12/25/2015
Here's a little Christmas gift from our very own Ben Nehlich
Top 10 Albums of 2015 by Ben Nehlich
Check out the Spotify playlist here and follow it to save it to your spotify> https://open.spotify.com/user/122814516/playlist/1LpuUrva9EuUIO4EWEqrSB
1. Harvest of Darkness by Wild Throne (https://open.spotify.com/album/6CayFwEKrceO4lOWGXbx2E)
This album is truly on another level. A combination of power metal, prog rock, and insane playing sets this record apart from anything I’ve ever heard before. The vocals may take a little getting used to, but I like them and am extremely impressed with his range and expression. This record is chock full of outstanding composition, vocals, and guitar solos, but what really sets it apart is the exceptional work of drummer Noah Burns. I love alternate phrasings, but some of the things these guys pull off are a bit over my head, and the drummer is always right on top of every single little nuance. Amazing. Check this out if you like metal or prog rock.
2. Bleeder by Mutoid Man (https://open.spotify.com/album/5zOGHHt1uWJ3x3BmN1Dili)
I liked Mutoid Man’s first record a lot. They really came out of the gate with something very unique and good, but it was a bit too lo-fi for my casual listening pleasure. Don’t get me wrong, the songwriting was and is top tier. This new record is a perfect combination of their math rock style riffs and good production. I also can’t forget to mention how talented Stephen Brodsky is with his vocals. He seamlessly moves between singing with appropriate amounts of vibrato to really heavy, metal style shouts. It doesn’t really matter that a lot of it is written in alternate times because it is till pretty easy to learn and sing the lyrics. This is a must listen to for anyone who likes punk/hardcore punk music or faster stoner style music.
3. Abyss by Chelsea Wolfe (https://open.spotify.com/album/7bDxnaImZCM2TJbsI1gMVi)
I love this record so much. When I first put it on I was blown away. I’ve been a fan of Chelsea for a few years now, and this is seriously her best work yet. It’s much heavier than her previous works, and for me, that is exactly what I wanted from of her music. This is the only album I’ve listened to in a long time that will finish and I will just put it back on. Check this out if you like spooky music with haunting vocals with very dark distorted guitars or if you like Portishead.
4. To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (https://open.spotify.com/album/7ycBtnsMtyVbbwTfJwRjSP)
This is the most impressed I have ever been with a modern rap record. The composition is impeccable, and Kendrick kills it lyrically and always has awesome flow. The range of vocal styles he uses really compliments the conceptual writing. It was one of the first things I noticed about this record that really made me like it. The second thing was the instrumentation throughout the album. It really feels like the music and his lyrics fit together perfectly. I can’t say that about very many pieces of music. I wouldn't say I'm really into rap music but this record is undeniable. Check this out if you like music and don’t hate rap.
5. Starfire by Jaga Jazzist (https://open.spotify.com/album/6fYrUpMK6oECo0QeFwwRRm)
This band manages to reinvent themselves a little bit for each record, and this one is no exception. It’s far more electronic than their other records and really reminds me of the direction that 65daysofstatic took with their more recent releases. Whether you want to bump it or just put it on in the background, this record is great! Check it out for sure if you like progressive rock/jazz with huge arrangements or if you like math rock.
6. High Country by The Sword (https://open.spotify.com/album/5DuvaDzLu2zzJT90zVs383)
When the first notes of this album were playing I almost couldn’t believe I was listening to a classic stoner metal band. Like lots of modern music that I like, there is a ton of awesome synth work in it. At first I thought it would just be dad rock with some classic The Sword style riffs. I was wrong. This record is amazing. It truly has some of the most on point vocals I’ve ever heard on a stoner metal record. Check this out if anything I said about the album makes you want to listen to it.
7. Rivington Não Rio by Prefuse 73 (https://open.spotify.com/album/7GccjXO7hcVJfajnC8bcQ1)
Apparently Prefuse 73 was informed that Warp Records was no longer interested in his music, so he released an album and 2 eps. They are great! Of all three, I preferred ‘Every Color of Darkness’ but since it was an ep I put the full length on the list. (Every Color of Darkness is still on the Spotify playlist). Infrared is probably the most memorable track on the album, but the whole piece of work really takes you on a journey through the endless possibilities made possible by electronic music. Check this out if you like cool sounds and ‘organic beats’.
8. I Don’t Like S**t, I Don’t Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt by Earl Sweatshirt (https://open.spotify.com/album/3wUv2IjD5hPrqlPakpczQa)
This album is a masterfully done fuzzy, lo-fi rap record that doesn’t disappoint. Truly, it may just be my love of lo-fi electronic beats and depressing lyrical content that drew me to this record, or maybe it is really a top tier album. I don’t think I listen to enough rap music to say, honestly. True or not though, I listened to it quite a bit this year. This album is for when you want hardcore rap, but also want to feel like you have been hiding in your room for a week.
9. Fated by Nosaj Thing (https://open.spotify.com/album/3wAQJx5YkLN3ANVt2EyYqx)
Nosaj Thing killin’ it again with the digestible IDM. This 33 minute, 15 track album is perfect relaxing music for people who like their music on the spookier side. If you listened to it twice in a row, you might only notice the repeat because of the awesome Chance The Rapper feature. Check this out if you wanted Boards of Canada to be darker and more to the point.
10. Choose Your Weapon by Hiatus Kaiyote (https://open.spotify.com/album/3qzmmmRmVBiOuMvrerfW4z)
‘There's no way to do something new with Jazz’ is a sentiment I hear too often. Flying Lotus proved that wrong last year and Hiatus Kaiyote proves it wrong again this year. With occasional math rock stylings, killer female vocals from the great Nai Palm, and masterful instrumentation, this record has truly renewed my faith in jazz. Check this out if you listened to Starfire and wanted something that is closer to classic jazz or, once again, if you like math rock.
Honorable Mention
(no particular order and with one reason they didn’t make the Top 10):
Damogen Furies by Squarepusher (https://open.spotify.com/album/6g7mrQCnCgS6lp2ZNFzkIU)
Was a bit too dubstep for my liking
New Bermuda by Deafheaven (https://open.spotify.com/album/2e4xOasRFhJn4x2MBM5pdu)
This is a Top 10 list, not a Top 11 list
In Colour by Jamie xx (https://open.spotify.com/album/01uabHpYa9AA55wc6AwRQL)
There was no Gil Scott-Heron
Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 EP by Aphex Twin (https://open.spotify.com/album/5IUjJ4VcmUvZnGAONAp2IX)
Was an EP, not an album
Garden of Delete by Oneohtrix Point Never (https://open.spotify.com/album/4l4tgdU69cbukMzliC4xI6)
I like beats too much
Lore by Elder (https://open.spotify.com/album/5uQpiLCZCdR0xsauQWvFXO)
The long form writing bored me a little bit
A playlist featuring Wild Throne
