2014 was a great year for music! In honor of the new year, here are some of our editor’s favorite releases of the year. Check out these ten artists’ outstanding 2014 album releases, hand-picked by Atwood Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Liza Pittard!
Liza's Best of 2014
10.
Hell Can Wait EP – Vince Staples
Listen: “Blue Suede” – Vince Staples
9.
Survival Sounds – Rubblebucket
Listen: “Sound of Erasing” – Rubblebucket
8.
The Moon Rang Like a Bell – Hundred Waters
Listen: The Moon Rang Like a Bell – Hundred Waters
7.
They Want Your Soul – Spoon
Listen: “Inside Out” – Spoon
6.
This Is All Yours – alt-J
Listen: “Left Hand Free” – alt-J
5.
So Long, See You Tomorrow – Bombay Bicycle Club
Listen: “Luna” – Bombay Bicycle Club
4.
Our Love – Caribou
Listen: “Can’t Do Without You” – Caribou
3.
Singles – Future Islands
Listen: “Seasons (Waiting on You)” – Future Islands
2.
Run the Jewels 2 – Run the Jewels
Listen: “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck) feat. Zack de la Rocha” – Run the Jewels
1.
Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
Listen: “Coffee” – Sylvan Esso
This duo from NC just did things right for me with their self-titled debut album in 2014. With the combination of folksy Mountain Goats member Amelia Meath and beats-maker Nick Sanborn, Sylvan Esso is hopefully only just getting started. There is an ambient quality to each song, while still rooted in the lyrics (I know my words will dry upon the skin / Just like a name I remember hearing). Although critics had mixed reviews of this album because of the synth work that alludes to a remix quality, I thought each element of this album was perfectly crafted to make it a success in 2014.
