We did it, you guys. We made it through another year of music. And these are the best of the best. I present to you, the best not local and local albums of the year of our lord 20 and 15. Oh, and you can subscribe to the playlist with the 80 most essential indie tracks of the year right here.
Not Local
10. Neon Indian – Vega Intl. Night School
Chillwave might be so over, but Alan Palomo is far from done. RIYL: tropical vibes, Prince, vibes in general.
9. Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love
A record full of the type of ferocity and punk ethos that’s frankly missing from rock music today.
8. Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too
This Edinburgh trio is carrying on tradition of TV on the Radio. Energy and social commentary for days.
7. Chvrches – Every Open Eye
They didn’t ditch what worked for them on their debut album, as so many buzz bands tend to do. They just continued to perfect their mastery of synth-driven pop. Or, as lead singer Lauren Mayberry describes it, “emo with synths in it.”
6. Leon Bridges – Coming Home
Ft. Worth’s very own pretty much had the best year ever. After a year like this and an album like this, no one is questioning his talent. But one has to wonder where he’s going to take his Sam Cooke via 2015 sound next.
5. Steven A. Clark – The Lonely Roller
An eclectic R&B record with tons of pop appeal, especially if you’re a fan of heartbreak, loss and catchy hooks.
4. Tame Impala – Currents
Kevin Parker further inserts himself into the mainstream with the perfect blend of psych rock and soul.
3. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
She’s the best songwriter in the game right now. A terrific performer. And she should be topping every single alt radio chart.
2. Jamie XX – In Colour
In his full length solo debut, he proves he such a knack for pop music. Which is quite different from his work with The XX, most of which is meant to put you to sleep…I think. This record is also responsible for giving us some of the best indie anthems of the year: “Loud Places” & “Good Times.”
1. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Ruban Neilson and company have been doing weird things to pop music for a few years now, and getting progressively better at it. You’ll find just as much soul/R&B influence as you will psych rock. This is an album that deals with love, loss, anxiety and polyamory. Most of which are things we can all relate to, right?
Local
10. Valise – Young Bloomer
Clean, polished, radio-ready alt pop from Dallas.
9. Sudie – Sudie EP
The former SMU great’s debut EP is an impressive collection of downtempo electro-pop.
8. Bobby Sessions – Law of Attraction
This is such a fantastic addition to the already big (and growing) Dallas hip-hop scene.
7. Andy Pickett – It Happens Every Night
This record is a g-d triumph. Full of Harry Nilsson-esque, 70s AM radio gold. Next time you see Andy at the Chat Room, please give him a strong handshake and thank him for this.
6. The Birds of Night – Birds of Night
Denton, America’s pop music for a-holes. They’ve evolved nicely into a 60s garage rock sound. Such a great live band too. And (fun fact) they were the first ever in-studio guest on The Local Ticket.
5. Larry g(EE) – Days Like This
While he didn’t release a traditional album this year, I still feel like the collection of songs Dallas’ Larry g(EE) released each month deserved some recognition. Each single he released seemed to be an improvement on the previous one. These were all extra tracks recorded a few years ago with producer/fashionista Beau Bedford. Larry has no ceiling.
4. Jonathan Tyler – Holy Smokes
After going independent again, and dropping The Northern Lights, Dallas’ own Jonathan Tyler found himself again.
3. Jake Paleschic – Again, At Last
We have a new hope for alt-country in DFWd, thanks to crazy Ft Worth’s Jake Paleschic.
2. Jessie Frye – Boys’ Club
Jessie’s made the transition from acoustic singer-songwriter to pop-rock and hasn’t missed a step. She was also just recently voted Best Pop Act at this years Dallas Observer Music Awards. It’s safe to say that Jessie’s dangerously close to breaking out.
1. Telegraph Canyon – You From Before
It was six years since we got new music from Telegraph Canyon, and this year they proved it was worth the wait. Produced by Will Johnson, Matt Pence (RIP Centro-matic) and Chris Johnson.