#25) Wild Beasts – Present Tense
The second time these English rockers have found themselves at #25 on my list, with their singular experimental rock sound that can be mistaken for no other band. Present Tense is an album that was largely forgotten by the time the end of the year came around but was indeed one of the year’s best. Perhaps no 2014 release had better bookend tracks than “Wanderlust and “Palace”.
#24) Tune-Yards – Nicki Nack
Merrill Garbus remains one of the most creative artists today with her follow up to 2011’s excellent Whokill. This album doesn’t quite reach the heights of that release, but Nicki Nack still exudes the eccentric songwriting techniques that make Tune-Yards such a unique an adventurous listen.
#23) The Hotelier – Home, Like Noplace Is There
The sophomore album from the Massachusetts quartet is the best we’ve gotten from any so-called emo revivalist to this point. Home, Like Noplace Is There is 9 hook-laden, energetic, and yes, emotional tracks with not a wasted moment to be found.
#22) Jenny Lewis – Voyager
Her best work since her Rilo Kiley days, Lewis has crafted a collection of lush pop songs that shows mastery of an assortment of styles, from classic-rock to alt-country, all the while showcasing some of the most personal lyrics of her career. Also, my favorite album art of 2014.
#21) A Sunny Day In Glasgow – Sea When Absent
As hard to classify as any album in 2014, the genre busting Sea When Absent contains 11 songs of experimental pop that despite their unconventional structures are still accessible and create a captivating listen.
#20) How To Dress Well – “What Is This Heart?”
A surprisingly divisive album among fans and critics, Tom Krell’s third album is another example of the burgeoning indie-R&B scene with this collection of slow jams highlighted by “Words I Don’t Remember”, one of 2014’s finest tracks.
#19) Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
Follow up to 2012’s breakout is a continuation of that album’s raw melodic rock leanings, but at an even more intense pace, largely thanks to a rejuvenated rhythm section which takes the energy to an even greater level.
#18) Owen Pallett – In Conflict
When he wasn’t explaining the genius of pop music using music theory, Pallett was busy releasing another excellent collection of his patented chamber-pop songs, which, as usual, is accessible while being intelligently crafted.
#17) Angel Olsen- Burn Your Fire For No Witness
One of my most listened to albums in the early part of the year that got shuffled to the back as the year went on, Olsen’s second album eschews the folk singer songwriter stigma for a more inspired sound that places her in more rarefied air.
#16) The Antlers – Familiars
Long since one of my favorite bands, what Silberman has done with Familiars is partner the band’s pop stylings of Burst Apart with the intimacy and atmospherics that the trio has always done so well. The album is a grower, but it’s as textured and stirring as anything they’ve produced.
#15) Future Islands – Singles
Breakout album from the Baltimore synth-pop band – largely thanks to song of the year contender “Seasons (Waiting On You)” and their performance on Letterman – is a dark, cathartic album hidden beneath a plethora of pop hooks. As unassuming of an album as the artists behind it.
#14) FKA twigs – LP1
This is the debut album from the mysterious British artist formerly known as twigs (hence the FKA) and it features a masterwork of minimalistic R&B using experimentation, all the while displaying a confident intimacy and fragility that makes this the year’s best debut.
#13) Perfume Genius – Too Bright
The powerful third album from the Seattle singer-songwriter is an absolute gorgeous collection of subtle pop songs that reminds me in spirit of Antony and The Johnson’s The Crying Light, a similarly themed look at LGBT culture, and is just as vulnerable and majestic.
#12) Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds In Country Music
I wouldn’t expect a country album to ever have reached this high on my list, but this isn’t the radio friendly pop-country you’ll find on one of the 19 country music award shows (heck, even the Grammy’s call this Americana), but rather the country that fits along side that of the Highwaymen. Simpson’s style includes a bit of experimentation, but even when he doesn’t, this is country music I can get behind.
#11) White Lung – Deep Fantasy
A fist-pumping and heart-pounding release from the Canadian quartet is 22 minutes of passionate, catchy as hell punk rock songs that leave no time to relax. Perfect Pussy was this year’s punk darlings, but if you ask me, it’s White Lung and the exhilarating Deep Fantasy that deserve the praise.
A Round of Sound 