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#165208
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ultrablue (12/22/2015) [-] 
Top Albums of 2015
#9: Laura Stevenson - Cocksure
I'm really happy this came out this year, because this is my first time experiencing a new Laura Stevenson release, as I only got into her stuff last year, with three full lengths already under her belt. Each one of those, while similar in some ways stylistically, has a distinct sound to it, and I was really pleased that trend has continued with Cocksure. This time around, Laura has written her most straight up rock record to date. The first two singles released, Torch Song and Jellyfish are the clearest illustrations of this focus. They are both pretty simple and straight forward musically, and the result is that they are some of the catchiest songs I've heard from her. Also, I was glad to see her return to her punk roots with Happier, Etc. something she hasn't dabbled with fully since her first album I think. Keeping with the more rocky aesthetic, I think this is her first album with no straight up acoustic folk tracks, which is such an interesting choice. If I heard that was the case without hearing the album first, I would probably have been disappointed, since her acoustic tracks are so sad (usually) and beautiful. But with what the album's giving us as a whole piece of music, it makes sense and I definitely don't mind it after hearing it all the way through many times. One more thing I have to point out is that at times, the lyrics are very blunt and straight to the point, while normally I find Laura's lyrics to be swimming in metaphors. Again, it's cool to hear her experimenting in that way; Jellyfish was so jarring the first time I heard it: "I'm fucking hideous and spiteful / When I'm left to my devices." Wow! That song certainly gets its point across as a result and is one of the most memorable tracks as a result.
I can say that this one would definitely be higher if it had come out earlier in the year and I had more time to absorb it. But such is the way things go once you get into the top 10!
Best track: Claustrophobe
youtu.be/R2-Rf5LKmDA
#9: Laura Stevenson - Cocksure
I'm really happy this came out this year, because this is my first time experiencing a new Laura Stevenson release, as I only got into her stuff last year, with three full lengths already under her belt. Each one of those, while similar in some ways stylistically, has a distinct sound to it, and I was really pleased that trend has continued with Cocksure. This time around, Laura has written her most straight up rock record to date. The first two singles released, Torch Song and Jellyfish are the clearest illustrations of this focus. They are both pretty simple and straight forward musically, and the result is that they are some of the catchiest songs I've heard from her. Also, I was glad to see her return to her punk roots with Happier, Etc. something she hasn't dabbled with fully since her first album I think. Keeping with the more rocky aesthetic, I think this is her first album with no straight up acoustic folk tracks, which is such an interesting choice. If I heard that was the case without hearing the album first, I would probably have been disappointed, since her acoustic tracks are so sad (usually) and beautiful. But with what the album's giving us as a whole piece of music, it makes sense and I definitely don't mind it after hearing it all the way through many times. One more thing I have to point out is that at times, the lyrics are very blunt and straight to the point, while normally I find Laura's lyrics to be swimming in metaphors. Again, it's cool to hear her experimenting in that way; Jellyfish was so jarring the first time I heard it: "I'm fucking hideous and spiteful / When I'm left to my devices." Wow! That song certainly gets its point across as a result and is one of the most memorable tracks as a result.
I can say that this one would definitely be higher if it had come out earlier in the year and I had more time to absorb it. But such is the way things go once you get into the top 10!
Best track: Claustrophobe
youtu.be/R2-Rf5LKmDA
#165254 to #165208
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ferrettamer (12/23/2015) [-] #5 hip-hop: Nacho Picasso & Blue Sky Black Death - Stoned & Dethroned
This album is fucking dank man, a bit edgy but really good.
Sample: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqNA6aQgoVU
This album is fucking dank man, a bit edgy but really good.
Sample: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqNA6aQgoVU
#165213 to #165208
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themagicwizard ONLINE (12/22/2015) [-] I listened to Kellion last night, where's my fucking prize?
#165220 to #165213
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ultrablue (12/22/2015) [-] Your prize is you listened to an awesome album. You're welcome!!
#165224 to #165220
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themagicwizard ONLINE (12/22/2015) [-] It was pretty great. My only gripe is I don't like children as vocalists in almost any setting.
#165226 to #165225
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themagicwizard ONLINE (12/22/2015) [-] I think I'll follow that advice. Merry Pre-Pre Christmas Eve!
#165234 to #165232
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ultrablue (12/22/2015) [-] I listened to Rabbit Eclipse last night. It was pretty cool; I thought the last song dragged on too much, but throughout the rest of the album I really enjoyed the vocals as well as the stellar clarinet work you mentioned.
#165210 to #165208
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themagicwizard ONLINE (12/22/2015) [-] #9
Jamie xx - In Colour
In Colour is the first solo studio album from Jamie xx, a member of the band The xx. His band mates Oliver Sim and Romy provide vocals for a few of the tracks. Young Thug and Popcaan (never heard of him before this) are also featured on one of the later songs. As the name would suggest, In Colour is a vibrant sounding album. Most of the tracks incorporate some long reverb effects and warm bass synths that create a dreamy, welcoming atmosphere that you can just sink into. A good amount of it is reminiscent of The xx's music with more of a focus on beats and synths. I think Jamie could work on his sampling, the vocal samples in Gosh are a bit obnoxious and all of my friends who have heard it have agreed with me on that. The sound design is really nice even if it isn't the focus. Jamie builds the energy in his tracks very well without going over the top anywhere. It's an album you can sit back and appreciate for how it makes you feel and not so much for composition or anything else.
Favorite track: Hold Tight
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cumIVrQN5QM
Jamie xx - In Colour
In Colour is the first solo studio album from Jamie xx, a member of the band The xx. His band mates Oliver Sim and Romy provide vocals for a few of the tracks. Young Thug and Popcaan (never heard of him before this) are also featured on one of the later songs. As the name would suggest, In Colour is a vibrant sounding album. Most of the tracks incorporate some long reverb effects and warm bass synths that create a dreamy, welcoming atmosphere that you can just sink into. A good amount of it is reminiscent of The xx's music with more of a focus on beats and synths. I think Jamie could work on his sampling, the vocal samples in Gosh are a bit obnoxious and all of my friends who have heard it have agreed with me on that. The sound design is really nice even if it isn't the focus. Jamie builds the energy in his tracks very well without going over the top anywhere. It's an album you can sit back and appreciate for how it makes you feel and not so much for composition or anything else.
Favorite track: Hold Tight
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cumIVrQN5QM
#165209 to #165208
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masterofmuffins (12/22/2015) [-] #9. Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Being all honest I didn't minded so much about Steven's solo albums since I couldn't really dig the last Porcupine Tree album, but he made it with this album despite on how much I miss Porcupine Tree. Here we listen to Steven doing what he wants to do, with absolutely no bounds from his past band, probably the most confident album I ever heard from Steven. Now there's a lot of people saying that this is too much alike with Pink Floyd, now I admit it it does sounds very alike but is not like Steven is trying to be Roger Waters, this is his music from anywhere you listen to it.
The album is also very dynamic, with songs that move more calm and relaxing to some heavy riffs and crazy solos.
So yes, I like it because Wilson sounds more confident with his music and also for the artwork, totally worth of an art exposition.
Best track: Routine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh5mWzKlhQY
inb4 "only nine?"
Being all honest I didn't minded so much about Steven's solo albums since I couldn't really dig the last Porcupine Tree album, but he made it with this album despite on how much I miss Porcupine Tree. Here we listen to Steven doing what he wants to do, with absolutely no bounds from his past band, probably the most confident album I ever heard from Steven. Now there's a lot of people saying that this is too much alike with Pink Floyd, now I admit it it does sounds very alike but is not like Steven is trying to be Roger Waters, this is his music from anywhere you listen to it.
The album is also very dynamic, with songs that move more calm and relaxing to some heavy riffs and crazy solos.
So yes, I like it because Wilson sounds more confident with his music and also for the artwork, totally worth of an art exposition.
Best track: Routine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh5mWzKlhQY
inb4 "only nine?"
