Our Top 10 Lists have been named in honor of late Blog Director and DJ Clarence Ewing, who pioneered and published this annual feature for nearly a decade.
Our next list is from Sarah Spencer.
Welp, another year of wonderful music is in the books! Here are my top 20 most listened-to albums this year.
10. My Home Is Not In This World by Natalie Bergman (Third Man Records)
Listen:
9. Sunset From the Shallows by 8-bit crEEps (self-released)
Listen:
8. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory (Jagjaguwar)
Listen:
7. More by Pulp (Rough Trade)
Listen:
6. Lotus by Little Simz (AWAL)
Listen:
5. Year of the Slug by Caroline Rose (self-released)
Listen:
4. Speak Daggers by Elias Rønnenfelt (Escho)
Listen: Bandcamp
3. Neon Grey Midnight Green by Neko Case (Anti-)
Neko Case at her absolute best. Exquisite writing and vocals with orchestral back-up. Her best work since Blacklisted.
Listen: Bandcamp
2. Michaelangelo Dying by Cate le Bon (Mexican Summer)
I've always enjoyed Cate le Bon, but I really grew to love her this year. This is a masterfully written album, dealing with the break-down of her long-term relationship. Cate le Bon is an artist with real depth, and creativity runs through her veins.
Listen: Bandcamp
1. I remember I forget بنسى وبتذكر by Yasmin Hamdan (Crammed Discs)
Listen:
Honorable Mentions
11. In the Earth Again - Chat Pile & Hayden Pedigo (The Flenser)
12. Meet Me in the Garden - Rita Satch (Silk Throne)
13. Pequena Vertigem de Amor - Sessa (Mexican Summer)
14. Thee Black Boltz - Tunde Adebimpe (Sub Pop)
15. Halo on the Inside - Circuit des Yeux (Matador)
16. Blood On the Silver Screen - Sasami (Domino)
17. Under Tangled Silence - Djrum (Houndstooth)
18. Dead Channel Sky - clipping. (Sub Pop)
19. Other Worlds & Habitats - The Sorcerers (ATA)
20. Dance Called Memory - Nation of Language (Sub Pop)