Yesterday we kicked off our best albums of 2014 countdown, and today we continue, starting things off with Michael Gira’s iconic group at number 30…
Leonardo Silvestrini: The 30 year old band followed up their late career, post-reformation 2 disc masterpiece The Seer with another late career, post-reformation 2 disc masterpiece in To Be Kind, a brutal album with absolutely zero flaws. This is an instant classic.
Leonardo Silvestrini: After it looked like they’d never even make another album, one of Australia’s best bands ever returns with one of their best albums ever. Havens Dumb is a triumph that should be embraced.
Milly Schultz-Boylen: For an indie rock band, Spoon have been remarkably consistent over the course of their career. Whilst other bands made famous by The O.C. have faded into obscurity (ahem, Phantom Planet), Spoon have managed to avoid this dreaded fate. How you ask? By continuing to craft the kind of straight-forward yet strangely fascinating modern-rock that initially charmed listeners a decade ago. From the swaggering crunch of “Do You” to the dreamy, harp-sprinkled “Inside Out” to the spirited title track, They Want My Soul isn’t the sound of a band on their way out, but of one just getting started.
Daniella: Coming from someone who was never a fan of Swifty, this vote is saying something. Taylor smashed out an awesome pop album filled with undeniable catchy jams. Well played, Swifty, well played.
David Smith: It’s new Aphex Twin! Surprisingly accessible and a timely reminder that, when he’s on there are few that can compare with Richard James.
Bree Cohen: He’s back with everything we loved about him years ago and then some.
Steph Payton: “…every track was well produced with the signature bold, provoking lyricism, wistful harmonies and quirky samples. It is every bit the Alt-J we know while still being bold and original.”
Chris Singh: In one album, Tinashe outshines her hip male counterparts. The Weeknd, The Dream, Frank Ocean, she channels them all and manages to surpass them at times (okay maybe except for the latter). Recruiting a slew of renowned producers was a great idea as well, from Stargate and Detail to Mike Will Made It. It’s her diverse vocal style that drives the album though; switching gears at the drop of a dime and maintaining a sexy vibe in every single note. “2 On” is the hottest club song of the year; “Bet” is the sweetest twisted-R&B jam of the year; “Cold Sweat” is the sexiest song of the year; “Pretend” is the love anthem of the year. Tinashe really gave us a classic debut in a genre that has been lacking them as of late.
Chris Singh: When he won the J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2013, we all knew that this kid’s debut was going to be a big deal in Australian music. We were right. He has been the biggest game changer for Australian hip-hop this year, putting out something which sounds like it can truly compete on a world scale, full of careful, considered raps over some real stunning production from Sensible J and Dutch. From the The Roots-inspired introduction to the aggressive and confronting “Ode to Ignorance”, Remi is completely unstoppable on Raw x Infinity.
Sose Fuamoli: Another stand out R&B album from a breakout artist soon to be visiting our shores! Banks has an ethereal and haunting nature about her vocal delivery that oozes sensuality and maturity for someone her age. The album is produced brilliantly and features many tracks that have the ability of crossing over into different demographics of music fan.
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Stay tuned for the top 20 or look back at 40-31…
