We have every kind of year. Hip hop years, R&B comeback years, Indie Rock years, Experimental years, Pop years.
Last year I said that indie music was dead and that everybody was looking for the underground in different places, the Internet has changed the way we experience music; we’re less patient and have a bigger thirst.
2014 was the year of the unexpected, who knew that The War On Drugs were going to make such a big album with such critical acclaim? Even when it came to mainstream, Beyoncé releasing an album out of the blue was unexpected. Hip Hop was quiet, no new respected artist was releasing albums, in fact, only Freddie Gibbs & Madlib and Run The Jewels returning filled the void of seasoned rappers, Flying Lotus was an expected interesting album. R&B shined with obscure stars like FKA Twigs and Tinashe. But everything was either new or unexpected.
I found myself gravitating towards mainstream music to find new stuff and I got surprised a lot of the times. Taylor Swift didn’t make a great album, in my opinion, but some of the best songs of the year. I was impressed even by the chilled R&B album that Nick Jonas released to claim the absent male heartthrob in pop music with absences of Justin Timberlake (now too old and married) or Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas has released great singles with that Frank Ocean vibe.
We also had seasoned artists with great songs but weak albums (in my opinion) J Macsis and Beck come to mind, Beck had a great album that fell down after a few listens and didn’t stick with people.
A lot of this artist will be missing in my playlist, no Nick Jonas, no J Macsis, no Beck, no Nicki Minaj, no Iggy Azealia. To the more obscure spectrum Dean Blunt, Fear Of Men, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Actress and Temples are missing as well. It was a great year for metal music as well; from the southern black metal of Panopticon to the hellish doom of Yob and Pallbearer, all missing.
I’m sorry I can’t have everything in the list, but I try to make it as varied and democratic as possible. I’d like to know what did I miss that you loved?
Let’s end this with some predictions: 2015 will have big names in hip hop back: Kendrick Lamar and Joey Bada$$ are the two I’ll be waiting the most, we’ll also have another Kanye album, always good stuff. Indie rock will have the year of Courtney Bennett, DIIV and Tame Impala in what could be their attempt of a Merriweather Post Pavilion type album. Years & Years could surprise everyone with a good synth pop album design for a different club experience. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen with new acts like Leon Bridges and TĀLĀ as well. But it will probably be a great year for R&B with Frank Ocean. Miguel and The Weeknd coming back to fight it out (will D’Angelo finally join the fight in 2015?). Experimental music will have a new Panda Bear album and a pop side of Grimes, also Joanna Newsom will be back as well (very excited about that). Björk will be back teaming up with Arca and, after her phantom collaboration with Death Grips, I’m curious to see what will she do next. Will Madonna be back with a “political” album? (Fingers crossed).
I really wish to see if Spooke Black releases some new material as well, maybe an LP? And speaking about under 21 kids, the Smith kids, Jaden and Willow; will they make something obscure and interesting? Azekel is another name you should keep in mind.
There’s plenty to look forward; but in the mean time stream the best of 2014 below. Let’s #BreakTheInternet with this music.
Subwaywalk 