FJ Best and Worst of 2014: Albums
2014 has been a pretty ripper year for music, seeing the emergence of new (and incredible) artists, the continuing domination of cult favourites and resurgence and unexpected comebacks. Not to mention U2 infiltrating our iPhones…
THE BEST
Chet Faker – Built On Glass
This is the one album that you couldn’t get away from this year. Then again, with a voice as smooth and soulful as Nick Murphy’s, why would you want to? Built On Glass is a blend of RnB and soul that is sometimes sexy and sometimes mournful and a brilliant debut from Aussie Chet Faker.
FKA TWIGS – LP1
LP1 is an album beyond just the ethereal songs on it. The amazing cover art and haunting film clips showcasing Twigs exceptional look and dance moves (if you haven’t watched her Google Glasses video – go do it now) all form part of FKA Twigs very specific artistic vision.
Lil Kim – Hard Core
Queen Bee has been set on a triumphant come back throughout 2014. Aside from giving birth to an heiress, Royal Reign, and riding on a prolonged beef with Nicki Minaj to thrust her into the limelight, Kim has also dropped her long awaited comeback album. Dropped on September 11 for free, the mix tape saw Kim return to some of the lightning fast lyricism that established her as the queen of rap back in the ’90s. Switching from reggae vocals to heavy electronic backdrops and featuring cameos from rappers such as French Montana and Cassidy, Kim’s long awaited sequel puts Hard Core as one of the best comebacks and albums of 2014.
Banks – Goddess
The dark darling exploded onto the music scene quite like none other we’ve seen. Her brooding, ambient music, heartfelt lyrics and delicate beauty proved to be a winning combination, stealing the hearts of the indie music scene as she continued to open her heart to theirs. She even listed her private mobile number on her facebook page, just in case anyone wants to talk.
bAnoffee – bAnoffee (EP)
This girl is everywhere and for good reason. The It Girl of the emerging music scene, Martha Brown aka bAnoffee makes music that, like her name, is purely indulgent. Her debut EP is a delicate mix of thoughtful, empowering and bold, and with lyrics like I’m a fucking ninja now, it’s no wonder we can’t get enough.
THE WORST
U2 Songs Of Innocence
So I’m sure you all remember waking up one day in September and thinking when and why the hell did I download a whole U2 album… That’s because the Irish band made a deal with Apple to force it onto everyone’s iTunes without our permission.
In response to the foreseeable anger and ridicule at this and in what seems like a self admission of their growing irrelevance the band maintained it was simply out of a desire to share their music with as many people as possible. Tip: If you want people to listen to your music, make it good- don’t force it into our faces.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
The Kite String Tangle Vessel (EP)
Elizabeth Rose Elizabeth Rose (EP)
Sticky Fingers Land of Pleasure
Lykke Li I Never Learn
Remi Raw x Infinity