* = Still absorbing. I remain underwhelmed by the year at whole, normally this would be 40-50 albums deep this time of year. But I also admit not paying as close of attention as usual.
Tier 1:
1) St Vincent: All Born Screaming (alt-rock)
2) Mannequin Pussy: I Got Heaven (indie rock, pop-punk)
3) JpegMafia: I Lay Down My Life for You (experimental rap)
4) Magdelena Bay: Imaginal Disk (art pop)
Tier II:
5) Jamie XX: In Waves* (electronic)
6) The Smile: Wall of Eyes (indie rock)
7) Fontaines DC: Romance (alt rock)
8) Blood Incantation- Absolute Everywhere* (progressive metal)
9) The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis: Self Titled (nu-jazz)
10) Nadine Shah: Filthy Underneath (art rock/pop)
11) Idles: Tangk (alt rock)
12) Arooj Aftab: Night Reign (folk, jazz)
Tier III:
13) Nilifur Yanya: My Method Actor (indie rock)
14) Brittany Howard: What Now (indie rock)
15) Floating Points: Cascade* (trance)
16) Remi Wolf: Big Ideas (art pop)
17) Sprints: Letter to Self (post-punk)
18) Mount Kimbie: The Sunset Violet (shoe gaze, electronic)
Tier IV:
19) MJ Lenderman- Manning Fireworks (indie rock)
20) Caribou: Honey* (progressive techno)
21) Wunderhorse: Midas* (alt-rock)
22) Four Tet: Three (downtempo electronic)
23) Beth Gibbons: Lives Outgrown (singer songwriter)
24) Charli XCX: Brat (pop)
25) Vince Staples: Dark Times (rap)
26) Jack White: No Name* (garage rock)
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