Here are my favorite 10 albums of the year. After coming up with my list, I wonder where all the male musicians are. Women aren't just owning pop music but it seems like they own all genres now.
Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She - I spin this album every week. It's a departure from her usual folk black metal and is borderline industrial. Songwriting and production are top notch.
St. Vincent - All Born Screaming - I didn't like St. Vincent's early albums that everyone seems to love but the last three have gotten progressively better and this one is her best. I'm oddly in love with her version of this album sang completely in Spanish. It shouldn't work but it works wonderfully.
The Cure - Songs of a Lost World - These songs could appear on any of their seminal albums and fit perfectly. There's not a weak track on this record.
Bernard Butler - Good Grief - Bernard Butler is an underappreciated guitarist and songwriter. It's Britpop from the lens of a 50-something who has a lot of regret and just wants you to get off his lawn.
The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy - The lead single was fine but this album has to be listened to as a whole to get the vibe.
Amyl and the Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness - If the second half of this album lived up to the first half, this would be my number one pick.
The Jesus Lizard - Rack - Have you ever wondered what The Jesus Lizard would sound like with good production? Well, here you go. This sounds like they found some lost tapes from the 90s.
Crows - Reason Enough - Crows are my favorite band of the past few years. This album grows past their post punk sounds and leans into Bowie.
Kim Gordon - The Collective - 70 year olds shouldn't be making edgy music like this that grows their sound in new ways.
Tess Parks - Pomegranate - Like The Last Dinner Party, this album sets a vibe from beginning to end. It's a really good throwback psych/flower child album.