25 by AdeleLet's start with the biggest, and most anticipated record of the year, Adele's 25. I am a huge Adele fan, and while I don't think 25 lived up to her 2011 release, 21, there is still a lot to love here. "Hello" is in the running for song of the year and it's a record that I've enjoyed listening to on repeated visits. I should warn you, I don't listen to commercial radio, so I didn't get hit with her songs a million times. It's why I can enjoy this record and all the songs I still love from 21 without going crazy.
Traveller by Chris StapletonCritic Ann Powers is a huge fan of this record, and I first heard it on NPR's All Song's Considered. I had not heard of Chris Stapleton before, but it turns out he has been around a while. He is a well known singer songwriter in Nashville and has penned songs for many well know country stars. He was also in a bluegrass band called SteelHead, before going solo. This is his first solo record. To me it's like that Sturgill Simpson record I loved from last year, country music for people that do not usually like country music (or do not like country music made since the 80's). Stapleton has a great voice, and his songs are instant country classics that take me back to the likes of Willie and Waylon or George Jones.
Black Messiah by D'AngeloBlack Messiah is that record that made me go back and buy all the previous records this artist has ever made. Sadly, this is only D'Angelo's third record in 20 years. His first record Brown Sugar came out in 1995 to huge critical acclaim, and then it was five years until Voodoo was released, all along the way there were rumors that it would be released at any time. Then he didn't disappear entirely, but every year, a story would come out that a new record was on the way. Fifteen years later Black Messiah finally hit the selves. The shorthand description of his music is neo-soul, where hip hop meets old school R&B - think Marvin Gaye meets Prince.
2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. ColeTechnically this is a late 2014 record, but I don't think very many people heard it until 2015. 2104 Forest Hills Drive is J. Cole's childhood address growing up in North Carolina. He is a smart guy who got a scholarship to college, but wanted to pursue music so bad he basically camped outside Jay Z's office until he got an introduction. It paid off as he was the first artist Jay Z signed to his record label. This is his third record; I was not very familiar with his earlier work, but from what I have heard this is by far his most personal record. And that is what drew me in, the stories he tells and honesty he displays are different and very refreshing in todays hip hop world. There is no false bravado here, J Cole put his heart into this record.
Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan StevensSufjan Stevens is a critics darling, every record he puts out gets great reviews, but he doesn't seem to have reached a huge audience yet, maybe this is the record to do it. I think it can also be put in the "long awaited" category, as Stevens put out a record a year from 2000-2010, then took five years to drop Carrie & Lowell. The record is a collection of songs that explore the loss of his mother and stepfather. As heavy as that sounds, the music is not hard to listen to, it is beautiful and moving. It's a record that I kept coming back to, and finding new layers ever time.
Something More Than Free by Jason IsbellIf you have read previous editions of this blog, you will know I gushed over Jason Isbell's 2013 record Southeastern; it was my co-record of the year with James Blake's Overgrown. Something More than Free is an excellent follow up, it's not as deeply personal, but there are still a lot of great songs. In fact "24 Frames" get's my nod for song of the year, with one if my favorite lyrics of the year: you thought God was a architect/now you know/he's something like a pipe bomb ready to blow.
Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Think by Courtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett is from Melbourne, Australia and she does not try to hide her accent. This is her first full length record, I loved her 2013 Double EP Sea of Split Seas, with one of my favorite all time songs, "Avant Gardner," so I was excited to grab this record up and it did not disappoint. It's pretty simple, straight-forward songwriting that reminds me of my favorite 80's musicians.
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Sometimes your favorite records also include the critics choice for best record, and this is the case with Kendrick Lamar's follow up to the excellent, Good Kid, M.A.D.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly. It's an important record as well as a great record to listen to. "King Kunta" is my favorite song of the year, but "Alright" is the song that had the biggest impact, serving as the sound track for the Black Lives Matter. The record has some dips, but the best songs are better than anything else I have heard this year.
Sprinter by TorresThis is the second record from Mackenzie Scott, who preforms under the name Torres. She has a very powerful voice and there are great musicians and production behind her on this record, as she teamed up with PJ Harvey's crew to create a much fuller sound. That said, I think she owes more to Patti Smith than PJ. There are also a lot of religious overtures that weave their way throughout the record. Bottom line, Scott rocks and you should listen to this record really loud.
Vulnicura by BjorkLast but certainly not least is the latest release from the enigmatic Bjork, Vulnicura. I first saw Bjork perform as part of the Sugarcubes back when I was in college, and I would never have guessed that she'd be the one making amazing music almost 30 years later. I don't have all her records, but I the ones I do have I really love, and this is a great addition. If 21 was how Adele does breakup songs, Vulnicura is how Bjok does them. It's an intense record and deserves multiple listenings.
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