2014 has been an incredible year for music, I've found that I've really been into a lot of new artists - some that have been hiding in the shadows clutching their masterpieces, and others that have just blown up in the industry. I hope there's a lot of familiarity in this playlist, but I also hope there's a lot of stuff in there that you maybe haven't heard and that you find something new. It's a hefty one, so it might take a few separate listens to get a good feel of the songs, but most importantly, make sure you enjoy it.
A little about some of the artists:
SBTRKT - New Dorp New York was one of those songs that took me a few of listens to really get it. The production didn't quite sit right with me when I first heard it, but the repetitive/alliterative nature of the lyrics create a nice anchor for the track in order to allow the backing samples to be a little more incoherent and muddled.
Giraffage - I only discovered Giraffage in the past couple of months through iTunes recommendations, but I have been loving their No Reason Ep. It has some really interesting production with a crazy amount of random samples that all seem to work together so well. But with all of these textures and layers, it continues to hold a light feel and avoids becoming oppressive.
Jamie xx - I chose to put Sleep Sound in my playlist because I think a lot of people would shy away from the weird discordant sound, but I think the production is incredible and deserves to be listened to.
SOHN - SOHN have done some incredible remixes in the past, and it's been really amazing to see them come out with a whole album (Tremors) of such unorthodox and off-centre originals that are so brilliantly composed. The contrast of the lighter sounds and the heavy chords (particularly in the title track) create a really interesting sound and a well rounded album.
Seinabo Sey - I feel like there has been a real trend of world music/traditional raw and organic music, and Seinabo Sey has been one of the leading components to this inclination. The track I chose for the playlist (Pistols At Dawn) feels perfectly layered with heavy bass, her raspy vocals, and the gunshot sound effects.
Fyfe - My love for Fyfe has really grown over the past few months and I am incredibly excited for the release of his debut album (Control) in March. The track I have put on the playlist, (Brooklyn, MI) is an amazingly beautiful piece that starts with really sparse instrumentation, that then blossoms into quite an organic upbeat track with percussion mainly made up of handclaps.
Photay - No Sass has a really interesting use of instruments with a clarinet motif appearing throughout the track; it's so unique and it works so well, creating cohesion throughout the track in such a discrete way.
Dornik - I have been a huge fan of Dornik's limited amount of work for the past year or so, and although he has only released 4 tracks so far, what he has created has shown two things; one being that he isn't just a one trick pony, and two being that he is both an incredible producer and vocalist.
Sophie - This Scottish producer brings together really overproduced vocals and unexpected samples (particularly in Lemonade), to make something really unique and strangely addictive. The repetition of the lyrics 'lemonade' and 'candy boys' will soon take control of your mind and you will not be able to stop singing them.
Billie Black - Her track I Don't Need Another Lover, starts off with two simple samples and builds into this amazing combination as more samples are added and entwined together. Her EP, 000 100, is definitely worth a listen.
D'Angelo - The release of Black Messiah took the world by storm as we finally had a new album where we couldn't work out any of the lyrics. All jokes aside, this is an incredible album with a really unconventional sound for 'popular' music.
Ed Harcourt - Come Into My Dreamland really stands out to me as one of the most memorable tracks of this year. An eerie tension exists throughout the entire track as he makes references to suicide, taking you on journey through such a weighty subject. The haunting vocals and echoing piano create a sinister sound that manages to hypnotise you and draw you in.
Ibeyi - These young women are on a whole new level, bringing a fresh sound to traditional world music. It's so natural and raw, and full of emotion - breath taking.
Glass Animals - With the popularity of their track Gooey, these guys have been pretty well known in 2014. But a lot of their album hasn't been showcased, and it really does deserve some recognition. The weird samples and sounds along with the familiar classic rock band instruments, create an overall sound that feels oddly comforting.
Lapsley - Her recent release of Falling Short has set her up really nicely for her new EP (Understudy) that she plans to release in early January. The strong piano and simple percussion (inc finger clicks) really keeps the track moving whilst still exposing the incredible vocals.
Octave Minds - Anthem is a really atmospheric track with the exhibition of soft horns, piano motifs and almost white noise. The track builds into a fairly high pace, energetic piece after the soft start, and by the end, you feel like you've somewhat been on a journey.
Tune-Yards - Nikki Nack has been an album that has really stood out to me this year. I found it really difficult to choose a track to put in the playlist (toying between Find A New Way, Time Of Dark, and Hey Life - all great tracks from this album). I settled with Water Fountain because of the combination of the raw sounds of handclaps and the world music feel, with the futuristic production and heavy layering.
What songs/albums/artists have stood out to you in 2014?
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Please leave a comment - I reply to all of them :)
2014 has been an incredible year for music, I've found that I've really been into a lot of new artists - some that have been hiding in the shadows clutching their masterpieces, and others that have just blown up in the industry. I hope there's a lot of familiarity in this playlist, but I also hope there's a lot of stuff in there that you maybe haven't heard and that you find something new. It's a hefty one, so it might take a few separate listens to get a good feel of the songs, but most importantly, make sure you enjoy it.
A little about some of the artists:
SBTRKT - New Dorp New York was one of those songs that took me a few of listens to really get it. The production didn't quite sit right with me when I first heard it, but the repetitive/alliterative nature of the lyrics create a nice anchor for the track in order to allow the backing samples to be a little more incoherent and muddled.
Giraffage - I only discovered Giraffage in the past couple of months through iTunes recommendations, but I have been loving their No Reason Ep. It has some really interesting production with a crazy amount of random samples that all seem to work together so well. But with all of these textures and layers, it continues to hold a light feel and avoids becoming oppressive.
Jamie xx - I chose to put Sleep Sound in my playlist because I think a lot of people would shy away from the weird discordant sound, but I think the production is incredible and deserves to be listened to.
SOHN - SOHN have done some incredible remixes in the past, and it's been really amazing to see them come out with a whole album (Tremors) of such unorthodox and off-centre originals that are so brilliantly composed. The contrast of the lighter sounds and the heavy chords (particularly in the title track) create a really interesting sound and a well rounded album.
Seinabo Sey - I feel like there has been a real trend of world music/traditional raw and organic music, and Seinabo Sey has been one of the leading components to this inclination. The track I chose for the playlist (Pistols At Dawn) feels perfectly layered with heavy bass, her raspy vocals, and the gunshot sound effects.
Fyfe - My love for Fyfe has really grown over the past few months and I am incredibly excited for the release of his debut album (Control) in March. The track I have put on the playlist, (Brooklyn, MI) is an amazingly beautiful piece that starts with really sparse instrumentation, that then blossoms into quite an organic upbeat track with percussion mainly made up of handclaps.
Photay - No Sass has a really interesting use of instruments with a clarinet motif appearing throughout the track; it's so unique and it works so well, creating cohesion throughout the track in such a discrete way.
Dornik - I have been a huge fan of Dornik's limited amount of work for the past year or so, and although he has only released 4 tracks so far, what he has created has shown two things; one being that he isn't just a one trick pony, and two being that he is both an incredible producer and vocalist.
Sophie - This Scottish producer brings together really overproduced vocals and unexpected samples (particularly in Lemonade), to make something really unique and strangely addictive. The repetition of the lyrics 'lemonade' and 'candy boys' will soon take control of your mind and you will not be able to stop singing them.
Billie Black - Her track I Don't Need Another Lover, starts off with two simple samples and builds into this amazing combination as more samples are added and entwined together. Her EP, 000 100, is definitely worth a listen.
D'Angelo - The release of Black Messiah took the world by storm as we finally had a new album where we couldn't work out any of the lyrics. All jokes aside, this is an incredible album with a really unconventional sound for 'popular' music.
Ed Harcourt - Come Into My Dreamland really stands out to me as one of the most memorable tracks of this year. An eerie tension exists throughout the entire track as he makes references to suicide, taking you on journey through such a weighty subject. The haunting vocals and echoing piano create a sinister sound that manages to hypnotise you and draw you in.
Ibeyi - These young women are on a whole new level, bringing a fresh sound to traditional world music. It's so natural and raw, and full of emotion - breath taking.
Glass Animals - With the popularity of their track Gooey, these guys have been pretty well known in 2014. But a lot of their album hasn't been showcased, and it really does deserve some recognition. The weird samples and sounds along with the familiar classic rock band instruments, create an overall sound that feels oddly comforting.
Lapsley - Her recent release of Falling Short has set her up really nicely for her new EP (Understudy) that she plans to release in early January. The strong piano and simple percussion (inc finger clicks) really keeps the track moving whilst still exposing the incredible vocals.
Octave Minds - Anthem is a really atmospheric track with the exhibition of soft horns, piano motifs and almost white noise. The track builds into a fairly high pace, energetic piece after the soft start, and by the end, you feel like you've somewhat been on a journey.
Tune-Yards - Nikki Nack has been an album that has really stood out to me this year. I found it really difficult to choose a track to put in the playlist (toying between Find A New Way, Time Of Dark, and Hey Life - all great tracks from this album). I settled with Water Fountain because of the combination of the raw sounds of handclaps and the world music feel, with the futuristic production and heavy layering.
What songs/albums/artists have stood out to you in 2014?
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment - I reply to all of them :)
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment - I reply to all of them :)