23. Methyl Ethel

23. Methyl Ethel - Everything Is Forgotten

These creative musicians from Perth, Australia released their debut album last year with a quick sophomore effort. There is a strong psychedelic rock scene in Perth right now (Tame Impala, Pond) and while these guys certainly have an influence from that scene, they have branched off into a much more pop-driven sentiment. I enjoyed listening to this album repetitively because of the bouncy hooks, I liken them to Of Montreal or Milo Greene as for their style. And of course the opening track commands you to Drink Wine, so what's not to like about that.



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24. Palehound

24. Palehound - A Place I'll Always Go

Boston based Ellen Kempner is the heart and soul of Palehound. Her sound is a grungy, lo-fi guitar rock driven sound, but with quiet guitars and vocals, similar to Girlpool or The Wooden Birds. This sophomore effort finds her continuing to discuss her last breakup, but also about finding new love as well.



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25. Overcoats

25. Overcoats - YOUNG

Officially residing in the genre of folktronica, this bright, new debut from the duo of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell has hit the ground running. Certainly one of my favorite discoveries of the year, these two young ladies met at Wesleyan University and upon hearing each other sing, knew they had to work together. Going through a mutual break-up, they began writing together and loved the way their voices harmonized delving into deeply personal content in their lyrics.



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26. Mac DeMarco

26. Mac DeMarco - This Old Dog

Mac DeMarco is McBriare Samuel Lanyon "Mac" DeMarco (born Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV) which is to say, a ton of names. However, this Canadian singer-songwriter relies on the simplicity of music, much like his on-stage moniker. This is his third album and in it, we find a pared-down acoustic set with Mac playing every instrument on the album.



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27. Elbow

27. Elbow - Little Fictions

Elbow is easily one of my favorite bands. I typically rank these based on how much I listen to these albums versus what I 'think' is the best. This album started low because I didn't think I listened to it much this year. However, every time I sat down to write about this and rank it, I'd start listening to the album and immediately move it up in the ranks. Never really done that until now, but this album just needed me to give it one more listen, I guess to move it into earworm category. So, my advice, listen to this a few times through, it deserves it.



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28. Sampha

28. Sampha - Process

I have a confession to make. I love Seal's first album. The whole thing is musical genius. Upon releasing his 2nd album, he was asked something along the lines of why the quality didn't compare to the first. His answer, "I spent my whole life writing the first album." This is Sampha's debut and it is a beautifully crafted electronic R&B album. It's the kind of thing that an artist can spend a lifetime working on. This album is particularly poignant because the young man is dealing with both of his parents' deaths on it. His father bought him a piano when he was young to keep him away from the TV and the result of that shines throughout this entire piece. Just a little crazy.



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29. Girlpool

29. Girlpool - Powerplant

This is Girlpool's second album and they've broadened their sound. There's still a unique vulnerability with them, which is what drew me to them in the first place. Best friends and still teens, Girlpool is Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad. My daughter and I had the good fortune to catch them at SXSW this year and they put on an incredible show. There's a lot of great punk, but it's these girls' voices that pull you in and keep you coming back.



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30. Antibalas

30. Antibalas - Where The Gods Are In Peace

Antibalas means bulletproof in Spanish. These guys are a Brooklyn based Afrobeat band. Personally, I love Afrobeat. Think Fela Kuti and you get the style of this band. I'm pretty happy this is in the top 50 and seeing them live at Trees was a magical experience which moved this album far up the ranks for me.



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31. Lo Tom

31. Lo Tom - Lo Tom

This is a new side project from David Bazan of Pedro the Lion. T.W. Walsh from Pedro also joins him on guitar as well as two old friends from Starflyer 59. This is a great rock and roll album and I have to thank Colin Stringer for introducing me to it. I love when people recommend bands to me that turn out to be my new favorites.



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32. Fleet Foxes

32. Fleet Foxes - Crack Up

Fleet Foxes is back with their third album. We've had to wait six long years for this guy, but it was well worth the wait. Robin Pecknold is not short on the sweeping harmonies that make these foxes fleet. My favorite song on the album is the epic Third of May / Odaigahara clocking in at a mere 8:45 and captivating every second. I was pretty worried about this album when it came out and instead it's been incredibly compelling.



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33. The National

33. The National - Sleep Well Beast

On The National's seventh album, Matt Beringer takes us down less than anthemic territory into a more raw, unsettling sound. Many of these songs were written with his wife by his side and with the truthfulness of these lyrics, as only Matt Beringer can do, it makes you respect the hell out of their relationship. That must require an incredible honesty and vulnerability.



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34. Vagabon

34. Vagabon - Infinite Worlds

Vagabon is Laetitia Tamko. A Cameroon transplant in New York, Laetitia graduated college in 2015 and really only did music as a side project. But, destiny led her to produce this album, very slowly to much acclaim. This is Indie Rock at its finest. Impressively intimate with a strong musical backdrop, it is easy to get lost in this brief trek through emotion. The only reason this isn't higher in the charts is because that's how good shit is about to get.



https://soundcloud.com/fatherdaughter/the-embers

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35. Black Lips

35. Black Lips - Satan's Graffiti or God's Art?

This is Black Lips eighth album and acts as a concept album. That's probably what pulled me in. I generally listen to Black Lips albums and enjoy them, but usually not enough to make the Top 50. This one was different. Apparently, they are in a new line-up and having been a psychedelic experimental band for some time, this romp into seeming coherence seemed like the next step. There's a lot of great stuff in this album, including a Beatles cover, so give it a chance and spend some time with it.



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36. Octopus Project

36. Octopus Project - Memory Mirror

This may be the most lyrical Octopus Project album out to date. It continues in their wildly experimental avant-pop sound. I remember the first time I saw these guys live and it's one of those experiences that has endeared me to the band for eternity. Things like sampling the sound of a champagne cork popping on Small Hundred or the swirling electronics that envelope Wrong Gong are what keep me coming back to this album and this band. They play here frequently and if you haven't seen them live yet, make it a point, it's a dance party like no other. Check out the preview video in true OP fashion below...

The Octopus Project - Memory Mirror from The Octopus Project on Vimeo.

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37. Thundercat

37. Thundercat - Drunk

Equal parts soul, funk, R&B and punk, Thundercat's third album is a masterpiece. The fusion of styles followed by his insane bass playing make for a romp through the 70's with an incredible attention to modernity. This is a light-hearted album with crazy bass lines, but my favorite part would have to be the inclusion of Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins on 'Show You The Way', which is in the video below.



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