Somehow we’re already into the back end of June. Feels like just yesterday it was snowing here in Chicago and now it’s 95 degrees and humid. Oh the joys of the midwest seasonal cycle. One thing that has brought a lot of happiness this year is all the great music that’s been coming out. The first couple months it was one great release after another, and I doubt the rest of 2014 will be able to keep up that pace. Here are the 25 best releases (LP’s, EP’s, singles in some cases) that have come out so far this year. To hear or purchase click on the artist or group name, to read my review, click on album titled when available.
23. Shareef Ali–A Place To Remember The Dead
22. The Felice Brothers–Favorite Waitress
21. Actress–Ghettoville
20. Twins–Tomboys On Parade
19. Michele McGuire–Off The Wagon
18. Schoolboy Q–OxyMoron
17. Curtis Harding–Soul Power
16. The All-About–You Make It Look So Easy: Vol: 1-3
15. Briar Rabbit–From Your Bones
14. Empires–How Good Does It Feel
13. K.Flay–Life As A Dog
12. Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes–Kid Tiger
11. Kitten–Self-Titled
9. First Aid Kit–Stay Gold
8. Hurray For The Riff Raff–Small Town Heroes
6. Angel Olsen–Burn Your Fire For No Witness
4. St Vincent–St Vincent
3. Conor Oberst–Upside Down Mountain
2. Sons Of An Illustrious Father-“No Mercy/Loveletting” “Very Few Dancers/Strange Home”
Great list. Some very cool stuff on here!