#jeff rosenstock aoty

[godsavetheanimalz]

my (personal) favorite albums of 2023!!! 1. Jeff Rosenstock - HELLMODE 2. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin 3. Liturgy - 93696 4. Anohni - My Back Was a Bridge For You To Cross 5. Geese - 3D Country 6. Snõõper - Super Snõõper 7. Billy Woods & Kenny Segal - Maps 8. Lonnie Holley - Oh Me Oh My 9. Sprain - The Lamb as Effigy 10. Sampha - Lahai 11. Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter - SAVED! 12. JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES 13. Squid - O Monolith 14. Wednesday - Rat Saw God 15. Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We 16. Kara Jackson - Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? 17. Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You 18. Genesis Owusu - STRUGGLER 19. Indigo De Souza - All of This Will End 20. Underscores - Wallsocket 21. 100 gecs - 10,000 gecs 22. Paramore - This Is Why 23. King Krule - sPacE hEavy 24. Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me 25. grouptherapy. - i was mature for my age, but i was still a child 26. Parannoul - After the Magic 27. Spiritual Cramp - Spiritual Cramp 28. The Armed - Perfect Saviors 29. Screaming Females - Desire Pathway 30. Jeromes Dream - The Gray In Between 31. Alice Longyu Gao - Let's Hope Heteros Fail, Learn and Retire 32. Zach Bryan - Zach Bryan 33. amaarae - Fountain Baby 34. feeble little horse - Girl With Fish 35. Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS 36. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are 37. squirrel flower - Tomorrow's Fire 38. Frost Children - Hearth Room 39. Hotline TNT - Cartwheel 40. Snow Strippers - April Mixtape 3

[cheddar-baby]

Cheddar's AOTY 2023

Titles under the read more

1. HMLTD - The Worm 2. Sampha - Lahai 3. Kara Jackson - Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? 4. Kali Uchis - Red Moon in Venus 5. Dorian Electra - Fanfare 6. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin 7. Underscores - Wallsocket 8. Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good! 9. Dev Lemons - Delusional 10. EABS - In Search of a Better Tomorrow 11. George Clanton - Ooh Rap I Ya 12. Marina Herlop - Nekkuja 13. Ana Frango elétrico - Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua 14. Yoni Mayraz - Dybbuk Tse! 15. Maruja - Knocknarea 16. O. - Slice 17. CMAT - Crazymad, For Me 18. Magdalena Bay - mini mix vol. 3 19. Oneohtrix Point Never - Again 20. JPEGMAFIA - scaring the hoes 21. Paramore - This Is Why 22. McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? 23. Billy Woods - Maps 24. SLAUSON MALONE 1 - EXCELSIOR 25. Fever Ray - Radical Romantics 26. Chini.png - El día libre de Polux 27. Shame - Food For Worms 28. feeble little horse - Girl With Fish 29. Geese - 3D Country 30. Lauren Auder - the infinite spine 31. urias - HER MIND 32. Yves Tumor - Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) 33. Speakers Corner Quartet - Further Out Than The Edge 34. The Go! Team - Get Up Sequences Part Two 35. Jeff Rosenstock - HELLMODE 36. Rebecca Black - Let Her Burn 37. Doja Cat - Scarlet 38. SPARKLE DIVISION - FOXY 39. Ballaké Sissoko - Les Égarés (with Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Emile Parisien & Vincent Peirani) 40. Genesis Owusu - STRUGGLER 41. 100 gecs - 10,000 gecs 42. grouptherapy. - I Was Mature For My Age, But I Was Still a Child 43. Ukandanz - Kemekem (ከመከም) 44. Meitei - Kofū III 45. Liv.e - Girl In The Half Pearl 46. Feist - Multitudes 47. Le Cri du Caire - Le Cri du Caire 48. katie dey - never falter hero girl 49. CHAI - CHAI 50. Yussef Dayes - Black Classical Music

[ransomnote]

RANSOMNOTE'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2023

this year was, despite everything, an incredible year for music. i haven't had a top 10 AOTY list this stacked since i started making lists. this is my comprehensive list of albums from this year i think everyone should listen to. there are some well known picks on here as well as some more obscure choices that nevertheless blew my face clean off.

10. Voir Dire - Earl Sweatshirt, The Alchemist

earl sweatshirt has never once disappointed me honestly. the production combined with the lyrics and the way this album flows is comforting yet confrontational and everything i've come to expect from ES. my only critique is that i wish there was more variety with regards to the speed of the songs themselves. that being said, the hypnotic nature of the sound can hold its own.

rate: 8/10

fave track: mancala (feat. vince staples)

9. PUNK TACTICS - Joey Valence & Brae

this album is hard to describe as anything other than really fucking fun. like have you ever seen, watched, or listened to a piece of art and felt in your soul that the people who made is had the time of their lives making it? that's punk tactics. these two bring the sound of 80s-90s east coast alt hip hop into 2023 in a way that doesn't feel like they're just rehashing the sound of beastie boys. i can't wait to see what else comes out of these two. that being said, i worry that a few of the samples utilizing memes popular between january-august 2023 are going to date this album.

rate: 8.3/10

fave track: STARTAFIGHT

8. everything is alive - Slowdive

so. with a track record like theirs, there was no way slowdive was going to put out something bad. and i was right! they didn't! though i still prefer their 90s albums a bit more probably solely based on nostalgia, this album is a fascinating and beautiful translation of their signature slowcore style into 2023. these musicians and their sound have evolved so much, and this album is a reflection of that growth. for critiques, i would say i don't find myself revisiting this album as much as i do slowdive's other work, and i'm not sure why. maybe its just me.

rate: 8.4/10

fave track: the slab

7. HELLMODE - Jeff Rosenstock

jeff rosenstock is known for exploring different genres, from punk to folk to metal to indie rock to ska. this album does that in a way i've never heard from him before. this album switches genres not just between songs, but mid-song sometimes. it keeps you on your toes for sure, but manages to sound cohesive and like it belongs together. to put it lightly, it's great. i was really worried with how he was going to follow up no dream/ska dream, and those fears have been effectively proven wrong. the only thing i would really change about this album is the track order, but that's so nitpicky i don't feel like getting into it.

rate: 8.6/10

fave track: LIKED U BETTER

6. SCARING THE HOES - JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown

before i say anything else: peggy and danny brown hip hop duo of the year. i am not debating that with anyone. ok now we can start. oh my god this album. it's not exactly controversial to say that 2023 was one of the best years for experimental and alternative rap and hip hop on record, and i think this album shows all of that. the best part of this album in my opinion (though almost every aspect of it is a standout) is the sampling. i have never in my life heard sampling innovated like this. these two have turned what was already an art form into something almost like a sport. i don't have a critique as much as i have advice: develop this. don't let it stagnate here. these two are on the cusp of genre revolutionizing shit.

rate: 8.8/10

fave track: garbage pale kids

5. Appearance - peopling

i feel like i have to explain this album. have you ever played electric guitar or any instrument that gets run through an amp and heard it pick up radio waves traveling through the air while plugged in? this album does that intentionally. which. ok let me pick the pieces of my skull off the floor. this album makes me feel like i'm listening to ghosts talking, and in a way, i am. i don't know what to critique about it because i've never heard anything like it in my life. please go listen to this.

rate: 9/10

fave track: cRIPpLinG dEBt PArTy

4. Javelin - Sufjan Stevens

this is such an instant classic sufjan stevens album. i love it. i don't have a lot to say beyond that because i feel like you could take any sufjan stevens album, pick out what's so great about it, and copy and paste that for every album of his. that being said, it's not stale. there's a distinct fairytale sound that's distinct from the ethereal sound of earlier projects that gets combined with a healthy dose of warranted cynicism given how rough this year has been for stevens. go cry to this.

rate: 9.3/10

fave track: tie between shit talk and javelin (to have and to hold)

3. This Is Why - Paramore

after after laughter in 2017, my only question for paramore was "how are they going to top this?" the band certainly took their sweet time answering that question, but with what we got, i can't complain. hayley williams is, as always, a complete powerhouse, but that didn't need to be said. you can tell how much new wave, specifically the likes of talking heads, influenced the artistic direction of this album. it's a new sound for paramore, a band that refuses to stagnate it seems, and i can't get enough of it. i don't yearn for old paramore the same way i yearn for, say, old fall out boy or old green day because their new stuff is just. better. i don't want to hear a scene veteran yap about how nostalgia is what keeps the bills paid ever again.

rate: 9.4/10

fave track: you first

2. Fat Chance - Mr. Phylzzz

i had never heard of this band before my friend trixie and i made the last minute decision to see them live opening for the melvins and boris. their set consisted mainly of songs off this album, and what a fucking set it was. i enjoyed them more than both the acts that followed. this duo has an intense stage presence on par with groups like mcr and death grips, and that translates into their music even when it's not live. this is 2023 post-hardcore punk perfection that makes you feel like you're being chased by dogs. with guns. gundogs. seriously, if i put you on to one band with this post, i hope its them.

rate: 9.7/10

fave track: tie between dirty hands and insisting

1. Census Designated - Jane Remover

coming out of nowhere with the steel chair at the end of october, this album makes me feel things that i can't classify as normal. i will never be normal about this album. ever. it's cemented itself as not just my album of the year, but as one of my favorite albums of all time. the pushing of her already so solid hyperpop sound into grunge territory is. i can't describe it as anything other than insane. this album demands your attention while simultaneously making a point to demand nothing. it's as contemporary and 2023 as it gets, and yet i think it's going to age beautifully. this is, without a doubt in my mind, the best album of 2023. listen to it before i lose my mind.

rate: 10/10

fave track: fling

well! that wraps it up! i'm going into 2024 with my standards set high. let me know if you think i snubbed or overlooked anyone! when the world is the most turbulent, the greatest art gets made. heres to a more peaceful 2024 and free that motherfucking palestine <3

[39oa]

3, 22? ☺️

hehe thank you anon!

3. favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year? good question... (thinking) i feel like i mainly returned to a lot of established favorites in 2023 but i just discovered jeff rosenstock HELLMODE yesterday which is not actually aoty but does win Realest Shit aoty from me. also discovered cowgirl clue who is lots of fun imo

22. favorite place you visited this year? montreal :') have only ever been in the winter when i was much younger but i went in the summer this time and was like this is literally the most beautiful city in the world *__* i'd love to return for the gp next year but it's a very tentative plan LOL (<- doesn't have tickets)

[refrigeratorsong]

the albums i listened to most in 2023, and my favorite first time watches of 2023.

i consumed a lot of media this year due to a chronic illness that left me home bound for a bit. but it did jumpstart my love for music. i listened to more music this year than i have since 2013, and it feels good to have kept up with new releases and to have found so many new favorites from years before. even with that illness being much more manageable now, i’m hoping to keep listening as much as i can. My AOTY is probably a tie between Katie Dey’s ‘Never Falter Hero Girl’ and Jeff Rosenstock’s ‘Hellmode’. two enormous blasts of loud emotion.

as for film, i actually watched less this year than last, but found way more all time favorites. The Red Shoes is a fuckin classic that literally every human should watch. I’ve Heard The Mermaids Singing, What Happened Was…, and May are all criminally under seen and underrated weirdo movies that i love with all my heart.

[eraserheadbabycat]

What have you been listening to lately? :>

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of amazing albums from 2023 like Hellmode by Jeff Rosenstock or Javelin by Sufjan Stevens as I make my AOTY list!

I’ve also been relistening to a lot of late 80’s and 90’s hip hop, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and Public Enemy etc.

[caninegoodnight]

diy emo themme chic i don't think i'd ever walk around with this much hair in my face without having to brush it to the side but it fell this way and i went "huh i kinda like how this looks". if you're into diy emo you should check out "goodness gracious" by back up kid. my friend tommy showed them to me and it's rlly good. the shirt i'm wearing is for "n o d r e a m" by jeff rosenstock which isn't really emo but it's a rlly rlly good punk record. my 2020 AOTY. his album WORRY. is the best album ever made if you like jazz and people shouting and sometimes singing softly listen to the Taxpayers. you won't regret it. start with To Risk So Much For One Damn Meal anyways music corner over. good luck with fdoc (at Chapel Hill, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKOwXVXJanY/?igshid=1gkwovl9033n1

[youwillcallher]

2 and 9? 💖💖🤠

2. Album of the year? omg abby thank u for asking this i love any opportunity to ramble about my music but i’m gonna keep it to the point so i don’t blink and find out i wrote a whole ass essay so….top AOTYs are (in no order!)

twin fantasy (face-to-face) by car seat headrestbark your head off, dog by hop alongbe the cowboy by mitskipillar of na by saintsenecapost- by jeff rosenstockabysskiss by adrienne lenkerwide awake! by parquet courtsroom 25 by nonametell me how you really feel by courtney barnettearth to ursa major by jordaan mason (i’m gonna ramble a bit about this one bc they’re one of the most underrated artists i know and this album deserves waaay more recognition than it’s received! this album was such an incredibly moving piece of art that greatly impacted my year and helped me survive it. no one really knows them but they’re fantastic! kind of an acquired taste tho but uh check them out to support an incredible nonbinary singer songwriter who writes literally some of the most raw, meaningful, and beautiful songs about the day to day struggles of living w mental illness that i’ve literally ever seen. i cld go on for hours here so i’m cuttin it off)

OKAY I’LL SHUT UP NOW

9. Best month for you this year?march for sure!! externally (like socially etc.) the year was pretty awful throughout but my Attitude and just general Vibe was best for sure in march – it was kind of like a “fuck it, i’m just gonna be myself and do what i want and not care about acceptance and be unabashedly interested in things i care about etc” and that like clearly didn’t last lmao but it was nice while it did! definitely the best month in hindsight just because of the attitude shift during it bc honestly this year was not a good one LMAO and kinda just got even worse as it went on somehow but it’s almost done so! 

[godsavetheanimalz]

okay, actually redid my aoty list bc i totally forgot some incredible albums i loved that this year that deserved to be on the list 💞💞💞

my actual aoty list:

1. japanese breakfast - julibee

2. spellling - the turning wheel

3. little simz - sometimes i might be introvert

4. sloppy jane - madison

5. turnstile - glow on

6. low - hey what

7. injury reserve - by the time i get to phoenix

8. JPEGMAFIA - LP!

9. st. vincent - daddy’s home

10. jeff rosenstock - ska dream

11. grouper - shade

12. lingua ignota - sinners get ready

13. genesis owusu - smiling with no teeth

14. backxwash - i lie here buried with my rings and my dresses

15. tyler, the creator - call me if you get lost

16. black midi - cavalade

17. sufjan stevens & angelo de augustine - a beginner’s mind

18. illuminati hotties - let me do one more

19. snail mail -valentine

20. julien baker - little oblivions

(still not putting the four arca albums bc honestly it’s not even fair)

[innovacancy]

2018 AOTY List and More!

Click the “keep reading” link to see the innovacancy official 2018 breakdown.

Albums of the Year

IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance

Mitski – Be the Cowboy

Car Seat Headrest – Twin Fantasy: Face to Face

Iceage – Beyondless

shame – Songs of Praise

Daughters – You Won’t Get What You Want

Bambara – Shadow on Everything

Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death in Meatspace

Death Grips – Year of the Snitch

Viagra Boys – Street Worms

Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!

Street Sects – The Kicking Mule

Goat Girl – s/t

Against All Logic – 2012-2017

JPEGMAFIA – Veteran

The Blinders – Columbia

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat – Riddles

Mount Eerie – Now Only

Beach House – 7

Lucy Dacus – Historian

Ought – Room Inside the World

LOMA – s/t

The Beths – Future Me Hates Me

Spiritual Cramp – Television

Moonface – This One’s for the Dancer…

Thom Yorke – Suspiria OST

U.S. Girls – In a Poem Unlimited

Young Fathers – Cocoa Sugar

Failure – In the Future…

Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel

Big Ups – Two Parts Together

Oh Sees – Smote Reverser

Jack White – Boarding House Reach

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino

of Montreal – White is Relic/Irrealis Mood

Son Lux – Brighter Wounds

Trashlight – Honey Insulation

Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer

The Soft Moon – Criminal

Shopping – The Official Body

Jack Ladder & the Dreamlanders – Blue Poles

Efrim Manuel Menuck – Pissing Stars

Tony Molina – Kill the Lights

Jeff Rosenstock – POST-

The Voidz – Virtue

Neko Case – Hell-On

Wye Oak – The Louder I Call, the Faster it Runs

Suuns – Felt

Suede – The Blue Hour

Camp Cope – How to Socialise & Make Friends

Shows of the Year:

Idles @ Rough Trade NYC and Brighton Music Hall

Mitski @ 3S Artspace

Show Me the Body @ Foo Fest 

shame @ Sinclair 

Antarctigo Vespucci @ Sinclair 

of Montreal @ 3S Artspace

Yacht @ Great Scott 

Priests @ Great Scott

Radiohead @ TD Garden (night 2)

Iceage @ Sinclair

Frightened Rabbit @ Sinclair

Street Sects @ AS220

The Voidz @ The MET

Car Seat Headrest @ Royale

Parquet Courts & Goat Girl @ Fete 

Angel Olsen @ Mass MoCA

Metz @ BMH 

DeVotchKa @ ONCE 

Okkervil River @ Royale 

Ought @ Sinclair

EPs of the Year:

HMLTD – Hate Music Last Time Delete

Twisted Ankle – Demo Two

boygenius – s/t

Protomartyr - Consolation

the Mountain Goats – Hex of Infinite Binding

Aphex Twin – Collapse

Heavy Lungs – Abstract Thoughts

Iron & Wine – Weed Garden

Songs of the Year:

IDLES – Never Fight A Man With a Perm

HMLTD – Proxy Love

Ought – Desire

Shame – Dust on Trial

Mitski – Nobody

JPEGMAFIA – Baby I’m Bleeding

Lucy Dacus – Timefighter

Fontaines DC – The Cuckoo is a-Callin’

Viagra Boys – Just Like You

Death Grips – Linda’s in Custody

[thethousandyeardoor]

2021 Album of the Year list

finished my AOTY list

was aiming for 30 then 40 and ended up at 50

(every album name is a link to one song)

Black Dresses - Forever In Your Heart

Black Country, New Road - For The First Time

Genesis Owusu - Smiling WIth No Teeth

Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview On Phenomenal Nature

Viagra Boys - Welfare Jazz

James Blake - Friends That Break Your Heart

Violet Cold - Empire of Love

Lil Ugly Mane - Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern

JPEGMafia - LP!

serpentwithfeet - DEACON

Squid - Bright Green Field

Turnstile - GLOW ON

The Armed - Ultrapop

Spellling - The Turning Wheel

BROCKHAMPTON - ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE

Converge & Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - LW

Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d’s Pee at State’s End

Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic

Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters

Vince Staples - Vince Staples

Aesop Rock & Blockhead - Garbology

Weezer - OK Human

Remi Wolf - Juno

Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee

Porter Robinson - Nurture

Jeff Rosenstock - SKA DREAM

Lil Nas X - MONTERO

LUMP - Animal

Injury Reserve - By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders - Promises

Deerhoof - Actually, You Can

black midi - Cavalcade

Sleigh Bells - Texis

Indigo De Souza - Any Shape You Take

Julien Baker - Little Oblivions

SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE - ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH

IDLES - CRAWLER

Sewerslvt - We Had Good Times Together, Don’t Forget That

slowthai - TYRON

Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club

Cloud Nothings - The Shadow I Remember

Laura Stevenson - Laura Stevenson

Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad of Dood & Juanita

The Mountain Goats - Dark In Here

King Gizzard & The LIzard Wizard - Butterfly 3000

Marissa Paternoster - Peace Meter

Zack Fox - shut the f**k up talking to me

also put it on a google doc

[thegreasypizzeria]

The Greasy Pizzeria Punk Rock Vinyl Club - Best of 2020. : : Here it is; the GP Top Ten. What a year. Some great records came out. Would have loved to grab more and see some shows too, but sometimes the universe has other plans. Everyone at the pizzeria stayed healthy this year, so that’s the biggest win. Let’s hope 2021 is slightly better. I’ll try to stay active on this account. It was hard to do it this year. Ok enough from me... here are the best records I picked up in 2020. : : 10) IDLES - “Super Mono.” Finally picked up an IDLES record and I get it – they kick ass. @idlesband 9) Soul Glo - “Songs to Yeet at the Sun.” Important band doing important things with brutal music as a backdrop. @soulglophl 8) Pottery - “Welcome to Bobby’s Motel.” A fucking dance party hosted by Talking Heads and Gang of Four. Really dig this one. @potteryband 7) Cowboys - “Room of Clons.” Super satisfying change of direction from a mature rock outfit. Easy to listen start to finish. @thecowboysband 6) Personality Cult – “New Arrows.” Full band debut knocks off socks and rocks the blocks. @personalitycultnc 5) The Lawrence Arms – “Skeleton Coast.” Scene veterans prove why everything the touch turns to gold. @thelawrencearms 4) Jeff Rosenstock – “No Dream.” My favorite musician surprising everyone with this slice of perfection. @jeffrosenstock 3) Private Function – “Who’s Line Is It Anyway.” Australian freak punks turned out a surprisingly poppy record full of bangers. Still on top. @privatefunction69 2) Chubby and the Gang – “Speed Kills.” Hardcore punk with harmonica breaks. No nonsense rock and roll that makes me feel tough(er). @chubbyandthegang 1) Dark Thoughts – “Must Be Nice.” Love, Loss, and introspection were on the menu for Philly’s Dark Thoughts. They’ve never put out a bad album and Must Be Nice is their absolute best record yet. @darkthoughtsusapunkofficial : : #punkrecords #punkvinyl #punkrockvinyl #punkrock #punk #nowspinning #recordcollector #recordcollection #vinylcollection #vinylcollector #vinylgram #vinylcommunity #vinyladdict #vinylrecords #vinyligclub #vinyljunkie #onmyturntable #instavinyl #listentothis #nowplaying #aoty (at New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJe7669M8Go/?igshid=1le7ecdrgmh7l

[jaketheaudiophile]

Best Albums of 2020

Hello again friends! Another year has passed and therefore it’s time to reflect on the music and art we enjoyed in the past 12 months. Per my annual tradition, I’m dusting off this ol’ blog to write about my favorite albums and songs of a year that will likely live in infamy in the history books. I’m trying to reflect on the positive in both this essay and my personal mindset, so let’s not discuss social distancing or vote counts or contagious viruses or hand sanitizer and instead focus on the things that distracted us or powered us through them in the form of music.

I generally do a personal Top 15, so I decided to stick with that again for this year’s shenanigans. Best songs and potentially another new list idea soon to follow. And, as always, I welcome dissenting votes or other recommendations from those who read and agree and/or disagree.

Let’s do this!

HONORABLE MENTION:

Snooze

“Still” EP

Self-released on November 27

I normally don’t include EPs in my end-of-the-year lists unless I create a separate list devoted just to them, or 2 years ago when my favorite release of the year was an EP (shout out to Invalids). Snooze’s 2019 release “Familiaris” was my favorite album of last year, and this new EP brings a lot of the same energy and sound, but with a much different mood and circumstance. Bassist Cameron Grom tragically passed in 2020 after a lifetime of battling illness, leaving Logan Voss as the primary songwriter and lone consistent band member. Voss partnered with YouTube drum sensation and producer Anup Sastry for “Still”, and the results are certainly massive and memorable. The songs seem to be significantly sadder and more drawn out on “Still” but the circumstances certainly explain these changes. I’m grateful Voss managed to still put something out that is unique and makes me smile even during his heartbreak and struggles, so this EP is definitely still worth mentioning.

#15

Alpha Male Tea Party

“Infinity Stare”

Released December 4 via Big Scary Monsters

Both this album and the Honorable Mention are ranked pretty low on my personal list despite my personal adoration and affinity with each band. This is entirely based on how little of time has elapsed between their release dates and my compilation of this list. With some additional time to listen and process, I might have put them both higher, but without that I’m inclined to still mention them here but can’t in good conscious put them further up the rankings. Similar to Snooze, Britain’s AMTP took a slightly darker, more morose mood into their newest full length, but there’s still enough ass-kicking riffs and grooves to still inspire movement and energy. Bassist Ben Griffiths has come out of the shadows a bit more on this release as well, sharing the spotlight easily with guitarist Tom Peters and proving that he’s better than just holding down the lower notes. This album’s release was also a complete surprise, so kudos to the band for keeping things under wraps and giving fans an nice year-end present.

#14

Elder Brother

“I Won’t Fade On You”

Released October 2nd via Pure Noise Records

Elder Brother has been an object of my adoration for the past few years, but I’ve never been able to fully embrace an album of theirs as a whole. 2020’s release is no exception, unfortunately. They’ve penned some of their best songs to date (such as the gorgeous slow jam, “Projector”) and have expanded their sound with a full backing band. Unfortunately, meandering songs like “Hair” just drag away energy, and the second half of the album really just sort of panders around without resolution. The first half is top notch, but they really end with a whimper instead of a bang. Still, the great songs do shine brightly and warrant this album being included at this spot.

#13.

Jeff Rosenstock

“NO DREAM”

Released May 20 via Polyvinyl Record Co.

Speaking of surprise releases, perennial punk powerhouse Jeff Rosenstock put out “NO DREAM” with no promotion whatsoever. This left fans obviously surprised and that shock was quickly overwhelmed by a super high energy record full of infectious melodies and garage-rock aesthetics. There are a few clunkers but otherwise this is a charming and pleasant listen with some surprisingly deep and brutally honest lyrics and subject matters by Rosenstock. It was also cool to see Jeff get some solid publicity from this record such as an appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers. More attention for musicians like Rosenstock who have clearly put in the hard work is a worthy cause, so props to him and his merry band of misfits.

#12

Knuckle Puck

“20/20″

Released September 18 via Rise Records

Chicagoland’s Knuckle Puck have been one of the more impressively consistent pop/punk bands of recent years. I’ve always admired their skilled dual vocal arrangements, clean-boosted guitar tones and monstrous hooks. I definitely enjoyed this release but I also have a hard time distinguishing a majority of the moments after the record has stopped spinning. When it’s on, it’s pleasant and fun, but I’m hard pressed afterward remembering what songs are on this release and what are on previous years’ albums or singles. More KP music is never a bad thing, but hopefully future releases give them more sticking points.

#11

Unwed Sailor

“Look Alive”

Released July 12 via Current Taste

After over a decade of near-radio silence, Unwed Sailor have come out with guns blazing in the past two years. Johnathan Ford has put together a new band (most recently including longtime Minus The Bear drummer Erin Tate) and has churned out two full-length records in back-to-back years. I personally prefer 2020’s “Look Alive” slightly to 2019’s “Heavy Age” as it feels more of a throwback to the simpler, jammier Unwed Sailor releases of old. The record doesn’t really have any down points but also tends to drift along without a ton of memorable moments, oddly. Still, though, Ford and company seem to be on a torrid pace and I’m all in favor of enjoying the ride.

#10.

August Burns Red

“Guardians”

Released April 3 via Fearless Records

The model of consistency. August Burns Red are a well-oiled machine at this point. Every few years they hunker down in the studio and churn out another genre-setting collection of catchy metalcore songs. Drummer Matt Greiner is the most outstanding on this release (as per usual) with some truly jaw-dropping fills and beats, and the production for this record is top notch as always. It’s sort of hard to explain what’s good about this because it’s anything and everything. You can set your watch to this band and I’m grateful every time I put them on.

#9.

Melted Bodies

“Enjoy Yourself”

Released September 18 via Plastic Smiles

Another year, another band that Anthony Fantano turns me on to makes my AOTY list. The Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd didn’t formally review this album but did say they kicked ass in a “Y U NO REVIEW” segment. After a few moments of listening, I sprung for the album and it completely took over my music library for the past few months. I equate them as a sort of bizzaro hybrid between “Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job” and System of a Down, with Mike Patton-esque vocals, brutal but fun breakdowns, unique electronic elements and overall weirdness. Seemingly containing every genre of music all at once, this album is all over the place in all the best ways. What an amazing debut. It’ll be fun to see where these oddballs go from here.

#8

Beach Comber

“Parting Cuts”

Self-released on April 24

What a fun surprise this record was; in retrospect it feels like that was a recurring theme for bands and artists in 2020. Beach Comber is Rory Friers, riffmaster general from And So I Watch You From Afar. This album doesn’t sound like anything his main group has put out, but instead was meant to be a wedding present for two of Frier’s friends that would never see a mass release. If there’s one good thing that COVID did, it was to encourage Friers to put this out as a pay-what-you-want release to gather some funds in lieu of touring and playing shows. Because of this, we were blessed with a very different but exceptional collection of minimalist, varied low-fi rock. It feels like a lost Anathallo album or Sufjan Stevens b-side collection, and was a welcome breath of happy fresh air.

#7

Hot Mulligan

“You’ll Be Fine”

Released March 6 via No Sleep Records

It feels like every year I’m thanking my buddy Steve Lee on this list for getting me hooked on a quality emo record. He first sent me the incredibly fun video for “*Equip Sunglasses*”, but I wasn’t immediately hooked. I couldn’t quite get into Nathan Sanville’s scream/sing vocal style at first, and thought the band was slightly generic. Still, I found the song getting stuck in my head for roughly the next rest of my life, and eventually checked out the full album, and was pleasantly surprised by the subtly complex intertwining guitar leads and arrangements. Also, kudos to the band for writing pointed and brutally honest lyrics on topics that some bands wouldn’t touch (go read the lyrics for “Digging In”). And yes, Sanville’s vocals eventually ended up really, really growing on me. These young men from Lansing, MI should be proud of themselves for their strong stances and songwriting, and it’ll be fun to see what they put out next.

#6

Man Man

“Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between”

Released May 1st via Sub Pop

After a few years of relative silence, Philly-based weirdos Honus Honus and Man Man gathered up another pile of instruments and multi-instrumentalists, and the result is yet another collection of supremely catchy songs.  Longtime fans like me knew what they were getting, but I think this is one of Man Man’s most complete and accessible albums yet, with not a moment wasted or thrown in without thought. There are so many fun little vocal quips (The random “Went straight to voicemail!” in “Goat”; the solo chorus of “Sucking diiiiiiick” in “The Prettiest Song in the World”) that make the listener smile every time. Everything feels planned out and executed flawlessly, which is impressive when each song features several guest musicians (including Rebecca Black!) and a rotating cast of instruments and players. Keep being weird, Man Man. We don’t deserve you.

#5

Protest The Hero

“Palimpsest”

Self-released on June 18

It had been 7 years since Canada’s Protest The Hero put out a full length after leaving the world of record labels and crowdfunding campaigns. It wasn’t without its difficulties, largely due to singer Rody Walker running into vocal issues during recording sessions. Thankfully, he was able to overcome his difficulties and frankly, he killed it. There wasn’t much more life-affirming than hearing him hit ungodly high notes at the end of “From The Sky” and his joy-filled delivery was infectious on every other song. And of course, the rest of the band also fully delivers with their usual technical brand of metal. No complaints at all, hope the next one doesn’t take 7 years to show up.

#4

Caspian

“On Circles”

Released January 24th via Triple Crown Records

I was very excited about this release from basically the end of 2019 on, as these Massachusetts instrumental rock mainstays released the single “Flowers of Light” at year’s end. Thankfully, the album delivered in spades, and it is easily my favorite instrumental release of 2020. Well, that’s not technically true; 2 of the 8 songs have vocals. One welcome addition is an awesome contribution by Pianos Become The Teeth’s Kyle Durfey for “Nostalgist”, who fits the band like a glove. The second vocal track is the lovely eponymous closing track, which gives a pleasant change-up conclusion. Caspian’s three guitar approach means the listener always has a wide swath of atmospheric noise and full bodied sound, and the formula is definitely still working. There’s a reason this sextet are revered, and “On Circles” is the band firing on all cylinders.

#3

Touche Amore

“Lament”

Released October 9 via Epitaph Records

Touche Amore has been one of my favorite bands for several years running, so expectations were very high for their fifth release. 2016’s “Stage Four” was a massive success but is still very hard for me to re-listen to or encounter due to the heaviness of the album’s subject matter, and “Lament” is at least a change in that pace. Jeremy Bolm is never one to pull punches or address the uncomfortable, and his vocal delivery is as engagingly abrasive as ever. Bassist Tyler Kirby is the most obviously improved, but that may also be the production choice of Ross Robinson, who seems to have received as much publicity by working on this record than the band did. All in all, more the same is never bad with these screamo mainstays.

#2

Into It. Over It.

“Figure”

Released September 18 via Triple Crown Records

Evan Weiss is the one reliable dude. We get a new Into It. Over It. record every 3 or 4 years, and they’re always great. His songwriting and arrangement skills are top notch, and there’s enough cool little moments or unique additions to keep the listener engaged throughout the entire album. Weiss’s skills as a guitarist are in the spotlight as always (”We Prefer Indoors”), but drummer Adam Beck proves his talents throughout (”Brushstrokes”). What truly makes the album great for me are the little moments of variety or subtle changes in instrumentation or delivery that pop up in every song. The best example is the middle of the second verse of “Living Up To Let You Down”, when the band changes up the straightforward beat and chord progression to deliver a double-time feel with differently punctuated guitar chord hits (this is very hard to describe in writing; just listen to the song at 1:28). If the songs on their own weren’t catchy or well-rounded on their own, this album would be great, but it’s the moments like this that truly push it out on top. This record lived up to every high expectation I had and I’m thrilled that Mr. Weiss is a part of my life.

#1

END

“Splinters From an Ever-Changing Face”

Released June 5 via Closed Casket Activities

But enough about positive thoughts and happy feelings...Every piece of writing or commentary on 2020 will likely point out how bad of a year that we all just experienced and how grateful we are to be moving forward. I definitely agree with this sentiment for the most part but do feel like we had a lot of interesting positive moments in the year in general. However, with that logic, no album better summarizes my general aesthetic towards this weird quarantined year than this ungodly amalgamation of brutal hardcore this supergroup has wrought. Counterparts vocalist Brendan Murphy sounds like a completely different beast with a lower delivery and growl than his fans traditionally encounter, and guitarist and wunderkind producer Will Putney makes this record sound horrifying, hellacious and, well, HEAVY. Add in some unnerving audio samples and the fact that most songs are between 1 and 2 minutes, and I can’t think of anything else to best summarize my feelings toward 2020. This was the perfect album to put on and let loose any angry or negative thought with the ferocity of the tsunami of sound this group created, and should be commended as such. 

[jamietalksmusic]

¡¡TOP 15 ALBUMS OF 2018

My 15 Fav Albums of 2018 – In No Particular Order!

1. Hot Mulligan – Pilot - Pop Punk meets midwest emo. Dope guitar riffs, catchy choruses, these guys do it all.

2. Hooded Menace – Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed - Doomy sludgey death metal of the best sort.

3. Green Death - Hallowmass - Vintage thrash metal revitalized with hints of doom and death.

4. Antarctigo Vespucci – Love in the Time of Email - Indie power pop with relatable lyrics and fun instrumentation.

5. Jeff Rosenstock – POST - A bundle of emotional chaos that makes you want to mosh to depressing lyrics.

6. We Are the Union – Self Care - Pop Punk/Ska Punk. 'Nuff Said

7. Helion Prime – Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster - Epic space themed power metal.

8. The Brokedowns – Sick of Space - Pop Punks weird drunk cousin. Funny, angry, heavy, melodic.

9. The Cardboard Swords – Once More, There is Nothing Left to Figure Out - Midwest Emo for sad bois. Mainly here for the shimmer-y guitar parts and the shout along choruses.

10. Tiny Moving Parts – Swell (AOTY) - Can't stop listening. Tempo changes, virtuosic guitar parts, WICKED FUN SHOUT ALONGS. Weirdest mosh pit I've been in.

11. Elway – For the Sake of the Bit - Aging Midwest Punkers, can still party, but you can tell they feel it in the morning.

12. Sleep – The Sciences - Epic. Doom. Metal. 8 tracks 53 minutes, so there's no 20 minute long marathon tracks. Which I like.

13. Retirement Party – Somewhat Literate - More midwest emo type. With a little more punk sprinkled in. Really quite fun to jam to.

14. Bad Moves - Tell No One - Slick indie power pop punk. Really a fantastic band.

15. CZARFACE & MF Doom – Czarface Meets Metalface - Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang + 7L & Esoteric + MF Doom = Boombap goodness. Bump this while driving.

So there's that. Looking forward to 2019's music!

[thethousandyeardoor]

nobody asked for this i just like lists. my AOTY list:  

Perfume Genius - Set My Heart on Fire Immediately

Fiona Apple - Fetch The Bolt Cutters  

The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You

Porridge Radio - Every Bad  

Lonker See - Hamza  

Special Interest - The Passion Of

Liturgy - Origin of the Alimonies

Charli XCX - how i’m feeling now

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo

Laura Marling - Song For Our Daughter

Oneohtrix Point Never - Magic Oneohtrix Point Never

Car Seat Headrest - Making A Door Less Open

Nicolas Jaar - Cenizas

Dogleg - Melee

Beach Bunny - Honeymoon

Katie Dey - mydata

Hamilton Leithauser - The Loves of Your Life

Dan Deacon - Mystic Familiar  

Jeff Rosenstock - No Dream

Aesop Rock - Spirit World Field Guide

Against All Logic - 2017 - 2019

Destroyer - Have We Met

Laura Jane Grace - Stay Alive

HEALTH - DISCO4 :: PART 1

IDLES - Ultra Mono

The Mountain Goats - Getting Into Knives

Shabazz Palaces - The Don of Diamond Dreams

King Krule - Man Alive!

Open Mike Eagle - Anime, Trauma and Divorce

The Weeknd - After Hours