Here are the albums that I’ve had in steady rotation this year (either released this year, or last year and gone unnoticed until this year).
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- Apparat – “Walls”
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- Ólafur Arnalds – “Variations of Static”
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- Burial – “Untrue”
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- Bon Iver – “For Emma, Forever Ago”
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- Matthew Dear – “Asa Breed”
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- Lykke Li – “Youth Novels”
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- M83 – “Saturdays = Youth”
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- Minilogue – “Animals”
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- The National – “Boxer”
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- Sigur Rós – “Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust”
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- Son Lux – “At War With Walls and Mazes”
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- Tokyo Police Club – “Elephant Shell”
- “Walls” by APPARAT (electronic/alternative, Germany); although released in 2007, I only got around to discovering this one while sharing some music with a coworker. I immediately loved the album, its sleek production, great acoustic/electronic arrangements, and great vocals.
- “Variations of Static” and “Eulogy for Evolution” by ÓLAFUR ARNALDS (classical, Iceland); This young man opened for Sigur Rós when I saw them perform in Berlin. Minimal piano + string quartet, but very captivating. Check out “3055” from Eulogy for Evolution.
- “Untrue” by BURIAL (dubstep, UK); this one was really hyped up in 2007, and after hearing a few tracks I was intrigued at how haunting it sounded. Definitely outside of my usual listening, but nevertheless an awesomely spooky adventure. It could be the soundtrack to a film adaptation any of William Gibson’s sprawl novels.
- “For Emma, Forever Ago” by BON IVER (folk/acoustic, US); apparently this album was the result of spending months alone in an isolated cabin. It motivates me to move indefinitely to my cottage with a guitar and a multi-track recorder.
- “Asa Breed” by MATTHEW DEAR (techno/electronic, US); The track ‘Deserter’ has been one of my favourite tracks of the past year. While I hesitated to include the album on this list, it has grown on me. It is for the most part quite different from ‘Deserter’; it’s actually quite upbeat and bouncy (see “Pom Pom”!).
- “Youth Novels” by LYKKE LI (alternative/pop, Sweden); possibly the album with the catchiest melodies on this list. Also, I admit I have a weakness for Scandinavian songstresses.
- “Saturdays = Youth” by M83 (shoegaze/electronic/80′s teen movie revival, France); I turned on M83′s earlier record, Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, the other day and compared this to their new album. The new record is definitely much more accessible. It’s also apparently a tribute to John Hughes films of the 1980s, citing references to Molly Ringwald et. al. (I may be too young for this?)
- “Animals” by MINILOGUE (minimal techno/ambient, Sweden); I picked this one up in Stockholm on a whim (I loved the music video for “Hitchhiker’s Choice“). It turns out that the first disc of the album is amazing to drive to – it has quite a groove to it. The second disc is quite minimal, eerie, but still worth a solid listen.
- “Boxer” by THE NATIONAL (rock, US); I missed this one entirely in 2007, and I’m quite ashamed – this is one of my favourite rock albums in years. I would say it’s in the same direction as Interpol, however I’d prefer it to them any day.
- “Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust” by SIGUR RÓS (alternative, Iceland); these guys need no introduction. I saw them this summer in Berlin, and was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in years. The new album is a great blend of their ambient post-rock style, but a more immediate acoustic feel, and a few upbeat tracks as well. It’s nice to see them progressing!
- “At War With Walls and Mazes” by SON LUX (alternative/electronic, US); I first heard Son Lux amidst the many artists showcased at SXSW this past spring, and he stood out as one of the very few electronic acts I liked. Brooding, dark, and slow, and with fantastic instrumental arrangements.
- “Elephant Shell” by TOKYO POLICE CLUB (alternative/rock, Canada); my friend Allan from the Ottawa band The Love Machine recommended this one to me earlier this summer. I gave it a spin after my brother picked it up, and although it is very brief, it’s got phenomenal pop hooks. Check out “Tessellate” in particular.