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Top 10 Albums of 2014 – #9: Xen by Arca

15 Dec

arca

Not all music is easy to listen to. Sometimes the most inaccessible music is made with the most talent and emotion behind it. I have been hanging onto Xen by Arca for some time, mulling it over and even considering it for a best track of 2014 spot with “Theivery.” Ultimately, I decided that to honor one track from this 15 song epic would be unfair; the entire album deserves recognition, and has thusly been named one of our top ten albums at the Music Court.

WARNING: This video is mildly NSFW.

This album is brief, but for once I’m not complaining. Before you are even fully aware of the electro-noise, the song is over, and you are whisked off to the next sound, playing catch-up after each track. “Failed” is the intermission, a sad, slow melody that gives us a moment to reflect. We are lead back into the cacophony with the very next track, “Family Violence,” which is eerily similar to the score of Psycho. Though the sharp electronic beats are not consistent, I consider them the lyrics of the tracks, giving each one personality amid all the other musical elements. The perk of hearing a short album is the desire it leaves with you to replay it, which is something I highly recommend for any first timers. You won’t be able to comprehend the stories told on this album unless you give it a few more spins.

Xen is out now. Find more information on Arca on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Soundcloud. For further reading on Xen, I highly recommend this review.

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Top 10 Songs of 2014 – #1: “Got It” by Banoffee

12 Dec

banoffee 2

I’ll be honest, choosing the best song this year was not hard for me. This was the first track I had ever heard from Banoffee, and it made a great first impression. “Got It” is our number one song of 2014.

It starts out with a realization: “I don’t think I know you at all.” Gently, the beat weaves between Banoffee’s airy, but fierce vocals, and carries into the refrain. “When I look at you I see this picture of how we could be, cuz I know what you got. I got it.” It is repetitive, but avoids being overbearing and annoying- this is one earworm I am happy to hum all day.

There are two elements of this track that stood out when I listened to it on repeat for hours. First, I noticed the brilliance of the artificially deep backing vocals. I haven’t heard a version without the altered backup vocals, but I imagine that it would sound sweet, yet untethered. Then there’s the soft electric sighs that sound like air. I know it’s probably just some kind of muted percussion, but if anyone were to actually use air as an instrument and make it flow as well as it does, it would be Banoffee. Homegirl’s a genius.

Please spend five measly dollars on Banoffee’s debut EP, all the cool kids are doing it. I’m told there’s an album in the works slated for release late next year. For more information, check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Soundcloud.

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Top 10 Songs of 2014 – #4: “On My Mind” by Tom Misch

8 Dec

tom misch

Precocious beat-maker Tom Misch has released a lot of music over the course of his career. Glancing at his Soundcloud page, you’d think he’s been at this for years. He probably has been at this for awhile behind the scenes, but only recently has he created music with lyrics. Why he hid his voice for so long is a mystery, but now that I’ve heard his sultry croon, I’m hooked. Misch’s “On My Mind” is our #4 best song of this year.

Tom Misch is first and foremost a J Dilla inspired producer. He honed his craft, which you can hear listening to the deep cuts from two years ago, and then made an effortless transition to songwriter and singer. “On My Mind” is the perfect merge of these two personas- the record sample is a work of art, but his voice makes me swoon. You’re on my mind, too, Tom.

Recently, Misch has teamed up with Carmody on a new EP, Out to Sea. Carmody is also a singer-songwriter, whose first major endeavor seems to be this release. Like solo Misch tracks, this EP focuses on soothing beats and gorgeous combined harmonies. Carmody balances out Misch’s natural depth, and gives another layer of the music to savor.

Out to Sea is out now. Find more information on Tom Misch’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp.

Top 10 Songs of 2014 – #6: “Duvan” by Amason

6 Dec

amason

I would like to whisk us off to Sweden for a moment, where the artist behind our #6 top single of 2014 resides. Amason is a quintet comprised of busy musicians, almost all of them associated with other projects, including Dungen, Idiot Wind, and Miike Snow. They’ve pooled their talents for Amason’s debut EP, but “Duvan” is the first taste we’ve gotten of their upcoming album, Sky City.

This is what indie rock should be. The upbeat tempo drives you through the song, but the lead vocals and notable whoo-hoos from Amanda Bergman are gripping. I also am partial to lyrics that don’t make sense, which I think Amason delivers fairly well here. I get the sense that this is a song about a relationship (aren’t they all?), but specifics are beyond me. Well done.

Amason released an EP last year with five songs that have somehow placated their fan base until now. They released the tracklist for their upcoming LP, and the only duplicate tracks from the EP are “Älgen” and “Went to War,” so I am excited to hear the other 9 new tracks (not including “Duvan”). I have listened to “Duvan” at least 100 times, and I still love it; if the whole album holds up as well as that single does, then Amason may have a top album of 2015 on their hands. For now, though, “Duvan” will have to stick with being a top track of 2014.

Sky City will be out 1/27 on Fairfax Recordings. Find more information on Amason on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Soundcloud.

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Top 10 Songs of 2014 – #8: “Almost Human” by Monarchy

4 Dec

Monarchy

There are many layers to beautiful music. The songs that truly stand out tend to make their mark with a combination of moving lyrics, memorable vocals, perhaps even an earworm of a hook. But it’s the emotion behind the music that brings us back over and over to gush over how much we love it. Monarchy takes note of this and pulls no punches with the title track of their latest EP, “Almost Human.”

Before you grimace at me for sharing a song that is completely autotuned, internalize those vocals. This is not just a love song, it is an embodiment of what love can do. We expect autotune from Monarchy, being a successful electronic duo, but it has a true purpose here: a song that proclaims to be “almost human” with natural vocals is a lie. With a voice that is convincingly not human, these lyrics gain honesty.

Now revel in the other of the layers of this track. The a capella hums and harmonies alone are enough to stop anyone in their tracks. The lyrics are written like a sappy love letter, but sung as if those feelings would never fade.

“Come be free don’t be afraid anymore
You and me, we’ll cast off our burdens

Now, now we can smile for love
Shine for eternity in our love
All the riches of your heart are mine
No one could better your design
And you, you make me feel almost human

Dark was the road, tires spitting stones at us
Falling down, we’ve been to bed with recklessness

Nothing else matters with you in my world

Nothing else matters with you in my world

Nothing else matters with you in my world…”

As a bonus, you can immerse yourself in a seven-and-a-half minute rendition of “Almost Human,” slowed to 98 BPM. And they took out the spatial electronics in the background, so you don’t miss a single word. Nurture it, download it, cry with it. This is a special piece of music. It stuck with me, and has earned its rightful place as one of the best tracks released this year.

Buy Monarchy’s EP, “Almost Human,” here. Find more info on the duo on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and YouTube.

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