Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
I have listened to Florence ever since 2009, and she has been progressing well with each album since, but this one was the first I think I enjoyed all the way through. The tracks are more suiting her vocals now, but I think it's due to more emotion and I think emotion is where her voice performs best.
Highlights: Queen Of Peace, St Jude, Long & Lost, Delilah
Tame Impala - Currents
As we know, they are one of Australia's biggest musical exports of the current generation, and we thank their awesome psych-rock sounds and the genius behind the band that is Kevin Parker. I first listened to Let It Happen (the 7-minute long opener) back in March and I was unsure of how this new direction was going to impact, but it somehow became an addictive song as the year went on and the album definitely didn't disappoint.
Highlights: Eventually, Let It Happen, The Moment, The Less I Know The Better
Disclosure - Caracal
Ah yes, the Lawrence brothers Guy and Howard a.k.a. Disclosure, have been taking over the electronic music world by storm thanks to some huge tracks, and now we come to the all-important "risky" second album from the duo. I heard complaints about tracks on this album sounding too similar to each other, but the real standout is the collabs they got on board here, including The Weeknd, Gregory Porter, Lion Babe, Nao, the returning Sam Smith, and of course the most hyped of the bunch - Lorde. One I'd recommend for your next party at this rate.
Highlights: Magnets, Nocturnal, Omen, Holding On, Hourglass
Grimes - Art Angels
One that came very late, but made up for it by being nothing but catchy synth-pop only a quirky artist like her can do. I feel a lot of K-Pop influences here, and getting a very unknown Taiwanese rapper aka Aristophanes on board was definitely unexpected. Another one that you'd definitely want to blast on your stereo for continuous happy vibes.
Highlights: Flesh Without Blood, Venus Fly, California, SCREAM, Kill V. Maim
Everything Everything - Get To Heaven
The most unexpectedly catchy album of the year for me, and it's no surprise here because these guys are known for their quirky sense, very fun stage outfits and very nonsensical lyrics that one wouldn't usually understand. Don't let the violent nature of the lyrics fool you, because apparently Jonathan (the band's vocalist) was inspired after he watched terrible events on the news and as most fans know, he's a quirky bard. Compared to their previous releases, this one is a lot more fast-paced and tons catchier, and even from my thoughts I feel like they really started to show their real personalites on this record. Makes me regret (bad pun here) not discovering them sooner hahahaha... and having one of my fave album artworks of the year definitely shows how fun their album covers are as well. And given this is their third album, the saying "third time's a charm" was definitely nailed here. Unexpectedly fun, but let's face it, they really do have everything.
Highlights: Distant Past, No Reptiles, Blast Doors, Regret, Spring/Sun/Winter/Dread
Foals - What Went Down
These guys in my opinion are one of those bands that seem to get better with every album they release, and this one is certainly an epic. I recall hearing the title track when it first surfaced in June and damn I was like "this is really epic for a Foals song, album looks like it'll be good" and the finished product certainly didn't disappoint. I feel like the softer tracks reminded me of Total Life Forever (although not the same emotion compared to that album) and then there's the more catchy ones. Well-balanced, and shows why they always never disappointed me.
Highlights: What Went Down, Snake Oil, Albatross, Birch Tree
Purity Ring - Another Eternity
Another one I never listened to until recently, and I feel like I'm glad to have discovered them because this album is some well-crafted dreamy electro-pop that's not too loud and not too fast, which you don't see much of in the genre. There was only like one track that I didn't enjoy as much as the others, but still a great effort for a difficult second album.
Highlights: Repetition, Stranger Than Earth, Sea Castle, Begin Again
Bring Me The Horizon - That's The Spirit
I'm usually one who's not attracted to the screaming in the so-called "hardcore" scene, but one of Britain's finest names on the scene have unleashed another great ripper of an album, and here they've switched things up a bit. A bit less screaming, a bit less metal sounds, and well a bit more accessible. I feel the new direction was risky but definitely rewarded well and shows they can be capable of catering their sound to a wider base.
Highlights: Throne, True Friends, Oh No, Blasphemy
The Wombats - Glitterbug
If you've ever been to a live gig from them, you know they always turn said show into a party and I don't blame it because the tunes are catchy, and always a hit with fans. I had been waiting four years for a new album from The Wombats, but they definitely showed the wait was worth it. I think this is their most diverse material to date, with a bit of emotion and also a throwback to their early stuff in there as well. Proves why they are one of Britain's most fun bands, and that likely won't end anytime soon.
Highlights: Emoticons, Give Me A Try, The English Summer, Pink Lemonade
CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye
As we know by now, the second album curse is a thing and I could name tons of bands that got affected by that slump but definitely not CHVRCHES. The Scottish synthpop masters return after a massive 2013 album with a follow-up that keeps the good vibes, but steers them into new territory without going too far from what made their debut successful. Another one I'd recommend for your summery playlist.
Highlights: Clearest Blue, Empty Threat, Make Them Gold, Leave A Trace
Looking at this list, you can tell the UK did me justice this time.
