Finally back with a music edition. For this one, I wanted to call attention to some of my favorite new albums of the year. It’s something I’ve written about over the years: I'm still absolutely album person, through-and-through. Individual songs? Great! A wonderful playlist? Amazing! A dope mix? Put it on repeat! Some other form factor? Fuck it, bring it on!
Still, nothing still fulfills me like a well-crafted album. Something to play start-to-finish. Maybe it takes you on a ride (see Tyler, below). Maybe it's just one long vibe (see Khruangbin, below). Or it's something so different, that it's hard to say exactly what it is (see FlyLo, below).
I also implore you to check out my running 2019 playlist of goodies new and old (almost 300 songs so far!), called HOT SAUCE MUSIC 2019 (sorry for yelling!).
If you have a new album or artist you've been digging, or have dug into some older music, tell me about it! I’m thinking of doing some kind of guest feature or something. No pressure.
OK, so, here is the (non-exhaustive) list.
5 of my favorite albums of the year
Tyler the Creator – IGOR
Tyler’s music has grown and expanded over the years, from trolling teenager to toiling grown up (he still trolls). IGOR was entirely written and produced by Tyler and is the first ever hip-hop Billboard #1 album to be as such; it's an emotional rollercoaster befitting a modern day legend.
Flying Lotus – Flamagra
If Tyler’s album is a 2019 emotional rollercoaster, FlyLo’s is a psychological rollercoaster from 2030. To try to put into words the territories this one explores—from beat music to jazz, prog to soul—is futile. FlyLo is making music in a different realm than anyone else.
Khruangbin - Hasta El Cielo
This Texas trio put out a heater of an album in Con Todo El Mund, in 2018. If you haven't heard that, go now. It approximates the sound of windswept, dusty psych rock. It rules. Hasta El Cielo is a dub version of that album. Does the world need a dub version of that album (or any album, really)? Meh. Normally they’re garbage. But just, like, put put this one on and vibe out, ya know?
Jai Paul – Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)
Jai Paul is a reclusive (and reluctant?) singer/producer from London who was briefly the hottest thing on music internet and probably the world when he dropped two songs in 2013 (“BTSU” and “jasmine”). Supposed demos from his debut album leaked online and he pretty much went silent after that. On the heels of an upcoming album, those demos finally get an official release and damn is there some next level soul in here. I’m calling this a 2019 release because I can.
Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride
VP frontman Ezra Koenig has been busy since the last VP album with film and tv and a bunch of other shit, but it feels very, very good to have him back. This album would be on my list on the strength of “Harmony Hall” alone, exploring contemporary culture and a general icky feeling that hangs over us right now. There’s some classic VP sensibilities here and they sound though older, wiser, and still unsure.
And that’s it, folks. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate you.