Well here we are again, seems like just yesterday we were sitting around the Sidewalk Hustle office discussing the best albums of 2013. My how times flies. 2014 was a pretty significant year so we decided it was time to up the proverbial ante and expand our ‘Best Albums’ list by a significant amount. In previous years we have done top 10 with an additional 5 or so ‘honourable mentions’ but this year we figured we would go for the glory. This time around we have our top 25 albums of the year, with 10 ‘honourable mentions’ and 5 stand out EP’s.
Hopefully you will discover some hidden gems you didn’t know about, or even rediscover an album you haven’t listened to in a while. As always, there may be some albums you don’t think should be on the list, or we missed completely, and you are entitled to those thoughts, please feel free to let us know in the comments.
Here’s to another year of great music. Let the journey begin.
1. St. Vincent – St. Vincent
We’ll never forget the goosebumps that covered our body the first time we saw Annie Clark perform this years self-titled album. She’s gotten a lot of slack for her somewhat robotic choreographed stage performance created for her live shows this year, and we understand why. It’s not easy to be as genius as St. Vincent is, so when she created her own revolutionary language of rock performance, people either went with it, or decided they didn’t understand it, separating the sceptics from true fans.
We’ve been going with it all year-long since the album dropped on January 6th, discovering new reasons to love all the nuances on St. Vincent’s latest album. Not only is it wonderfully eccentric, as Clark’s music generally is, it’s also a pretty funny album if you care to listen to her sharply enunciated lyrics. “Oh what an ordinary day; take out the garbage, masterbate” starts the matter of fact “Birth In Reverse” while she earnestly proclaims she would prefer your love to Jesus over on “I Prefer Your Love.”
But lyrics aside, this album is a rock masterpiece, our all time favourite of the year, which Clark described early on in press release as, “a party record you could play at a funeral,” and we’ve been worshipping at the church of St. Vincent since then.
2. Future Islands – Singles
Everyone loves the story of the underdog, and there was no better example of this than Baltimore, by-way of Baltimore’s Future Islands. After spending several years on the road, the boys performed an insanely rapturous performance on the Late Show With David Letterman which went viral, launching the band into the stratosphere of indie music. Part of the success of that performance lay in frontman Samuel T. Herring’s larger-than-life physical presence, delivering the most chaotic, un-self-conscious, Elaine Benes-esque awkward dance moves. But, whether it was the Letterman performance or Herring’s much talked about dance moves that brought you to Future Islands, it was the near perfect album Singles, that cemented them as THE hot band of 2014.
3. Spoon – They Want My Soul
There is something so very haunting and soul-touching about Spoon frontman Britt Daniel’s voice. When you hear new (or old, for that matter) music from him, it immediately leaves you wanting more. With the release of Spoon’s eighth album They Want My Soul, the first in four years, we were immediately thrown back into the mixed vortex of nostalgic remembrance of teenage good times and the promise of new and exciting things just ahead. The new album clocks in at under 38 minutes, leaving us wanting more yet somehow satisfying with every repeated listen. If for some reason you haven’t, or you’re feeling up for it, go get lost in the cryptic epigrams, and soulful lyrical threads of Daniel’s words on They Want My Soul.
4. YG – My Krazy Life
As Compton continues to experiences a Renaissance of prolific rappers, one of the strongest hip hop/rap albums of 2014 came in the form of YG’s My Krazy Life. With honest songwriting, a ferocious momentum, tight and well thought out production from DJ Mustard, YG managed to release a conceptually cohesive album. Songs of particular note are “Bicken Back Being Bool,”My Nigga,” and the remix, and “Who Do You Love” featuring Drake. The result is a certain undeniable swagger of Cali gangster rapper that makes YG’s My Krazy Life the best hip hop album of 2014.
5. Wild Beasts – Present Tense
After a short three-year break between albums, Wild Beasts returned earlier this year with Present Tense. Packed with lofty swells of emotion, it’s the fourth album the British band have released since their debut in 2008. The low registering vocal interplay between Tom Fleming and Hayden Thorpe is much more subtle on this album combined with an on-point rhythm section that creates heaving waves of thought provoking emotion that we can’t help but identify with. There’s no other band quite like Wild Beasts. We challenge you to listen to Present Tense and not feel something.
6. FKA Twigs – LP1
Hands down one of the weirdest albums to ever be classified as R&B, Tahliah Barnett, better known as FKA Twigs delivered one of the years brightest and oddly wonderful genre-bending albums entitled LP1. When you sit back and look at how far she’s come since the release earlier this summer, you can accredit much of her success to the gradual and strategically artistic build up which started over two years ago. Robert Pattison aside, her image and celebrity is like no other star on the musical canvas making her sound hard to classify. LP1 is truly a gem in the encompassing genre of alternative.
7. Caribou – Our Love
Dan Snaith returns after years of silence as Caribou with one of our favourite late blooming albums of the year. Snaith took a break from being Caribou to do good things as Daphni for a few years and while we do enjoy Daphni, he’s back and better than ever on Our Love. The ten track album is the perfect soundtrack for partying, running, grocery shopping, and pretty much basically anything you’re doing. A truly Canadian talent, this Caribou album also cites composition and instrumentation from the likes of Owen Pallett and Jessy Lanza.
8. Madlib & Freddie Gibbs – Piñata
The charm of this album lies in the simple fact that Madlib and Freddie Gibbs are masters in their particular fields of hip hop. Madlib makes insanely tight “old school” vibing hip hop beats and Freddie Gibbs holds it down with mid-western gangster rap with a street-hardened calm that exudes confidence and honesty. So, naturally when you put the two together, you get the best of both worlds, but in a good way, not like that Jay Z and R. Kelly mess of an album. If you’re looking for particular highlights, you have to listen to “Thuggin’,”Deeper,” and “Higher” with Danny Brown.
9. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
Rappers Killer Mike and El-P have teamed up once again as the hip hop outfit Run the Jewels for their second collaborative album Run the Jewels 2. The absolute chemistry and affection between the two rappers is unquestionable as they speak on topics of actual importance, a rarity in much hip hop these days. Many people have called them the modern day Public Enemy, and I don’t know if that is necessarily true, but the parallel does work. If you haven’t listened yet, here’s a couple tracks to get familiar with, “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck),” “Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1,” and “Early.”
10. Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
It started with “Hey Mami” last year when our obsession with Sylvan Esso grew. A perfectly layered and slow building track combining pure harmonies which sound as if there’s at least five people participating, when in actuality it was just all of Amelia Meath’s vocal power and Nick Sanborn’s perfectly punctuated electro beats. The rest of the album impressed even more we just can’t wait to see what they do next. If you have the chance to see them live, we’d highly recommend following through.
11. Young Fathers – Dead
This years Mercury Prize winning album Dead is one heck of an unconventional party banger bound to propel them further into fandom. As their bio reads Young Fathers “are three young men from Edinburgh and Liberia and Nigeria, all at the same time” which of course only somewhat describes the all encompassing sound of this, their excellent third studio album. If you’ve yet to listen, do yourself a favour and step outside your comfort zone and into the world of Young Fathers.
12. Alvvays – Alvvays
Alvvays released one of the most beloved albums of the year in Toronto and round the world alike. Topping a few best-of lists, their incredibly promising debut record, was packed with celebratory summer anthems and sharp yet quaint production values from Chad VanGaalen.
Packed show after packed show, they were bigger than ever this year and it’s only the beginning for Alvvays as they gear up to tour with indie favourite The Decemberists. Keep your eyes on these kids.
13. Parquet Courts – Sunbathing Animals
Parquet Courts are a true New York rock band. They blend indie rock tendencies with plucky post punk revival and flat matter fact style vocals. It’s the first of two albums they released this year and it’s a pretty easy listen if you like new music. On the other hand, it might take you a few extra listens for this classic rock and roll album to grow on you, but we promise you’ll end up a fan and write about it in your moleskin.
14. Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
In a weird kaleidoscope of musical fusion, Flying Lotus’ You’re Dead! is a perfect music mix of hip hop, bop, a touch of jazz, and much more. Starting out with a pretty ambitious goal, often fraught with failure, on this concept album, Lotus manages to hold it together and produce a fantastic musical journey worthy of anyone’s album collection. Stand out tracks include the Kendrick Lamar-assisted “Never Catch Me” and the final track “The Protest,” which gives the perfect sense of closure to his concept and album.
15. SBTRKT – Wonder Where We’ll Land
After his knockout self-titled album in 2011, SBTRKT had us, like many others, completely captivated. Just three short years later a handful of instrumental EP’s started to trickle out and by the fall we had his shiny new album Wonder Where We’ll Land. While we think of it more like a summer record, there’s a song on the somewhat overlooked release befitting of any season. The British producer features just about every hot talent on the album, including Jessie Ware, Caroline Polachek, Raury, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, ASAP Ferg, and of course Sampha who is featured on multiple tracks. It’s easy for us to put our seal of approval on such a slow-blooming album which was a true collaboration with many music industry greats.
16. SZA – Z
The only EP on our top 25, clocking in at just over forty minutes, we hardly consider SZA’s first Top Dawg Entertainment release more of an album. The chilled yet soulful record features Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and production from Toro Y Moi, yet somehow signals that TDE’s first female artist is still somewhat guarded at the tender age of 24 despite her on going presence in the music industry. Her vocal lines are clouded by the hazy chillwave melodies and leave us wanting more. Can’t wait to hear her first full length release sometime next year, but for now we’ll just have to settle for Z.
17. Jessie Ware – Tough Love
Jessie Ware delivers yet another glorious pop record she wrote and recorded this year. We’ve only had what you’d consider a short amount of time to let Tough Love sink in, but this gorgeous sophomore album full of wrenching heartache, passionate burning love, and delightful optimism that demands mention. If you haven’t heard it, you should probably go get your hands on it now.
18. Pusha T – My Name is My Name
After what felt like years of album-politics purgatory, coke-rap fiend Pusha T finally got his major label solo album debut. Coming out via Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. imprint, My Name Is My Name was full of witty one-liners, ad-libs, and ferocious street bangers, all the while remaining confidently calm. It was a fantastic solo debut from a veteran in the rap game leaving us feeling giddy yet wanting more. Standout tracks include the ferociously raw “Numbers on the Board,” “Sweet Serenade” with Chris Brown, and “King Push” the albums opener.
19. Kindness – Otherness
Kindness’ Otherness was one of this year most underrated albums. It’s been two years since World You Need A Change of Mind and Adam Bainbridge has grown a lot as a musician across the many projects he participates in. His second solo foray features the likes of such guest collaborators as Robyn, Kelela, Manifest, Tawiah, Devonte Hynes, and more. The vibe is much less funky and upbeat than his previous full-length, a quieter more more soulful record, begging for appreciation, echoing pop music of decades past.
It’s a record you should listen to wind down a party or on a quiet rainy night in. So sit back, relax and appreciate these gorgeous studio gems.
20. Tinashe – Aquarius
In a year full of slow building R&B line over haunting electronic beats, one of the best albums to emerge was Tinashe’s Aquarius. Unlike her live performances, the album is consistently great, front-to-back with incredible production, generous songwriting and strong singing. Perhaps one of the most memorable songs on the 16 track album was “2 On”, which is easily one of the best singles of the year. Well done Tinashe.
21. Owen Pallett – In Conflict
Owen Pallett delivers yet another gorgeous melange of shimmery strings and rippling piano lines on In Conflict, a title which refers to his thematic fixations and that looming uncertainty. The songs sound a lot like the ripping and rumblings of weather at times with his clear vocals shining through, telling the story and thrusting these patterns to the end of each song. This is a record that evokes unsettled feeling of yearning that are hard to ignore.
22. TOPS – Picture You Staring
Picture You Staring is albiet a simple pop record, but we challenge you to look deeper on Montreal quartet TOPS sophomore release. Featuring shiny vintage guitar solos and hooks, whispery vocals, and melodies that make you want to sway back and forth, the record is at once catchy as it is somewhat forgettable. A chilled and necessary album to add to your collection if you haven’t already this year.
23. Jungle – Jungle
Jungle did a good job of keeping their physical appearance ambiguous hidden at the beginning of this year, it was unclear weather they were the adidas track suit wearing characters in their videos, or something totally different. We had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson during the summer and while they refused a video interview and even a photo, they impressed by explaining their truly collective vision behind creating music.
While the album didn’t exactly live up to mainstream expectations, bangers like “The Heat,” “Busy Earnin,'” “Time,” and “Julia” were hard to ignore and had us enamoured for many months. The albums other gems grew on us with each play and the self titled release was a great start for Jungle.
24. Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron
The hip hop kept on coming in 2014, in no small part due to West Coast label Top Dawg Entertainment. After cementing their place in the game with the release of Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in 2013, TDE built their foundation with the release of Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron album. It’s a prefect reflection of Q, one minute he raps about drug dealing and pimping and the next he’s dropping party animal anthems. Oxymoron as panoramic view of the Southern Californian inner city. Stand out tracks include “Hell of a Night,” a trap-house hybrid from DJ Dahi who also produced Drake’s “Worst Behaviour,” and the Chromatics-sampled “Man of the Year.”
25. Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour
Remember when you first heard Sam Smith’s single “Money On My Mind”? We do too and probably had it on repeat for the better part of January and February this year leading into a tour with Disclosure before he released In The Lonely Hour in May. Citing Adele and Amy Winehouse as his inspirations, and his relation to Lily Allen, it’s no shocker Smith’s album came out so much more soulful than his stand alone track “Money On My Mind” which had many initially hooked. Besides being initially disappointed this heart wrenching album didn’t have a more upbeat edge, this only leaves room for Smith to grow. Let’s hope for more Disclosure influence in the coming years.
Top 25 Albums of 2014
1. St. Vincent – St. Vincent
2. Future Islands – Singles
3. Spoon – They Want My Soul
4. YG – My Krazy Life
5. Wild Beasts – Present Tense
6. FKA Twigs – LP1
7. Caribou – Our Love
8. Madlib & Freddie Gibbs – Piñata
9. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
10. Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
11. Young Fathers – Dead
12. Alvvays – Alvvays
13. Parquet Courts – Sunbathing Animals
14. Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
15. SBTRKT – Wonder Where We’ll Land
16. SZA – Z
17. Jessie Ware – Tough Love
18. Pusha T – My Name is My Name
19. Kindness – Otherness
20. Tinashe – Aquarius
21. Owen Pallett – In Conflict
22. TOPS – Picture You Staring
23. Jungle – Jungle
24. Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron
25. Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour
Top 5 EP’s
1. Robyn & Röyksopp – Do It Again
2. ILoveMakonnen – I Love Makonnen
3. Broods – Broods
4. Vince Staples – Hell Can Wait
5. Childish Gambino – Kauai
Honourable Mentions
Alt J – This Is All Yours
Fear Of Men – Loom
Joywave – “How Do You Feel?”
Beyonce – Beyonce
Perfume Genius – Too Bright
Taylor Swift – 1989
Death From Above 1979 The Physical World
Glass Animals – Zaba
MØ – No Mythologies To Follow
Tennis – Ritual In Repeat
