Obvious choice really, but I'll be damned if I haven't heard another release that has exceeded all my expectations. I enjoyed Exmilitary quite a bit last year but I credit The Money Store in only adding to my appreciation for that release.
But aside from that, The Money Store itself is an excellent release that is worthy of its hype and praise. Essentially expanding upon the noise hip-hop sound that their previous release touched upon, this album simply pushes the boundaries of what is actually considered 'hip-hop' all while being catchy as fuck. I guarantee this will be on my end of the year list and the best part is Death Grips have one more album to release this year.
Favorite tracks: Lost Boys, Hacker, Get Got, Double Helix, Bitch Please, The Fever (Aye Aye)
Protip: I pretty much love the entire thing.
Moonface - With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery
I had a huge revival of Spencer Krug's sadly in-hiatus band Sunset Rubdown just recently this year while replaying both Shut Up I am Dreaming and Random Spirit Lover and grew a huge new love for Dragonslayer after previously only enjoying a few tracks. Needless to say, I never really cared much about his Moonface project, thinking it was just something to pass the time while he would eventually return to Sunset Rubdown in a year or so.
Well it's been about three years and Sunset Rubdown is indefinitely stuck in 2009 while Moonface is releasing their second album, Heartbreaking Bravery. Color me surprised when I find out that this new release bears no resemblance to Sunset Rubdown's mythical prog rock leanings. Well I wasn't actually surprised, but what did was the sheer emotional nature of this album. I have to say, this is a SAD record (I dare you not to feel anything on the album closer 'Lay Your Cheek On Down').
Krug sings directly and the songs are huge, muscular, and repetitive until you get the picture of no hope. While I can understand if this isn't a hit at parties, it certainly gives me something to party about as I await the next evolution for Spencer Krug's musical career.
Favorite Tracks: Heartbreaking Bravery, Yesterday's Fire, Shitty City, Lay Your Cheek On Down
Portico Quartet - Portico Quartet
A nice blend of electronics with modern jazz sounds, Portico Quartet's self-titled album is complex and layered as it is organic and effortless. This album provides some very memorable songs and soundscapes that incorporate a healthy mix of electronic and acoustic instruments that will capture your imagination. One of the earliest releases that I got into this year and will definitely be heard throughout the rest of it.
Favorite tracks: Rubidium, Spinner, Lacker Boo, Steepless
Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife
The latest release by experimental band Kayo Dot was actually one of the earliest new releases I heard this year and while I really want to consider it an album that is more than the sum of its parts, there are a lot of things from keeping it from being memorable. The production is very flat due to being recorded mostly from live performances, and if that isn't enough, the majority of the album is mixed too messily to really piece out what is going on. These factors sadly make much of the album seem like a giant blur rather than separate songs.
Yet even with these setbacks there are good points throughout, the unique brand of experimental metal that Kayo Dot is known for is pretty much present and is still enjoyable, the opening track 'Lethe' is extremely beautiful and is easily the best track, and the album itself doesn't overstay it's short welcome. All in all, a decent release that for some reason holds a soft spot in me.
Favorite tracks: Lethe, Mirror Water Lightning Night, Gamma Knife
Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP
A short and sudden release by Department of Eagles/Grizzly Bear's Daniel Rossen, Silent Hour/Golden Mile serves as a sort of snapshot for the singer-songwriter's current direction. Filled to the brim with bright, beautiful and punchy acoustic guitar, shimmering woodwinds and brass, and Rossen's rich vocal, the release could easily pass off as either of his two projects.
But what sets this release apart is this paradoxical sense of intimacy that you wouldn't expect from what sounds like 'full band' songs. Personally, I'm reminded of Elliot Smith's 'full band' releases on some of the tracks and the unique personality that Rossen puts into his guitar playing really nods to Smith's own skills. It's tough to say whether this is simply a one-off or the beginning for a solo career since Grizzly Bear is actually rumored to release a new album this year. One thing is clear though, we'll be hearing from Daniel Rossen in one form or another and for that I am excited.
Favorite Tracks: Silent Song, Saint Nothing
You Slut! - Medium Bastard
Coming in at just barely over 25 minutes, You Slut! provide a quick jab to the ears with their instrumental math rock. Memorable, complex and not over-bearing, the band arrange their songs in an effortless manner that kept me both satisfied and wanting more at the same time. Some of the songs are extremely gorgeous and literally made me stop in my tracks at times to question if what I was hearing was really going on. On the other side of the spectrum You Slut! also create some very heavy sounding songs, so the balance of the album is kept and saves it from monotony. Overall a great release that I will hopefully grow to appreciate more.
Favorite Tracks: Fifzteen, Let's Do 'Do The What Now?' Now, Shopping Placenta
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
The closest thing I've heard that resembled 90's emo and post-hardcore to an almost eerie extent. I'll never fathom how exactly Cloud Nothings came from, what I think was, shitty lo-fi indie pop into the fully fledged beast they CAN be. Granted, not all of the songs here are amazing or in-your-face as I'd like, some even annoy the fuck out of me ('Fall In'). But if this album is just a taste of what is to come, I can wait.
Favorite tracks: No Future/No Past, Wasted Days, Stay Useless
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