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.
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.
You may think Percussions the DJ sounds similar to something you've heard on my blog before although this is my first post of any of his tracks. However, Percussions really is just Four Tet disguised as his alter ego. Not sure why exactly he chose to release various tracks under a different name but regardless of his name, he comes through with that same incredibly captivating trancy electronic sound. "Digital Appreggios" is his latest release from August of this year. Its melody is sophisticated and mystical as we've seen previously from Four Tet but with a much more playful and energetic vibe that will put you into the happiest of moods.
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!
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
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
If you are big into acoustic folk, then you can join me and relish in the sound of The Wood Brothers and the track 'Postcards from Hell'. The track is tender and bluesy with a beat that sounds a bit like a Bob Dylan song.
