Albums of The Year so far p.1

by Dan-O

Since this site started in 2011 we have never posted a list. At best, posting the list distracts from a focus on good art. It moves the readers eye towards the numerical ranking aspect. At worst, It becomes an arbitrary insult that leaves every project not ranked #1 as less than. I’ve wrestled with this a lot. I make lists all throughout the year and circulate them to friends and associates. It’s a great way to keep track of what has come out thus far and keep fresh in your mind things that would otherwise drift.

The idea from now on:all the problems I articulated about lists in the last paragraph are end of year problems. At the end of the year I will NOT declare the best to fiftieth best album. Your AOTY list is much more important in March and August.

As a new year starts the top names hold their albums for summer or winter. Very few high impact releases come through early in the year. You read a lot of “It’s been slow so far” but it hasn’t. It’s a great time for independent or smaller names to shine. We have a LOT of great projects that have come out so far, here is my list.

1. The Price of Tea in China by Boldy James x Alchemist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbedOG50QNw
2. Man Alive! By King Krule https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnK2t_FxrY
3. Aloha by Son Little https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLo0a_mKmx4
4. Texas Sun by Khruangbin x Leon Bridges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzHVrUBuRF8
5. Funeral by Lil Wayne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIsw1pM9bE
6. Chickaboom! by Tami Neilson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC7dyeLRZBo
7. Circles by Mac Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-Ig0aeJ6jc
8. Got It Made by Kamaiyah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZdvh0z8snc
9. Untrapped-Yo Gotti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpwOWUHGt2o
10. Always Tomorrow by Best Coast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTsRpTKKtMA
11. My Turn by Lil Baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpsk-Evr8GM
12. The Professionals by Oh No x Madlib https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y96Eh_v-0Jg
13. Unlocked by Denzel Curry x Kenny Beats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIrhGleD9M
14. Immortal Flame by Cities Aviv https://citiesaviv.bandcamp.com/album/immortal-flame
15. Pop Smoke by Meet The Woo 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oorVWW9ywG0

I do not have different lists for different genres. Beyond sheer technical best these albums are in order of interest. The interest I have in revisiting and forming a lasting relationship with the project. Listen to the accompanying clips of whatever strikes you, it makes for a strange playlist.