Getintothis’ Top 100 Albums of 2014: A Year In Review

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Getintothis' album of the year countdown

Getintothis‘ 2014 Album of the Year countdown

The best albums of 2014 are revealed as Getintothis’ Peter Guy counts down our annual top 100.

So, we made it. Twelve months of music bottled up into some kind of sense. Well, perhaps you think it’s nonsense…

Whatever the case, these 100 albums, for us, have offered a tremendous amount of listening pleasure. From riot-fuelled afrobeat funk to dirty garage stomp through to blissful cavernous rock & roll and stark, primal hip hop.

Considering the amount of great electronic music produced this year, we’re surprised on reflection how little were included in the top end of our 100, we can only presume the records below resonated even more when we saw them in the live arena – for all but two of the artists below we witnessed produce quite stellar stage performances along which married to their studio output made their sounds resonate even further in 2014.

It’s perhaps a reflection of just how much great music there is out there that nearly 70 different record labels are represented and that there’s little coherent thread holding it all together; simply great new music.

To sample almost all of it, whack on our playlist below and do share with us your recommendations in the comment section, or alternatively join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter where you can use the hashtag #GITAOTY.

Here’s to 2015 – we’re sure it’ll deliver the goods.

The War On Drugs - Getintothis' Album of 2014

The War On Drugs – Getintothis’ Album of 2014

war_on_drugs_lost_in_the_dream_album_

1. The War On Drugs: Lost In The Dream

Secretly Canadian

Context matters in music. I can remember as a teenager my first work experience job in a printing factory having spent record vouchers on The Stone Roses‘ debut album and lying on my bed listening to this glistening, near-magical set of songs completely wrapped up in the moment. Engulfed by sound. There was an otherworldly sensation to it yet it sounded so rich, colourful and alive with emotional energy and bristling confidence. It was a transcendental experience.

The best slices of music do that. And this is repeatedly the sensation I get while listening to the aptly-titled Lost In The Dream – a record which seems to epitomise much of my 2014. Like previous #1 albums we’ve featured, from Sound of Silver through to Bon Iver‘s 2011 eponymous album they’re deeply personal offerings in which the song-writer’s message is so powerful it’s hard not to sometimes adopt it as your own.

If James Murphy‘s career peak was an ode to feeling alienated in the city that he so loves, The War On Drugs‘ Adam Granduciel‘s ‘dream’ concerns being abandoned in a wilderness where he finds no place to rest at all. Self-doubt, depression, anxiety and inner turmoil are repeated themes amid a sometimes motorik, cascading landscape and yet the music juxtaposes a near-triumphant swell of rich instrumentation. Lustrous textures vie for attention against a cavalcade of guitars and clattering percussion driving off into an endless distance.

Similarly to it’s predecessor, Slave AmbientGranduciel channels big, big sounds reminiscent of classic Americana – Young, Dylan and Springsteen are inescapable influences – yet his vision reminds me more of Pure Phaseera Spiritualized undulating, crackling and rippling; a constant battle of the bold with the wired.

A heartbeat which may rupture at any moment. The sound of man broken yet determined to continue on the road ahead regardless.

Getintothis on War On Drugs

Run The Jewels_Vol_2

2. Run The JewelsRun The Jewels Vol. 2

Mass Appeal

When we do something, it feels good,” Killer Mike told Rolling Stone earlier this year. And boy, does this record feel good.

He adds: “For the most part, it’s just a celebration of dope. It’s like two classy veterans that end up on the same team. Like [the way I see it], I’m at the championship. And I know I’m gonna get it with this little ginger motherfucker right here. There’s no question in my mind. There’s nothing like waking up knowing that. And that’s straight up – we’re unfuckwitable“.

One day, we can all hope to be this unfuckwitable.

Getintothis on Run The Jewels

Future_Islands_Singles

3. Future Islands: Singles

4AD

It’s hard to think of a band since Pulp that have broken through into semi-mainstream consciousness in the way that Future Islands did in 2014. After nine years in the wilderness, their Letterman performance of Seasons resulted in sold out shows across the world, including their incredible date at the Kazimier in June. Yet Singles was *way* more than one crossover track, it was ten symphonic anthems straddling just the right side of knowing daftness – a thrill from start to finish.

Getintothis on Future Islands

Merchandise_After_The_End

4. Merchandise: After The End

4AD

Their move from alternative indie leftfield to stadia-swelling mainstream rock may have turned off some fans but to these ears After The End could slot into any of REM‘s IRS years catalogue – a huge statement of intent.

Getintothis on Merchandise

Liars_Mess

5. Liars: Mess

Mute

Mutating once again, Liars spewed forth a lightning bolt of death disco which pummelled the senses for 55 blood-stained minutes.

Getintothis on Liars

mark_mcguire_along_the_way_album

6. Mark McGuire: Along The Way

Dead Oceans

We were greatly saddened when Emeralds announced their split in early 2013 following one of our favourite albums in recent times, 2010’s Does It Look Like I’m Here? Fortunately, main man Mark McGuire hit the ground running with his superlative solo offering – and on the colossal 12 minute centre-piece, The Instinct, he bettered anything he’d written previously.

Getintothis on Mark McGuire

Goat_Commune

7. Goat: Commune

Rocket Recordings

More pandemonium from the Rentaghost team. An absolute riot which went close to matching the euphoria of World Music.

Getintothis on Goat

Watter_This_World

8. Watter: This World

Temporary Residence

GrailsZak RilesSlint drummer Britt Walford and Louisville musician Tyler Trotter teamed up with cameos from King Crimson‘s Tony Levin and Rachel Grimes (Rachel’s) forming post-rock goliath, Watter. Fusing electronic dissonance with monstrous grooves and, at times beautiful moments of levity, This World resulted in the year’s most unexpected delight.

the_antlers_familiars

9. The Antlers: Familiars

Anti-

It’s a gift to release something so subtle and yet provoke such evocative power – and The Antlers have it in spades. Familiars, if anything, was even less immediate than their previous offerings yet it is the finest work thus far – and their show at Liverpool Music Week underlined just what an incredible band they are. Towering.

Getintothis on The Antlers

Hookworms_The_Hum

10. HookwormsThe Hum

Domino

Slab two of MJ‘s scuzz leviathan had just as many layers yet by throwing his vocal up outside the gloop and ramping up the powerball melodies it made The Hum more accessible and slightly less harrowing. That initial unexpected shock-blast from Pearl Mystic (our #1 album of 2013) was never going to be repeated but in tracks like Radio Tokyo, On Leaving and the gloriously over-driven rampage of Retreat they’ve kept us suitably inspired and most of all fulfilled with rollicking joyous abandon.

Getintothis on Hookworms

Mark_E_Product_Of_Industry

11. Mark EProduct Of Industry

Spectral Sound

Melancholic, slightly unsettling yet hugely rewarding, Mark Evett‘s Product Of Industry is one of 2014’s finest electronic records.

Grouper_Ruins

12. Grouper: Ruins

Kranky

One of the most miserable records of 2014 is also one of the most heart-warming. Just hold on…

How_To_Dress_Well

13. How To Dress Well: What Is This Heart?

Wierd World

By thrusting Tom Krell‘s voice RIGHT up front, What Is This Heart? isn’t just his most direct album it’s also his best – there’s a fountain of flourishing pop music within and on Repeat Pleasure he absolutely nailed the spirit of peak MJ.

Getintothis on How To Dress Well

woods_with_light_and_love

14. Woods: With Light And Love

Woodsist

Woods must be one of the most consistent song-writing teams around – this was another slice of brilliance with the nine minute title track a career high.

Getintothis on Woods

Ben_Frost_Aurora

15. Ben Frost: A U R O R A

Mute

One of those rare records which despite how impenetrable it seems to be you can’t help but revisit – even on the first time of listening. Frost shapes chasms of harsh electronica but allows enough menacing melody in there to captivate and beguile. Centre-piece Secant is truly astonishing.

Veyu_Veyu_EP

16. VEYU: VEYU

Baltic

The finest EP released by a Merseyside band in recent times. Four Grade A winners, from the statement of intent Running though to Murmur-era alt-rock of All That We Know back to the soaring In The Forest and the colossal outrock of The Everlasting. Chapter two is much anticipated.

Getintothis on VEYU

Eno_Hyde_Someday_World

17. Eno & Hyde: Someday World

Warp

An astonishing collection of quite simply boss pop music. I don’t jog but if I did I would do lots of running to this. It’s makes you feel impossibly alive.

Getintothis on Eno

Innercity_Ensemble_II

18. Innercity Ensemble: II

Instant Classic

Polish out-rockers Innercity Ensemble reimagine Mahavishnu Orchestra and inject a dollop of undulating improvisational kraut-jazz and industrial dub-noise. And flugelhorn. Oh, and darabukka.

The_Juan_Maclean_In_A_Dream

19. The Juan Maclean: In A Dream

DFA

The Juan Maclean have been on a roll for sometime now, and In A Dream continues their superlative interstellar disco funk overdrive in no uncertain terms. Like crack, but much better for the soul.

Getintothis on The Juan Maclean

Jane_Weaver_Silver_Globe

20. Jane Weaver: Silver Globe

Finders Keepers Records

When we alluded to why End of Year polls are important, we immediately thought of this record. Jane Weaver‘s quite remarkable record Silver Globe completely slipped under our radar but thanks to Piccadilly Records‘ #1 shout it’s been an ever present on Getintothis‘ Jukebox ever since. Make it your must-purchase festive treat.

wildest_dreams

21. Wildest Dreams: Wildest Dreams

Smalltown Supersound

DJ Harvey returns with a sprawling 70s prog out-rock beast. Crank this loud.

Sharon_Van_Etten_Are_We_There

22. Sharon Van Etten: Are We There

Jagjaguwar

Van Etten’s fourth album once again is a loaded gun of intimate confessional body blows.

Getintothis on Sharon Van Etten

SOHN_Tremors

23. SOHN: Tremors

4AD

Intensely beautiful electro-soul married to Christopher Taylor‘s heart-popping falsetto.

Getintothis on SOHN

The_Men_Tomorrows_Hits

24. The Men: Tomorrow’s Hits

Sacred Bones

For one week in February we listened to this on a beach and everything in the world seemed just swell.

Getintothis on The Men

Soft_walls_No_Time

25. Soft Walls: No Time

Trouble In Mind

A profoundly deep heavy trip from Dan Reeves (Cold Pumas) recalling early Deerhunter.

Grumbling_Fur_Preternaturals

26. Grumbling FurPreternaturals

The Quietus Phonographic Corporation

In a year when ‘psychedelic’ was the most overused/misused term in music’s vocabulary, here was a band drawing on the very essence of it. Mini kaleidoscopic suites jam-packed with understated virtuoso instrumentation aligned to colourful mind-bending melodicism. Oh, and Neil Megson Fanclub wins hands down for song title of the year too.

Getintothis on Grumbling Fur

Contact_First_Contact

27. Contact: First Contact

Temporary Residence

British film composer Paul Lawler teamed up with A.E. Paterra (aka Majeure) of sci-fi synth outfit Zombi, to serve up a heavy dose of Goblin-inspired space disco. YEAH!

Beck_Morning _phase

28. Beck: Morning Phase

Virgin EMI

Another Beck album. Another great album.

Getintothis on Beck

Plank!_Hivemind

29. Plank!: Hivemind

Akoustik Anarkhy

Mancunians Plank! evoke the spirit of ’69 with this propulsive kraut-infused rhythmic juggernaut.

Getintothis on Plank!

The_Bug_Angels_And_Devils

30. The Bug: Angels And Devils

Ninja Tune

Continuing where London Zoo left off, The Bug deliver another serious statement of furious socio-political urban beatdowns. At times it borders on the uncomfortable, yet, given the world we live in, this is surely their point.

Mogwai_Rave_Tapes

31. Mogwai: Rave Tapes

Rock Action

More in keeping with their Zidane or Les Revenants soundtracks, Rave Tapes oddly became Mogwai‘s biggest commercial success despite it being their most tranquil.

Getintothis on Mogwai

Kate_Tempest_Everybody_down

32. Kate Tempest: Everybody Down

Big Dada

The new kid on the block nails 12 pop fables which were as unique as they were unshakeably infectious.

Getintothis on Kate Tempest

King_Creosote_From _scotland

33. King Creosote: From Scotland With Love

Domino

Kenny Anderson‘s ode to his homeland was dripping in passion and pride – and resonated even more poignantly in 2014.

Getintothis on King Creosote

Jesse_Ware_Tough_love

34. Jessie Ware: Tough Love

Island

Jessie sounded pretty bummed out on her follow up to Devotion but that didn’t stop her from penning some of the year’s best soul-pop numbers; Say You Love Me had us in bits, Champagne Kisses was slicker than Bret The Hitman Hart‘s hair-do while You & I (Forever) was seriously massive.

Getintothis on Jessie Ware

Jack_White_Lazaretto

35. Jack WhiteLazaretto

XL

You suspect Jack White could toss out an album a month. What an absolute bastard.

Getintothis on Jack White

Damien Jurado_Brothers_And_Sisters

36. Damien Jurado: Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Sun

Secretly Canadian

Deftly brushed Americana with sprawling stylistics from another cosmos.

Getintothis on Damien Jurado

The_Brian_Jonestown_Massacre_Revelation

37. The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Revelation

A Recordings

Anton Newcombe‘s collective delivered by far their most consistent racket in some time, a glorious sprawling rock & roll hit which lived up to its name.

Getintothis on The Brian Jonestown Massacre

St_Vincent_Digital_witness

38. St Vincent: Digital Witness

Republic

Indebted to BowieDigital Witness saw Annie Clark evolve into robo-electro guitar-fuelled glam. A very good record became something truly great when transmitted live suggesting it won’t be long before her ideas are executed onto very big stages indeed.

Getintothis on St Vincent

Prince_Art_Official_Age

39. Prince: Art Official Age

Warner Bros

The soulful electronic yin to PlectrumElectrum’s guitar-heavy yang, Art Official Age oozed P-Funk class and some of his finest ballads in years.

Getintothis on Prince

Ballet_School_The_Dew_Lasts

40. Ballet School: The Dew Lasts An Hour

Bella Union

Far more than the sum of their notable influences, Ballet School are Grade A primal acrobatic pop with Rosie Blair one of finest new voices around and in Ghost and Heartbeat Overdrive they’ve two of the tunes of 2014.

Getintothis on Ballet School

young_fathers_dead

41. Young Fathers: Dead

Big Dada

A justifiable Mercury winner – and at last something to rock the boat. Rooted in hip hop this gnarly rapid-fire attack also contained lashings of pop, soul and lots more in between. To witness them play live was something else, too.

Getintothis on Young Fathers

Phantom_Band_Strange_Friend

42. Phantom Band: Strange Friend

Chemikal Underground

Business as usual for Rick Anthony‘s Glaswegian collective; a cauldron overflowing with organ-drenched tribal folk-imbued loveliness. Strange Friend simply felt like a good friend returning from the wilderness.

Getintothis on Phantom Band

sleaford_mods_divide

43. Sleaford Mods: Divide And Exit

Harbinger Sound

To quote Bananarama: ‘It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.’ Sleaford Mods get results. You fucking tit rifle.

Getintothis on Sleaford Mods

Swans_To_Be_Kind

44. Swans: To Be Kind

Young God Records

I think we used up all hyperbole with regard to Swans in 2012.

Getintothis on Swans

Pallbearer_Foundations

45. Pallbearer: Foundations Of Burden

Profound Lore

If it’s been a good year for heavy rock records then we must have missed it. Pallbearer were one of few who absolutely nailed it.

FKA_Twigs_lp1

46. FKA Twigs: lp1

Young Turks

Recalling the likes of Tricky, The Weeknd and Janelle Monae, yet Twigs‘ vision was singularly twisted, sexual and for a debut, ridiculously ambitious. Centre-piece Pendulum backed up the hype emphasising the sense that this is the start of something very special indeed.

Getintothis on FKA Twigs

By_The_Sea_Endless_Days

47. By The Sea: Endless Days Crystal Sky

War Room

Sure there was a mild evolution but at it’s heart, Endless Days Crystal Sky, once again emphasised just how good the Wirral quintet’s song-writing skills are. Almost effortless in its savoir faire magnificence.

Getintothis on By The Sea

New_Build_Pour_It_On

48. New Build: Pour It On

Sunday Best

DFA beats via London – Hot Chip-assisted electronica with a hefty dollop of soul with an epic closing title track The Juan Maclean would be proud of.

Lust_For_Youth_International

49. Lust For Youth: International

Sacred Bones Records

What on first listen appears detached and wrapped in arch cool gradually unravels into an emotive piece of art-pop containing one of the singles of the year, the irresistible Armida.

Getintothis on Lust For Youth

Ibibio_Sound_Machine

50. Ibibio Sound MachineIbibio Sound Machine

Soundway

Infectious, riotous and impossibly funky – this was groove with all kinds of heart.

Sun_Kil_Moon_Benji

51. Sun Kil Moon: Benji

Caldo Verde

Mark Kozelek‘s confessional brutality takes in death, profound tragedy, personal struggles and pretty much everything else that’s bleak but wraps it all in a package which is – for him – almost positively joyful.

Wolves_In_The_Throne_Room

52. Wolves In The Throne Room: Celestite

Artemesia

A marked move away from their riff-orientated noise, here WITTR deliver cinematic organ, horns, frosty ambient textures and something verging on post-rock accessibility. The purists hated it. They would.

Getintothis on Wolves In The Throne Room

Earth_Primitive_And_deadly

53. Earth: Primitive And Deadly

Southern Lord

Perhaps the easiest listen Dylan Carlson‘s ever committed to tape – gnarly rock odes with Mark Lanegan cameos. Refreshingly straight up.

Getintothis on Earth

EMA_The_Futures_Void

54. EMA: The Future’s Void

City Slang

A courageous move away from the raw Patti Smith-indebted debut of Past Life Martyred Saints, and while it didn’t quite hang together there was still enough tension and gut-thudding tunes to ensure Erika M. Anderson remains one of alt-rock’s most vital songwriters.

Getintothis on EMA

The_Barr_Brothers

55. The Barr Brothers: Sleeping Operator

Sleeping City

In another year, Sleeping Operator could have been talked about in the same breath as contemporary Americana alt-classics as it was this one slipped under most radars.

Andy_Stott_Faith_In_Strangers

56. Andy Stott: Faith In Strangers

Modern Love

Perhaps Stott’s most diverse collection to date; from the title track’s neat melodicism to the clanging hip hop thuds of Violence through to immersive nastiness on Time Away if you’re not overly familiar with the Manchester-based producer now’s the time to start.

Getintothis on Andy Stott

Inventions

57. Inventions: Inventions

Temporary Residence

Mark T. Smith from Explosions in the Sky and Matthew Cooper of Eluvium combine to create an evocative piece which should be a joy to fans of both bands.

Warpaint

58. Warpaint: Warpaint

Rough Trade

An exercise in beautiful restraint, sometimes the low thrum is barely even there yet it seemingly evaporates into your subconscious. Their most consistent offering to date.

Getintothis on Warpaint

Ambarchi_OMalley_Dunn

59. Ambarchi, O’Malley, Dunn: Shade Themes From Kairos

Drag City

Master Musicians of Bukkake dude Randall Dunn ties this epic piece of dark ambience together to stunning effect.

J_Mascis_Tied_To_A_Star

60. J Mascis: Tied To A Star

Sub Pop

It’s baffling how easy J Mascis makes it all seem. Forty minutes of scruffy golden nuggets perfect for late evenings or early rises.

Getintothis on J Mascis

Parquet_Courts_Sunbathing_Animal

61. Parquet Courts: Sunbathing Animal

Rough Trade

A different beast to debut Light Up Gold, here Parquet Courts extended their blasé bluster resulting in a sound less immediate, perhaps lacking the short sucker-punch but still a hefty clout of dynamite all the same.

Getintothis on Parquet Courts

Land_Observations_The_Grand_Tour

62. Land Observations: The Grand Tour

Mute

The Grand Tour slipped under many a radar in 2014 yet we suspect it’s tapestry of sweet guitar motifs and understated percussive grooves will be singled out in years to come. Hope so, anyway.

Getintothis on Land Observations

Conan_Blood_Eagle

63. Conan: Blood Eagle

Napalm Records

There’s still few UK bands that can match the epic might and muscle of ConanBlood Eagle was the sound of the band ridiculously on the money once again.

Getintothis on Conan

Aphex_Twin_Syro

64. Aphex Twin: Syro

Warp

Let’s be honest, Richard D. James probably found this set of tracks down the back of his sofa in an abandoned hard drive dating back to the early 90s. Still, sounded pretty fresh and unlike anyone else. Quintessential Aphex.

Getintothis on Aphex Twin

Ex-Hex_Rips

65. Ex Hex: Rips

Merge

Delirious power pop that recalls Sleater-Kinney at their finest. Some feat that.

First_Aid_Kit_Stay_Gold

66. First Aid Kit: Stay Gold

Columbia

Relocating to Nashville did the Söderberg sisters the world of good, this is a goldmine of masterly-crafted country-pop ballads.

Getintothis on First Aid Kit

Asgeir_In_The_Silence

67. Ásgeir: In The Silence

One Little Indian

Ticks every Icelandic music stereotype in the book yet it’s beauty is undeniable.

Getintothis on Ásgeir

Sinkane_Mean_Love

68. Sinkane: Mean Love

Republic of Music

A slower reveal than his breakthrough Mars, Mean Love traded soulful torch songs with afro-beat cool and on openers How We Be and New Name he penned two of the year’s best.

Getintothis on Sinkane

Ty_Segall_Manipulator

69. Ty Segall: Manipulator

Drag City

A mammoth effort even by this prolific song-writer’s standards; 17 tracks of guitar bluster and hazy wistful psychedelia, there’s barely a bum note.

Getintothis on Ty Segall

Zola_Jesus_Taiga

70. Zola Jesus: Taiga

Mute

Nika Roza Danilova goes pop.

Getintothis on Zola Jesus

Hauschka_Abandoned_City

71. Hauschka: Abandoned City

City Slang

Disquieting industrial rhythms trade with off-kilter piano in this eerie melange of late-night ghostly instrumentation.

Perc_The_Power_And_The_Glory

72. Perc: The Power And The Glory

Perc Trax

Primal incessant drone which makes Factory Floor sound positively summery.

SBTRKT_Wonder

73. SBTRKT: Wonder Where We Land

Young Turks

Typical second album syndrome from London producer Aaron JeromeWonder Where We Land, is a difficult, erratic listen which comes to life thanks to a succession of guests including Chairlift‘s Caroline Polacheck, Sampha and Vampire Weekend‘s Ezra Koenig.

Getintothis on SBTRKT

Prins_Thomas_III

74. Prins Thomas: III

Full Pupp

The sound of Prins Thomas doing his thing. Business as usual. The man’s a thoroughbred one trick pony.

Getintothis on Prins Thomas

Rustie_Green_Language

75. RustieGreen Language

Warp

Green Language was sadly never going to live up to the expectation following the superlative Glass Swords yet there was enough here to relish including the bruising Danny Brown-led Attak and glacial pop stomp of Velcro.

Getintothis on Rustie

Principles_Of_Geometry

76. Principles Of Geometry: Meanstream

Tiger Sushi

Meditative glitch-laden funk pop with a hefty side order of French kisses.

tea_street_band

77. Tea Street BandTea Street Band

Baltic

It felt like a triumph that this record even saw the light. The sound of five lads making joyously melodic late night grooves to truly lose yourself to.

Getintothis on Tea Street Band

Remember_Remember_Forgetting_The_Present

78. Remember RememberForgetting The Present

Rock Action

Mini epics tied together with vast undulating orchestration. Yet another fine piece to add to the RR canon.

Getintothis on Remember Remember

manic_street_preachers_futurology

79. Manic Street Preachers: Futurology

Columbia

The Manics‘ career revival continues. Their finest since The Holy Bible. Seriously.

Getintothis on Manic Street Preachers

Augustines_Augustines

80. Augustines: Augustines

Oxcart

*BIG* blustering melodies which just about stayed on the right side of chest-beating. Nothing to Lose But Your Head is epic, ragged glory at its peak.

Getintothis on Augustines

Amen Dunes_Love

81. Amen Dunes: Love

Sacred Bones

Hazy lo-fi dream-songs ideal for the Sunday afternoon comedown.

Getintothis on Amen Dunes

Tycho_Awake

82. Tycho: Awake

Ghostly

Less consistent than his 2011 career-peak Dive, nonetheless Awake‘s airy ambition was still a joy with the title track a stand out.

Getintothis on Tycho

Xiu_xiu_angel_guts_album

83. Xiu Xiu: Angel Guts : Red Classroom

Bella Union

If there was more filthy record in 2014 then we didn’t hear it. The sound of Gasper Noe addled in Trent Reznor‘s S&M dungeon, screaming ‘black DICK! DICK! DICK!‘ One for Mother’s Day.

Getintothis on Xiu Xiu

Shabazz_Palaces_Lesse_Majesty

84. Shabazz Palaces: Lese Majesty

Sub Pop

While not as complete a whole as Black UpIshmael Butler‘s out-jazz-hop cauldron bubbled pretty damn hard.

Getintothis on Shabazz Palaces

Jungle

85. Jungle: Jungle

XL

The Marmite band of 2014, Jungle‘s groove was for the most part undeniably catchy – and in the live arena they truly shone. Way more than just a clever PR stunt.

Getintothis on Jungle

Evian_Christ_Waterfall

86. Evian Christ: Waterfall

Tri Angle

Ellesmere Port’s Josh Leary delivered another jolt of visceral stabbing electronica.

Getintothis on Evian Christ

Actress_Ghettoville

87. Actress: Ghettoville

Ninja Tune

Claustrophobic, low-end industrial shudders collide with dub textures and the odd occasional sense of levity. For the most part, as the album title suggests, it was like being dragged under the chassis of a wagon and having the granite whistle through your senses.

Getintothis on Actress

Bird_My_Fear_And_me

88. Bird: My Fear And Me

Baltic

It’s fair to say we didn’t see My Fear And Me coming. Shedding their previous, slightly lightweight folk, Bird‘s debut offering careered into tribal, sometimes ferocious territory and on the towering I Am The Mountain they bow out with a Grade A classic.

Getintothis on Bird

Arca_Xen

89. Arca: Xen

Mute

Venezuelan Dalston-based Alejandro Ghersi melds fractured, piercing drone into something quite stunning. On first listen it’s harsh and unforgiving but persevere and there’s little escape.

Ninetails_Quiet_Confidence

90. Ninetails: Quiet Confidence

Pond Life

Ninetails‘ evolution from angular guitar upstarts to progressive studio-led innovators was complete on Quiet Confidence. Here they think of the whole rather than the pieces and it’ll be fascinating to see just where they turn next.

Getintothis on Ninetails

Lockah_Highway

91. Lockah: Yahoo Or The Highway

Donkey Pitch

Miami bass from Brighton. Some Velvet Evening was our sound of 6am in 2014.

Getintothis on Lockah

Pharmakon_Bestial_Burden

92. Pharmakon: Bestial Burden

Sacred Bones

If you were to judge any album by its cover in 2014, then Margaret Chardiet‘s Bestial Burden is it. Like an open wound convulsing, spitting and bloody, it was a grim, gratuitous delight.

Getintothis on Pharmakon

Scott_Walker_Sunn_O_Soused

93. Scott Walker & Sunn O))): Soused

4AD

Possibly the biggest disappointment in collaborative terms since Prince and Madonna‘s Love Song, Soused was in essence a Scott Walker album bathed in Stephen O’Malley‘s guitar over drive. Though it has it’s moments, it was hard not to feel this was largely a missed opportunity. 

Getintothis on Sunn O)))

We_Are_Catchers

94. We Are CatchersWe Are Catchers

Domino

Another Liverpudlian who took his time to deliver the goods, Peter Jackson‘s We Are Catchers was loaded with sunshine, piano-led surf pop which just about managed to stay on the right side of cliche. He’s already preparing album number two and we’re very much keen to see the evolution.

Getintothis on We Are Catchers

Tobacco_Ultima

95. Tobacco: Ultima II Massage

Ghostly

A glitchy mini atom bomb of sticky disco glam gloop. Well fun.

Getintothis on Tobacco

Tune_Yards_Nick_Nack

96. Tune-Yards: Nikki Nack

4AD

Erratic and imbalanced,  Nikki Nack lacked the rounded power of W H O K I L L. Yet there was no denying Water Fountain was an absolute belter.

Getintothis on Tune-Yards

Dan_Croll_Sweet_Disarray

97. Dan Croll: Sweet Disarray

Decca

Almost three years in the making, Sweet Disarray was characteristic Croll – huge aural hugs stuffed to the brim with hooks, yet it’s over-familiarity to our ears only served to whet the appetite for album number two.

Getintothis on Dan Croll.

Sunn_O_Ulver_Terrestrials

98. Sunn O))) and Ulver: Terrestrials

Southern Lord

A meditative, almost sedate offering by both bands’ standards, this is blissful ambience for darkened souls.

Getintothis on Sunn O)))

Breton_War_Room_Stories

99. Breton: War Room Stories

Believe Recordings

Nuanced sprightly jerk-pop battles with grimy rhythms and brassy funk as the Londoner’s ramp up the accessibility levels.

Getintothis on Breton.

Jimi_Goodwin_Odulek

100. Jimi Goodwin: Odludek

Heavenly Recordings

A maelstrom of melodic treats from one of the UK’s most underrated songwriters underpinned by sublime production from Dan Austin.

Getintothis on Jimi Goodwin.

Previous Getintothis End of Year Album Polls

Getintothis‘ Top 100 Albums of 2013

Getintothis’ Top 100 Albums of 2012

Getintothis‘ Top 100 Albums of 2011

Getintothis Top 100 Albums of 2010

Getintothis Top 100 Albums of 2009

Getintothis Top 100 Albums of 2008

Getintothis Top 50 Albums of 2007

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