![Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow: BBC took a three year break between albums three and four - and it has paid off, big time. The band's 2014 album is perhaps their accomplished and bouyant to date, treading that oh-so fine line between pop and indie and never once faultering. Lead single 'Carry Me' is a perfect taster of the upbeat, celebratory sound of the album, which is set to push BBC back into the mainstream and towards the top of the bill at future festivals. It's THAT good.]()
Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow: BBC took a three year break between albums three and four - and it has paid off, big time. The band's 2014 album is perhaps their accomplished and bouyant to date, treading that oh-so fine line between pop and indie and never once faultering. Lead single 'Carry Me' is a perfect taster of the upbeat, celebratory sound of the album, which is set to push BBC back into the mainstream and towards the top of the bill at future festivals. It's THAT good.
![Katy B - Little Red: Katy B's first album gave us a decent urban popstar. Her second is set to see the London singer go global, so accomplished and slick is Little Red. From the 90s house vibe of opening track 'Next Thing' to the tear-jerking sounds of epic ballad 'Still', this is a textbook example of how to deliver a second album. Then of course there's the hits - '5am', Jessie Ware collaboration 'Aaliyah' and the future smash 'Crying For No Reason'. Little Red no more, this girl is going to be huge.]()
Katy B - Little Red: Katy B's first album gave us a decent urban popstar. Her second is set to see the London singer go global, so accomplished and slick is Little Red. From the 90s house vibe of opening track 'Next Thing' to the tear-jerking sounds of epic ballad 'Still', this is a textbook example of how to deliver a second album. Then of course there's the hits - '5am', Jessie Ware collaboration 'Aaliyah' and the future smash 'Crying For No Reason'. Little Red no more, this girl is going to be huge.
![M - No Mythologies To Follow: It doesn't really matter how good British pop music gets, there will always be a Scandivian girl waiting to blow us out of the water. Case in point - Danish M and her debut album. Packed with attitude without once getting aggressive, a collection of club anthems without every hinting at EDM. The r&b influence here is huge, and M also teaches a lesson or two to her US contemporaries, and alongside singles such as 'Pilgrim' and 'XXX 88', standout track 'Slow Love' is a future classic.]()
M - No Mythologies To Follow: It doesn't really matter how good British pop music gets, there will always be a Scandivian girl waiting to blow us out of the water. Case in point - Danish M and her debut album. Packed with attitude without once getting aggressive, a collection of club anthems without every hinting at EDM. The r&b influence here is huge, and M also teaches a lesson or two to her US contemporaries, and alongside singles such as 'Pilgrim' and 'XXX 88', standout track 'Slow Love' is a future classic.
![James Vincent McMorrow - Post Tropical: JVM's debut album was a no-frills folk affair, launching the Irish singer/songwriter to international acclaim with his stunning voice and delicate, intricate tunes. Second time around, McMorrow has acknowledged his love of soul music, taking inspiration from the likes of Marvin Gaye and D'Angelo. The result is a heartfelt, intelligent and distinctive collection of modern classics, with standouts including first single 'Cavalier' and the flawless 'Gold'. A potential award-winner.]()
James Vincent McMorrow - Post Tropical: JVM's debut album was a no-frills folk affair, launching the Irish singer/songwriter to international acclaim with his stunning voice and delicate, intricate tunes. Second time around, McMorrow has acknowledged his love of soul music, taking inspiration from the likes of Marvin Gaye and D'Angelo. The result is a heartfelt, intelligent and distinctive collection of modern classics, with standouts including first single 'Cavalier' and the flawless 'Gold'. A potential award-winner.
![Mogwai - Rave Tapes: As if anyone needed another reason to love Mogwai, Rave Tapes is yet another shining gem in an already astounding back catalogue. Why? Essentially it's the band doing what they do best, but with more conviction, consistency and ambition than ever before.]()
Mogwai - Rave Tapes: As if anyone needed another reason to love Mogwai, Rave Tapes is yet another shining gem in an already astounding back catalogue. Why? Essentially it's the band doing what they do best, but with more conviction, consistency and ambition than ever before.
![Arthur Beatrice - Working Out: Aching sincerity and true intimacy that never sounds overly earnest is rare, but the charm of this London four-piece's debut lies in the sound of one of the most honest and independent bands that you'll likely to hear. They're for fans of The xx, London Grammar and Woodkid - but make no mistake, Arthur Beatrice are in a league of their own.]()
Arthur Beatrice - Working Out: Aching sincerity and true intimacy that never sounds overly earnest is rare, but the charm of this London four-piece's debut lies in the sound of one of the most honest and independent bands that you'll likely to hear. They're for fans of The xx, London Grammar and Woodkid - but make no mistake, Arthur Beatrice are in a league of their own.
![St Vincent - St Vincent: Annie Clark's fourth album is self-titled for a very good reason - it's her most definitive piece of work to date. Sprinting away with the art-rock baton from her last few LPs and her collaborative Love This Giant with David Byrne, it's stomps with character and resonates as compelling over quirky - taking her her wild child firecracker ambitions even further.]()
St Vincent - St Vincent: Annie Clark's fourth album is self-titled for a very good reason - it's her most definitive piece of work to date. Sprinting away with the art-rock baton from her last few LPs and her collaborative Love This Giant with David Byrne, it's stomps with character and resonates as compelling over quirky - taking her her wild child firecracker ambitions even further.
![Warpaint - Warpaint: The second album from the California four-piece takes their dizzying and layered brand of musical hypnosis to all-new heights of magnificence. Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich's golden touch is evident, but the quality of the songs alone carries the weight of a band approaching greatness, especially 'Love Is To Die' and 'Disco // very'.]()
Warpaint - Warpaint: The second album from the California four-piece takes their dizzying and layered brand of musical hypnosis to all-new heights of magnificence. Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich's golden touch is evident, but the quality of the songs alone carries the weight of a band approaching greatness, especially 'Love Is To Die' and 'Disco // very'.
![Ghost Beach - Blonde: Wow. Now this is how pop music should sound. Hailing from New York city, this insanely brilliant duo have released one of the greatest albums of the summer - in the darkest depths of winter. Oh well, at least by the time July rolls around we'll be familiar with their many hit singles. Uplifting, carefree pop music without a hint of pretention, this is a truly spectacular example of what the band themselves dub 'tropical grit pop'.]()
Ghost Beach - Blonde: Wow. Now this is how pop music should sound. Hailing from New York city, this insanely brilliant duo have released one of the greatest albums of the summer - in the darkest depths of winter. Oh well, at least by the time July rolls around we'll be familiar with their many hit singles. Uplifting, carefree pop music without a hint of pretention, this is a truly spectacular example of what the band themselves dub 'tropical grit pop'.
![Chet Faker - Built On Glass: If you thought Faker's 2012 EP Thinking In Textures was good, then just wait until you hear his debut full-length. Built On Glass takes the downbeat, electronic soul sounds the Aussie star has begun to make a name with, and expands massively, creating an absolutely incredible debut album. You will be completely blown away by tracks 'To Me' and 'Blush'. Early contender for our album of the year.]()
Chet Faker - Built On Glass: If you thought Faker's 2012 EP Thinking In Textures was good, then just wait until you hear his debut full-length. Built On Glass takes the downbeat, electronic soul sounds the Aussie star has begun to make a name with, and expands massively, creating an absolutely incredible debut album. You will be completely blown away by tracks 'To Me' and 'Blush'. Early contender for our album of the year.
![Crosses - Crosses: Bridging the gap between metal, goth-pop, electro and industrial insanity, the debut full length from Deftones' Chino Moreno's side-project is among his finest work. Considering it's five new songs pegged onto remastered versions of tracks from previous release, it flows with a surprising consistency and beautiful but brutal brilliance.]()
Crosses - Crosses: Bridging the gap between metal, goth-pop, electro and industrial insanity, the debut full length from Deftones' Chino Moreno's side-project is among his finest work. Considering it's five new songs pegged onto remastered versions of tracks from previous release, it flows with a surprising consistency and beautiful but brutal brilliance.
![Elbow - The Take Off And Landing Of Everything: The People's Champions of Mancunia return with another bold and epic collection of anthemic heart-wrenching wonder. Far more eclectic, personal and romantic than the Mercury winners' last two efforts, expect to fall in love with Guy Garvey and co all over again in 2014.]()
Elbow - The Take Off And Landing Of Everything: The People's Champions of Mancunia return with another bold and epic collection of anthemic heart-wrenching wonder. Far more eclectic, personal and romantic than the Mercury winners' last two efforts, expect to fall in love with Guy Garvey and co all over again in 2014.
![Wild Beasts - Present Tense: Their most ambitious and considered release to date, Wild Beast's exquisite fourth album threatens to be the one to push them from cult status to major league contenders.]()
Wild Beasts - Present Tense: Their most ambitious and considered release to date, Wild Beast's exquisite fourth album threatens to be the one to push them from cult status to major league contenders.
![Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron: Packed full of radio-friendly hits it ain't (Standout 'Hell Of A Night' is the closest it gets to that), Schoolboy Q's debut Oxymoron is dark, tough and at times rather abrasive - but it's a thrilling collection. Alternating between light-hearted, drugs-referencing beats and cautionary, grim street tales, Oxymoron is a dense and hard-hitting record packed with some of the best production we've heard in a hip hop record in a while.]()
Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron: Packed full of radio-friendly hits it ain't (Standout 'Hell Of A Night' is the closest it gets to that), Schoolboy Q's debut Oxymoron is dark, tough and at times rather abrasive - but it's a thrilling collection. Alternating between light-hearted, drugs-referencing beats and cautionary, grim street tales, Oxymoron is a dense and hard-hitting record packed with some of the best production we've heard in a hip hop record in a while.
![Pharrell - G I R L: Pharrell William's transition from producer to one of the world's biggest popstars is complete with his second solo record. G I R L is a lush and lavish piece of work that showcases Pharrell's skills as a vocalist - and, of course, as one of the best producers in the world. It lags at times, but the standout moments are rather special indeed - the Daft Punk collaboration, 'Gust Of Wind', is one of our favourite tracks of 2014 so far.]()
Pharrell - G I R L: Pharrell William's transition from producer to one of the world's biggest popstars is complete with his second solo record. G I R L is a lush and lavish piece of work that showcases Pharrell's skills as a vocalist - and, of course, as one of the best producers in the world. It lags at times, but the standout moments are rather special indeed - the Daft Punk collaboration, 'Gust Of Wind', is one of our favourite tracks of 2014 so far.
![Skaters - Manhattan: New York punk rock done RIGHT, the Skaters debut album not only lived up to, but smashed straight through the expectations placed on their young shoulders. A spectacular collection of mainstream, accessible guitar anthems, the band's roots may be planted deep in their US home, but the appeal is global. Go get.]()
Skaters - Manhattan: New York punk rock done RIGHT, the Skaters debut album not only lived up to, but smashed straight through the expectations placed on their young shoulders. A spectacular collection of mainstream, accessible guitar anthems, the band's roots may be planted deep in their US home, but the appeal is global. Go get.
![Sisyphus - Sisyphus: A new collective, made up of Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and Serengeti, the first Sisyphus album is an incredible collection of hip-hop inspired tunes, littered with rap beats and urban licks. Smooth, laid back and sophisticated, the album is proof that aggression isn't needed when it comes to rap and hip-hop.]()
Sisyphus - Sisyphus: A new collective, made up of Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and Serengeti, the first Sisyphus album is an incredible collection of hip-hop inspired tunes, littered with rap beats and urban licks. Smooth, laid back and sophisticated, the album is proof that aggression isn't needed when it comes to rap and hip-hop.
![Brody Dalle - Diploid Love: Embracing melody and songcraftsmanship like never before, but with all of the rage and attitude of her days with The Distillers, Dalle ups her game on her most accomplished LP to date. With an eclecticism and richness of sound, some wonderfully weird lyrics and an infectious energy, Diploid Love is an album itching to be played live and demanding to be heard over and over and over again.]()
Brody Dalle - Diploid Love: Embracing melody and songcraftsmanship like never before, but with all of the rage and attitude of her days with The Distillers, Dalle ups her game on her most accomplished LP to date. With an eclecticism and richness of sound, some wonderfully weird lyrics and an infectious energy, Diploid Love is an album itching to be played live and demanding to be heard over and over and over again.
![Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness: A bewildering blend of enchanting folk and scuzzy lo-fi rock, Olsen has dropped an early contender for album of the year with a collection of expertly crafted and brutally honest gems, that while earnest is never contrived. You'd struggle to hear a more arresting album in 2014.]()
Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness: A bewildering blend of enchanting folk and scuzzy lo-fi rock, Olsen has dropped an early contender for album of the year with a collection of expertly crafted and brutally honest gems, that while earnest is never contrived. You'd struggle to hear a more arresting album in 2014.
![Thumpers - Galore: More hooks than a fishing shop and enough summer anthems to see you from now until October - this accomplished and dynamic debut is the sound of good guitar pop done properly.]()
Thumpers - Galore: More hooks than a fishing shop and enough summer anthems to see you from now until October - this accomplished and dynamic debut is the sound of good guitar pop done properly.
![Eagulls - Eagulls: Ten tracks of terror, as a wave of fury post-punk descends from the North. Yorkshire never sounded so loud.]()
Eagulls - Eagulls: Ten tracks of terror, as a wave of fury post-punk descends from the North. Yorkshire never sounded so loud.
![The Horrors - Luminous: Once snotty art-punk goths, now masters of rich and layered cinematic psychedelia, their fourth LP sets the five-piece echelons above their peers.]()
The Horrors - Luminous: Once snotty art-punk goths, now masters of rich and layered cinematic psychedelia, their fourth LP sets the five-piece echelons above their peers.
![Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time: Released in the UK in 2014 after hugely Stateside praise last year, Ferreira's debut album has been marred slightly by tabloid controversy (her drug arrest was unfortunate), but when the dust has cleared, what will remain is a flawless collection of pure pop gold. Tough and self-assured, Ferreira has ditched the pop and r&b sounds of her early work and gone for the jugular with a collection of superb pop-rock, echoing the very best of The Go Gos or The Bangles on a truly modern collection.]()
Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time: Released in the UK in 2014 after hugely Stateside praise last year, Ferreira's debut album has been marred slightly by tabloid controversy (her drug arrest was unfortunate), but when the dust has cleared, what will remain is a flawless collection of pure pop gold. Tough and self-assured, Ferreira has ditched the pop and r&b sounds of her early work and gone for the jugular with a collection of superb pop-rock, echoing the very best of The Go Gos or The Bangles on a truly modern collection.
![Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love: What a difference half a decade makes. When Paolo Nutini was last doing the rounds in 2009, he specialised in underwhelming, acoustic reggae-influenced sounds. Now, in 2014, the Scottish star has honed his craft, and exploded back into the mainstream with his, quite frankly brilliant, new album Caustic Love. Confident, powerful and seriously soulful, lead single 'Scream' is a modern slice of Brit-r&b, Janelle Monae makes an appearance on future smash 'Fashion' and slow-burner 'Iron Sky' is one of the most arresting tracks of 2014. Welcome back Nutini. You're a bit brilliant.]()
Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love: What a difference half a decade makes. When Paolo Nutini was last doing the rounds in 2009, he specialised in underwhelming, acoustic reggae-influenced sounds. Now, in 2014, the Scottish star has honed his craft, and exploded back into the mainstream with his, quite frankly brilliant, new album Caustic Love. Confident, powerful and seriously soulful, lead single 'Scream' is a modern slice of Brit-r&b, Janelle Monae makes an appearance on future smash 'Fashion' and slow-burner 'Iron Sky' is one of the most arresting tracks of 2014. Welcome back Nutini. You're a bit brilliant.
![RAC - Strangers: Very much the sound of summer 2014 (trust us) the debut album from the artist formerly known as Remix Artists Collective is worth the wait, and packed with some seriously cool guest stars. Big names including Kele Okereke from Bloc Party and Tegan + Sara appear on the two-part album, while Gigwise favourites such as St Lucia and Penguin Prison are also in the mix. Effortlessly slick, funk-driven pop, main-man Andre Allen Anjos' bass and production skills mark him out as a modern-day successor to Nile Rodgers'.]()
RAC - Strangers: Very much the sound of summer 2014 (trust us) the debut album from the artist formerly known as Remix Artists Collective is worth the wait, and packed with some seriously cool guest stars. Big names including Kele Okereke from Bloc Party and Tegan + Sara appear on the two-part album, while Gigwise favourites such as St Lucia and Penguin Prison are also in the mix. Effortlessly slick, funk-driven pop, main-man Andre Allen Anjos' bass and production skills mark him out as a modern-day successor to Nile Rodgers'.
![Sohn - Tremors: A highly subjective album, Tremors sounds incredibly fresh, due to a novel approach to songwriting from the Vienna based artist. It is part electronic, part organic and produced in a way that uses vocal melody in extremely innovative ways that have rarely been heard before. It's a bold and moody debut that is well worth checking out if you fancy a weighty slice of melancholic electro pop.]()
Sohn - Tremors: A highly subjective album, Tremors sounds incredibly fresh, due to a novel approach to songwriting from the Vienna based artist. It is part electronic, part organic and produced in a way that uses vocal melody in extremely innovative ways that have rarely been heard before. It's a bold and moody debut that is well worth checking out if you fancy a weighty slice of melancholic electro pop.
![Grieves - Winter And The Wolves: Part of the Rhymesayers label, Grieves is an extremely capable MC, vocalizing subjects often far detached from the conventions of hip hop. At the same time he also sings the hooks in his choruses (and well), which makes him one of the most diverse performers on the scene.]()
Grieves - Winter And The Wolves: Part of the Rhymesayers label, Grieves is an extremely capable MC, vocalizing subjects often far detached from the conventions of hip hop. At the same time he also sings the hooks in his choruses (and well), which makes him one of the most diverse performers on the scene.
![East India Youth - TOTAL STRIFE FOREVER: This is one of those albums that managed to come totally out of leftfield and it is an amazing piece of work, one that will no doubt dominate in the later yearly Best Of countdowns. It is an experiential and uncompromising piece of work that is focused on emotion through the medium of sound. Utterly original and genre-defying, this one for fans of Jon Hopkins and his ilk.]()
East India Youth - TOTAL STRIFE FOREVER: This is one of those albums that managed to come totally out of leftfield and it is an amazing piece of work, one that will no doubt dominate in the later yearly Best Of countdowns. It is an experiential and uncompromising piece of work that is focused on emotion through the medium of sound. Utterly original and genre-defying, this one for fans of Jon Hopkins and his ilk.
![The Mast - Pleasure Island: In a year that is already dominated by female vocalists and synth work, Brooklyn duo The Mast manage to stand out brilliantly by representing a huge range of sounds. There are elements of house on here, drum and bass and all facets of electronica, all complimented by the beautiful voice of Haleh Gafori. It's also an independent release and is available on Bandcamp - which is all the more reason to support it.]()
The Mast - Pleasure Island: In a year that is already dominated by female vocalists and synth work, Brooklyn duo The Mast manage to stand out brilliantly by representing a huge range of sounds. There are elements of house on here, drum and bass and all facets of electronica, all complimented by the beautiful voice of Haleh Gafori. It's also an independent release and is available on Bandcamp - which is all the more reason to support it.
