Catchy yet moody synthpop in the style of Tears for Fears or Depeche Mode from the one time black metal gods. Lyrics are occasionally a bit awkward but the arrangements are just so good that I don't think it's that much of a negative.
2/ Idles - Brutalism
Hardcore punk rage that not only is well targeted but actually comes in the form of well written songs for once.
3/ Laibach - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Laibach return to peak Wagnerian form with a fine set of sinister soundscapes.
4/ King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana
Easily their strongest of their four albums this year, for sure their least gimmicky theme and one that they manage to incorporate best into their sound.
5/ Brockhampton - Saturation II
Finally, some good fuсking hip hop for this year. Both projects are pretty good but I'm giving this one the nod by a hair.
So ye, post your top 5s, critcise my tastes or do both, whatever makes you happy!
yea i’ve heard that sentiment here and there, but idk. i really enjoy the extra gothiness in the sound, it has a darker undertone than their other records and lyrically I think James really still has it (tonite and i used to being my highlights). sound-wise i think they really push it with some songs too, american dream itself being my favorite song on the album and how do you sleep’s tribal drums made for a pretty interesting turn. personally I heard it a lot and enjoyed it a lot throughout the year and don’t really get all the flack, it’s on the same level as the other albums even tho i think the whole breakup thing was stupid and think that probably soured the experience for a lot of fans
Now, now, maybe if you'd said that about any of their other records I could understand (the Mild High Club collab was especially forgettable) but this one they really managed to craft some interesting sounds out of the microtones concept - having liked In Your Mind Fuzz and Nonagon Infinity it was an excellent way for King Gizz to follow it up imo.
On LCD Soundsystem's new album - I kinda feel like James Murphy's set himself up for some unreasonable expectations going into the release. I mean I don't think he was ever going to make another Sound of Silver for example. I'm in a way glad he didn't try to and make something more subdued in sound but that feel like a truer reflection of how he's matured whilst the band were inactive.
Yes there are a few tracks that kinda feel like nothing songs (tonite being arguably the worst offender) but the album as a whole I think is successful at getting a colder, more cavernous atmosphere across whilst still remaining distinctively 'LCD Soundsystem.
Hope this makes sense.
deleteddeletedover 8 years ago
american dream is the most disappointing album of this year and i hate saying that
very glad to see the IDLES album so high, its def in my top 10
if you really liked it you should listen to the Protomartyr album, idk if it's as big elsewhere but out in Michigan it's making a lot of waves cause its arguably the best album to come out of Detroit this year
sza's wonderful, i've been following her career for a long time and her earlier stuff is amazing but even i didn't expect to be as blown away as i was.
re: king krule, i can see how that album could be kinda hit or miss but for me, it's a perfect nighttime record. i feel like he's coming into his own a bit more as a writer too + it seems like he's leaning more towards the types of sounds he explored on that one electronic (?) album he did, which i think suits him vocally.
Oh crap yeah sza's album was actually really good, I don't normally go for that sort of thing but she really impressed me. King Krule's debut was very promising but still not quite sure what to make of the Ooz... - ain't listened to the other three yet but I'll probably give them all a go.
kneejerk response here in no particular order: the ooz, melodrama, sick scenes, ctrl and masseduction.
deleteddeletedover 8 years ago
Hey 2016, 2017 same thing. Just one number difference
deleteddeletedover 8 years ago
science fiction and crack up were the only ones that were in contention for aoty imo and after jesse lacey's sexual misconduct i'm feeling crack up is the aoty for me
