The word of the year is Silence. If I’m being honest about what I listened to the most, it was nothing, literally silence. Most nights ended with me, my noise cancelling headphones, and my thoughts. I found the quiet to be quite musical. Of course, I heard a handful of strong records reflected below, but this newfound muted music has led me to explore ambient and minimalism, hence the bonus lists. Enjoy!
Rock and the like
1. Frog – Grog One of the most unique records I’ve heard in a long time. Difficult to lock them down to one genre, I hear Americana, R&B, lo-fi indie rock… all within each song!
2. Animal Collective – Isn’t It Now The same familiar, retro sound. 1960’s psychedelia + pure pop. They continue to make great records.
3. Sufjan Stevens – Javelin Another hushed, pop masterpiece. I can feel both his pain and his release through these beautiful songs.
4. Parannoul – After the Magic Shoegaze at its best. Loud and melodic, don’t be fooled by the slow introduction.
5. Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World Contains all the elements of classic Yo La Tengo – some paranoia, some seriousness, some sweetness, but most of all, joy.
6. Jenny Lewis – Joy‘All This record screams Southern California, 1970s, hair in the wind driving down the highway.
7. Sparklehorse – Bird Machine Hints of what could have been. Beyond the noise was a pop masterpiece.
8. Wilco – Cousins There is a new pensiveness building. Perhaps the title is due how adjacent to Wilco’s classic tension fueled pop songs this record comes, without being more of the same.
9. Meg Baird – Furling Simple, yet complicated. Lots of atmosphere and Joni Mitchell vibes. Wistful and mesmerizing at the same time.
10. Ratboys – The Window Jangly indie-rock is alive and well. Midwestern alt-rock vibe throughout, with a very clean sound.
11. Jonathan Wilson – Eat the Worm Another spacey gem. It’s out there…but not too far gone. Restless just like the rest of his albums.
12. Anders Parker – The Black Flight Another solid release. Love the story behind the songs. Voice is as strong as ever.
13. Palehound – Eye on The Bat Reminds me of a heavier, indie-rock version of Aimee Mann. She can swing with the best of them.
14. Hayden Pedigo – The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored John Fahey for the next generation. Clean fingerpicking gives this record life.
15. Screaming Females – Desire Pathway A headbanging, melodic good time. Lots of swing. They are one step away from rock stardom.
16. Mark William Lewis – Living Moody, off-kilter, keeps me on my toes. Mark’s vulnerability is evident throughout.
17. Boygenius – The Record No frills, classic rock from this supergroup. A more polished, finished sounding record.
18. The Hold Steady – The Price of Progress Another strong showing from this wordsmith. He tells a great yarn as good as anyone.
19. Oozing Wound – We Cater to Cowards Heavy, man. Sometimes you need to let your hair down and rock out. This was that record for me this year.
20. The New Pornographers – Continue as a Guest Title should read, “continue putting out consistently solid pop releases…”
Jazz & Experimental
1. Jaimie Branch – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) Sad backstory; the world will miss her.
2. Natural Information Society – Since Time Is Gravity Love the repetitive, hypnotic aura of Jeff Parker.
3. Yussef Dayes – Black Classical Music Powerful release.
4. Brandee Younger – Brand New Life How great is the harp? Had no idea of it could be used this way.
5. André 3000 – New Blue Sun Not what I would have expected, nonetheless entertaining.
6. John Hollenback – Letters to George
7. Meshell Ndegeocello – The Omnichord Real Book Very lowkey for Meshell.
8. Daniel Villarreal – Lados B More Jeff Parker! Can’t get enough of this guy.
9. Pat Metheny – Dream Box Such a distinctive sound, done with minimal accoutrements.
10. The Necks – Travel Dark and groovy.
Ambient & Minimalism
11. Arnold Dreyblatt – Resolve This is the sound of metallic.
12. Arooj Aftab – Love in Exile Eerie vibes.
13. Fred Again & Brian Eno – Secret Life A collage of sounds.
14. Loscil – Colours of Air I’ve always wondering what the color of air was.
15. Lucy Liynu – Dog Dreams Definitely the sounds of dog dreaming.
16. Oval – Romantiq Hypnotic loops.
17. Tim Hecker – No Highs Get ready for takeoff…
18. Eluvium – (Whirring Marvels in) Consensus Reality Soundtrack for a rainy Sunday morning.
29. Helen Money – Trace Heavy drones; dark and mysterious.
20. Leo Takami – Next Door Much lighter than anything else on this list.
Reissues & Live Recordings
1. John Coltrane / Eric Dolphy – Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy Historic.
2. Neil Young – Chrome Dreams This guy has more great songs never released then most create ever.
3. Sonic Youth – Live in Brooklyn 2011 One final bow.
4. Superchunk – Misfits and Mistakes: Singles, B-sides & Strays 2007–2023 Much to process here.
5. The Replacements – Tim [Let It Bleed Edition] Beautiful versions of the way it was meant to sound.
6. Iron & Wine – Who Can See Forever Really nice live collection.
7. The Postal Service – Everything Will Change For the completest only.
8. Dinosaur Jr. – Puke + Cry: The Sire Years 1990-1997 Not my favorite era, but plenty of gems.
9. Pharoah Sanders – Pharoah First official release – it’s out there.
10. The Dream Syndicate – The Days of Wine and Roses Nice to see this updated.
Eric Fine NYC