The best joint from their latest sequel featurs a rare appearance from Rage Against the Machine’s Zach De La Rocha.Ĥ2. Run the Jewels returned this year to make another hard hitting aggressive hip-hop album. Zack De La Rocha- “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” “Alexandra” is a hell of a stomper featuring some of Leithauser’s best howling since The Walkmen’s epic hit “the Rat” The single also captures some of the charm that was found on Vampire Weekend’s 2013 masterpiece “Modern Vampires of the City.”Ĥ5. The lead singer of the Walkmen released his first solo album this year, and got some help from Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij. Sure to garner comparisons to the National and The War on Drugs, “From Now On’s” pounding drum beat and big chorus are just as compelling as The National’s 2010 hit “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” It’s been quite awhile since either Ronson or New Orleans rapper Mystikal have put records out, and this this funky James Brown esque single is the kind of comeback upbeat retro R&B jam we’ve come to expect from Ronson. Mark Ronson has a flare for making perfect collaborations with artists of all genres.
With “Love U Forever”, Lewis returns to her Fleetwood Mac inspired roots that made her Rilo Kiley days so sunny and enjoyable.Ĥ8.
His second offering, “The New Testament” is his most polished sounding work yet, with a delightful 1960’s rockabilly pop sensibility.Ĭo-written and produced by Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis made a pleasant return to the alternative country rock scene this year with her first new album in 6 years. “Really Be” was one the highlights.įrench group Tahiti 80 sound a whole lot like their peers Phoenix on “Crush”, and it’s a great piece of French romantic guitar pop.Ĭhristopher Owens- “Never Want To See That Look Again”Īfter leaving Girls, the former lead singer has released two drastically different sounding albums. West Coast hip-hop experienced another giant year with releases from Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, and YG. Three times lengthier than any of the band’s previous singles, “Argentina” is a joyous 8 minute trip that’s split into three different parts. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco released his first solo album this year with his son Spencer, who drums on “Sukierae” “Low Key” is a charming quiet little song that carries a pretty melody, and would’ve fit in well with any recent Wilco album. This North Carolina duo offers up some soothing and heartfelt folk-rock, that’s not too far off from sounding like Wilco’s “Sky Blue Sky.” The late bloomer Lee Fields continues to shine with his James Brown howl.Īlvvays hail from Novia Scotia, and write sunny and bright indie pop gems made for a perfect day at the beach. Lee Fields & the Expressions- “Eye to Eye” Not sure Ireland has seen blue-eyed soul like this since Van Morrison. Maybe Daft Punk did in fact “Give Life Back to Music.”Īnother point that can be made about 2014 is the landscape of music is growing more diverse each year with the inclusion of vocal manipulation, electronics, and fusion of R&B into rap and rock.Īnyway, without further due, here are this year’s 50 best songs of 2014! Vincent embraced the manic, minimal, and twisted electronic sounds of “Yeezus”, where many other pop artists such as Ariana Grande, Pharrell, Mark Ronson, and Kendrick Lamar brought us some of the fun retro funky vibes that “Random Access Memories” provided us a year ago. Ryan Adams had a huge comeback year with his self titled release, and the War on Drugs had their most successful hit with their 80’s Bruce Springsteen tinged “Lost in the Dream.” Ultimately though, 2014 sounded like a gut reaction to Kanye West’s “Yeezus”, Lorde’s “Heroin”, and Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories.” Artists like St. Not to say there wasn’t any room for traditional rock and roll. If 2014 is any indication, music is heading more and more towards electronic territory, with many of this year’s critically acclaimed albums featuring prominent electronic production. We also didn’t see new albums from Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West (We’ll forgive Kanye, it’s the first time he hasn’t put out an album since 2009), as well as Fleet Foxes, Dr. We also saw returns from beloved indie acts Spoon, Death from Above 1979, Interpol, and Aphex Twin. VIncent, Sharon Van Etten, Taylor Swift, FKA Twigs, Jenny Lewis), and the pop charts were also dominated by newcomers Iggy Azaelia, Ariana Grande, and Charli XCX. 2014 was year filled with solid music from exceptionally gifted female artists, (St. Another year in the books for Straight Fire Music, and 2014 had some pretty big shoes to fill after the mega year 2013 was.