This year has had its twists and turns, climaxes and explosions of genres all across the globe. The single has been a fully suc-synced success story this year. Through each gig greedy season it has been an exquisite melting pot to the many expressions of bands and artists who have taken on not only their own music scene, but to expand over many horizons and take many indulging listeners, such as you and I, by wondrous shock.
I know I must be the two-hundredth and forty thousand, three hundred and twenty millionth blogger to compel a list of which tracks we should exactly be celebrating. Never the matter each and every single has been chosen down to one bare factor that will hopefully make this countdown slightly different. Innovative diversity. Something that makes a bold statement whether that's including, synths, shouts, squalls or solos. All these things have helped to make 2014 a true breakthrough of huge variety. Whilst I found 2014 to be lacking an absolute pristine album, it was certainly one for a few minutes of artists deepest creativity.
These tracks are in no particular order, but hopefully by reading my level of description and passion on each track you will gather which records are the true winners.
Arca-'Thievery'
Much ado about everything is what I felt when it comes to this years electronica progression. However few artists produce a piece of material that really pushes its way through all the rest of obscure, alluding man made junk that drowns so much of mainstream music culture. So when Venezuelan born/London based Alejandro Ghersi threw 'Thievery' into the mix it took everyone by surprise, almost relief. It gives an intense, urbanised perspective layering of vivid echoing beauty collided with a darker side, one which Ghersi freely expresses throughout his work. But for some reason, his experimentalist precision this one hits the note just right.
Bonfire Beach- 'Spit You Out'
Having moved on to a solo project from her still active duo Magic Wands, Dexy Valentine has ensured her snarling new move has provided a vital energy for this year. It seems the perfect LA rock antidote full of all the gritty riffs and plummeting solos that drive its relentless outro, picking up slight psychedelic elements into the overall fuzz. Valentine rolls,"Take a walk down the LA skyline/I'm gonna make you mine." she signs it off as one of the catchiest badass tracks of the year.
Much ado about everything is what I felt when it comes to this years electronica progression. However few artists produce a piece of material that really pushes its way through all the rest of obscure, alluding man made junk that drowns so much of mainstream music culture. So when Venezuelan born/London based Alejandro Ghersi threw 'Thievery' into the mix it took everyone by surprise, almost relief. It gives an intense, urbanised perspective layering of vivid echoing beauty collided with a darker side, one which Ghersi freely expresses throughout his work. But for some reason, his experimentalist precision this one hits the note just right.
Bonfire Beach- 'Spit You Out'
Having moved on to a solo project from her still active duo Magic Wands, Dexy Valentine has ensured her snarling new move has provided a vital energy for this year. It seems the perfect LA rock antidote full of all the gritty riffs and plummeting solos that drive its relentless outro, picking up slight psychedelic elements into the overall fuzz. Valentine rolls,"Take a walk down the LA skyline/I'm gonna make you mine." she signs it off as one of the catchiest badass tracks of the year.
The Orwells-'Always N' Forever'
At the sheer mention of their 2014 album release, 'Disgraceland' you know what you're in for. This particular track drags you through each dirty riff and gruff slur of Mario Cuomo, alike many of their songs each verse trundles along through some drunken haze of fiasco before landing on a mighty amp pumping chorus. Except this one does it the best, Always N'Forever splutters all your face full off post-puberty panic," Staying out looking out at the stars/Making out on the hood of my car". Every clumsy love catastrophe turns out to spark the most addictive thrashing the Chicago bunch have produced.
East India Youth -'Heaven How Long'
This song has been chosen to lead my fellow radio listeners (Stellafonix-Fromefm.co.uk) into New Year, airing this at midnight will never have felt so mesmerising. It is no typical song structure with verse and chorus stacked next to eachother-oh no- William Doyle twists and slithers through each cascading melody until he reaches the peak of the climax exactly at the midpoint of the track. 'Heaven How Long' 's ultimate chorus sort of fizzes over like opening a bottle of carva, perhaps in slow motion. Or when the sun gleams out of the clouds at precisely the right second to leave you feeling truly enlightened. Yes it is true, a song can do this; Doyle refrains this question ('How Long'?) in such desperation it has the opposite effect, vibrating promise into each second. The after-math melts into an upebeat almost dancey outro with some snazzy bass and drums.
At the sheer mention of their 2014 album release, 'Disgraceland' you know what you're in for. This particular track drags you through each dirty riff and gruff slur of Mario Cuomo, alike many of their songs each verse trundles along through some drunken haze of fiasco before landing on a mighty amp pumping chorus. Except this one does it the best, Always N'Forever splutters all your face full off post-puberty panic," Staying out looking out at the stars/Making out on the hood of my car". Every clumsy love catastrophe turns out to spark the most addictive thrashing the Chicago bunch have produced.
East India Youth -'Heaven How Long'
This song has been chosen to lead my fellow radio listeners (Stellafonix-Fromefm.co.uk) into New Year, airing this at midnight will never have felt so mesmerising. It is no typical song structure with verse and chorus stacked next to eachother-oh no- William Doyle twists and slithers through each cascading melody until he reaches the peak of the climax exactly at the midpoint of the track. 'Heaven How Long' 's ultimate chorus sort of fizzes over like opening a bottle of carva, perhaps in slow motion. Or when the sun gleams out of the clouds at precisely the right second to leave you feeling truly enlightened. Yes it is true, a song can do this; Doyle refrains this question ('How Long'?) in such desperation it has the opposite effect, vibrating promise into each second. The after-math melts into an upebeat almost dancey outro with some snazzy bass and drums.
Be Forest-'Colours'
It was when i started writing for other websites that I had the opportunity to dig Italian ambient rock out to unravel its hidden sound. Never would one presume such immaculate sounding production out of well-nowhere. The shines in and out of melodic riffs float generously over voice. The formula of the song could be a dreampoppy paradise, but alike the xx they do it with so much charm and twang even involving the word 'pop' would make you think otherwise. A single that takes you on a sunset journey is one worth remembering, not that it will be difficult anyway with each and every tremolo and ring of reverb dripping into your ears like honey.
James Blake- 'Building It Still'
Through each festival slot, Radio 1 residency and essential mix, every single online mix-James Blake has delivered this year. Without actually pressing an album he has proved the fact that you don't need a big money bawling release over 12 tracks when he can get just as much attraction through some rather ambiguous fusions over 12 months. This track in particular I like, it shows Blake's progression since his 2013 'Overgrown'. It's a little more trippy and upbeat but not in a mechanic way we have seen from various other new material, this is the cherry on top that far out-sweetens the rest. More melting the sound of a city perhaps, over each ticking tempo and vocal twang, he as ever creates quieter sections with his own signature calls and gentle whines. Blake has always been a fine pianist and when constructed with mellow bass and echo it provides a fruitful, delicately classy record.
Superfood-'Mood Bomb'
Before you think this blog is just an NME rip-off hear out this track. It is worth truly appreciating Superfood for their musical storm surge this year. The one of many singles that did it for me was this one. Something arousing Dom Ganderton's vocals around the chaos of guitar and fuzz with cymbal crashes excites a resurging of Britpop. And this isn't a kind I have really listened to before, what causes an addiction is what they write about in their songs. "The floor is just an empty space/a wooden place to stretch out and lie down on". In reality its pretty basic, random as hell stuff. It's their way of saying yeah we're a 5 piece band from the midlands, so what? But when they fill it will anthemic hook filled choruses and full out psych reverb how can we all stay as calm as they do?
Bloody Knees-Stitches
'And I'm covered in blood/but at least I'm having fun'. what's not to like? When the music press talk about rock revival, it infuriates me that bands such as Bloody Knees aren't causing a massive stir. Is it because their sound would take all the cosy listeners of Radio 1 completely out of their comfort zone? - probably. The fact is you could say alike The Orwells, OBN III etc that these guys from Brighton just don't give a shit. Every song recorded on their label, Heartthrob records sounds bitterly raw and gives you the very same adrenaline on listening. Having already toured with both Wolf Alice and Honeyblood it would only seem obvious that they follow the same fate.
SBTRKT + Ezra Koenig-'New York. New Dorp'
Hearing this one summer night whilst brushing my teeth to radio 1, it completely took me into a groove hip swinging, finger clicking head bob. One could describe it as the definitive sound to New York, down each quirky backstreet and past each coffee stacked street corner it really does sound so over the bumbling bass lines. The more surreal 'SBTRKT' sections of clanging bells, drums and bass contrast wonderfully with Ezra's blunt 'Gargoyles gargling oil' etc. The deep harmonised vocals against his own whilst steel pans beating around each lamp-lit corner to make a melting pot of noise-alike the city. I would recommend this track to any art student bumbling along with round specs and satchel, just get it on cassette first.
Kate Tempest-'Circles'
To discover such an enlightening track compared to Kate's this year has been hard. Listening to what you would call an intellectual, wit filled saga of small but significant segments that formulate this song," i go round in circles not graceful not like dancers/not neatly not like compass and pencil/more like a dog on a lead going mental." amongst the hub-bub of the background you can hear, sown to each bar the story she wants you to hear. However Kate can always throw something totally well-Kate in the mix,"Get away with a child travel card on the bus-I love that."
Bully- 'Faceblind'
These guys are fresh, like new born babies echoing their sounds over the pond to the UK from Louisville. Hence the two tracks out on bandcamp are causing me such excitement. Through each chord jump and Alicia Bognanno's vocals its perfect punk, not sickly or counter acted by over ridden amps but rather hammering in the nail of what has been missing in American Punk (especially). These sounds are uncomplicated and surprisingly intricate at times during 'Faceblind' . On rocking out their KDHX session which I played on radio I find their underground upsurge ever more promising for 2015. Despite 'Faceblind' not seeming to embed itself from bandcamp, giving 'Milkman' ago is completely worth an ear blistering.
Lukane-'Go The Distance'
May I remind every single reader that this particular artist has been independent, working alongside the NoworNever foundation that helps R'n'B artists within Chicago it is a complete work of wonder to produce each beautifully layered bar upon bar of rap. Working with producer Straidnova has got a contrasting side to the track too. Mixing his truthful lyrics of "Freedom was defined and even in your mind you think you're free/ they were all distractions" amongst his glistening fusions of almost futuristic trip hop and original, homegrown R'N'B it stands in great steed for his upcoming tour across the US. Watch this space.
Eagulls- Nerve Endings
For myself, it has taken some time to find a complete down-to-the-roots post-punk band who pull it off so effortlessly. One of their most listened to singles,'Nerve Endings' is only a brief introductory of the gut wrenching focus they have on their music, but it's more than valid. The gutsy riff brushes roughly with Mark Goldsworthy's chants and shrieks. Many of which over lay each other in one true scramble for an answer, the whole song is seething of sweat and adrenaline. Exactly what they'll be reeking of in 2015 at this rate.
Shunkan-'Dust In Your Eyes'
A Japanese New Zealand punk can sure push out some material. the delicate guitar to start paces into a gutsy, yucky scratch to rumble along with yells of Marina Sakimoto's "hold me like you don't care/...I could kiss the dust from your eyes" it is drenched in all the shoegaze fuzz you would want to drown in. With a Waxahatchee distant ringing in the background, it is great to finally see a fresh post-punk shoegazer rise to the heights of the underground scene. All tracks on her 'Honey,Milk and Blood' EP live up to what sounds like an increibly promising 2015! Keep rocking Shunkan.
A Japanese New Zealand punk can sure push out some material. the delicate guitar to start paces into a gutsy, yucky scratch to rumble along with yells of Marina Sakimoto's "hold me like you don't care/...I could kiss the dust from your eyes" it is drenched in all the shoegaze fuzz you would want to drown in. With a Waxahatchee distant ringing in the background, it is great to finally see a fresh post-punk shoegazer rise to the heights of the underground scene. All tracks on her 'Honey,Milk and Blood' EP live up to what sounds like an increibly promising 2015! Keep rocking Shunkan.
Jamie xx- 'Sleep Sound'
Embarking on a journey of heavenly synths and shivers were sent down the spines of many festival goers at the pure beauty of this track. In between the xx's new album work, Jamie has proved his time management to be rather excellent in producing this 6 minute marvel of gospel highs and lows. I alone have found it very tricky to find an electronic track to parallel himself, hopefully we'll see this bursting new sound mix into the ambiance of his more permanent band this 2015.
Beach Day-'All My Friends Were Punks'
It was the simplicity of this record that caught attention to the purely punk aesthetic which Beach Day do not over complicate. Each driving riff after another, it sets the scene to a typical high school gone road trip scenario, perhaps if you were lucky catch it on some artsy film i.e 'perks of being a wallflower' vibe. Something not so 'out there' but enough to send you haywire. The duo of Kimmy Drake and Skyler Black have for sure set out the classic American garage scene.
Wolf Alice-'Moaning Lisa Smile'
Again, this is another track that regurgitates Britain's indie/punk revival. As Ellie Rowsell wittingly calls over each chord blast it proves to be their most catchiest, rousing song yet. It was the one song this year that I was absolutely dependant on for the band to release; something that takes a giant dump on the rest of indie-pop Radio 1 darlings and defibrillates everyones necks back into action. They casually shake it off also, "scrap the blues if the blues don't work/brush your teeth from the inside out." it's awesomely random. As the name suggests, this song from the intro strum gives everything you would want.
The Orwells-'Who Needs You'
No matter what you may think of a college drop-out, boozed out brained Chicago rock band they have more than delivered this year. I was devastated to miss out on their recent November tour as many are, but on return to 2014's 'Disgraceland' it's practically listening to their gig on the other side of the stage. Mario's brawls combined with guitar squander never fail to stir frenzy, Cuomo yells, "You better join the army/I said no thank you dear Old Uncle Sam!" over each dangly riff. No American stereotype as you might of picked up, just as well.
Coves-'Beatings'
Coves in hindsight pretty much erupted from nowhere. One moment their debut 'Soft Friday' scored 9/10 in NME and the next I was pissed backstage during festival season with lead singer Beck Wood. Having witnessed this song both on a live front and on record it rings the same magic. Each echoed twang and swaying vocal portray some abandoned rusty heart in a derelict setting before jumping into a cheerier accordion (or some sort). Not only all the hooks, but all the psychedelic harmonies to finish off make this a bluntly mesmerising single.
LiL JaBBa-DuStY
Every sitar twang that rings out over the shuffling works of Lil JaBBA is heavenly, or as the new scene establishes as the 'footwork' genre. It makes sense on listening, the tap and scuffs in the background really do sound like those of shoes and encourage you to follow suit. The fusions over each trippy delicate keyboard interlude and climax sound profoundly 'New York' also, just as well he is based in Brooklyn. In other words, 'DuStY' whirls around every ambient aspect you could ever dream of.
George The Poet and Bohdi- 'My City'
Something about George the Poet's subdued, blunt honesty. His accent, his elegant tongue rolls on this record provide a stunning collaboration. It is purely a record that screams London, from each synthesised twist and turns , "technically I'm from an elegant city but I'm not the type to wine and dine" it portrays what the pure truth of a Londoner is, rather more over-romanticised to the actual force of "different coloured hands outstretched for more" . Not that Bodhi's mix is undermined, each peak and dip eludes like a picturesque urban sunset with each quiet section bursting into a full on stereo wonder. A perfect tune for embarking into 'blighty itself.
Warpaint-'Biggy'
Yes yes, I realise that this could be seen as a rather anti-climatic choice from their whirlwind of an album this year. Pretty much everyone knew it before the release anyway but in honesty choosing was a very tough choice. Something about Biggy's witty intro blubs give it an instantly moreish effect. Once Emily Kokal's vocals kick in, it sends the song into a groove frenzy. Each riff and cymbal pat float perfectly on top. On the journey out a slight array of blubs this time, at various higher pitches fade in to again take control of the record. Not to mention every symphony added from each of the foursome seem like an arms reach to pick out and hear in its own element. No wonder the crowds of Reading Festival began a gentle mosh to this track!
Ten Walls- 'Walking with Elephants'
Yes, yes this may be a slightly 'commercial' choice but on the odd occasion the charts can get it right. When it was released just before the height of the summer, DJ's and festivals alike knew how this could cause a tremendous plod-along of a dance anthem. One which gently steers you into 80's house regeneration perhaps , despite all the techy swings and loops, Marijus Adomaitis allows it to vibrate a more textured and rich flavoured classic climax, which in result pulls it far apart from the (*gags*) 'Banger' territory.
Eyedress-'My Hologram'
What a year for Idris Vicuna, unexpected at times but still all the more satisfying after my high hopes were set back in January. Thankfully, the success of 'Nature Trips' allowed strong momentum for producing something perhaps less aesthetic but more experimental. Even the title of 'My Hologram' suggests some creation utterly indulgent in oriental sci-fi back streets, flickering billboard innovation. To have a track that uses these ingredients it goes down a treat on listen. The intro flickers steadily into the ghostly hoots of Eyedress's melodic scales, parallel to each bubbling synth and blubbery bassline. No other individual in no other setting could give birth to such a creation.
Honeyblood-'Killer Bangs'
Straight out of the gutters of Glasgow, this track came bursting onto many a playlist. Despite their kickass debut album being released this year I am still completely love smitten with this one track. The title alone makes it definitively punk, once delving into the song each chord and vocal is sounded with such expression that is refreshing to hear from a two piece.
The War On Drugs-'Red Eyes'
I am most likely the millionth blogger to have this as some part of a list. However you really can't blame us bloggers and websites. The track initially is a echoey calm and subdued hallucinogenic voyage, but come the chorus it's like going from a dose of the weakest hash straight to LSD. Each segment of instrumentation and crescendo have the same effect over audio. Adam Granduciel's hoots shine through each chorus like a burst kaleidoscopic sunshine to brush the final glaze on top. Keep your eyes (red) peeled on their name slowly creeping up the festival bills.
Flying Lotus-'Coronus The Terminator'
Mixing groove, gospel and trip hoppy beats into this ever so fruitful record elegantly helps each underlying beat to flourish independently from one another. He proves that quality not quantity is in its foremost right, at only 2.40 minutes. It is certainly one of the strong highlights of the Angelano's 'Your'e Dead' Album. Ellison's insight to life sequence inevitably brings about a ceremonial element to this song, the rich layering of harmonies collided with beats and twang elevate FlyLo's sound to a new dimension to what we have seen before.
Long live 2015. Happy New Year Readers.
l
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