Cate Le Bon, Reward (Mexican Summer)
What can I say? Reward was my favorite album this year. Both off-kilter (weird keys, saxophone?, downtown NY basses) and intimate, Reward has that balance of art and comfort that’s so rare. In less sure hands, it would be a curiosity, but le Bon’s voice--statuesque, dignified, but mercurial--brings it all together.
Play “The Light”
Purple Mountains, Purple Mountains (Drag City)
I’ve testified to the genius and humanity of David Berman’s musical output in Silver Jews forever… well, forever since the middle of college. Even managed an interview that once. That said, it took news that Berman had a new album and had relocated down the road from me to reignite my passion for one of our great American lyricists of the past 25 years. Alas, Berman passed on, which makes listening to Purple Mountains a mournful experience, but one for which I’m grateful to have at all. Respect to DB.
Play “Margaritas at the Mall”
black midi, Schlagenhelm (Rough Trade)
Many a band of young people ascends the wild mountains of post punk hoping to come away with something as skronky, ornery yet beautifully sleek and mysterious as black midi do. How’s it done? Subtly complex rhythmic touches, impressionistic and minimalist vox hold on to micro moments of attention while the guitars are dunked in fresh concrete… only to break out once the tension has been exhausted.
Mdou Moctar - Ilana (The Creator)
I gushed about Ilana for the Economist. And I could go on. I couldn’t get enough of this Touareg shredder meeting Western rock at the crossroads and borrowing the licks that suit him. Charismatic rock that struts across the globe brazenly.
Ex Hex - It’s Real (Merge)
Perhaps sliding dangerously close to a glorified Def Leppard at the edge of nostalgia, I still found myself throwing Ex Hex’s second album on to get through the day. Bubblegum hard rock stomper as self care? I’ll take it.
Aldous Harding - Designer (4AD)
Xlouris White - The Sisypheans (Drag City)
FACS, Another Country (Trouble in Mind)
Devendra Banhart - Ma (Nonesuch)