People often ask the question, when would you say was the "Golden Age of Music" ? As an ardent fan of music with a large scope of knowledge that covers many genres and decades, I provide a less conventional answer that the "Golden Age of Music" is always the present.
My defense: Music is timeless, + with emerging technologies we are incredibly #HASHTAGBLESSED to have access to nearly all generations of music before us at the click of a button. Music has evolved on a multidimensional scale with experimental genres and new flavors bringing us the extraordinary and ever changing phenomenon that is music today.
So, THANK YOU 2015 for being an exceptional year in music. Thank you for the excitement and the abundance you brought. Below is a list of the Top 10 albums that impressed me most. I hope you enjoy :)
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2015by MF
1)Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes
Sound & Color is the second studio album released by Alabama Shakes on April 21, 2015. It was the perfect second studio album. It stayed consistent to who they were and how they presented themselves in their debut album but showed a progression of sound in both subtle and profound ways. The album is edgy and versatile without sacrificing fluidity. Their rich bluesy rock sound is soothing and exhilarating at the same time and is appealing to a broad audience.
2) Big Grams (Self Titled)
Big Boi from Outkast got together with both members of Phantogram and created the group Big Grams and created one best collaborative albums I have heard in a long time released September 25th 2015. As you can imagine, both artists ventured out of their comfort zones for this brilliant product. The sound is dynamic, energetic and straight up cool. The experiment combining synth pop electronica and hip hop had a synergy that was flawless.
3) Stuff Like That There by Yo La Tengo
The beauty of this album lies in its simplicity. I probably listened to this album the most frequently out of any on this list yet I struggled most with where to place it and whether or not I wanted it here at all. Stuff Like that There is Yo La Tengo's 14th studio album and to be honest; it is just not that interesting. Everything about the album is plain and it features two covers of the most cliche tracks one could choose to cover: Friday I'm In Love and Butchie's Tune. On paper, I hate this album but in reality, I can't stop listening to it. Truth is, it provokes a gentle ease that translates so gracefully. It provides a certain tranquility beyond what I have heard before and that is what makes this brilliant.
4) The Waterfall by My Morning Jacket
The Waterfall is the seventh album released by My Morning Jacket on May 4, 2015. Their music has expanded from a blend of country and rock to encompass funk, neo-pyschadelica, progressive rock and a little bit of reggae. The tracks generally start with a whispery tone and build into a sophisticated funk jam each with unique melodies. 5) Stranger to Ourselves by Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse released new album Strangers to Ourselves on March 17th, 2015. This was the band's first release in eight years! I am most impressed by how loyal Modest Mouse stays to their original sound and genre. Too often, in an attempt to stay relevant, artists kick their foundation to the curb and try to become something they just aren't and fail miserably. For example, last year Rihanna & Kanye West released a track called FourFiveSeconds featuring Paul McCartney, and it broke my heart when I played it for the first time. I'm not knocking the track itself because it wasn't terrible, what hurt was the fact that Paul McCartney stuck his name on something that did not have the slightest bit of his musical tone in it anywhere. Since this is so present in 2015 so, I guess I expected Modest Mouse to divert from their grungy post-punk progressive rock sound and give us the "2015 version of themselves". But they didn't do that, and I was elated to hear that. Strangers to Ourselves is mysterious and bittersweet. There is a nice mix of uptempo and downtempo tracks all with that eerie undertone we have always recognized and loved them for. 6) Ratchet by Shamir
Shamir's debut album Ratchet released on May 19th, 2015. I first heard Shamir in March when I found him on NPR's "SXSW Artist to Watch" List, and I have been hooked ever since. His music is recognizable for his androgynous sounding voice and impeccable production quality. Shamir alone was responsible for all rapping, singing and production on the album. Ratchet is upbeat indie pop electronica, and I cannot think of any artist who has given us something that sounds anything like this before. This level of innovation is especially impressive for a debut album and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.
7) <|°_°|> by "Caravan Palace"
Caravan Palace released <|°_°|> on October 16, 2015 and I swear I don't only like it for its genius album title. This marked the release of their third album continuing to pave the way for the the electro-swing/jazztronica genre. This album will make you want to get the hell up and dance.
8) Beat Tape 2 by Tom Misch
Beat Tape 2 was released by Tom Misch on August 18, 2015. It is the perfect chill and soothing downtempo album to put on during a mid summer day while hanging with your friends. The sounds are gentle and melodious. 9) The Wanderings of the Avener by The Avener
The Avener redefines the sounds of electronica with his album The Wanderings of the Avener. As a deep house producer, he composes tasteful guitar rifts with unique and exciting vocal samples to produce something incredibly fluid. His music is absolutely hypnotic. In my opinion, he stands out impressively among a plethora of trendy DJ's attempting to hit this nail on the head.
10) Uptown Special by Mark Ronson
For me, the most impressive thing Mark Ronson does with this album lies in the versatility of his collaborations. He brings in artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Mystikal to Bruno Mars to Kevin Parker. Ronson never sacrifices the style or tone of his collaborator in any of the tracks and they pull together for a pretty unique and sexy album.
Múm is an experimental pop-electronica group from Iceland that released "We have a Map of the Piano" on their second album titled Finally We Are No One in 2002. The track starts with a mysterious percussion and progresses to what almost sounds like a classical piece. The beat is ambient and downtempo combined with delicate and whispery female vocals.
Sounds similar to Aphex Twin, Cocorosie Happy listening :)
MF
Grammy nominated Stephen Zhu, better known as ZHU absolutely never ceases to impress me. He is so experimental within the electronic space without ever compromising melody or fluidity in the production of his tracks. Plus, he's got those incredibly cool sultry & delicate vocals that pair ever so nicely with his beats.
"Testerosa Music", is his most recently released track and its pretty firrrrrre. It's got great energy and movement throughout like his previous track release "As Crazy as it Is" but instead of the reggae edge he gives us a progressive rock bassline.
Moon Hooch is a Brooklyn-based trio consisting of 2 Saxophonists and 1 drummer. The three musicians met and created the band while attending the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music in 2010. Their sound combines a mix of instrumental jazz, jam dance music, and edgy rock. Moon Hooch announced themselves as a new genre that they like to call "cave music."
"Number 9" is the first track off of their self-titled debut album released in 2013, in which 10 of the 14 tracks are nameless (Number x), numbers in neither ascending or descending order. "Number 9" begins with the voice generated NYC subway alert that the train is arriving:
"Ladies and gentleman, the next L train is now arriving on the
Manhattan-bound track. Please stand away from the platform edge"
It is interesting they decided to sample this since before the release of their first album they got their start as street performers commonly found in front of the Met or down in the NYC subway stations (meaning this repetitive phrase was engrained in their heads even more than your typical New Yorker). The track is an a catchy, energetic brassy tune with a dynamic percussion. Its exciting and textured and it makes me want to dance!
Moon Taxi is an alternative indie rock band from Nashville that recently released their 4th album. "All Day & All Night" is off the brand new album Daybreaker. The melody provides an uplifting and playful energy good when you are in the mood for a nice easy listen.
Neil Young is an artist that has really aged well for me, Growing up, I expressed an avid interest in the rock & roll music my parents played but blues/folk took a little longer to resonate with me. Neil Young's music took even longer and I found myself connecting to it on a track by track basis. The first Neil Young song I ever loved was "Albuquerque" and this track "Razor Love" was the second.
I discovered "Razor Love" while watching the show Transparent (which happens to have one of the best soundtracks ever produced). There is just something so special about this brassy gentle melody that startles the spirit and fills the listener with sharp emotion. Its absolutely beautiful.
CAROLINE SMITH is an indie folk singer/songwriter from Minneapolis. "Bloodstyle" is a relaxing down-tempo track with a simple but serene bassline. Happy listening :) MF
JonathanWilson is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist & keyboardist who made his debut into the recording industry in a 1999 with a band called Muscadine. Muscadine released one album that rendered unsuccessful and quickly split up. Wilson's solo albums were well received by critics and he had the ability to work with some big names like Erykah Badu, Phil Lesh, and Elvis Costello. His music a soft, bluesy folk rock retrospective to rock music that came out of the late 60's/early 70s. "Desert Raven" is a track off Jonthan Wilson's 2011 album titled Gentle Spirit. The track starts with a mysterious intro that stirs the imagination before it progresses into this perfectly gentle bluesy melody. Happy listening :) MF
I've been listening to the group YO LA TENGO for a few years now but haven't really given them the time of day until recently. My first listen was when the track "Leaving Home" was added to a playlist by a friend in 2011 and my next wave of interest sparked after the track "I'll Be Around"was featured on the Boyhood soundtrack. Recently, I started listening to their most recent album and this time I am hooked.
YO LA TENGO has released a total of 12 albums since their first in 1986 and each album is exceptionally well done. They have really ventured into multiple genres over the years with an apparent heavy influence from my all time favorite THE VELVET UNDERGROUND. There most recent album Stuff Like that There is a careful blend of edgy rock and soothing melodic pop. The type of music good for any time, any day, any mood.
Stream YO LA TENGO's most recent album Stuff Like That There below:
Funkadelic & Soul Clap teamed up to release their 'In Da Kar' EP earlier this year. Although, Funkadelic has been toured fairly recently, this was the first music release in almost 30 years. The track "Peep This" mixed with Soul Clap and featuring Nick Monaco, G Koop & Greg Paulus definitely lives up to the funky reputation.
Eels are one of my favorite 90's alt. rock bands best known for their song "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues". Their music has been frequently used in teen movies & TV series likely due to the passion and emotion it evokes.
The track Guest List is off of their 1996 album "Beautiful Freak". True to the title, the lyrics and melodies are generally pretty dark and cynical full of juxtapositions and tormented messages. Guest List is no exception. This track specifically resonates with me due to its powerful imagery you can imagine through the lyrics and the gentle melody.
Are you one of the beautiful people? Is my name on the list? Wanna be one of th beautiful people. Wanna feel like I'm missed. Sounds similar to: Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel
Astronauts, etc. is a relatively under the radar solo melodic-pop singer/producer. "No Justice" was released as an independent single in addition to earlier single "I Know" also released independently in 2015.
This track's sound is consistent to his earlier releases providing a complex melody yet a delicate essence. The vocals and synth coupled with the lyrics of a soul heartbroken can put the listener in a bit of a melancholy mood.
Sounds similar to: Inc. ,Glasser, Portugual, the Man
Happy Listening :)
MF
If you like Nu-Jazz electronica and you haven't checked out Parov Stelar's new album 'The Demon Diaries' yet then you are in for a treat.
Marcus Fueder, better know as Parov Stelar has been in the DJ game since late 90's and was one of the earlier DJs to test the waters with Jazztronica/Electro-Swing. The Austrian producer has been critically acclaimed for his sounds novelty and has been highly revered as one of the best live DJ acts to see live. Clap Your Hands was first released as a part of an EP and is recorded on the newly released full album 'Demon Diaries'. It's exciting uptempo jazzy beat makes it virtually impossible to not move your body.
Sounds Similar to: Nikki & Rich, Caravan Palace, Goldfish Happy Listening :)
MF
I'm not sure that I will ever be able to wrap my head around this one. It sort of makes me questions everything in life I ever thought I knew to be true.
Otis Redding originally recorded "Respect" Aretha Franklin covered it.
Mind.
Blown.
While I love Otis and have the highest possible magnitude of respect for him as a musician, Aretha owns this song. She brought it to life in a way that no other singer ever could have. You will notice this version lacks the R_E_S_P_E_C_T which was an addition by Franklin. Its interesting that a song that is a seemingly powerful feminist landmark was actually written by a man.
Otis recorded "Respect" in 1965 and Aretha Franklin popularized it in 1967.
Happy listening :) MF
My Morning Jacket is an alternative psychadelic indie rock band from Kentucky. On Monday 5/4 they released their seventh album 'The Waterfall'. The album album is awesome so definitely check it out. The track that stood out to me the most was "Tropics (Erase Traces)". It has a bluesy harmonic vibe with undertones of whispering mysteriousness. Jim James' vocals come in at around 1:30 with powerful lyrics and later at around 3:50 he comes in with an awesome guitar solo.
Similar to: Arcade Fire, The National, Dr. Dog Happy Listening :)
MF
Ruth Brown better known during the 50's as "Miss Rhythm" was an acoustic blues/soul singer during the golden years of jazz. Her music is a delicate blend of R&B, pop and jazz. Although during the 60's and 70's she fell out of the music scene and the public eye to take care of her children she experienced a an enormous revival in the early 80s. The sound of Ruth's voice with the gentle melodic tune is tender and mysterious.
