East West Melody

25. Mick Jenkins | The Water[s]

August 12, 2014 / Cinematic Music Group / 

Here at EWM we love you, and want to bring you the finest in what the music bizz has to offer, so without further adieu we present one of the rawest, bad-assest, most ingenius mixtapes of 2014, The Water[s]. Mick puts the words right in our mouths when he says, "thank god for the waters" in his track convienently titled,  "The Water[s]". If we were to give you a penny for our thoughts on our favourtie tracks on the album you would be stuck on the first post for roughly 30 minutes. His flow is on point, and there is something really untainted and free about his lyrics. We're not hip hop experts but this is good shizz everyone.

Also check out his music video for "Dehydration", it's a pretty crass depiction of the gang violence in Chi-town, but a really good watch and insight into his musak. 

24. The Black Keys | Turn Blue

May 9, 2014 | Nonesuch Records

It’s been three years since we have been spoiled with a new album from The Black Keys, and Turn Blue, The Black Keys’ eighth studio album, lives up to their reputation. As the group’s fourth collaboration with producer and writer Danger Mouse, it has more of a foothold in the psychedelic rock genre than previously. But hey, we’re not complaining. The band announced the album in March 2014 via a tweet by Mike Tyson and a series of cryptic YouTube videos featuring a hypnotist – so even they know they’re going down the rabbit hole.

23. Thom Yorke | Tomorrow's Modern Boxes

September 26, 2014 / XL Recordings /

The industry vet's release of Tomorrow's Modern Boxes was rather unorthodox, and as a result made Yorke became the subject of some pretty major media hype. It takes a pretty brave dude to just  'F' selling records off the shelves (for the most part) and sell his album for $6 a piece on BitTorrent...

Lucky for him, he is Thom Yorke, one of the most talented guys in the bizz, and his music is top notch 9.8/10 times.

For the album he chose to stick with his long time producer Nigel Godreich and together they cranked out another quintessentially "Thom" set of works. His melancholic lyrical swagger on top of the easy electro acoustic beats will never get old. 

22.Taylor Swift | 1989

October 27, 2014 / Big Machine Records / 

Ahhh, number 22...which is only appropriate because T-Swift is feeling...22. If you've stepped outside anytime in the last two months you will know that this album is likely the biggest thing to have happened in pop music this year. Given all of the amazing press she has earned from this record a short review just seems superfluous. 

This album is the only one to have gone platinum this year...people, we have fallen upon DARK times. 

She changed things up musically, had a killer group of producers including Imogean Heap, Nathan Chapman and Jack Antonoff, just to name a few, and then took the world by storm with what felt like the release of roughly 200 catchy singles. She did what she had to do, and kudos to her for it.

We'd link you to the album on Spotify but.....

21. Thurpence | Lessons

Novemeber 7, 2014 / future classic /

Thrupence is Jack Vanzet, Jack Vanzet is Thrupence, a master of combining articulate, jazz and classical sounds (think his track "Don't You Mind") with hip-hop/modern BEATZ. Lessons is his fourth studio mixtape. 

We read a great interview with him on Triple J and he gets his inspo from music his mom used to play when he was a kid!  

It would be really cool to see him live. His electronic vibe is really well supported with hype, fast drum patterns and guitar solos that definitely reverse the stigmas surrounding the inevitable boredom that ensues at a electronic show. Nothing is worse than the preverbial "Man + Computer" set-up.

We know this will come as a shock, but Jack is in fact a producer working out of Australia.

Grab a listen below. 

20. Growlers | Chinese Fountain

September 23, 2014 / Everloving Records /

The psych-rock sound of The Growlers is truly unmistakable.  The Cali based band released their newest album Chinese Fountain in early fall and it became an EWM staple. The self proclaimed "Beach Goths" use distorted vocals, and have a distinct California vibe that resonates most notably in their guitar work. These aficionados (we've seen them referred to as called 'surf punks' as well) managed to put this entire album together in just two weeks saying, "I don't know how the fuck we do it but Matt [Taylor, lead guitarist] and I just buckle down and put the songs together...Otherwise, we're too nitpicky and we'll sit there and nitpick the shit out of everything" (Spin).  

19. Sharon Van Etten | Are We There

May 14, 2014 / Jagjaguwar / 

Are We There is Sharon Van Etten's fourth studio album with Jagjaguwar, a small independent label based out of Indiana. The album has been subject to a TON of critical success from more than just us. One of our favourite statements about the album is from Rolling Stone who remarked that her "darkness contains multitudes". They're entirely correct. Her forlorn melodies and warn out, heart wrenching lyrics have a way of sounding...almost positive. 

Both lyrically and instrumentally she sounds confident and sure of herself as a musician. This could be because she produced the album herself! A rarity, but not a surprise given her seemingly granular knowledge about herself as a musician and lyricist. 

18. Hozier | Hozier

September 19, 2014 / Island Records / Rubyworks Records / 

Musically this album is unreal. Andrew Hozier Bryne combines blues, jazz, and rock in these works but most notably he has really hopped on the gospel resurgence bandwagon. Songs like, "Sedated" and "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene" literally feature a gospel choir humming underneath some pretty edgy riffs. He follows that up with gothic, almost haunting tunes like "Work Song" and "In the Woods Somewhere". 

For a debut album this is pretty impressive. We'd argue that "Work Song" is the best on the album, an unmistakeable melody and lyrics that really do hit home.  

Hozier has grabbed the pop music scene by the gonads this year, having put out a chart topping record and made appearances just about everywhere, including the Victoria Secret Fashion Show...

17. Caribou | Our Love

October 6, 2014 / Merge Records /

It had been four years since we'd heard from this bashful Canadian, Dan Snaith, better known as Caribou, and Our Love certainly did not disappoint.

The warped sound matched with hip-hop(ish) beats, electronic vibes and soulful vocals somehow makes this genre-confused album work. As Dan Snaith himself said, "It's mind-numbingly simple". But as we all learned from Forrest Gump, simple doesn't mean it's not extraordinary.

Accurately titled, Our Love moves with ebb and flow like the roller-coaster experience one has with love. "Can't Do Without You", was quick to become a very popular tune in the blogsphere, and allowed the album to hit the ground running. Our fave tracks are "Silver"  and "Our Love", they definitely encompass the albums theme and messages the best. 

PS. The link below is to a YouTube stream of the record, but GO BUY IT TOO, OK?!

16. Flying Lotus | You're Dead

October 7, 2014 | Warp Records

2014 has seen the emergence of updated jazzy/loungy vibes paired to the beats of hip-hop, and Flying Lotus’ You’re Dead! is no exception. Flying Lotus leads the listener like a child with ADHD on a journey to everywhere and anywhere. Flying Lotus starts with jazz, moves to jazz fusion and then into hip-hop where we then become lost in an array of sounds about halfway through the album – but being lost in Flying Lotus’ sounds is not the worst thing in the world. Supposedly a concept album about death, You’re Dead makes us at EWM happy to be alive, so we may experience the sonically explored afterlife proposed by FLyLo.

15. Future Island | Singles

March 24, 2014 / 4AD /

After seeing these guys on David Letterman in early March we were immediately hooked and STOKED for the release of their fourth studio album, Singles. Frontman Samuel Herring has a voice unlike most out there (a Frankie Valli if you will...don't freak out, we're not comparing the two, just trying to emphasize their unique vocal quality). It's both ominous and honest, complimenting their self made compositions and lyrics all too well.  

Their single "Seasons (Waiting on You)" has definitely received the most attention, but now it's time to shed some light on the other gems on the track list. The synthpop God's really strut their stuff on numbers like, "A Song for Our Grandfathers" (lyrics on this track are quite beautiful as well), and "Sun In the Morning". The heavy synth vibe makes entire album feels like a bit of a throw back. To complete this vision picture yourself slow dancing in a community hall to, "Like the Moon". Can't get enough. 

14. Alvvays | Alvvays

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Alvvays has got us singing high praises and feeling very proudly Canadian with the release of their self titled album Alvvays (pronounced Always). The Canadian quintet based out of Toronto has put together the finest in Indie-pop, staking themselves next to way more prolific artists in the genre like Bombay Bicycle Club and The New Pornographers. 

The album combines nostaligia with rad, easy-sometimes-hard-to-follow melodies and infectious, almost nerdy vibes. It is a blissful union of 1960s rock and roll with 1980s distorted punk. The lead singer Molly Rankin (as in the daughter of John Rankin form the Rankin Family from Nova Scotia!! v exciting) even has peroxide blonde hair! A definitive ode to 1980. 

It is hands down the best Indie-Pop album of year. So snipe this illegal listen below...

13. BadBadNotGood | III

May 6, 2014 | Innovative Leisure

Well, again, no surprise that BADBADNOTGOOD’s album III is on our list. But to be honest, it just truly is such an amazing piece of neo-jazz artwork. We struggle to define III as neo-jazz because it’s so much more. It’s indefinable. From the opening track of the album it sounds jazzy with a few key chords on the keyboard from Matt Tavares. But then as Chester Hansen whips out some hard-hitting bass paired with Alex Sowinski’s creative beats, it becomes so much more. We do wonder one thing, however: why Leland Whitty and his sax are not a permanent addition to the group – he truly adds another dimension to the mix. 

Every song on the album, from our favourites “Can’t Leave The Night” to “Kaleidoscope” to “Confessions Pt. II”, are a dark and deep explorations into potential future musical endeavours. All are stand-alone (even as instrumentals), but have potential to be remixed, hip-hopified or what have you. We truly believe that BADBADNOTGOOD is the only jazz band that will have you moshing at one of their shows.

12. Mac DeMarco | Salad Days

April 1, 2014 / Captured Tracks 

This mans real name is, Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV...woah. This is one talented dude, he's an instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter. His album, Salad Days iall these qualities wrapped up in one nice little packages.

The title track "Salad Days" is an erie, almost emo compilation that has us emotionally reeling after a listen.

He's a had a huge year having hosted his own, giant world tour and you know, releasing his record. 

Our favourite tracks is "Let Her Go", makes us feel like we're laying on a beach with a nice coconut cocktail, the message ain't so bad either: if you love someone tell them, and if you don't, let them go. 

11. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib | Piñata

March 13, 2014 | Madlib Invazion |

This collaborative album from Freddie Gibbs and Madlib (officially known as MadGibbs) is the perfect combination of Gibbs’ soul/G-funk bounciness and Madlib’s street dustiness. It’s truly the epitome of a fusion album, especially as Gibbs was able to land collaborators such as Danny Brown, Raekwon, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Scarface, Ab-Soul, and Polyester the Saint. Nonetheless, the star-studded album is a side dish to the main entrée that is the incredible flow and vibes of Gibbs and Madlib that combine all sides of hip-hop fiends.

10. Spoon | They Want My Soul

August 4, 2014 / Lorna Vista Recordings /

Firstly, we would like to quote the They Want My Soul review from one of music's finest and harshest critics, Pitchfork: "To last more than 20 years in rock'n'roll without sacrificing a lethal amount of one's soul requires a certain vigilance...but Spoon, one of the most stand-up bands of their generation, have figured all of this out" (Pitchfork). Now, with that we would ask that everyone raise a glass to rock n' roll's tried and true, and earners of an 8.6/10 album rating from the dogs at Pitchfork, Spoon.

The band's 8th, ironically titled album is an impressive set of tracks manifesting the closest thing to iconic rock and roll we've heard in a while. The quintet combines pacific coast grunge with Nashville southern rock, cranking out heavy, riff-laden organic tracks like "Rainy Taxi" and "Let Me Be Mine", all of which make you feel strangely "at home". That must be that infamous "southern comfort/hospitality" shining through...

Thank you Spoon for reminding us what some good wholesome R&R can do for the soul.

9. Lana Del Rey | Ultraviolence

June 13, 2014 / UMG Recordings / 

If you expected to turn this on and hear the same things you heard on her debut album, Born to Die, you were likely both surprised and left feeling unsure about what you had just heard. 

The American singer-songwriter definitely tapped in to her darker, blusier side, having decided that she really just did not give a shit about fame or popularity. Together with Dan Auerbach she released an album that is straight up depressing, but in the best way possible. 

With that said, there is something refreshing about the album. Musically it is unlike anything else this year. Most tracks are completely saturated with reverb and her trademark lofty, effervescent vocals. Auerbach definitely brings out a different side of her instrumentally, encouraging her to leave behind her "odes to hip-hop" in favour of a more blues heavy, rootsy feel.

Lets be honest though, someone like Lana doesn't exactly shake their persona that easily. The album still bleeds futile, melodramatic sorrow and existential uncertainty. 
 

8. FKA Twigs | LP1

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This chick has it goin' on. Yes, we realize that makes us sound like middle aged mothers, alas, FKA Twigs does have it going on so, whatever. 

FKA Twigs is a British singer-songwriter who has a discombobulated sound and gained the attention of the masses with the hit "Two Weeks". Collboarting with several producers on LP1 from Paul Epworth (who has worked with Adele among others) to Arca, the album has received critical and universal acclaim - and we are no exception.

Enjoy it all below.

7. Glass Animals | Zaba

June 6, 2014 / Wolf Tone (UK) / Harvest Records (US) /

According to many, Glass Animal's producer Paul Epworth is easily one of the most influential producers of his generation (Clash). Together with Epworth, Glass Animal's put out their debut album ZABA; an illll compilation of exotic samples and soothing vocals, all of which emanate a feeling of transcendence and illusive simplicity. They've packed it full of hip-hip, jazz and world influences, which add to the albums intricate and intoxicating sound. 

Tracks like "Pools" speak of "smiling because we want to" - a refreshing, easy to interpret work that we can't help but put on repeat. There are definitely hard hitting tracks as well, such as "Cocoa Hooves" and "Gooey". They emphasize a soulful sadness that take us to a different time in our lives - a different emotional space and place - something that every artist strives to achieve for listeners but few can say that they actually do.

6. Bleachers | Strange Desire

July 15, 2014 / RCA Records /

Strange Desire is arguably the most "feel good" album of the year, with all of its tracks speaking to a theme of love, lust and good times. Antonoff and the albums co-producer John Hill's have created a sustaining body of work with a catchy 1980's, punk-rock vibe. 

"I was very conscious about making an album that didn't sound like 11 singles," Antonoff told Billboard in February, and to us he's done a really great job of achieving that. 

Antonoff's huge range is captured flawlessly throughout the album. You can hear him flexing his baritone side in "I Wanna Get Better" and the love-sick ballad "Reckless Love" and his upper range in busy, guitar crazed tracks like their second single "Shadow".

The first single, "I Wanna Get Better", cranks out the finest in choppy piano samples and sky rocketed Antonoff from simply being a guitarist from fun. and Lena Dunham's bf, to a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Watch out for their first track "Wild Heart" - that's our fave...those drums though..  

5. The Acid | Liminal

July 2, 2014 | Infectious Music

Although a seemingly predictable album, at EWM we’re suckers for Liminal and it’s marriage of bedroomy-vocals, slow underground electronic soundscapes, and heartbreaking story. Most songs on the album start with pining, subdued vocals with accompanying percussive taps and pulsating synthy-bass. Thus the Acid, composed of longtime DJAdam Freeland, producer Steve Nalepa, and Australian singer-songwriter RYX (Ry Cuming), are less hallucinogenic and more slow-burn. Nonetheless it’s the perfect album to chill to, to multitask to, to contemplate past loves to.

4. Run the Jewels | RTJ2

October 24, 2014 / Mass Appeal Records

Where to start with this sucker...it is intense. It has the grit of a Wu-Tang Record and the creativity of a Kanye one. Not to mention the album art is pretty sick too. 

"Run the Jewels is an American hip hop duo, formed by New York City-based rapper-music producer El-P and Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike, in 2013." Yes, that is a quote directly from Wiki...we are so sorry, but they said it exactly the same way we would. 

Anyways, this album is without question better than their first EP. You can hear their growth as a duo through the unforgiving delivery of their lyrics and extremely complimentary beats - they've really stretched their legs and bounds musically.

Big s/o to these blokes, Run the Jewels 2 was an obvious choice for the best hip-hop album of the year. 

3. D'Angelo and the Vanguard | Black Messiah

December 15, 2014 | RCA Records

We all knew a surprise album was coming at the end of the year, but the question was who...Not gunna lie, we were so pleasantly shocked that D'Angelo stepped up to the plate – especially since it’s been 14 years since his last album, Brown Sugar, was released in 1995. In two words? FUCK YEAH! The album features the usual ?uestlove and Q-Tip, but also features bassist Pino Palladino, drummer James Gadson and Funkadelic's Kendra Foster helping out on lyrics. If The Black Messiah is the only album from 2014 you listen to from this list, well you’ll be missing out but this album will provide you with all of your funkadelic needs in your life.

Pure gold. Pure funk. Pure soul.

2. The War on Drugs | Lost In the Dream

March 3, 2014 / Secretly Canadian 

This may very well go down in the books as one of the best albums of the decade. It's raw as shiiiieeeet, and literally makes us feel like we are lost in a dream.

The lead vocalist, Adam Granduciel definitely has a Eric Clapton-y sounding voice. The first song "Under Pressure" has a very distinct Dire Straits vibe to it, moreso than the other tracks.

However, it goes without saying that "Suffering" is the best track. It's a good, solid love-sick ballad. 

This is the band's third studio album and it surely amped their exposure 10 fold. Everyone loves this album and you will too. 

Also, check out the label they're signed to, it's called Secretly Canadian...lol.

1. Chet Faker | Built On Glass

April 11, 2014 / Future Classic - Opulent /

Here you have it, the album of the year: Built on Glass. 

To Australians Chet Faker is the poster boy for the intersection of smooth elcectronic beats and soulful R&B music, making it hard to believe that he only had released a single EP, Thinking Out Loud, prior to this one.

His first single off the album "Talk Is Cheap" was released in February to the reception of great reviews and a guaranteed spot on the celebrity 'B' list (rough estimate) here in North America. Tracks like "1998" and "Gold" flaunt his almost numb, effortless vocal drawl that send the listener to a land of carelessness and bliss. #sex. 

The album was scrapped twice prior to release, which preaches his dedication and commitment to creating his own sound and now, prolific "chiller-than-all-else" vibe. In short this ablum was the best 52 minutes of our year. Thank you Chet.