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.

25. The Welcome–Weeknights

24. Bummer–Bummer

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

10. Nikki Lane–All Or Nothin’

9. First Aid Kit–Stay Gold

8. Hurray For The Riff Raff–Small Town Heroes

7. Cousin Dud–The Faded

6. Angel Olsen–Burn Your Fire For No Witness

5. Beck–Morning Phase

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”

1. Slothrust–Of Course You Do