Nicole

  1. Jessie Ware cover Jessie Ware cover (abstracted)

    Jessie Ware

    Devotion

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    Though R&B is not my favorite genre, this album shimmied its way onto my list. Jessie Ware's voice is effortless and sultry and the songs are smooth like silk.

  2. Chvrches cover Chvrches cover (abstracted)

    Chvrches

    The Bones of What You Believe

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    This playful album has a mischievous streak. The lead singer's cute voice cavorts with the electronic synths and punchy beats, but the lyrics hint at a darker underbelly.

  3. Grouplove cover Grouplove cover (abstracted)

    Grouplove

    Spreading Rumours

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    This album opens with an enigmatic, repetitive piano piece and then turns into a non-stop party. Take off your shoes and frolic through the fields with all the young hippies.

  4. Woodkid cover Woodkid cover (abstracted)

    Woodkid

    The Golden Age

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    Woodkid's songs feel symphonic and spacious. His voice has a velvety yet gravelly texture and the beats feel like faithful friends, visiting at just the right moments to make your ears smile.

  5. Tom Odell cover Tom Odell cover (abstracted)

    Tom Odell

    Long Way Down

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    Tom Odell's soulful voice and piano mesh perfectly to create heartfelt ballads about growing old and crying over lost love. An album for loudly singing along when no one else is around.

  6. The Civil Wars cover The Civil Wars cover (abstracted)

    The Civil Wars

    The Civil Wars

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    This album slowly and insistently tears at your heart strings with subversive lyrics (‘I wish you were the one that got away’) and grating harmonies. There is an angsty, slow burning quality to the music that hints at the civil war brimming between them. A bittersweet farewell as The Civil Wars are no more...

  7. Kodaline cover Kodaline cover (abstracted)

    Kodaline

    In A Perfect World

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    This album is great for long sessions of coding and singing along. Mellow and easy on the ears, I have High Hopes for Kodaline. Plus, the lead singer has great hair.

  8. Jake Bugg cover Jake Bugg cover (abstracted)

    Jake Bugg

    Shangri La

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    Back with his sophomore album, Jake Bugg begins with a few rocky numbers and then proceeds to break hearts around the world with Me and You and A Song About Love. All I can say is, “I'm right here, Jake.”

  9. Lucius cover Lucius cover (abstracted)

    Lucius

    Wildewoman

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    After watching their Tiny Desk Concert, I was intrigued by this harmonious band. Everything was on point: their outfits, their vibe, and most importantly their voices. This album takes you on a glamorous joyride and then propels you into the celestial realm with the finale, How Loud Your Heart Gets.

  10. Tegan and Sara cover Tegan and Sara cover (abstracted)

    Tegan and Sara

    Heartthrob

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    Tegan and Sara came back with a sparkling new, shamelessly poppy sound. Since I fell in love with their indie rock songs, I was nervous about this musical turn of events. But upon listening, my reluctant affair evolved into an all-out obsession-turned-passionate-love-story.

Roman

  1. Tegan and Sara cover Tegan and Sara cover (abstracted)

    Tegan and Sara

    Heartthrob

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    This confession must make hard-core Tegan and Sara fans' blood boil: I didn't really get into their music until I fell hard for this record. What does that say about me? That I like slickly produced pop records, I guess. And glamorous twins.

  2. Kevin Morby cover Kevin Morby cover (abstracted)

    Kevin Morby

    Harlem River

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    Kevin Morby won me over as the supporting act for Cate Le Bon. For a second, I thought he had a Welsh accent, but it turns out he’s from Kansas. I like the brooding, meandering quality of these songs.

  3. Tom Odell cover Tom Odell cover (abstracted)

    Tom Odell

    Long Way Down

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    I found out about Tom Odell when I stumbled upon the video for Another Love. Then I suspected that he might be a one-hit-wonder and was pleasantly surprised when his record turned out to be really solid. Later at his concert, I was impressed by how hard he rocks out at the piano. Preach it, Tom!

  4. Baden Baden cover Baden Baden cover (abstracted)

    Baden Baden

    Coline

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    I spent a few days in Paris during the summer, and right next to the entrance of our vacation rental was a poster for Baden Baden. A French band with a German sounding name was too hard to ignore—and, synchronistically, I gained a musical favorite.

  5. Lucius cover Lucius cover (abstracted)

    Lucius

    Wildewoman

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    Lucius's live show really won me over. They are so glamorous! And, man, how they create an all-consuming beat. The way their last song, How Loud Your Heart Gets, starts so inconspicuously and then enters into an epic chorus makes me so happy.

  6. Josh Ritter cover Josh Ritter cover (abstracted)

    Josh Ritter

    The Beast In Its Tracks

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    It is always a great year for music when Josh Ritter comes out with an album. This one is less epic that the predecessor—just a simple, stripped-down contemplation of heartbreak—but it’s as gorgeous and poetic as ever.

  7. Jake Bugg cover Jake Bugg cover (abstracted)

    Jake Bugg

    Shangri La

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    It was a big year for singer-songwriters. Jake Bugg arrived on the scene only last year in all his 19-year-old, rosy-cheeked glory. On this sophomore record, I enjoy the urgent snottiness of his riffs and lyrics. But his gentle love songs are why I’m right here, too.

  8. JBM cover JBM cover (abstracted)

    JBM

    Stray Ashes

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    A quiet, Bon Iveresque album full of haunting beauty, tingly guitars, and forlorn vocals. Its brand of melancholy is strangely soothing.

  9. The Melodic cover The Melodic cover (abstracted)

    The Melodic

    Effra Parade

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    This record arrived late in the year but took my best-of list by storm. The lead singer’s voice is reedy like an oboe. The song On My Way is so irresistible and one of my favorites this year.

  10. Max Prosa cover Max Prosa cover (abstracted)

    Max Prosa

    Rangoon

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    Max Prosa claims the first prize for the second year in a row. Why is he not yet a superstar in Germany? He might prefer it this way. Being crowned by the critics as the German Bob Dylan is difficult enough, I suppose.

See our 2014 albums

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