1 “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You” by Caroline Polachek
Caroline Polachek’s February release “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You” is simply flawless. It’s the most perfect dream pop album that I’ve listened to in the past few years. It’s a smooth-as-butter intergalactic trip through the cosmos, and maybe yourself—and who wouldn’t love that? Really, I don’t know what to say about Polachek that I haven’t already said; her voice is incredible and alien especially as she dips into her low register. The way she forms songs is incredible, and I love the incorporation of orchestral instrumentation on some of these tracks.
2 “We Buy Diabetic Test Strips” by Armand Hammer
This track came in clutch this year. I listened to it in early October, and I wasn’t sure I loved it, but on second listen, this album blows almost everything else out of the water. Armand Hammer is the duo of billy woods and ELUCID, and in their own words, they’re “art-rap pioneers.” It’s really not like anything I’ve listened to this year, and the bars are so good and delivered just so, so well. The production is amazing, as expected, and it’s genuinely an odd album that is just so transcendental.
3“Red Moon In Venus” by Kali Uchis
Kali Uchis pulled through with her March release, “Red Moon In Venus.” Wow, I love this album. Every single track on this album was the song of this past summer. It’s so beautiful, and her vocal work is perfect. She even teamed up with Omar Apollo, further endearing her to the bedroom pop girlies. “I’ll make sure to give you these blessings, because they’re all I’ve got” is such a beautiful line, and it is so emblematic of the entire album. It’s ethereal and lovely and just perfect. The beats on these tracks are so fire (I’m looking at you, “Fantasy”) and the vocal layering is perfect.
4“AftërLyfe” by Yeat
Okay, Yeat won me over with “AftërLyfe.” The beats are genuinely fire and the soundscapes he’s able to conjure up are incredible. His flow is super solid on these tracks, and he’s created something special. There’s only one feature on this album, and Yungboy NBA only enhances it. But let’s be honest, Yeat is really the superstar of this album. In addition to the excellent production, it is really just such a fun album to listen to.
5“Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey
Lana surprised me with this album. I really, really liked it, and I feel like it’s one of her best albums since “NFR!”. It’s dreamy enough to make you feel lighter, but the high is yanked down by the sobering lyricism so customary of her. My highlights are “Paris, Texas” and “Peppers,” which both show you Lana’s different best sides.
6 “DATA” by Tainy
With features from superstars like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, and even The Marias, this Latin-reggaeton-electronic project by Puerto Rican artist Tainy earns its place on this list. It gets low-key at some points but provides an engaging atmosphere to exist in for the 59 minutes of this project.
7 “Grog” by Frog
I wasn’t really surprised that this band’s lyricism was as witty as it is. Frog really is a clever band. Their lo-fi sensibilities carry through, and they fit right into the albums I have on rotation. It’s very slacker-rock, reminding me of early Beck, Guided By Voices, and even Alex G. It doesn’t sound too fresh, but it’s another band on top of a
8 “Everyone’s Crushed” by Water From Your Eyes
I was surprised to see people talking about “Everyone’s Crushed,” because when I think about the very NYC community that Water From Your Eyes is from, it is not as expansive as it is. Water From Your Eyes is a quirky-electronica-indie-sleaze-whatever duo, consisting of Nate Amo from This Is Lorelei and Rachel Brown. I think this is one of the most interesting bands to make it big, as their sound is so unique and innovative. I think there needs to be talent and albums that aren’t just established musician’s comeback albums, or a sort of “vintage” sound that’s coming back as poorly as it left.
9 “Fountain Baby” by Amarae
“Fountain Baby” is just incredible. It is such a June album, and Amarae has found a way to merge slick, oily beats and sounds with killer intents. Her voice is so evocative, and these songs are so dangerous.
10 “Voir Dire” by Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist
The Alchemist might be one of the best musicians that’s active right now. I don’t think I’ve listened to an album he’s worked on that I haven’t liked, and this collaboration with Earl Sweatshirt is so cathartic. The Alchemist brings a much smoother and much brighter sound out of Earl, and it’s overall a very precise and aerodynamic experimentally-bent trip through art rap and indietronica.
11 “The Patience” by Mick Jenkins
Lasso staff writer Ben Behr gets one shot to add an album to this list, and he chooses this one. He thought it had perfect lo-fi production and the wordplay was jaw-dropping. Apparently, the features are fire. I haven’t listened to Jenkin’s stuff, but I trust Behr enough to give him a spot here.
12 “Me Chamba De Gato Que Eu Sou” by Ana Frango Eléctrico
I don’t think this album by Ana Frango Eléctrico is a bossa nova album. Not exactly—it’s more like a groovy trip through a world like ours, but with one main difference; Eléctrico’s world sounds better. The melodies just float, and her voice is perfect. This album really popped out of nowhere, but I’m glad it did—it sounds amazing.
13 “UTOPIA” by Travis Scott
This album was such a huge moment this year, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a tight and well-produced album that has super solid features and is just solid all around.
Honorable Mentions: I was told I wasn’t allowed to talk about JPEGMAFIA’s newest album. Just so we’re clear, that is my album of the year. I really liked Sufjan Steven’s “Javelin,” but it hasn’t hit for me yet. I probably will be really mad I didn’t put it in here in about a year or so, but I just didn’t feel it and there are so many more exciting albums that were released this year.
Notable Snubs: I liked “New Blue Sun” by André 3000, but I had already talked about it, and it wasn’t exactly my thing. I’m actually scared to say this, but I really didn’t like Boygenius’s new album. I don’t like Julien Baker or Lucy Dacus, and I’m not a girl. I didn’t care enough to listen to Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS,” and I’m vaguely aware that Sam Smith released an album. Honestly, Sam Smith is my least favorite artist that’s releasing music today, and I really, really hope they quit.
