Top 20 Albums of 2014 so far

Here's a personal list of the albums I've enjoyed most so far this year. It's not intended to encompass all of the most influential or acclaimed works, but simply include those I haven't been able to stop listening to. This blog will now be going on a summer break, as the Manchester live music scene winds down, and I focus on other interests.

1) Sharon Van Etten Are We There
A wonderfully emotionally healing listen; introverted and sad. This self-produced album about love is sung incredibly sensitively and the lyrics are masterly. The placement of Are We There at the top of this list reflects the truth that music must be judged on its ability to move you.

2) St Vincent self-titled
Influenced by my favourite live performance of the year so far, this is quirky, creative rock, so imaginative and full of inventive detail. Those who find it too detached and cerebral really need to experience it in person, but take a listen to Prince Johnny and be seduced. Every detail is meticulously thought through, but the whole envelops and transports you.

3) Warpaint self-titled
This music from LA is so high up my list for the hypnotic atmosphere is creates. I'm surprised by the critical reviews from the likes of Pitchfork since this is sensual music, which gains much from Stella Mozgawa's drumming. It demands repeated listening, and it's easy to get lost in its hazy dreaminess.

4) EMA The Future’s Void
Erikia M Anderson is a must see live yet is uncompromising in her artistic integrity. It's a harder listen than St. Vincent, with industrial influences, but also strikingly relevant with its themes of digital culture. A softer emotional heart can be found in 3Jane which is a recommended way into this work.

5) Lana Del Rey Ultraviolence
This is the surprise of the year, a luscious production by Dan Auerbach which is sounds gorgeous, and melancholic. Some my find its length and consistency of mood indulgent, but Lana Del Rey has abandoned her annoying rap vocal style in favour of a timeless, retro vibe.  I suspect much of the criticism is directed not so much at the music as her alter ego, and a misinterpretation of the lyrics. The finest track is Brooklyn Baby, though I appreciate the incorporation of Mancini's Romeo and Juliet them in Old Money.

6) Glass Animals ZABA
Oxford's Glass Animals' début album sounds quite distinct from Alt-J, but shares some of the their quirky British experimental spirit. There are hip hop beats, imaginative electronics, and jazz rhythms, but they sound genuinely original. I'd urge you to investigate this group, who deserve attention.

7) The Antlers Familiars
Familiars majors on subtlety, the Brooklyn band's fifth album sounding even more mellifluously gorgeous than its predecessors with the addition of horns to the texture. The pace is leisurely, and the effect calming, without it being in the slightest bit bland or polite.

8) Sea Wolf Song Spells vol. 1 Cedarsmoke
A delightfully stripped down indie folk album funded by Kickstarter, its simplicity is affecting. Alex Brown Church has a real gift for melody, and these simple arrangements place his vocals and acoustic guitar to the fore. There's nothing revolutionary here, but it's beautifully crafted.

9) Lykke Li I Never Learn
The Swedish singer's pop music is about heartbreak, and a ballad like Never Gonna Live Again has wide appeal. Yet, for all the reverb and anthemic melody, there's a haunting directness which comes from its sparseness.

10) Augustines self-titled
I initially under-estimated Augustines' second album, being flummoxed by the dramatic change of mood. Yet this blue collar rock's optimism is incredibly inspiring on repeated listening, a triumph of hope over adversity. Happily, their commitment to fans and relentless touring has rewarded them with a higher profile.

11) Wild Beasts Present Tense
For me, this works better in the studio than live, when its subtleties can be obscured. Still, the Kendal group's fourth album is their greatest achievement yet, and the increased focus on synths doesn't dilute the distinctiveness of Hayden Thorpe's falsetto vocals.

12) St Paul & The Broken Bones Half the City
The Birmingham, Alabama six piece soul group has so far achieved far greater recognition in America than here. They are unbelievably engaging live, and despite a male lead vocalist, will  appeal to fans of Alabama Shakes. They're revivalists above all, and Paul Janeway is such a charismatic singer and performer.

13) Tom Hickox War, Peace and Diplomacy
This UK singer songwriter's father was a notable classical conductor. Tom has developed in a different musical direction, the sound sparse, lyrics thoughtful and gentle instrumentation folk influenced. Some may find his voice affected, and the mood is sombre, yet sensitivity does not preclude drama. After discovering him supporting Lindi Ortega, I've grown to love this unusual album.

14) SOHN Tremors
The Austrian producer is now based in London, and his music invites comparisons with James Blake's. I love its tranquillity which is combined with dance music influences. Some have criticised the synthesis of contemporary sounds, but composers have been borrowing from each other for hundreds of years.

15) Arthur Beatrice Working Out
This London based quartet is in the shadow of London Grammar and The XX before it. Their debut is a little inconsistent, not all tracks being as inspired as Grand Union, which benefits from Ella Giradot's female vocals. Despite not dazzling on first listen, I've played Working Out repeatedly over the past few months.

16) Fanfarlo Let's Go Extinct
Fanfarlo's third album didn't initially convince me as they've moved from folk to pop, and I was torn between including this and the Broken Bells in my top 20. Yet, the textures are delightfully intricate and transparent, the lyrics inventive, and the spirit uplifting.

17) Highasakite Silent Treatment
This Norwegian band's international début uses synths, drums and lead singer Ingrid Helene Havik's voice to deliver bold pop songs. They are expansive in form and less insular than you might imagine, Havik being influenced by the myths and music of native Indians.

18) Hundred Waters The Moon Rang Like A Bell
Signed to Skrillex’s label, this LA group makes extensive use of electronics, which can steal the limelight from Nicole Miglis' vocals. I love the experimental feel and subtlety: the length and consistent of mood throughout the sweep of the album is analogous to classical music's form.

19) Jack White Lazaretto
This is a vivid, larger than life blues rock record, with guitars to the fore. It full of life and energy. I've found it more satisfying than Jack White's first solo album, Blunderbuss, with more a polished, nuanced production.

20) I Break Horses Chiaroscuro
This is album for lovers of M83, though the Swedish electronic duo borrow more from shoegaze. The dark qualities suggested in the title are occasionally reminiscent of Grimes, and whilst Pitchfork criticised this sophomore album for a lack of originality, it is an apt accompaniment to late night drive.

15 Highly Commended Albums

• Broken Bells After The Disco
• Broken Twin May
• Chatham County Line Tightrope
• Conor Oberst Upside Down Mountain
• Dawn Golden Still Life
• Death Vessel Island Intervals
• Emma Ruth Rundle Some Heavy Oceans
• The Gloaming self-titled
• Hillstomp Portland Ore.
• Hiss Golden Messenger Bad Debt
• Horse Thief Fear in Bliss
• Phantogram Voices
• Matthew and the Atlas Other Rivers
• Moulettes Constellations
• Nick Mulvey First Mind

Top 5 EPs

• Vancouver Sleep Clinic Winter EP
• Farao self-titled EP
• Robyn & Rokysopp Do It Again EP
• Marika Hackman Sugar Blind EP
• Ed Harcourt Time of Dust EP