1. Sun Araw - Heavy Deeds
Easily my favorite head trip of the year, maybe the decade. This on headphones just takes you to another planet!
2. Desolation Wilderness - New Universe
It's like M. Ward fronting Deerhunter but completely original and done by a three piece... glacial, epic and fragile.
3. Alela Diane - To Be Still
Every time I play this around folks, one person writes down the name of it, often, on their hand. To me, that's solid evidence of a universally great record.
4. Tara Jane O'Neil - A Ways Away
I've been a fan of TJO for years this is the record where she finally snuck her songwriting just a smidge above the haze of her glorious sound, that smidge was enough to keep this record on constant repeat.
5. Mi Ami - Watersports
Never has a cacophony of sound made me want to dance like a hippy so easily.
6. Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People Lazers Do
The only album that makes me want to go out to clubs, booty dance and pop champagne. If this was the soundtrack at dance clubs, you'd find me there in neon tennis shoes dancing all night.
7. Wooden Shjips - Dos
An album like this makes you want to sit with your forehead pressed to the speaker so you can feel every song.
8. Best Coast - Where The Boys Are
The best pop songs of the year drenched in reverb... can't wait to see this band live.
9. The Spits - Vol. IV
Revisionist punk that blows my mind with every listen. Last time I saw them live, they had a roadie lighting off fire crackers in the crowd as part of their "stage show".
10. Dan Deacon - Bromst
A rhythmic symphony of noise that's a perfect soundtrack for my afternoon walks through rush hour traffic in downtown Portland
