As this year (that felt like a decade in my life) comes to a close, I'm forced to look back at the music I loved, replayed and then overplayed in the past 12 months. Each of the following albums would probably be completely scratched CDs right now (were they not digital) due to how much I simply needed to hear them at some point in 2009. These may or may not be new to you, but hopefully they'll give you a taste or reminder of greatness that was released recently. And if you're a stickler for good round numbers (which I usually am, so I feel for you) - this is a disclaimer: In honor of 2009 & because I will not add an album I am not or was not in love with just to make it an even number, there are only 9 deserving albums on this list. In no specific order, here goes...
Florence and The Machine: Lungs
I take the last sentence back: this album is first in my list for a reason. Florence Welch's voice is hauntingly unique and superbly refreshing in a music world filled with remixes and autotune. Each song is more powerful and astounding than the previous. The following are some of my favorites, but this album is without a doubt worthy, if not necessary to hear from start to finish.
Miike Snow: Miike Snow
This Swedish band has some of the catchiest yet complex electro-pop songs I've heard in years. Though from the words "swedish" and "pop", you'd expect cheesy hits a la Ace of Base, Miike Snow brings us an indie, heavy and sometimes dark mood through the electronics resonating in their songs. I've found myself putting multiple songs on this album on repeat for days at a time- that's how catchy they are while also being qualitatively impeccable.
La Roux: La Roux
I've definitely talked about La Roux once or twice before on this blog, so if you've read this or talked to me in the last year, you have heard of this firey-haired Brit. Just as much of the music coming out of the UK is these days, La Roux's singer Elly Jackson is innovatively bringing back the sounds of the 80s in the most refreshing and catchy way. Her songs are infectiously rhythmic and evocative of a "Depeche" mode in music. Just like her David Bowie hairdo, she stands above the rest in this year's pop competition.
The xx: xx
The xx brings something new and exciting to the music frontier today: minimalism. Fronted by singers Romy and Oliver, two TWENTY year olds from the UK, The xx makes their mark through speaking and singing softly to heavy yet often sparse beats. The most amazing thing about this band, other than their age and style, is that their music is supersaturated with raw emotion - something rare and so valued in music today. I was lucky enough to see them perform recently at a relatively intimate venue, and all I'll say is - get into them quick before their surely imminent explosion.
Julian Casablancas: Phrazes For The Young
I have to preface my explanation of this album with the honest confession that in my eyes it would be very hard for Julian, the lead singer of The Strokes, to do wrong with a solo album. However, no matter how much expectation I had, Phrazes more than stands up to his prior work. This short 8-song venture is a captivating mix of smokey, deep vocals and playful yet intense instrumentals. The following gives you a taste of the highest of highs on the album (11th dimension) with perhaps the mellowest (Tourist).
Kid Cudi: Man On The Moon
Kid Cudi may be the "break out artist" of 2009, crossing over almost every genre in his music by melding rap, hip hop, electronic and even indie hipster music into one. With appearances from indie-synth stars like Ratatat and MGMT, and hip hop masters Kanye and Common, you know there's something stellar coming from this kid from Ohio. Though at first listen, there's almost an eery, frightening tone to some of this album, with a couple more plays you realize the weight in the songs is satisfyingly heavy and actually quite impressive. There is serious talent coming from Kid Cudi, so be warned by this first album that there's more to come from him (there better be!)
Lady GaGa: The Fame Monster
Not much needs to be said of an artist with as huge of a following and presence in the music world as Lady GaGa. Whether she's the new Madonna, Marilyn Manson, or Britney Spears, she has her own revolutionary image and a bundle of amazingly produced and executed songs to go with it. Her album is without a doubt one of my, along with probably every teenager and gay man alike's, favorite albums of 2009.
*due to possible copyright infringement, i took down these songs (go get them on itunes and support her!)
Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Another band that need no introduction, Phoenix has perfected alternative popular rock music in its essence. There aren't many bands that I think can do no wrong, but this French foursome has gotten almost every song in their four studio albums completely right. Initiating out of a band with members of Daft Punk, it's without question that Phoenix has a great grasp on creating melodies and popular dance-worthy hits. As expected, their newest release delivered 10 new tracks to add to my most played on itunes.
Passion Pit: Manners
Just as music is often a soundtrack to our lives, this quaint electronic cd took hold of my summer spending time on the beaches of Santa Monica, and will forever be stamped in my memory as the melodic backdrop to those few months. Additionally, this album happens to be an amazing, uptempo mix of quirky beats and cheerful sounds. In their debut album, Passion Pit grabbed the attention of much of the mainstream with their great dance songs, and I just happen to be among the mass of individuals who are looking forward to their next endeavor.
