15. In Colour- Jamie XX

If there was any doubt that Jamie XX’s solo ambitions exceed that of his band, he put them to rest this year. In Colour, his debut or sophomore effort depending on who you ask, is as assured as you could expect from an electronic album, maintaining a powerful thematic flow. Jamie’s focus on minimalism gives the record a palpable sense of loneliness while also allowing his precise and evocative selection of sounds plenty of room to breath. There is also an affectionate sense of legacy in the inclusion of both Romy and Oliver from The XX, with the staggering beautiful Romy collaboration “Loud Places” standing out not just as a highlight of the album but also of the year.

The only real issue with  In Colour is one of pacing. The late-album inclusion of the immensely fun Young Thug-featuring single “I Know There’s Gonna Be Good Times” injects a boisterous edge to an otherwise understated and introspective album, throwing off the flow. However, it comes nowhere near muffling the overall effect of the album. Equally as inviting to those inexperienced with electronica as it is suited to an after hours rave, In Colour is an instant classic.

-George Greenstreet

14. Is Stupider– Stove

With the demise of Ovlov, we were all scared saying, “Steve, where’d you go?” Thankfully, Steve Hartlett answers the question himself within Is Stupider, his debut with a new name and lineup. Stove finds the same self-deprecation and wall of guitars of Ovlov but brings Hartlett’s lyrics more to the forefront.  Self-loathing and thoughts of how we are all big dumb boys are perhaps the main focus of Is Stupider, but it is Hartlett’s craft of big noise and Dinosaur Jr.-esque riffs that keep the album constantly stuck in my head.

Despite Steve Hartlett’s feelings of lost self within the album, he still finds humor in it all as evidenced by song titles “Stupid,” “Stupider” and “Stupidest” or the Exploding in Sound Records-associated band references of “Wet Food” and “Lowt-ide Fins.” Hartlett is learning to love himself cathartically through Is Stupider, and we can’t help but fall in love with the album to from beginning to end.

-Christine Varriale

13. Carrie & Lowell– Sufjan Stevens

I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I’m pretty sure that Sufjan Stevens is a being of fiction. I mean, an artist that seemingly effortlessly moves between genres and shatters musical norms while creating genuinely touching and effectual songs seems like something out of a novel or a film.
And, almost as if on cue, after the wildly experimental and electronic waves of The Age of Adz and meandering over the past 5 years from project to project, Sufjan comes home to the folk-based sound he is known for. Of course, he manages to craft it in an entirely new and exciting way. That energy carries Carrie & Lowell into what it will ultimately be remembered as: a majestic return to love and heart.

-Reggie Woo

12. Before the World Was Big- Girlpool

Girlpool isn’t traditionally aggressive; some tracks sound like lullabies and drums are nowhere to be found. But make no mistake, Before The World Was Big is 100% punk. Between calling out white male privilege and standing against slut-shaming, Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker are here to be heard. When you put on this record you’re safe to navigate your anxieties with both two chords and friends in your ears. The world may be getting bigger and you may feel smaller but this life is pretty.

-Jeeyoon Kim

11. Infinite House– Ava Luna

Ava Luna’s Infinite House is a catastrophic masterpiece. It begins with a seemingly catchy and beautiful tune, “Company,” but setting the course for the rest of your sonic adventure, everything falls apart perfectly. Songs like “Roses and Cherries” and “Coat of Shellac” coyly get you to groove with tingly guitars, heavy bass and beautiful three-piece harmonies. “Victoria” crashes and thrashes harder than anything since “Ice Level” off their second full-length of the same name. “Steve Polyester” is the true “what the fuck?!?” moment on the album, a surreal story of a man named Steve. (Krill’s Steve perhaps?)

Through the madness of sounds ranging from noise rock to avant-garde performance to soul to R&B, what makes Infinite House Ava Luna’s best to date is the sheer musicianship of each of its members. They are truly in tune with their craft, and many of them have sprung other projects in their Ava Luna downtime, proving that they are one of the hardest working and diverse bands in indie rock.

-Christine Varriale