I made it! Just in time.

Spotify playlist for My Top 10 Albums can be found here.

10. Household Name – Momma

Perhaps the most surprising entry on the list the year, this LA-based indie rock trio stumbled onto my radar randomly with the amazing single “Medicine”, and then grew on me even more after I decided to check out the full album. Their third studio release, Household Name is a brilliant, tightly-constructed showcase of founders Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten’s intuitive and unique dual vocal delivery, backed by huge crunching guitar hooks. Definitely an artist I’ll be keeping an eye on in the future.

9. Never Had To Leave – Matt Maeson

Virginia Beach-based singer-songwriter Matt Maeson’s sophomore follow-up to 2019’s Bank on the Funeral is more epic in every way — bigger production, bigger hooks, bigger risks. “Blood Runs Red” sets the tone from the jump, and generally doesn’t disappoint from there on out. The introduction of more hip-hop and electronic influences are mostly well-done (though “Cut Deep” falls flat to me), but belting out sincere, heartfelt folk rock anthems is still Maeson’s bread-and-butter (“Lonely As You” is a classic, “Nelsonwood Lane” is a triumph). Definitely on my must-see-live list.

8. Surrender – Maggie Rogers

I hadn’t listened to Maggie Rogers much before hearing this album, but I was blown away by the singer-songwriter’s sophomore release. This is a sensational album from a bona fide rock star that oh, by the way, also somehow earned a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School this year (what?). Rogers has an instantly captivating voice and knows how to craft a killer hook, which she does many times on this album (check out jams like “Want Want,” “Anywhere With You,” “Shatter”). Her songwriting skills shine on the quieter moments too (“Begging For Rain,” “I’ve Got A Friend”); this is an album that I’ll probably still be listening to years from now.

7. No Rules Sandy – Sylvan Esso

Amelia Meath and Nick Sandborn already make electronic pop that sounds like nothing and no one else, so what happens when they set out to make an album with “no rules”? Possibly their best record to date. The songs experiment with unique forms and structures, shifting seamlessly from one to the next with the help of brief interludes of “found” audio from their recording sessions to create a cohesive and consistent whole that’s more than the sum of its parts. There aren’t really many traditional singles here (possibly with the exception of “Sunburn” or “Echo Party”) but that somehow doesn’t make it less catchy. “Your Reality,” the album’s brilliant centerpiece, doesn’t even really have any percussion to speak of, letting sparse staccato synth and string samples and Meath’s hypnotic vocals carry the rhythm. It’s an album that stuck with me and kept me coming back for lots of repeated listens.

6. Dropout Boogie – The Black Keys

The Black Keys have consistently been one of my favorite bands since college, and even when I haven’t loved every musical evolution they’ve attempted, I’ve always been impressed at their valiant effort to Keep Rock Alive. They definitely do that with Dropout Boogie, which I think is their best album in 10 years (though I did love the delta blues detour of last year’s Delta Kream). Finally getting to see these guys live this year was a highlight — it’s really hard to overstate how mind-blowingly insane Dan Auerbach’s guitar skills are when you see them in person — and they hit all the right notes with this record. “Wild Child” and “It Ain’t Over” blow the doors off at the start, and even though it can be a little inconsistent (I see “Your Team Is Looking Good” trying to make that TV sports broadcast royalty money…), when it’s good, it’s very good (“Good Love,” “Happiness,” and the excellent closer “Didn’t I Love You”).

5. Midnights – Taylor Swift

All hail the greatest songwriter of our generation — or at least the last decade. Taylor loves to keep fans guessing about which of love interests her various songs are about, but the truth — the one she admitted in that award acceptance speech — is that she’s completely, head-over-heels, obsessively in love with the craft of songwriting. It shows: Midnights is a masterpiece from a master talent. Her storytelling is exquisite. The turns of phrase are unparalleled. The melodies are instinctive. I personally think the production partnerships and musical direction she’s taken since Folklore have produced my favorite Taylor era to date sonically speaking, and I’m enjoying every second of it.

4. Wet Leg – Wet Leg

How do I put this? This is the most fun I you’ll have listening to music this year. Like, laugh-out-loud, hitting-rewind-immediately-to hear-that-line-again-type fun. This Isle of Wight-based duo’s debut has topped all sorts of charts and lists this year (and racked up 5 Grammy Nominations to boot), and for good reason: Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers are turning the indie rock world completely on its head. Chock full of fearlessly irreverent, razor-sharp humor, extremely dry wit, and nonstop infectious indie guitar rock, you get the feeling this self-titled debut is just the tip of the iceberg for what these two are capable of. Come for the raw, suggestive slapstick of “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream,” enjoy savage breakup jams like “Loving You” and “Ur Mom”, detour into the internet fever dream of “Oh No,” stay for the genius of “Angelica” and “Convincing”.

3. Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny

It’s hard to dispute that Bad Bunny is the biggest pop star in the world right now (he’s the most-streamed artist worldwide on Spotify for 3 consecutive years), and this album deserves every bit of the smash success it’s been. It’s a lot of things at once: simultaneously an irresistibly fun dance album for the beach, full of banger after banger, and also deeply introspective and boldly political. Basically the soundtrack of my summer, it managed to do something very rare: completely transcend the language barrier. My Spanish comprehension is mediocre at best, and even less so when it comes to understanding all the nuances of his (many) Puerto Rican cultural references, but you don’t even need to understand a word of Spanish to fall in love with this album.

2. Expert in a Dying Field – The Beths

The Beths first made my top albums list with their 2020 sophomore effort Jump Rope Gazers (#9) and this Auckland indie rock quartet’s third release has cemented their place as one of my favorite bands at the moment. The album pulses with sunny, infectious energy (“When You Know You Know”), huge shredding guitar riffs (“Silence Is Golden,” “A Passing Rain”), and instantly singable hooks (“Knees Deep” has one of the best choruses of the year, hands down). Elizabeth Stokes’ vocals are as magnetic as ever — I smile every time I hear the heavy Kiwi accents on the vowels in “Best Left” — and Expert in a Dying Field is an impressive statement by a band just beginning to hit their stride.

1. Being Funny In A Foreign Language – The 1975

There was never any doubt. The 1975’s fifth studio album is a masterpiece. Where 2020’s Notes on a Conditional Form pushed boundaries with its relentless experimentation, manic genre-hopping, and indulgently excessive run time, BFIAFL is far tighter, more focused, and polished to a fine sheen. Matty Healy sounds the most confident, relaxed, and (finally) content he’s ever been in his own skin. The 1975 is always brilliant, but never with the consistency that they showcase here — the guys just find a perfect groove and then proceed to crush it from start to finish, with not a single weak track to be found. Lyrically, it’s brilliant. Production? Brilliant. Orchestration? Brilliant. They named their latest tour “The 1975: At Their Very Best,” and…well, it’s pretty hard to argue with that.

***

Honorable Mention:

Unwanted – Pale Waves – Their 00s alt nostalgia turn from last year’s Who Am I? gets a darker, edgier dose of the current pop punk revival wave. A killer breakup album.

Hell on Church Street – Punch Brothers – A reverent, gorgeous “reimagining” of Tony Rice’s classic 1983 album Church Street Blues.

HOLY FVCK – Demi Lovato – One of the boldest and most stunning reinventions I’ve seen any pop artist attempt–much less successfully pull off. I found myself raising my eyebrows and applauding throughout…a triumph.

V I N C E N T – FKJ – Something about this album makes it incredibly effective at reducing stress. Perfect production choices, effortlessly smooth, coolness personified.

Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind – Coheed and Cambria – I’ve never been a huge Coheed fan, and I found the cryptic space-opera narrative hard to follow, but this one kept me coming back repeatedly.

MAHAL – Toro y Moi – Genius sound design and typically phenomenal production made this a great album to just put on and play all the way through. Some bangers on here too.

***

Top 40 Songs of 2022 (Spotify playlist)

1. Happiness – The 1975
2. Angelica – Wet Leg
3. Knees Deep – The Beths
4. Church Street Blues – Punch Brothers
5. Way Out – FKJ
6. Want Want – Maggie Rogers
7. Holding Back – BANKS
8. Light Switch – Charlie Puth
9. Better Times – Audiostrobelight
10. Medicine – Momma
11. Wild Child – The Black Keys
12. SUBSTANCE – Demi Lovato
13. Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift
14. Silence Is Golden – The Beths
15. Despues de la Playa – Bad Bunny
16. Living My Best Life – Ben Rector
17. Up The Mountain – Regina Spektor
18. Your Reality – Sylvan Esso
19. Another Sketch – Lil Silva
20. Oh Caroline – The 1975
21. Clean – Pale Waves
22. A Real Thing – The Beths
23. Free – Florence + The Machine
24. About You – The 1975
25. Happiness – The Black Keys
26. Talk – beabadoobee
27. Nelsonwood Lane – Matt Maeson
28. How Did You Know – Sylvan Esso
29. I’m In Love With You – The 1975
30. graves – Purity Ring
31. CHILDREN OF LIGHT II – Meg Myers
32. The Liars Club – Coheed and Cambria
33. Question…? – Taylor Swift
34. Ojitos Lindos – Bad Bunny
35. Burning – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
36. Window – Dehd
37. Little Things – Big Thief
38. Postman – Toro y Moi
39. Baby Blackout – Daisy Grenade
40. boy – The Killers

There were a ridiculous number of great albums this year. So many, in fact, that I had a hard time choosing just 10…so I did 12! I also welcomed my son Jack into the world this year, so the descriptions may be a little shorter than usual, but I wanted to keep the tradition going for Jack so he’ll have a lot of great music to discover when he’s older!

So without further ado, here are my top 12 albums of 2021.

Top 12 Albums of 2021 Spotify playlist

Top 40 Songs of 2021 Spotify playlist

Current Jams 2021 Spotify playlist

12. Who Am I? – Pale Waves (Spotify)

It’s a radical departure from the slick, The 1975-esque synth pop of their debut My Mind Makes Noises, but Pale Waves’ sophomore release manages to succeed while charting a very new musical course. Who Am I? is an early 2000s pop rock tribute album, with frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie doing her best Avril Lavigne impression and bringing more mature, self-aware lyricism. It was a very unexpected turn, but it worked.

11. Collapsed In Sunbeams – Arlo Parks (Spotify)

London-based Arlo Parks’ debut studio album was released to universal acclaim by critics and music fans alike, and for good reason. Parks’ lovely, close-mic’d vocals and introspective lyrics make it sound like you’re listening to your best friend singing to you in your living room. This is a timeless album that will definitely be on replay for years to come.

10. Como En El Cielo – Maverick City Music (Spotify)

I love Maverick City Music’s mission — to break down racial and cultural barriers in Christian worship music — and they do so incredibly effectively with this year’s Spanish-language release Como En El Cielo. In a genre that can often feel derivative or overproduced, Maverick City makes music that feels authentic and genuine…this is what worship music should sound like. You don’t even have to speak Spanish to appreciate the beauty here.

9. Texis – Sleigh Bells (Spotify)

Noise pop veterans Sleigh Bells’ fifth studio album sees them return to peak form, and their overdriven guitars sound sharper and fresher than ever. Texis sees Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller cleverly toying with a cheeky Western motif (including in some fun music videos). I had a blast listening to this album this year.

8. SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo (Spotify)

18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo deserves every bit of the success she has achieved after SOUR instantly propelled her from Disney Channel star to global pop superstardom this summer. This album is a revelation, blending genres and influences and showcasing her breathtakingly diverse range. It’s hard to believe that Rodrigo wrote many of these songs when she was just 16!

7. Model Citizen – Meet Me @ The Altar (Spotify)

Gen Z proves that pop punk is alive and well these days with MM@TA’s Model Citizen. Led by the impressive vocals of frontwoman Edith Johnson, this all-female trio — who (of course) met and formed on the internet — deliver a debut full of huge crunching guitar riffs, double-bass-pedals, and infectious choruses you can instantly sing along with. Sure, they’re heavily influenced by 2000s-era legends of the genre like Paramore and Four Year Strong, but somehow produce a sound that is all their own while boldly taking a more positive, socially-conscious lyrical approach than so many of their predecessors. One to watch for the future.

6. 30 – Adele (Spotify)

Adele returned after a long 6 years with this highly anticipated release, and her contribution to the pantheon of Great Breakup Albums more than lived up to the hype. The greatest vocalist of our generation (yes, there’s no disputing it) delivers a stunning fourth record — perhaps her best yet — that finds her dealing with the pain of her recent divorce with vulnerability, maturity, and grace. She’s never sounded better, and never had more to say.

5. A Billion Little Lights – Wild Pink (Spotify)

I stumbled upon this album earlier this year, and when I first heard it I’m not sure I would’ve predicted that it would end up in my top 5. But there was just something about frontman John Ross’s understated, laid-back vocals and the sun-soaked, folk-tinged indie rock sound that kept me returning to this album throughout the year. A true gem of a find.

4. Urban Driftwood – Yasmin Williams (Spotify)

It’s the first instrumental record to ever make my top albums of the year, and Urban Driftwood has more than earned it. On this effort, young and insanely talented N. Virginia fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams showcases her considerable chops to create a gorgeous, innovative blend of multiple genres and instruments that had me replaying this over and over. It was a calming oasis in a turbulent year.

3. Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish (Spotify)

Billie takes a bold gamble with her highly-anticipated sophomore album, exchanging the dark, bass-heavy goth pop synth hooks of her world-dominating debut for something completely different: delicate string arrangements and stunning vocal performances that have more in common with Etta James or…that other famous Billie…than your typical Top 40. And the big bet pays off — turns out that not only can Eilish actually sing, but she brings an emotional gravitas to the performances that belies her young 19 years. This is a superstar coming into her own, and I can’t wait to see what she has planned next.

2. What Were You Hoping To Find? – Vistas (Spotify)

This Scottish group just keeps putting out ridiculously infectious, upbeat bangers, and their sophomore follow-up to last year’s Everything Changes In The End (my #1 album of 2020) does not disappoint. It’s a bit more sonically mature than their debut, but no less jam-packed full of youthful exuberance and choruses you’ll be dying to scream out at the top of your lungs with a few thousand others in a packed venue. This is just music that makes you feel good, period.

1. Screen Violence – CHVRCHES (Spotify)

Lauren Mayberry and co. have just seemed to get better with every release, while never quite yet seeming like they were completely reaching their potential. With Screen Violence, a horror-film-inspired vibe, it seems like they have finally perfected it — it’s by far their best album to date, and both lyrically and musically it feels like they’ve broken through to a higher plane. Virtually every aspect of the concept and execution was flawless, and it’s the album I had stuck in my head — and played on repeat — the most this year.

Honorable mention:

Take The Sadness Out of Saturday Night – Bleachers (Spotify) – It’s Jack Antonoff at his best.

OK Orchestra – AJR (Spotify) – I challenge you to tell me a record that you had more fun listening to this year.

The Million Masks of God – Manchester Orchestra (Spotify) – Another characteristically excellent release from a band that rarely disappoints.

DONDA – Kanye West (Spotify) – A fascinating journey inside the mind of one of the most troubled, brilliant musical psyches of our time.

MONTERO – Lil Nas X (Spotify) – A groundbreaking, genre-shattering success that has more than earned all of all the accolades it’s received.

Pink Noise – Laura Mvula (Spotify) – Super fresh sounding 80s-synth-driven pop and vocals you won’t soon forget.

Solar Power – Lorde (Spotify) – Another daring departure that sees the NZ pop icon exploring a mellower, 1970s hippie vibe.

Mercurial World – Magdalena Bay (Spotify) – The first full length LP from this indie electro-pop duo showcases their considerable strengths.

Vulture Prince – Arooj Aftab (Spotify) – I stumbled across this Pakistan-born, Brooklyn-based singer somewhat randomly, but it ended up being one of the most surprising — and beautiful — albums of the year.

Top 40 Songs of 2021 (Spotify)

1. Juvenescence – Yasmin Williams

2. Stop Making This Hurt – Bleachers

3. Solar Power – Lorde

4. Violent Delights – CHVRCHES

5. What Were You Hoping To Find? – Vistas

6. How Dare You Want More – Bleachers

7. drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo

8. Bed Head – Manchester Orchestra

9. Oversharers Anonymous – Wild Pink

10. Locust Laced – Sleigh Bells

11. Like A Lady – Pom Poko

12. You Lose! – Magdalena Bay

13. Hurt – Arlo Parks

14. Feel A Thing – Meet Me @ The Altar

15. Drunk Voicemail – Pom Pom Squad

16. Into The Blue – The Joy Formidable

17. I Lied – Lord Huron

18. Dayglow – Vistas

19. INDUSTRY BABY – Lil Nas X

20. good 4 u – Olivia Rodrigo

21. Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish

22. Asking For A Friend – CHVRCHES

23. Futureproof – Nothing But Thieves

24. Dover Beach -. Baby Queen

25. Conditional – Laura Mvula

26. Acercame – Maverick City Music

27. My Way – PVRIS

28. Hold On – Adele

29. Easy – Pale Waves

30. NDA – Billie Eilish

31. THAT’S WHAT I WANT – Lil Nas X

32. Nightmares – CHVRCHES

33. I Drink Wine – Adele

34. SWEET75 – Sleigh Bells

35. Cloudspotter – Foo Fighters

36. The Wolves – Amy Shark

37. Serotonin – girl in red

38. Hurricane – Kanye West

39. Stop – Violette

40. Diya Hai – Arooj Aftab

Let’s just get this out of the way: in general, I think we can all agree that 2020 was a pretty terrible year, for a lot of reasons. But there were a few bright spots — and music was definitely one too. In fact, there was a ton of great music produced this year. Whether that happened in spite of the pandemic and all the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty humanity faced this year, or because of it, I’m not sure…but nevertheless, it’s hard to deny that some great art came out of this very dark time.

It was definitely easy to lean into nostalgia this year, and I definitely found myself going back and listening to older music from years ago as a source of comfort. But I read this Pitchfork article published during the dark days of early April, which made the case for why listening to new music was more essential than ever in times like these, and it made an impact on me. So I decided to recommit myself to intentionally seeking out and listening to new music this year…and not surprisingly found some gems.

Below are my picks for the albums and songs I appreciated most this year. Hopefully music (new or old!) was a source of comfort, inspiration, and healing for you this year as well!

• My Top 10 Albums of 2020 Playlist on Spotify
• My Top 25 Songs of 2020 Playlist on Spotify
• 2020 Jams (a longer playlist of songs I got stuck in my head throughout the year)

10. Ceremony – Phantogram (Spotify)

Phantogram have been one of my favorite artists for a few years now, and their fourth studio album didn’t disappoint. Though musically it was definitely a poppier departure from their earlier albums (and overall wasn’t nearly as compelling or consistent as 2016’s Three), it still definitely had that same unmistakeable, uncategorizable Phantogram quality and plenty of highlights. They tried a bunch of new stuff on this album, and even if it didn’t always work, I think the hits made up for the misses. “Into Happiness” and “Pedestal” are probably the best pop songs they’ve ever written. Still, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter are at their best when they get weird. The spaghetti Western guitar riff over the skittering electronic samples and hip-hop beat make “In A Spiral” a banger. The distorted, computerized vocals and siren-like synths that function as the chorus (?) on “Mister Impossible” are downright bizarre…and also probably one of the most interesting and memorable songs on the album.

Standout tracks: “In A Spiral”, “Into Happiness”, “Pedestal”, “Mister Impossible”, “Glowing”

9. Jump Rope Gazers – The Beths (Spotify)

Definitely one of my best new artist finds of the year, this New Zealand indie pop band’s sophomore release is filled with sunny harmonies, big, dreamy guitar hooks, and tons of positive vibes. Elizabeth Stokes’ understated vocals at first come off as almost nonchalant, but also manage to convey a distinct sense of urgency. On the surface, this is a perfect summer album, but there’s also a sneaky depth and seriousness to the songwriting and lyrical themes that reveals itself after a few listens. It has one of the most killer opening tracks I’ve heard recently (“I’m Not Getting Excited”). “You Are A Beam Of Light” is a gorgeous, heartbreaking anthem for 2020.

Standout tracks: “I’m Not Getting Excited”, “Dying To Believe”, “Jump Rope Gazers”, “Out of Sight”, “Don’t Go Away”, “You Are A Beam of Light”

8. Brave Faces Everyone – Spanish Love Songs (Spotify)

Something about this album really hit home this year. This LA-based 5-piece indie pop punk outfit’s third studio album is a searing, unfiltered, anthemic catalog of bitterness, hopelessness, and misery faced by millions of 20-30-something Americans today. “It won’t be this bleak forever…yeah right,” sings frontman Dylan Slocum wryly on the chorus of “Self-Destruction (As a Sensible Career Choice)”, a lyric and title that pretty much sum this album up. While the album explores relentlessly dark themes — broken homes, drug abuse, dead end jobs, poverty — it does so with a tone that’s also undeniably cathartic. Yes, the world is awful, things suck, and there’s not too much we can do about it, they’re saying…but that’s okay. On the closing title track, Slocum makes his position clear: “And if nothing gets better / It’s as bad as it seems / Why can’t we say, “Fuck it”? \ You know it’s not what we need” … “We were never broken, life’s just very long / Brave faces, everyone”

Standout tracks: “Routine Pain”, “Self-Destruction (As a Sensible Career Choice)”, “Beach Front Property”, “Optimism (As a Radical Life Choice)”, “Losers 2”, “Brave Faces, Everyone”

7. Was It Not – Marian Hill (Spotify)

It’s rare for an EP to make my top 10, but these six tracks from alt-pop Philly duo Marian Hill absolutely deserved to make this list. I had tickets to see them live in DC in May 2020, just a few months after this EP dropped — a show that, like thousands of others this year, was unfortunately cancelled. The sparse opening track is an entrancing, evocative dream sequence perfectly encapsulated by Samantha Gongol’s whimsical vocals. The transition to “Take a number” — a swaggering, brash cut with huge distorted synth bass and a rap interlude from Dounia — makes for a jarring contrast, but shows the range of what this duo is capable of. Jeremy Lloyd’s trap-infused production is as solid and crisp as ever, and the return of saxophonist Steve Davit (one of the highlights of 2018’s Unusual) on the brilliant “eat u alive” is a welcome addition.

Standout tracks: “was it not”, “eat u alive”, “no one knows”

6. SUPERBLOOM – MisterWives (Spotify)

One of the most epic breakup albums I’ve heard in a long time, MisterWives’ third studio album is a revelation. It’s still full of that danceable, high-energy sound fans have come to love, and Mandy Lee’s distinctive, cutting vocals shine throughout. But to really appreciate this album, you need a little backstory: the album’s content was fueled by the ending of vocalist Mandy Lee’s 8-year relationship with drummer Etienne Bowler. Even more dramatic is that the two decided to stay in the band and do this album together after the breakup (!) so…as you can imagine, there was a lot of material to work with. The result of all that is a 19-track, 61-minute opus that chronicles a breakup in almost narrative form: the heartbreak, loneliness, sadness, anger, and — ultimately — the catharsis of moving on, stronger and wiser, in the latter half of the album (“coming up for air”, “decide to be happy”, “muse”, and especially the absolutely brilliant closing title track). It’s by far the band’s best and most cohesive album to date.

Standout tracks: “whywhywhy”, “find my way home”, “rock bottom”, “coming up for air”, “oxygen”, “running in place”, “muse”, “SUPERBLOOM”

5. Imploding The Mirage – The Killers (Spotify)

The Killers get back to their roots with this one, forsaking the experimental pop turn of 2017’s Wonderful Wonderful and returning to the Springsteen-inspired narratives and expansive desert rock sound that they do best. Brandon Flowers’ vocals sounds better than ever, and the band overall just sounds more comfortable, like they’ve found their sweet spot with this record. It’s an album that overflows with sincerity, nostalgia, memorable imagery, and huge choruses, and I felt myself going back to it over and over this year. It may be a bit overly bombastic and overwrought at times (I’m still not entirely sure what “Imploding the Mirage” actually means?)…but isn’t that also sort of why we love these guys? 

Standout tracks: “My Own Soul’s Warning”, “Blowback”, “Dying Breed”, “Caution”, “My God”

4. WOMB – Purity Ring (Spotify)

This album is a mood. Canadian duo Purity Ring took a sharp turn with their third album, which surprisingly has much more in common with the dark, moody electronic art-pop of their 2012 debut Shrines than with the big, glittering pop hooks of their last album (2015’s Another Eternity). But vocalist Megan James and producer Corin Roddick are very much in their element here — it’s essentially a synthesis of the best parts of each of their prior albums. Some songs lean more heavily towards one or another (“stardew” and “peacefall” would sound at home on Another Eternity; “femia” and “almanac” are pure Shrines), but this album truly shines when they strike just the right balance between the two (“pink lightning”, “silkspun”, “sinew”). Lyrically this album is dominated by the same cryptic, mystical phrasing as their previous efforts, which can be fun to try and parse…or not, because honestly it sounds so gorgeous that you don’t really care. Lots of artists try to do things similar to what Purity Ring does — but James and Roddick are in a league of their own, and they’re at the top of their game here.

Standout tracks: “pink lightning”, “peacefall”, “sinew”, “vehemence”, “silkspun”, “stardew”

3. Notes on a Conditional Form – The 1975 (Spotify)

Definitely one of the biggest album releases this year, by one of (if not the) biggest band in the world right now, and NOACF lived up to the hype. It is in some ways the inevitable culmination of The 1975’s evolution: a wild, fragmented, jarring, exhilarating whirlwind crammed with an insane menagerie of the lyrical and musical madness/genius inside Matty Healy and drummer/producer George Daniel’s heads. It seems like this time around, Healy and company just decided to take all the guardrails and filters off. Clocking in at 22 tracks and a ridiculous 80+ minute run time, perhaps the biggest criticism of this album might be that it could have done with a bit of editing…if anyone thought they could edit Healy at this point. The jarring dissonance of first three tracks are a good microcosm: NOACF begins with a 5-and-a-half-minute clip of a speech by teenage climate activist Greta Thunburg (just ’cause), before launching into the screams of the abrasive, blistering post-punk protest anthem “People”, before doing a complete 180 and switching to the stunningly gorgeous orchestral string arrangements of “The End (Music for Cars)”. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. This album is genre-defying in the most absurd sense, jumping through 90s alt-rock, folk, house, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, soul, and more — and yet almost invariably sounding incredible regardless. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” is perhaps the most quintessentially 1975 track on here, and it is undeniably a great single…but it isn’t even the most fun you’ll have listening to this album. That comes from the sheer jaw-dropping audacity of them repeatedly pulling off every ridiculous trick they attempt.

Standout tracks: “The End (Music for Cars)”, “Frail State of Mind”, “The Birthday Party”, “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America”, “Me & You Together Song”, “I Think There’s Something You Should Know”, “Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)”, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”, “What Should I Say”, “Guys”

2. folklore / evermore – Taylor Swift (Spotify / Spotify)

“But wait!” you’re saying. “That’s 2 albums! Is this some kind of a tie? Isn’t that cheating??” First, this is my list, so I make the rules, and second, the fact that Taylor produced two albums this good in the same year should be a testament to just how impressive the achievement is. I consider folklore and evermore to be essentially a two-part album…and they both definitely deserve to be on here. Taylor’s surprise release of both of these albums — produced with collaborators Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) — were two of the highlights of this year. Even more incredibly, all the songs were written and recorded in secrecy after the start of the pandemic. With them, Swift has firmly established herself as the greatest songwriter of our generation (I’ll stand by this). Sonically it could not be more different than her previous albums (certainly from the pastel bubblegum-pop of “Lover”), and the dramatic shift to an acoustic-driven, mellower indie pop sound on these albums has certainly been polarizing for fans. I can see how it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But even if the production isn’t your style (and it is definitely mine), you have to tip your hat to the impressive display of songwriting prowess that Taylor achieved here. She has certainly come a long way from her country origins, but country music’s strongest asset — vivid narratives and memorable storytelling — is the one thing she seems to have taken with her, and she has showcased it in a pretty amazing way. Taylor spins entire worlds into existence with these songs, and this year especially it has been a relief to get lost in them for a while. Also just need to give a shout out to “evermore”, the closing track, which might be the song that best encapsulates 2020.

Standout tracks: “the 1”, “cardigan”, “the last great american dynasty”, “exile”, “my tears ricochet”, “august”, “epiphany”, “hoax”, “champagne problems”, “gold rush”, “’tis the damn season”, “no body, no crime”, “coney island”, “ivy”, “evermore”

1. Everything Changes In The End – Vistas (Spotify)

Sometimes, an album is perfect not because it has the best songwriting, or pioneers some innovative, groundbreaking new sound. It’s perfect because it’s exactly what you need to hear, at exactly the moment you need to hear it. For me, Vistas’ Everything Changes in The End was that album this year. The debut album from this young Scottish indie rock trio was released on May 29th, and it was a ray of sunshine during a very dark summer. I think in June I listened to this album all the way through on repeat almost every single day for over two weeks straight. Why is it so great? On the surface, it’s a lot of fun, but not particularly remarkable — it’s full of big guitar hooks, major chords, infectious gang vocals, lots of positive, upbeat energy…basically, a lot of the things you’d expect from an album in this genre. But somehow, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Not only are these guys really, really great at what they do, but this album positively shimmers with optimism, hope, and and an unwavering belief that the future is bright. Everything may change, but it’ll turn out okay. Times get tough, but your friends and loved ones will be there for you. It just makes you smile. And that’s something we need a lot more of these days.

Standout tracks: “Teenage Blues”, “15 Years”, “Summer”, “Tigerblood”, “Shout”, “Sentimental”, “Retrospect” [bonus: check out their amazing cover of Harry Styles’ “Adore You”…so, so good.]

Honorable Mention

• Moral Panic – Nothing But Thieves – These guys can rock.
• Punisher – Phoebe Bridgers – The reigning queen of indie pop shows why she deserves all the acclaim.
• Fetch The Bolt Cutters – Fiona Apple – It’s not necessarily up my alley musically, but I appreciate the genius here. She’s just insanely, insanely talented.
• Possession – Joywave – A little uneven, but there are some incredible songs on here.
• Plastic Hearts – Miley Cyrus – I finally gave in and listened to this after multiple recommendations…and I have to admit, the classic rock vibe works for her.
• A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling – Magdalena Bay – A great pop album.
• Recover – The Naked And Famous – Not as good as their previous stuff — the band’s just not the same as a duo after two founding members departed in 2018 — but it’s still worthwhile.

Top 25 Songs of 2020 (Spotify playlist)

1. If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) – The 1975
2. Bury Us – The Naked And Famous
3. SUPERBLOOM – MisterWives
4. Ferris Wheel – Sylvan Esso
5. 15 Years – Vistas
6. Pedestal – Phantogram
7. Me & You Together Song – The 1975
8. What A Man Gotta Do – Jonas Brothers
9. The Moment – Audiostrobelight
10. Outdoor Sports – Lights, MYTH
11. F.E.A.R. – Joywave
12. Real Love Song – Nothing But Thieves
13. I’m Not Getting Excited – The Beths
14. I Want You To Love Me – Fiona Apple
15. august – Taylor Swift
16. Routine Pain – Spanish Love Songs
17. Figure Eight – Trophy Eyes
18. was it not – marian hill
19. stardew – Purity Ring
20. Killshot – Magdalena Bay
21. Tigerblood – Vistas
22. evermore (feat. Bon Iver) – Taylor Swift
23. Dying Breed – The Killers
24. ICU – Phoebe Bridgers
25. anything – Adrienne Lenker

Hard to believe this is the final Top Albums post of the decade! 2019 was interesting in that there were a lot of solid albums this year, but none was an “obvious” #1 (which was not the case the past few years). So without further ado, here are my top 10 albums of the year:

• My Top 10 Albums of 2019 Playlist on Spotify
• My Top 25 Songs of 2019 Playlist on Spotify
• Top Jams of 2019 (a longer playlist of songs I got stuck in my head throughout the year)

10. Wasteland, Baby! – Hozier (Spotify)

Hozier’s sophomore album shows why this Irish singer-songwriter is one of the most talented of our generation. This album doesn’t have any smash singles on par with his 2014 breakout debut, but as a whole I think it’s more cohesive. Hozier’s folk sound and unmistakable voice is infused with an inviting old-school vibe, lent a bit of extra gravitas by the presence of a few legendary guests (vocals by Mavis Staples on “Nina Cried Power”, organs/keys by Booker T. Jones). It’s not flawless — there are a few skippable tracks sprinkled throughout, and its back half is oddly much better than the front — but when it’s good, it’s some of the best I heard this year.

Standout tracks: “Nina Cried Power”, “To Noise Making (Sing)”, “Shrike”, “Talk”, “Dinner & Diatribes”

9. Grow Your Garden – ANIMA! (Spotify)

I stumbled across ANIMA! on Spotify a few years ago, and was immediately drawn in by their…well, weirdness. This experimental alt-electronic Californian-South African duo, anchored by Arielle Vakni’s enchanting vocals, blend retro (and sometimes downright bizarre, video-game-esque) synths and samples with acoustic mandolins, guitars, and pianos…and…somehow, it works. Lyrically, there’s plenty of substance there too — the songwriting on “Streaks,” for example, measures up against anything else on this year’s list. Definitely worth a listen, if only because it just won’t sound like anything else you’ve heard this year.

Standout tracks: “Aorta”, “Streaks”, “Overflow”, “One Hundred Pieces”, “Toughest Man”, “Africa”

8. Bank on the Funeral – Matt Maeson (Spotify)

Virginia Beach, VA native Matt Maeson is a singer-songwriter whose sound carries a gritty worldliness that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a 26-year-old. (“I’m a beat down, washed up son-of-a-bitch,” Maeson sings on “Beggar’s Song,” “But I’ll be damned if I let it keep me down.”) The son of parents who played in a Christian metal band touring prisons as missionaries (yes really), Maeson’s life story — including his own past struggles with drug addiction and time behind bars — infuses his lyrics with a level of authenticity that sets him apart from a lot of others in this genre. His debut full-length album is full of introspective explorations of the struggles he’s experienced, but his delivery is just so raw, genuine, and relatable that you’ll find you can’t tear yourself away. Highly recommended.

Standout tracks: “Cringe”, “Go Easy”, “Legacy”, “Hallucinogenics”, “The Mask”, “Beggar’s Song”

7. Happiness Begins – Jonas Brothers (Spotify)

Don’t judge — this was a super fun album. I wasn’t really a big fan of the Jonas Brothers back in their mid-2000s heyday, but found myself coming back to this one more than a lot of others this year. The singles are undeniably catchy, and it just sounds like they had an absolute blast making this record. True, there’s also plenty of filler, and at 14 tracks it’s definitely way too long, but this was probably one of the best pop releases of the year (sorry Taylor). Throw this one on, and you’ll be nodding your head along with the Jo Bros in no time.

Standout tracks: “Sucker”, “Cool”, “Used To Be”, “Don’t Throw It Away”, “Trust”

6. Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend (Spotify)

Vampire Weekend were once the poster boys for a certain type of indie rock — cool, aloof, cynical, somewhat brooding. Father of the Bride is a decidedly different direction. Not only is there a lot more unvarnished positivity (and major chords), but they seem almost…happy? content? Whatever it is, the result is arguably their best record to date. Incorporating a lot more folk influences (and some wonderful guest vocals from Danielle Haim throughout), this is the perfect album for playing in the car with the windows down on a sunny spring day. The track list probably could have used a bit of editing (…I think we can all agree that 18 tracks is far too many), but it’s still one of the most enjoyable listens of the year.

Standout tracks: “Harmony Hall”, “This Life”, “How Long?”, “Married In A Gold Rush”, “Sympathy”, “Stranger”

5. i’ll show you stronger – pronoun (Spotify)

One-woman phenomenon Alyse Vellturo makes her full-length debut–at age 30–with this shimmering indie bedroom-pop-rock gem under the moniker pronoun. “i’ll show you stronger” is outwardly upbeat, full of multi-layered vocal lines, glittering synths, and reverb-laden guitars. Just below the surface though, it’s an incredibly intimate, heartbreaking album about loss and disappointment. Vellturo herself plays a number of instruments on the album, but none are wielded as impressively as her voice, the undisputed centerpiece — at times half-whispered, breathy, then near-shouted, and frequently looped, distorted, and sampled into one of the most versatile sounds on the record (see “temporary tantrum” for the finest example of this). The result is some of the most entrancing, interesting music I’ve heard this year, and hopefully just the beginning of much more to come.

Standout tracks: “run”, “you didn’t even make the bed”, “stay”, “temporary tantrum”, “wrong”

4. Mother Nature – The Dangerous Summer (Spotify)

Easily the biggest surprise of the year, Ellicot City, Maryland-based pop-punk veterans The Dangerous Summer signaled their sudden resurrection from oblivion with Mother Nature, their fifth LP. While this isn’t technically their “comeback” album — that was last year’s self-titled, and pretty unremarkable, effort — the band has emerged from seven years of turmoil (numerous lineup changes, their frontman quit the band in 2014 only to re-found it in 2017, a founding member went to prison, etc.) with one of their strongest and most consistent records ever. The album has a clarity, sharpness, and vitality that harkens back to their 2011 standout War Paint. From a band that seemed to have long ago lost their way (and their voice), Mother Nature suddenly feels like they’ve got something to say again.

Standout tracks: “Bring Me Back to Life”, “Way Down”, “Virginia,” “Violent Red”, “Consequence of Living”

3. I Am Easy To Find – The National (Spotify)

Probably one of the most consistently great bands of the past decade, The National delivered again with their eighth full-length I Am Easy To Find. Matt Berninger’s continues to be one of my favorite vocalists of all time — I could listen to that man sing just about anything — butthe choice to supplement his vocal talents this time around with a bevy of guest female artists (who often take the lead for entire tracks) does introduce some refreshing variety. Musically, it doesn’t take too many risks — though there are a few exceptions, like the eerie choral interludes “Her Father In the Pool” and “Dust Swirls in Strange Light” — but frankly, when you’ve honed your craft to the point that The National have, you don’t need to.

Standout tracks: “You Had Your Soul With You”, “Quiet Light”, “Oblivions”, “I Am Easy to Find”, “Where Is Her Head”, “Light Years”

2. Without Fear – Dermot Kennedy (Spotify)

Dublin’s Dermot Kennedy delivers one of the best albums of the year with his major-label debut Without Fear. The second Irish singer-songwriter on this list, Kennedy infuses his soulful folk sound with strong hip-hop influences and production. An incredibly talented songwriter, Kennedy makes you believe every single word he’s singing, on every track, whether stripped down or at full volume. The product is a masterpiece — sincere, genuine, heartfelt, brimming with confidence and promise. This is an album I’ve come back to over and over, and imagine I’ll continue to for years to come.

Standout tracks: “An Evening I Will Not Forget”, “All My Friends”, “Power Over Me”, “Moments Passed”, “Lost”, “Outnumbered”

1. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish (Spotify)

It’s kind of surprising to me that this ended up being my #1 album — unlike years past, I only decided on it while compiling this list — but, if I’m being honest, it was the most refreshing, unique, and intriguing albums of the year. In a world where most pop music sounds like it was fed through the same over-produced machinery, 18-year-old Eilish takes a torch and burns that factory to the ground. Her music just doesn’t sound like anyone, or anything else out there. When the opening track (“!!!!!!!!”) is an audio clip of Eilish and her brother/co-producer laughing about her taking out her Invisalign, it gives you a sense of the irreverent, cheeky approach she’s going to bring to this. Eilish probably has some idea of how incredibly talented she is, even as an 18-year-old, but fortunately never seems to take herself too seriously. Who knows if her sudden global stardom will change that, but for now, let’s just enjoy the ride.

Standout tracks: “you should see me in a crown”, “bury a friend”, “all the good girls go to hell”, “my strange addiction”, “i love you”

Honorable Mention:

Gallipoli – Beirut (Spotify) – Another solid effort from Zach Condon & co.

“Let’s Rock” – The Black Keys (Spotify) – It’s very safe/in their wheelhouse, but these guys have still got it.

This Land – Gary Clark Jr. (Spotify) – Gary Clark Jr. pushes the boundaries of modern blues and incorporates a heavier dose of hip-hop influences with his third LP.

Champion – Bishop Briggs (Spotify) – Her sophomore album is a bit more mainstream pop than her earlier stuff, but succeeds on the strength of her impressive vocals.

Surviving – Jimmy Eat World (Spotify) – Their 10th studio album is a nice return to form for these rock veterans, who had largely faded into obscurity over the past decade.

Top 25 Songs of the Year: (Spotify)

1. “Bury A Friend” – Billie Eilish

2. “Harmony Hall” – Vampire Weekend

3. “Burnin’ Up” – DRMCTHR

4. “Where Is Her Head” – The National

5. “Sucker” – Jonas Brothers

6. “Outnumbered” – Dermot Kennedy

7. “The Mask” – Matt Maeson

8. “Streaks” – ANIMA!

9. “temporary tantrum” – pronoun

10. “Way Down” – The Dangerous Summer

11. “Mister Impossible” – Phantogram

12. “Landslide” – Beirut

13. “Light Years” – The National

14. “Timebomb” – Walk The Moon

15. “Two Keys and a Good Book” – The Cold Stares

16. “Kick In The Teeth” – The Luka State

17. “Lazy Boy” – L.I.F.T.

18. “Without Me” – Halsey

19. “What About Us” – Gary Clark Jr.

20. “Lo/Hi” – The Black Keys

21. “Alligator” – Of Monsters and Men

22. “To The Ground” – Death Cab for Cutie

23. “Love Never” – Jimmy Eat World

24. “CHAMPION” – Bishop Briggs

25. “whywhywhy” – MisterWives

Hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday season celebrating with friends and family! There were quite a few great albums this year, but these 10 rose to the top for me.

• My Top 10 Albums of 2018 Playlist on Spotify
• My Top 25 Songs of 2018 Playlist on Spotify
• My Jams of 2018 (a longer playlist of songs I got stuck in my head throughout the year)

10. Palms – Thrice (Spotify)

Musically speaking, Thrice breaks some new ground — but not too much — with Palms. As with 2016’s To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, political and social themes continue to dominate frontman and lyricist Dustin Kensrue’s attention, railing against the escalating division and hatred of our modern world and the creeping sense of hopelessness and nihilism that pervades our collective psyches. While on the surface the album might seem dark, its message is actually quite the opposite, constantly urging listeners to put down their literal and rhetorical weapons, stop taking sides, and unite for the sake of our common humanity. Palms is at once a balm and a rallying cry in these uncertain times.

Best tracks: “Only Us”, “The Grey”, “Everything Belongs,” “Blood on Blood,” “Beyond the Pines”

9. All Ashore – Punch Brothers (Spotify)

I’ve been a fan of these guys since I heard Antifogmatic back in 2010, and at this point Chris Thile and company have elevated their “bluegrass-chamber-folk” sound to a high art. While All Ashore is neither their most creative nor ambitious effort, their fifth full-length is probably one of the most consistent and enjoyable listens of any record they’ve put out yet. The songwriting is superb (“All Ashore” and “Jumbo” are standouts), the gorgeous instrumentation and orchestrations top-notch (especially when Thile and Witcher show off their chops on the two instrumental tracks, “Three Dots and a Dash” and “Jungle Bird”), and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself coming back to this one again again.

Best tracks: All Ashore, Three Dots and a Dash, Just Look At This Mess, Jumbo, It’s All Part of the Plan

8. ATW – All Them Witches (Spotify)

This Nashville-based band is hard to pin down, as they’ve been constantly evolving their unique blend of 70’s-era psychadelic, blues, and acid rock with every release. With their fifth studio album, they finally get the mixture just right. The guitar and organ riffs are tighter, the hooks more memorable, and they finally ditched the lo-fi vibe for some quality production. The results: some of the most complete and impressive work they’ve done yet. This is a band that might take a bit of effort and a few listens to get into, but check out the bluesy “Workhorse” or slow-burning “Diamond”, which explodes into a gigantic guitar riff about halfway in before crashing back down to a low simmer. Definitely some of the most interesting music I heard this year.

Best tracks: “Workhorse,” “1st vs. 2nd,” “Diamond,” “HJTC”

7. Take Me To The Disco – Meg Myers (Spotify)

Take Me To The Disco was maybe the most surprising find for me this year, which I stumbled across somewhat randomly on Spotify when I heard the gripping single “Tear Me To Pieces”. Myers’ husky, incredibly distinctive voice carries this gem of a record — it’s a sort of retro-styled rock album that might have been at the top of the charts had it been released 15 or 20 years ago. Myers’ range of expressiveness is incredible, from soft falsettos to all-out screams in this collection of songs about lost love and loneliness (check out “Numb” or “The Death of Me”). “I’m Not Sorry” gives me chills. I saw Myers when she toured through DC this year, and the album barely does the energy she brings to her live shows justice. Highly recommended.

Best tracks: “Numb,” “Tourniquet,” “Tear Me To Pieces,” “The Death of Me,” “I’m Not Sorry”

6. Love Is Dead – CHVRCHES (Spotify)

I will admit to being a little disappointed the first time I heard Love Is Dead, probably one of my most anticipated albums of the year. But after a few listens, it grew on me. At first glance, it’s CHVRCHES’ most “mainstream” pop album to date, but there’s plenty of complexity in the instrumentation lying just underneath the surface (evident when listening to the gorgeous acoustic arrangements in their Hansa sessions album). I still don’t think I love it as much as their previous two albums, but they do plenty of things right. Lauren Mayberry’s vocals are as impressive as ever (on “Graffiti” and “Graves” in particular), and Iain Cook and Martin Doherty’s brilliance on synths and programming continue to impress. CHVRCHES’ weakness continues to be its lyricism — despite Mayberry’s prominent public stances on social and political issues, the band has seemed to be content with mostly generic lyrics about love and relationships. CHVRCHES finally breaks out of that mold on “Graves,” easily my favorite track on the album and a cutting political commentary on the refugee crisis in Europe that hints at what CHVRCHES are capable of when they take a few more risks.

Best tracks: “Graffiti,” “Get Out,” “Never Say Die,” “Miracle,” “Graves,” “Really Gone,” “Wonderland”

5. Unusual – Marian Hill (Spotify)

The sophomore LP from Philly-based R&B-electro-pop duo Marian Hill (a combination of the names of the two lead characters in the musical The Music Man) is a quantum leap forward from their promising but uneven debut Act One (2016). Blending elements of jazz and blues, including some sweet saxophone samples from improv musician Steve Davit (the chorus riff in “All Night Long” and especially the amazing solo on “Listening”), Unusual is a more intriguing, complex, and sophisticated effort. Vocalist Samantha Gongol’s understated, airy vocals layer over Jeremy Lloyd’s sparse, R&B-laden production for a result that’s sikly smooth, and worth many repeated listens.

Best tracks: “Subtle Thing,” “All Night Long,” “No Hesitation,” “Listening,” “Go Quietly”

4. M A N I A – Fall Out Boy (Spotify)

It’s truly remarkable how these guys continue to keep reinventing themselves. They’ve certainly come a long way since 2003’s Take This To Your Grave, but even though their sound has changed dramatically, they’ve somehow managed to preserve some element that makes them quintessentially Fall Out Boy. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the sold-out show these guys performed at Wrigley Field in Chicago this fall — by far one of the coolest concert experiences I’ve ever been to — and hearing 30,000+ scream the lyrics to “Grand Theft Autumn” or “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” was pretty surreal, especially considering there were probably people in the crowd who saw them play some of the same songs in a half-empty basement club for 40 people in 2002 (and plenty who weren’t even born then!). Mania isn’t perfect, but it is a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to see what the next incarnation looks like.

Best tracks: “The Last of the Real Ones,” “Hold Me Tight Or Don’t,” “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes),” “Church,” “Young and Menace”

3. My Mind Makes Noises – Pale Waves (Spotify)

I fell in love with this album almost instantly. This Manchester-based indie-pop quartet, led by enigmatic lead singer and guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie, have put out what is to me the best debut album of the year, and probably the one I listened to most during the second half of 2018. With a unique synth pop and indie rock sound and influences ranging from The Cure and Prince to modern acts like The 1975, whose label they are signed to and who the band will be touring with next year, Pale Waves seems destined for big things after this release. By far one of the most instantly catchy and infectious records I’ve heard this year.

Best tracks: “There’s A Honey,” “Noises,” “Came in Close,” “Drive,” “One More Time,” “Television Romance,” “Black”

2. Multisensory Aesthetic Experience – MAE (Spotify)

Despite having “officially” called it quits back in 2010 (I was at their farewell show at the Norva), it seems Dave, Jacob, and Zach weren’t quite done yet. After a few reunion shows and anniversary tours over the years, Mae’s first full-length release since 2007’s much-maligned Singularity was well worth the 11-year wait. It’s clear the guys are extremely proud of this record, and they should be. A gorgeous, ambitious, box-shattering triumph, M.A.E. represents perhaps the ultimate realization of the vision of a truly “multisensory” experience that the band has always been striving towards. Everything from the album art (a synesthetic artist’s representation of the how the songs look), to immersive installations, to VR goggles shipped with preorder packages — this is art in every sense of the word. As a whole, the tracks fit together so flawlessly that it draws comparisons to the completeness of concept that defined 2005’s The Everglow. When the final strains of guest instrumentalist Tim Fain’s violin fade out on the atmospheric, instrumental closer “Flow”, I found myself in awe of what these guys had accomplished. This is an album I will be listening to on repeat for many, many years to come.

Best tracks: “Sing,” “The Overview,” “5 Light Years,” “Our Love Is A Painted Picture,” “Let It Die,” “Simple Words”

1. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships – The 1975 (Spotify)

Somehow, The 1975’s third studio album (the final chapter in what frontman Matt Healy has described as a three-part series) managed to live up to the absolutely massive hype. Riding on the strength of a jaw-dropping five singles (“Give Yourself A Try,” “Love It If We Made It,” “TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME,” “Sincerity Is Scary,” “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You”), the band proves they have earned their meteoric rise to global superstardom. A Brief Inquiry is a stunning achievement, a generation-defining record that people will be name-dropping decades from now. Sharper and more focused than 2016’s I Like It When You Sleep, but in some ways even more outrageously ambitious, A Brief Inquiry is chock full of disparate musical influences, swinging wildly in subject and sound, yet somehow succeeding nearly every time. Lyrically, Healy is simultaneously clever, introspective, bombastic, and full of anxiety and self-doubt. It’s a pop masterpiece, and deserves repeated listens.

Best tracks: “Give Yourself A Try,” “TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME,” “Love It If We Made It,” “Sincerity Is Scary,” “I Like America & America Likes Me,” “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You),” “Mine”

Honorable Mention:

Trench – Twenty One Pilots (Spotify) – It’s a bit uneven, but when it’s good, it’s excellent. Props for the ambition in attempting to create such a bewilderingly complex and intricately detailed concept album, even if the execution wasn’t flawless. Tyler and Josh are still making some of the most original and fearless music out there.

Timebombs – The Last Year (Spotify) – A gem of an album from this local Baltimore band.

Before You Go – EXES (Spotify)- A very enjoyable listen even if the songs do blend together to a certain extent.

Simulation Theory – Muse (Spotify) – Even if the 80’s/TRON-vibe and cynical ripoff of Stranger Things nostalgia seems a bit forced, there’s still some gems on here.

Sway – Tove Styrke (Spotify) – Probably one of the catchiest pop albums of the year.

Top Songs of 2018: (Spotify playlist link)

1. Give Yourself A Try – The 1975
2. 5 Light Years – Mae
3. The Last of the Real Ones – Fall Out Boy
4. Graves – CHVRCHES
5. Can We Stay Like This – Moose Blood
6. TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME – The 1975
7. Gold Rush – Death Cab For Cutie
8. Subtle Thing – Marian Hill
9. Noises – Pale Waves
10. Tear Me To Pieces – Meg Myers
11. Diamond – All Them Witches
12. All Ashore – Punch Brothers
13. Sway – Tove Styrke
14. Jealousy – The Last Year
15. High Hopes – Panic! At The Disco
16. Caroline – Animal Years
17. Nico and the Niners – Twenty One Pilots
18. Own Worst Enemy – YONAKA
19. The Grey – Thrice
20. Pressure – Muse
21. Window – Company of Thieves
22. run – pronoun
23. Holy War – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
24. Bones Break – EXES
25. Nearer My God – Foxing

1. “Believer” – Imagine Dragons
2. “Glitter & Gloss” – Skott
3. “Lights Out” – Royal Blood
4. “All My Friends” – Dermot Kennedy
5. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber
6. “Kids (Ain’t All Right)” – Grace Mitchell
7. “So Will I (100 Billion X)” – Hillsong United
8. “Cringe” – Matt Maeson
9. “Money On You” – Chris Blue
10. “451” – Brand New
11. “Headphones” – Walk The Moon