's Not Dead' but their transition to an
electronic sound has been seamless. |
| 17 |  | A Sunny Day In Glasgow
Sea When Absent
Mesh of styles including dream pop, shoegaze etc really well executed. |
| 16 |  | A/T/O/S
A/T/O/S
Incredible debut, great production and vocals |
| 15 |  | Leon Vynehall
Music For The Uninvited
Thanks for this @TMobotron |
| 14 |  | St. Vincent
St. Vincent
Like many I still prefer 'Strange Mercy' but this is still a fantastic record yet again. |
| 13 |  | Death Grips
The Powers That B - Part I: Niggas on the Moon
Can't wait for second half of this, much better than Government Plates imo |
| 12 |  | Todd Terje
It's Album Time
Sounds so fresh, perfect for summer parties . |
| 11 |  | Dead Congregation
Promulgation of the Fall
6 years on they haven't reinvented themselves but have improved the same formula
imo |
| 10 |  | Shabazz Palaces
Lese Majesty
Haven't heard this yet but just realised I fucked up with 49 albums. 'Black Up' was
amazing so i'll give this the privilege of being a place holder for now, pretty sure it
will end up on this list at some point for real though. |
| 9 |  | Kemialliset Ystavat
Alas Rattoisaa Virtaa
One of the more interesting releases this year, can't really describe how it sounds
tbh. |
| 8 |  | Have a Nice Life
The Unnatural World
Prefer this to Deathconciousness which is saying something |
| 7 |  | Ben Frost
A U R O R A
Brilliantly produced with great textures and soundscapes. Some of the best tracks
this year on this. |
| 6 |  | Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Pinata
As usual incredible beats from Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is also very good although he
doesn't quite match what MF Doom did imo. |
| 5 |  | White Suns
Totem
Brutal, tortured noise rock. Still haven't decided whether this trumps Sinews or not
but this is certainly one of the more exciting bands at the moment. The Flenser is
having a stellar year... |
| 4 |  | Sun Kil Moon
Benji
Beautiful and haunting, a set of tales straight from the heart. Truly special release |
| 3 |  | Swans
To Be Kind
Another home run from Swans. For me this doesn't surpass 'The Seer' but still has
Michael Gira's enthralling, manic persona and still manages to be both brutal and
beautiful. |
| 2 |  | Wold
Postsocial
I may be overrating this but I have been fascinated by this release ever since it
came out and keep returning to it. Hope this gets more attention. |
| 1 |  | Valerio Tricoli
Miseri Lares
Chilling and horrifying. Probably the greatest exponent of this type of music
(Musique Concrete) I've heard, manages to be extremely engaging and physical
throughout it's 77 minute running time. Listen to this in the dark.. |
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