We waste no time and continue our top 40 list, looking back at what our contributors have voted as the best albums of 2014. We start off with a little known band from the UK… In case you missed it, look back at our choices for 30-21 and 40-31.
Tanya Ali: I don’t know why this album didn’t garner much buzz. People who took the time to listen to it as a whole body of work this year were in for a treat. I think this is Coldplay’s most cohesive album so far, and I think it definitely works best listened to from start to finish. Beautiful production, lyrics and songwriting as well as a strong, steady and genuine emotional pull make this album a winner for me.
Justine McNamara: “1000 Forms of Fear is a different direction for Sia, but one that was inevitable. Given her recent songwriting success for other singers, and subsequent foray into the pop charts, this experience would definitely impact on her own music. Her songwriting and vocal ability remain impressive, and she shows a maturity and depth not seen in many other artists.”
Evelyn Tiga: For once the album lived up to the hype! After only having an EP as a teaser, this was a much anticipated album. With a bass guitar played like a normal lead and with thumping drums for back up, every single song on the album could be a potential single.
Sosefina Fuamoli: Definitely one of the best Australian bands I’ve seen this year, KINGSWOOD made one of the catchiest albums of 2014. Between Ferg Linacre and Alex Laska exists a great partnership, even though the wider band dynamic has been so great to hear and see develop. There are great layers to be noted of the music on Micro Wars that sets it aside from other releases of the year; from the great vocals ranges to the bluesy guitar tones scattered through the album, I think there’s something for everyone on this one.
Steph Payton: From the first second of the first track this album had me in Bombay’s signature patchwork of euphoric melodies. It became an instant favourite that I listened to on repeat for weeks. It was that infectious Grouplove energy with a tightly layered sophistication that took you everywhere.
Nicholas Langley: With Present Tense, Wild Beasts moved away from the more optimistic and upbeat themes and tones of their previous material and explored a dark and brooding territory. They are comfortable with sparse textures and vulnerable lyrical content while incorporating more synthetic instrumentation than ever before. At the end of all of this, Wild Beasts have produced their most intimate record yet.
Stuart Sevastos: These guys have gone and created an album that is awe inspiring and very enjoyable to listen. From the opening notes of “Perfect Detonator” right through to last seconds of Your Time Will Come Again, you can tell the band put a lot effort into making this album and they deserve all the rewards they get. A brilliant album!
Tanya Ali: This is such an accomplished, exciting album full of wonderful songwriting and experimental pop at its finest. Miller-Heidke has pushed the boundaries of her style, voice and arrangements and created such an eclectic collection of songs that are at the same time ridiculously accessible, and they all fit perfectly together. A stellar release.
Milly Schultz-Boylen: Whether it was to accompany a rainy day spent inside or a glorious sun-drenched drive to the beach, Salad Days was the one album I kept on coming back to this year. Characterised by a mix of drowsy synths, jangling, Buddy Holly-esque guitars and of course, DeMarco’s apathetic yet discernibly lovesick vocals, this record showcased a newfound maturity in this Canadian stoner and realigned him as a force to be reckoned with… even if he didn’t intend to be. Direct yet wandering, chilled yet profound, sluggish yet exciting – Salad Days set a high bar for future slackers and stands as one of the most memorable and charming albums of 2014.
Jules LeFevre: She’s an indie art rocker with a knack for being easily accessible, and this year, St Vincent proved that she’s only just hitting her peak.
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Stay tuned to our top 10 albums of 2014, which will be published tomorrow, Christmas Eve. Look back at our choices for 30-21 and 40-31 if you missed either of them!
