My selections for the year two thousand eight. I was AWOL for about four months this year and thus, missed a lot of albums and time to catch up on what I missed earlier. Despite that, I think oh eight was a much better year for music than last and I'm excited to see what all the new talent of this year will bring for the next. Alright, have at it!
1. Justin Nozuka - Holly
Justin Nozuka is my favorite artist this year. I was introduced to him thanks to a good friend who’d happened to catch ‘After Tonight’ on VH1’s You Oughta Know. Finally, I stumbled across ‘Holly’, and it ended up being my most played album this year. On top of that, I even got to see Justin live in Tokyo, Japan, further cementing for me how talented he truly is. The album is written entirely by Justin, save for one co-written song, between the ages of 15-17 (the album was also released independently). The maturity of his lyrics and the range and depth of his vocal skills impressed me. This album is really beautiful; soulful and sad in much the same way For Emma, Forever is but with a good set of radio friendly tracks. Sleeper hit of 2008!
Jams: Supposed to Grow Old, Oh Momma
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever
This album has etched itself in my heart for much of the year. It’s been a part of all my major journeys this year. When I first heard it, I felt kind of lukewarm until ‘Skinny Love’ (my song of the year) came blaring through my speakers. I’ve been hooked ever sense. This is a beautiful album and much of the beauty comes from Vernon’s ethereal, layered vocals. It is a bit lonely and a bit sad, but the type of sad that’s also comforting, like a good friend with an arm over your shoulder telling you, “Yeah, Me too. Me too.”
Jams: Blindsided, Flume
3. Flying Lotus- Los Angeles
I had no idea who FlyLo was before finding this album over the summer and I slept on it until I got to Tokyo in August. Listening to Los Angeles while commuting on the Tokyo Metro is what imagine a fish in a fishbowl would feel like. Los Angeles is fluid, elastic, and vibrating. At one point you feel like maybe this is what a nebula bursting would sound like, at another, you’re thankful such a thing as hip hop exists. And while this is a primarily experimental glitch album, it is most definitely hip hop: you hear it in the boom of the bass, in the jazz sensibilities of the arrangements and in the glorious cacophony that somehow makes so much sense, it’s hard not to bop your head to the entire album.
Jams: Beginners Falafel, RobertaFlack (feat. Dolly)
4. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
The obvious afropop/baroque influence is what the entire album and the band is all about, and they are all fantastic musicians, Erza Koenig has a quirkiness to his voice I don't find annoying but complementary to the music the band plays. This album is everything I really like about music: I can sing to it, It makes mundane tasks really bearable and the tunes stick in my head for days at a time. Lots of bands have looked to other cultural music for influence but among the myriad of (lets face it, oft times bland) indie bands, these boys really hold their own. With their level of musicianship, I'll definitely be eager to hear what they come up with next. And anyone who can throw a harpsichord in a song is alright by me.
Jams: The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance, M79
5. Santogold -Santogold
Santogold’s debut album has my vote for most diverse album of 2008. Her brand of the “New Wave revival” is sharper and more distinctive than I’ve heard in a while. Her sound does away with genre, her voice is enthralling, and the album is great. Much like a box of sampler chocolates, Santi introduces us to all the tricks she’s got, and they’re damn good. While half of the album was released on her I Believe in Santogold EP, those songs were reworked to perfection and balance the latter half of the album wonderfully. For one of the most anticipated albums of 2008, Santogold did not disappoint.
Jams: Starstuck, Anne
6. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Tip’s third album was a very quiet release. Quiet in the sense that it just sort of materialized out of thin air and naturally, was also overlooked. With the passing of J Dilla, producer of Amplified, Tip undertook all of the production for this go round. The results? Another masterpiece. Taking a cue from Erykah Badu, The Renaissance is packed with positivity a la the Tribe. It’s easy to hear Q Tip is at his prime; lyrically, the complexity and smooth delivery of his rhymes shine over jazz influenced beats created with great sampling from his catalogue of “old school” records. The one Dilla produced cut, Gettin’ Up, is an absolute stand out track. Collaborations with Raphael Saddiq, D’Angelo, and Norah Jones only add to the magic of The Renaissance.
Jams: Shaka, Life Is Better (feat. Norah Jones)
7. Robyn - Robyn
Of all the lists I’ve seen, it really puzzles me that I haven’t seen Robyn’s s/t album on any of them (Although originally released in 2007, it was reissued this May as a first time US release) mainly because it’s an amazing album. Robyn somehow managed to prove that being a teen poptart doesn’t stifle actual talent, which Robyn has tenfold. With an electronica backbone and very obvious early 80s Prince influences (Bonus track, ‘Jack You Off’ is a Prince Cover), Robyn’s vocals and often quirky lyrics shine. A wonderfully strong debut and an awesome release this year.
Jams:
Should Have Known, Bum Like You
8. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
In my opinion, the best music is usually free music. Or almost free music. Or music you can decide the price for. That’s not to say Free the Animals is good because of this, but it certainly helps, in terms of accessibility. I am a sample freak. I love figuring out where this tidbit came from, but most of all, I love how sampling and the merging of genres thus renders the idea of ‘genre’ unimportant. It’s just music, repackaged and effed around with a bit. And it’s good. It’s brilliant. The surprise of GT’s work, I think, is how his re-mashing of all of these bits always sound better to me than the originals. Feed the Animals is a banger because in all cases, the original songs (in terms of the rap records), are more appealing and fresh reworked. And that’s why this album shines, not because GT is doing anything particularly original, but because he’s making what’s already been done better.
Jams: Give Me a Beat,Hands in the Air
9.Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Part One
Erykah has accomplished a feat on this album most artists don't accomplish at least ten albums into their oeuvre. This album is dense and perhaps the most accessible work she's made to date. You will find that this collection of songs affirms the humanity in us all, using the power of music to uplift, enlighten, and groove your pants off. It takes a couple of listens to get through the layers of vocals, message, and somewhat psychedelic chanting throughout but it'll be an experience you wouldn't find in any other album. I'm sad so many people slept on this album, but I highly highly recommend it!
Jams:Telephone, Twinkle
10.Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
Love Lockdown. I was a bit skeptical. I didn’t listen to the leaks, either. Then 808s dropped and I listened. I was impressed. I’ve always admired his work as an artist and his longing to do something different. I really wished this album would have been made a year ago in the midst of a terrible breakup, but the fact that all of the anguish and loss and frustration resonated with me a year after my own personal ordeal meant Kanye succeeded in at least one aspect of 808s and Heartbreak. I understood the heartbreak and I liked the way it was packaged. Don’t be fooled, this is a pop record at it’s finest. I was really impressed with the depth and the vulnerabilities which still managed to be coupled with ego stroking and humor. I still hold fast to the idea that Late Registration is Kanye’s masterpiece but the more I listen to 808s, the more I’m starting to think this guy is on to something.
Jams: RoboCob, Streetlights
Honorable Mentions
Jason Mraz - We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Jams: Only Human, Butterfly
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Jams: Big Kid Table, We Brave Be Stings and All
Jamie Lidell - Jim
Jams: Rope of Sand, Green Light
Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
Jams:Wrestlers, In the Privacy of Our Love
Sia- Some People Have REAL Problems
Jams: Death by Chocolate, Playground
Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
Jams: Let It Be Me,Winter Birds
Lykke Li- Youth Novels
Jams: Little Bit, Let It Fall
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Jams: Cath...,I Will Possess Your Heart
Portishead- Third
Jams: Magic Doors, Machine Guns
Utada Hikaru - HEART STATION
Jams: Celebrate, Stay Gold
1. Justin Nozuka - Holly
Justin Nozuka is my favorite artist this year. I was introduced to him thanks to a good friend who’d happened to catch ‘After Tonight’ on VH1’s You Oughta Know. Finally, I stumbled across ‘Holly’, and it ended up being my most played album this year. On top of that, I even got to see Justin live in Tokyo, Japan, further cementing for me how talented he truly is. The album is written entirely by Justin, save for one co-written song, between the ages of 15-17 (the album was also released independently). The maturity of his lyrics and the range and depth of his vocal skills impressed me. This album is really beautiful; soulful and sad in much the same way For Emma, Forever is but with a good set of radio friendly tracks. Sleeper hit of 2008!
Jams: Supposed to Grow Old, Oh Momma
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever
This album has etched itself in my heart for much of the year. It’s been a part of all my major journeys this year. When I first heard it, I felt kind of lukewarm until ‘Skinny Love’ (my song of the year) came blaring through my speakers. I’ve been hooked ever sense. This is a beautiful album and much of the beauty comes from Vernon’s ethereal, layered vocals. It is a bit lonely and a bit sad, but the type of sad that’s also comforting, like a good friend with an arm over your shoulder telling you, “Yeah, Me too. Me too.”
Jams: Blindsided, Flume
3. Flying Lotus- Los Angeles
I had no idea who FlyLo was before finding this album over the summer and I slept on it until I got to Tokyo in August. Listening to Los Angeles while commuting on the Tokyo Metro is what imagine a fish in a fishbowl would feel like. Los Angeles is fluid, elastic, and vibrating. At one point you feel like maybe this is what a nebula bursting would sound like, at another, you’re thankful such a thing as hip hop exists. And while this is a primarily experimental glitch album, it is most definitely hip hop: you hear it in the boom of the bass, in the jazz sensibilities of the arrangements and in the glorious cacophony that somehow makes so much sense, it’s hard not to bop your head to the entire album.
Jams: Beginners Falafel, RobertaFlack (feat. Dolly)
4. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
The obvious afropop/baroque influence is what the entire album and the band is all about, and they are all fantastic musicians, Erza Koenig has a quirkiness to his voice I don't find annoying but complementary to the music the band plays. This album is everything I really like about music: I can sing to it, It makes mundane tasks really bearable and the tunes stick in my head for days at a time. Lots of bands have looked to other cultural music for influence but among the myriad of (lets face it, oft times bland) indie bands, these boys really hold their own. With their level of musicianship, I'll definitely be eager to hear what they come up with next. And anyone who can throw a harpsichord in a song is alright by me.
Jams: The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance, M79
5. Santogold -Santogold
Santogold’s debut album has my vote for most diverse album of 2008. Her brand of the “New Wave revival” is sharper and more distinctive than I’ve heard in a while. Her sound does away with genre, her voice is enthralling, and the album is great. Much like a box of sampler chocolates, Santi introduces us to all the tricks she’s got, and they’re damn good. While half of the album was released on her I Believe in Santogold EP, those songs were reworked to perfection and balance the latter half of the album wonderfully. For one of the most anticipated albums of 2008, Santogold did not disappoint.
Jams: Starstuck, Anne
6. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Tip’s third album was a very quiet release. Quiet in the sense that it just sort of materialized out of thin air and naturally, was also overlooked. With the passing of J Dilla, producer of Amplified, Tip undertook all of the production for this go round. The results? Another masterpiece. Taking a cue from Erykah Badu, The Renaissance is packed with positivity a la the Tribe. It’s easy to hear Q Tip is at his prime; lyrically, the complexity and smooth delivery of his rhymes shine over jazz influenced beats created with great sampling from his catalogue of “old school” records. The one Dilla produced cut, Gettin’ Up, is an absolute stand out track. Collaborations with Raphael Saddiq, D’Angelo, and Norah Jones only add to the magic of The Renaissance.
Jams: Shaka, Life Is Better (feat. Norah Jones)
7. Robyn - Robyn
Of all the lists I’ve seen, it really puzzles me that I haven’t seen Robyn’s s/t album on any of them (Although originally released in 2007, it was reissued this May as a first time US release) mainly because it’s an amazing album. Robyn somehow managed to prove that being a teen poptart doesn’t stifle actual talent, which Robyn has tenfold. With an electronica backbone and very obvious early 80s Prince influences (Bonus track, ‘Jack You Off’ is a Prince Cover), Robyn’s vocals and often quirky lyrics shine. A wonderfully strong debut and an awesome release this year.
Jams:
Should Have Known, Bum Like You8. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
In my opinion, the best music is usually free music. Or almost free music. Or music you can decide the price for. That’s not to say Free the Animals is good because of this, but it certainly helps, in terms of accessibility. I am a sample freak. I love figuring out where this tidbit came from, but most of all, I love how sampling and the merging of genres thus renders the idea of ‘genre’ unimportant. It’s just music, repackaged and effed around with a bit. And it’s good. It’s brilliant. The surprise of GT’s work, I think, is how his re-mashing of all of these bits always sound better to me than the originals. Feed the Animals is a banger because in all cases, the original songs (in terms of the rap records), are more appealing and fresh reworked. And that’s why this album shines, not because GT is doing anything particularly original, but because he’s making what’s already been done better.
Jams: Give Me a Beat,Hands in the Air
9.Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Part One
Erykah has accomplished a feat on this album most artists don't accomplish at least ten albums into their oeuvre. This album is dense and perhaps the most accessible work she's made to date. You will find that this collection of songs affirms the humanity in us all, using the power of music to uplift, enlighten, and groove your pants off. It takes a couple of listens to get through the layers of vocals, message, and somewhat psychedelic chanting throughout but it'll be an experience you wouldn't find in any other album. I'm sad so many people slept on this album, but I highly highly recommend it!
Jams:
Telephone, Twinkle10.Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
Love Lockdown. I was a bit skeptical. I didn’t listen to the leaks, either. Then 808s dropped and I listened. I was impressed. I’ve always admired his work as an artist and his longing to do something different. I really wished this album would have been made a year ago in the midst of a terrible breakup, but the fact that all of the anguish and loss and frustration resonated with me a year after my own personal ordeal meant Kanye succeeded in at least one aspect of 808s and Heartbreak. I understood the heartbreak and I liked the way it was packaged. Don’t be fooled, this is a pop record at it’s finest. I was really impressed with the depth and the vulnerabilities which still managed to be coupled with ego stroking and humor. I still hold fast to the idea that Late Registration is Kanye’s masterpiece but the more I listen to 808s, the more I’m starting to think this guy is on to something.
Jams: RoboCob, Streetlights
Honorable Mentions
Jason Mraz - We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Jams: Only Human, Butterfly
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Jams: Big Kid Table, We Brave Be Stings and All
Jamie Lidell - Jim
Jams: Rope of Sand, Green Light
Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
Jams:
Wrestlers, In the Privacy of Our LoveSia- Some People Have REAL Problems
Jams: Death by Chocolate, Playground
Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
Jams: Let It Be Me,
Winter BirdsLykke Li- Youth Novels
Jams: Little Bit, Let It Fall
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Jams: Cath...,I Will Possess Your Heart
Portishead- Third
Jams: Magic Doors, Machine Guns
Utada Hikaru - HEART STATION
Jams: Celebrate, Stay Gold
