The most anticipated records, triumphant returns of legendary musicians and those records that we will remember more than once at the end of next year. Sounds choose the main albums of 2016.
1. David Bowie "Blackstar"
What is this: 25th studio album the greatest English rock musician.
Why wait: David Bowie has gone crazy. He earned himself money for a comfortable existence a long time ago, recorded some of the main songs of all times, and the musician’s individual albums will forever remain among the best of the best. But this was not enough for David: "Blackstar" appears to be Bowie's most ambitious project in the last thirty years. The title track of the album alone contains themes of self-sacrifice, religion and space, not to mention the presence of competent shocking and, in a good sense, shocking structure of the song. To record "Blackstar", Bowie recruited Donnie McCaslin's jazz quartet, and the label's founder was also involved in the creation of the record. DFA Records James Murphy. According to producer Tony Visconti, when recording the album the team tried to avoid the trends of rock and roll; the record promises to be as mystical as possible. "Blackstar", oddly enough, was inspired by the work of Kendrick Lamar and the trio Death Grips. If Bowie tried to surprise us, he succeeded long before the release of the new studio album, but by doing so David deprives himself of the right to make a mistake: his current project is too ambitious.
When does it come out?: January 8
2. Jesu/Sun Kil Moon "Jesu/Sun Kil Moon"
What is this: The result of Mark Kozelek's friendship ( Mark Kozelek) and Justin Broadrick ( Justin Broadrick).
Why wait: This collaboration has been brewing for years: back in 2007, Kozelek proposed releasing new material Jesu on his label; in response, Broadrick interviewed Kozelek for his own website - and so it went. On the only song so far from the upcoming album, one can feel the friendly closeness of the frontmen of both groups: musical elements from Jesu perfectly complement the details from Sun Kil Moon, and vice versa. The result will certainly stand out among the discographies of both bands. The list of guest artists is especially impressive: Will Oldham, Rachel Goswell from Slowdive And Mojave 3, as well as Isaac Brooke from Modest Mouse. The drummer will perform at the first concerts in support of the album Sonic Youth Steve Shelley. There has not yet been a better company in 2016.
When does it come out?: January 21
3. Savages "Adore Life"
What is this: The fierce girlish post-punk quartet returns with their second album.
Why wait: Just a couple of years ago Savages I had to fight for attention. They played the craziest concerts, causing comparisons with Siouxsie And The Banshees and presented the once modest-sized audience with excellent demo material. The debut album was released under the auspices of the reputable Matador label, received favorable reviews from the press, and Savages was faced with the question: where to move next? In 2014, the group teamed up with the Japanese Bo Ningen and recorded a joint improvisational disc, now it’s the turn of our own material. Judging by the pre-release compositions with "Adore Life", sound Savages became a little fresher and bolder, and the lyrics from lead singer Jenny Beth ( Jehnny Beth) immediately amaze you with their straightforwardness and honesty. You can find out how the changes affected the overall result very soon - “Adore Life” will be released at the very beginning of 2016.
When does it come out?: January 22
4. Animal Collective "Painting With"
What is this: Tenth studio album by veterans of neo-psychedelia.
Why wait: The last three years have not been the most successful in history Animal Collective. Useless studio release "Centipede Hz", extremely stupid and frankly funny solo works of the group members and the uncertain future of the group, which in the 2000s revived and reshaped the genre of neo-psychedelia to suit itself. However, the tenth "full-length" "Animal Collective" promises to be, at least, good. The lead single from the record is called "FloriDada", on it the group once again proves that experiments with sound are their domain, although this does not prevent them from writing moderately poppy, catchy songs. "Painting With" may become the quintessence of the band's main studio works - obscurity "Strawberry Jam" and the main pop odyssey of this century "Merriweather Post Pavillion". The result has already been heard by visitors to the airport in Baltimore, where the group included new album via speakerphone on November 25. For everyone else, the album will become available at the end of winter.
When does it come out?: February 19
5. Death Grips "Bottomless Pit"
What is this: The most terrible hip-hop project of recent years has changed its mind about leaving the big stage and is busy with a new album.
Why wait: This year, Death Grips have already shown who makes the best uncompromising, unbearably heavy and insane hip-hop on this planet. Moreover, after the release of the long-awaited "Jenny Death" the group decided not to end their career, but to continue releasing music under the now familiar banner. At the end of October, Death Grips announced a new album called "Bottomless Pit" and shared a video of the same name with the late actress Karen Black ( Karen Black). In the video, she reads lines from a film script by Zach Hill, the band's drummer. There is still no information about the album other than the title, although there is little point in being surprised: Death Grips love to surprise the audience at the most unexpected moment. There is no doubt that they will still make us pick our jaws off the floor.
When does it come out?: unknown
6. Kanye West "SWISH"
What is this: 7th studio student of a designer, music critic, doctor of arts, US presidential candidate, and sometimes even a rapper and producer.
Why wait: In 2015, Kanye managed to do literally everything that was possible - in addition to the above achievements, he became a father, gave half a dozen interviews and managed to speak at Oxford, telling students about the hard life of a $5,000 sweater designer. Everything would be fine, but West promised to release the long-suffering "SWISH", which, of course, he did not do. And it seems like we can’t expect anything new from Kanye, but we shouldn’t forget that, despite all his dubious antics and frankly weak singles this year, he was once a wonderful hip-hop artist with an excellent production sense and moderately caustic lyrics . Let's hope that fame and ego did not play a cruel joke on the musician once again.
When does it come out?: unknown
7. Drake "Views From The 6"
What is this: The Canadian rap heavyweight's unreleased album this year.
Why wait: Drake has released so much material this year that the long-awaited "Views From The 6" was automatically relegated to the background. But the grandiose scale is one thing, and the quality of the work done is quite another. Mixtape "If You're Reading This, It's Too Late" showed that the musician from Toronto is no longer the most boring rapper on the planet, but a performer who deserves the popularity he has achieved, and his collaboration with Future At least it was possible to listen to the work. The single deserves special mention "Hotline Bling"- a really high-quality and really sticky composition, the video for which instantly became a meme because of the artist’s ridiculous dances. Commercially, Drake is as successful as ever, with his name appearing at the top of Billboard too often to go unnoticed. The rapper has talked a lot about the upcoming record this year, but it is still not clear what “Views From The 6” will be like. Only two things are known: the record will be a “declaration of love” to the rapper’s hometown, Toronto, and it will be released in the very near future. One can only guess what title Drake will win in 2016.
When does it come out?: January 6 (rumored)
8. Frank Ocean
What is this: Ocean's first studio release after being loved by the press and listeners "Channel Orange".
Why wait: Frank Ocean's debut album became a definite discovery, which was praised not only by critics, but also by many musicians, not to mention ordinary music lovers. It was a gem of neo-soul, an extremely sensual and emotional record on which Ocean revealed a significant part of his potential. He has realized his influence in the hip-hop world and is now slowly trolling his fans. First, he announced a second full-length album and said that the record would be released in July 2015. Of course, this did not happen. Then Frank added videos of Danish cartoons to the code of his promotional site to make life more fun for hackers, posted a set of empty audio tracks on Soundcloud, and the musician’s brother even “rickrolled” fans, thereby joking about the release of the long-awaited album. According to rumors, James Blake ( James Blake), Pharrell Williams ( Pharell Williams), group Depeche Mode, Rick Rubin and even a French electronic engineer SebastiAn. Numerous snippets of songs from the album keep fans in constant suspense, and Ocean himself cleverly stirs up interest and waits for the best moment for release. I wish I could hurry up, honestly, this moment has come - trolling is trolling, and there is less and less strength left to wait for the already loud release.
When does it come out?: unknown
9. Gorillaz
What is this: Revival of Damon Albarn's animated-musical project.
Why wait: At least for the fact that Gorillaz five years after the outstanding "Plastic Beach" it was easy to get bored, and the record "The Fall", recorded entirely on an iPad, did not live up to its expectations. In September, Damon Albarn announced that recording of a new Gorillaz album had begun. Jamie Hewlett, the band's permanent artist, confirmed the musician's words and shared new drawings of the band's characters on Instagram. Nothing is known about the album itself, but Albarn aims to release the fifth “full-length album” in 2016.
When does it come out?: unknown
10. Run The Jewels "Run The Jewels 3"
What is this: The final album of the trilogy from one of the best hip-hop duos of recent years.
Why wait: Who would have thought that a rapper Killer Mike and producer El-P Someday they will start working on joint material. However, the debut album Run The Jewels became the main discovery of 2013, and a year later the team released a brilliant sequel - an explosive and aggressive record that you still want to return to. This year Michael Render ( Killer Mike) and Jamie Melin ( El-P) did not sit idly by - the group had a busy concert schedule, during breaks El-P wrote a remix album for "Run The Jewels 2" with a cat's meow instead of beats, and Killer Mike engaged in activist activities and even tried to become a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. In the fall, Run The Jewels announced that they would devote the entire next year to working on the final album of their joint trilogy.
When does it come out?: "As soon as it's ready"
11. Spiritualized
What is this: The eighth album from the influential psychedelic rock band.
Why wait: Early last year, frontman Spiritualized Jason Pierce has released a new song as part of the album "The Space Project", which also featured Youth Lagoon, Beach House, The Antlers and many others. According to the musician, he recorded the composition only because of the money promised by the label, but working on the track made him think about new material for the group. The album was produced by the band's bassist. Killing Joke Martin Glover, better known by his pseudonym Youth. He and Pierce were supposed to finish recording in the first half of 2015, but no information about the record has yet been received. All that remains is to wait for the weather by the sea.
When does it come out?: unknown
12. The Jesus And Mary Chain
What is this: The first album from the forefathers of noise rock and shoegaze in 18 years.
Why wait: Group The Jesus And Mary Chain was revived in 2007, and since then, according to vocalist Jim Reid ( Jim Reid) the team has repeatedly thought about creating a new album. Only by October 2015 did the dreams become a reality and the group members began recording material. Reid noted that even in the early stages of work in the studio, it was noticeable that The Jesus And Mary Chain's sound had become more mature and meaningful. The band's lead singer refused to make any plans for the future - a more than reasonable approach for a group that has already made a huge contribution to the development of music.
When does it come out?: unknown
13. Slowdive
What is this: Full-scale return of the main one after My Bloody Valentine shoegaze band of our time.
Why wait: Back in 1993, the second album of the group Slowdive suffered an unenviable fate: the music press hated "Souvlaki", the record came out at a time when shoegaze was no longer fashionable and critics were becoming darlings. Suede, Blur and other Britpop bands. Having not received the recognition he deserved, Neil Halstead took the initiative into his own hands and recorded "Pygmalion"- an extraordinary classic of minimalism, because of which the band members fled in all directions, and the label refused to release their albums in the future. It would seem that this is the end of everything, but over two decades Slowdive have turned from outsiders into living legends, without putting any effort into it and working on other projects. More recently, Slowdive returned from obscurity, resumed concert activities and are now writing a new album. Through years of ordeal, Halstead and the team have earned the approval of the press and an impressive fan base, and no one doubts the group's ability to write amazing music. Legends are not only alive, they are more alive than all living things.
When does it come out?: unknown
14. Swans
What is this: The final album from the darkest rock experimentalists led by Michael Gira.
Why wait: The Swans group was revived after fourteen years of silence and released some of the best records in their discography: "The Seer" And "To Be Kind". There were many similarities between the albums: both records were “double”, worked on the same structure of compositions and were equally beautiful, except that last year’s “To Be Kind” had a much better production. One way or another, these albums proved that Swans, at the end of their career, are capable of the most daring experiments in the history of the group, and Michael Gira is a man whose talent simply knows no bounds. The latest Swans record, among other things, should close a trilogy of double albums that, even without a sequel, could pass for the greatest rock records of recent years. If Gira and crew raise the quality bar even higher (is that possible?), then we have a top contender for album of the year. If this does not happen, then we will simply be content with the swan song of a grandiose group.
When does it come out?: unknown
15. ANOHNI "HOPELESSNESS"
What is this: Debut album from Anthony Hegarty's new project ( Anthony Hegarty).
Why wait: Anthony was an unusual singer from the very beginning of her career, from the timbre of her voice to the detailed analysis of the group’s compositions Anthony And The Johnsons, from whom we haven’t heard new material for half a decade. Apparently, Anthony is not eager to return to his roots - she created new project entitled Anohni, promises to replace baroque-pop with dance-experimental electronics, in which she will be helped by the producers of the new record - the creator of the avant-garde project Oneohtrix Point Never Daniel Lopatin and beatmaker Hudson Mohawke. Anthony intends to touch upon far from the most comfortable topics for discussion within the framework of all humanity - for example, the first single of the upcoming record reflects Hegarty’s attitude to the problem of global warming and how people will live in the future if they do not deal with global issues right now.
When does it come out?: in spring (presumably)
16. Radiohead
What is this: The eighth studio album from the main musical group of the last two decades.
Why wait: These people recorded "OK Computer", "Kid A", "Amnesiac" And "In Rainbows" are some of the best and most influential albums of the recent era. These people continue to make music - both together and apart. The fan base of this group is not just great, it is enormous, and if it turns out that every second reader of Sounds loves Radiohead and is looking forward to their new album, we will not be surprised. Only less is known about the album itself than we would like. However, work in the studio has already been completed, now the band needs to select material for the upcoming album. It is also known that during the recording process, Radiohead managed to work with an orchestra; for the first time in the band’s history, a famous outside collaborator may be involved in the creation of the album. Thom Yorke performed the first compositions from the upcoming album in early December in Paris - it looked at least promising.
When does it come out?: unknown
", which preceded the release of the band's ninth album - the release of the new recording took place on the evening of May 8. The first British album in five years is one of the most anticipated cultural events of this year, and its release inevitably divides 2016 into two parts: before the release and after it. Therefore, The Village decided to sum up the interim musical results of the year and remember the ten most important new records that have already been released this year and that are worth listening to during the May holidays.
Singer Anohni, formerly known as Antony Hegarty, lead singer of Antony and the Johnsons, has released a political album and the best record of her entire career. Anohni moved away from chamber pop towards a trendy electronic sound, which Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never helped create. As a result, the album's main single, “Drone Bomb Me,” which tells the story of a seven-year-old Afghan girl whose entire family was killed by bombs, is equally suitable for an anti-war rally and a party.
David Bowie
David Bowie's last album, which he recorded after he was diagnosed with cancer. According to Bowie's producer Tony Visconti, this album was intended as a parting gift to fans, but it makes one reflect on both resurrection through creativity and the immortality of the legacy that the musician left. And although nostalgia is heard in “Blackstar” - this is not a recap of previous achievements, but in many ways a non-canonical album - the record recalls Bowie’s main talent: being ahead of his time.
One of the main people in modern pop music finally released his full-length new album in April, dedicated to his native Toronto and, of course, personal experiences: on “Views” Drake is more focused on himself than ever. Pitchfork has already called the record a failure - it really is a very sad, too long and monotonous album that should have been cut in half. But there is a great song here, “Controlla,” and it’s no worse than “Hotline Bling.”
James Blake
James Blake's third album sums up the changes in the British musician's life since Overgrown. This applies to the variety of stylistic techniques used, and the open attitude towards collaborations (Frank Ocean took part in the creation of the album), and simply the duration: “The Color in Anything” has 17 tracks. But the main thing is that this is a very sincere record, on which Blake moves away from the image of a gloomy, unsociable talent, without betraying himself.
Kanye West
Kanye West recorded one of the most important albums of the year almost before our eyes: as befits modern world beta versions, the album changed its name, tracklist and song versions several times. On 19 tracks, Kanye uses numerous samples very freely, invites guests (from Future and Chance the Rapper to Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar) and makes fun of himself. The result is an imperfect, but very human, if not kind, record.
The drafts left over by Kendrick Lamar after working on “To Pimp a Butterfly” - instead of titles, the tracks have numbers and recording dates between 2013 and 2016. However, one should not assume that this is passable material. On the contrary, such optionality only frees Lamar’s hands, and he moves even further away from traditional rap and experiments with jazz and funk.
The Life columnist selected the ten best albums of the outgoing year, set aside one day of the New Year holidays to listen to each, and selected an activity that would be perfect for this or that album. Now it’s clear what to play at a New Year’s party, what’s suitable for walking around the city at night, and what band you can listen to to remember your tumultuous youth.
For New Year's party
Mushrooms - "House on Wheels"
Music: the most cheerful album of this year, in which even the obligatory slow song is made in the techno genre, and each song talks about an endless party, where “the bass is piling up” and “you really want to move, there’s no end in sight.”
Artist:“Mushrooms” appeared out of nowhere and made such a splash that the group held its first concerts on the stages of clubs packed to capacity, and even the VIP box sang along in bad voices. Two rappers, a music producer and a comedian from YouTube with an Odessa accent are the most characteristic team of 2016. The only thing missing is a vaper and a streamer with a thin voice. The main thing now is that the group, having suddenly appeared, does not just as suddenly disappear from the radar and dissolve into oblivion.
Class: In principle, during the New Year's revelry, the record can be left on repeat. At the Moscow concert, the group sang the legendary “Intro” four times, but the audience couldn’t get enough.
For walking through an empty city
Moderate - III
Music: intelligent electronic music for bearded hipsters and thoughtful girls. It's hard to dance to Moderat, and there's practically nothing to sing along to - the main line from best song on the album it sounds like "burning bridges is not my thing." But their impeccable melodic patterns are pleasant, as teenagers say, to get stuck in. As a result, you can do everything under Moderat: run, wash dishes, lie in bed or stand thoughtfully on the balcony.
Artist: two DJs from the group Modeselektor performed several times together with the singer under the pseudonym Apparat. Both the musicians themselves and the listeners liked it, so it was decided to combine the names and creative forces. In seven years, the supergroup released three albums, each of which is perceived as a new gospel in electronic music.
Class: headphones in your ears, a hat on your head, dress for the January frost and go ahead - listen to thoughtful electro with a soulful voice and burn off calories after the New Year's feast.
To say goodbye to the departed
David Bowie - Blackstar
Music: the twenty-fifth and, unfortunately for everyone, the last album by David Bowie. The record, which, it seemed, nothing could make darker and full of sorrow, was overshadowed by the death of the singer three days after the release of the record.
Artist: During his life, David Bowie managed to invent half a dozen subgenres of rock and with his music turned the brains of hundreds of children on one side, from whom all modern rock stars later grew up. No one believed that Bowie could, in principle, die - he had to outlive all of humanity and fly home to Mars.
Class: just listen to the record from start to finish. Old Bowie deserved at least that.
Sadness on the windowsill
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Music: the ninth album of howls from the most enigmatic soloist of our time, Thom Yorke, accompanied by guitars and electronic synthesizers. This time the howls turned out much better than usual.
Artist: Thom Yorke is a silent, withdrawn and unsociable genius with facial paralysis and a hatred of major notes. They say that when he records a cheerful and light song, the seas will overflow their shores, and the earth and sky will change places.
Class: blanket, cocoa, vape machine, favorite teddy bear, windowsill, Radiohead and a phone with Instagram. But if you're a straight boy, just listen to "Mushrooms" again.
Discover the strong woman within you
Beyoncé - Lemonade
Music: the most unmistakably put together record on the list. The music was written by the best composers, the best voices of our time were on the backing vocals (Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd and Jack White from The White Stripes), and on the day the record was released, the HBO channel, which shows Game of Thrones, played a musical film specially shot for the album, revealing details of the album's internal plot.
Artist: Beyoncé Knowles, both before and after Lemonade, is the goddess and queen of the rhythm and blues genre, speaking out on everything on the album. important issues 2016: how to survive the betrayal of a loved one (forgive, but not forget), what to do if you are black (be proud), and how to live if you are a woman (doubly proud).
Class: listen to the album in its entirety and immediately call your ex. Beyoncé is not Adele, don't suffer, tell him that you never loved him and always imitated him, write a letter asking for a promotion to your boss, buy a gym membership for the "Butt is a Nut" program and start your life again.
Discover the strong man within you
Run The Jewels - RTJ3
Music: The charge inside Run The Jewels' third album turned out to be so powerful that the record was released three weeks earlier and for free - out of harm's way. The record is full, track after track, of armor-piercing hip-hop, which should be turned on either in the gym or in a slaughterhouse, which is most similar to concerts of the group, or during shooting game sessions. The group worked on the last option with special care - in the video game about broad-shouldered men with the proportions of refrigerators and chainsaws instead of bayonets, Gears Of War 4 they added not only characters with their appearance, but also a song called “Panther like a Panther.” Without rhythmic head movements to the beat, only monuments and paralytics can listen to it. Try it yourself.
Artist: in the past, El Productto, one of the top three white rappers in America, made underground non-commercial hip-hop. After the failure of another good record, he took as his protégé a dark-skinned giant named Killer Mike, who looked like a man with whom you didn’t want to argue on any issues. The duo took the name “Steal the Jewels” and by the third disc not only did not have time to dry out and perish in agony, but also to become the most impressive young unit in modern rap.
Class: immediately after the last song, sign up for boxing, write to the girl you’ve liked for a long time that you wouldn’t mind having coffee with her after the holidays, and “no is the answer,” and delete your ex’s page from your bookmarks.
For sex
The Weeknd - Starboy
Music: the first album by a black singer about the problems of white people. Two dozen romantic ballads about whether to drive around the city tonight in a Lamborghini Aventador or Bentley Mulsanne and how to finally stop having so much sex with strangers.
Artist: Canadian of Ethiopian roots, Abel Tesfaye, in his sixth year of creativity, managed to record five records about how difficult it is to have sex and use drugs at the same time. Along the way, The Weeknd managed to come up with his own subgenre of modern R"n"B, loading it with low frequencies and otherworldly sounds. This musical bomb would never have detonated if not for his wonderful voice - Tesfaye has been compared either to Jackson (in timbre) or to Sinatra (in cultural importance).
Class: turn it on. You are studying.
Remember your youth
Metallica - Hardwired...To Self-Destruct
Music: the same album that your neighbors will come to quarrel with you about. At first it’s impossible to listen to it, then you don’t have the strength to turn it off, and then you keep wanting to turn it up louder, although the windows have already been blown out and the auditory nerves are irreversibly damaged. You can shake the antiquity under Hardwired... To Self-Destruct with such violent force that there is a risk of injuring your neck or breaking your spine.
Artist: The thrash metal genre, which became obsolete twenty years ago, is still played as hard as it can by gray-haired rockers, who at the same time look like brothers, fathers and grandfathers to their listeners.
Class: That same Ochakovskoe beer can still be purchased in stores, and the T-shirt with the team’s symbols is most likely still in the closet, so theme party Metallica may well go off with a bang. Cutting jeans and dyeing your hair is not recommended - you have to work on Monday.
Still have a rest
Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!
Music: it’s immediately clear when a musician records an album in to a greater extent for themselves, rather than for the fans or, God forbid, the record company. Awaken, My Love! - exactly the dream album that the young rapper (actor and screenwriter) Donald Glover has been working towards for several years. Fans are horrified - there is not a single dance hit or song about sex and cars on the album, just incredible funk-soul-rock with an eye on a place in eternity.
Artist: Donald Glover is a Renaissance man, talented in everything. In recent years, he has acted in a movie (not bad), recorded two records (good), and written, produced, and starred in the TV series Atlanta (excellent).
Class: just turn on the album, lie back and relax. Let the music do everything itself.
Prepare for work
Tycho - Epoch
Music: electronic music that would belong in a hypermarket, the elevator of a large company or a store fashionable clothes, if not for the incredible talent of composer Scott Hansen to tell stories through several dozen samplers and synthesizers. Each Tycho track ends up being listened to as a fantasy story without a single word. The story flows, the tempo changes, the melodies weave together - it’s impossible to pause it from the first seconds, just like putting a good book down.
Artist: V For ten years now, Hansen has been writing intricate electronic tracks without vocals. He plays all the instruments, mixes the tracks himself and designs the album covers. I wish I could listen to it myself, but the music really turns out great - this year Epoch was nominated for a Grammy as “Best Dance/Electronic Album.”
Class: With a peaceful Tycho, you can finally put things in order in the house, prepare a schedule for tomorrow on the calendar and go to bed. Universal music for universal people.
The first high-profile album of the year and one of the most tragic. At the same time, one of the strongest works in his discography, conceived by him as a farewell, but not tearful, but majestic, bright and adventurous, like his entire rich creative biography. Recorded with a free jazz combo, the album became a kind of tuning fork of the year, defining its character - both in a tragic and musical sense. In addition, David himself showed incredible insight in coming up with a design similar to an endless puzzle - owners of the vinyl edition of “Blackstar” are still discovering new details in it.
Leonard Cohen. "You Want It Darker"
Unlike Bowie, Cohen's departure did not come as much of a surprise. The 82-year-old folk patriarch, shortly before the release of the album (and death), gave a huge interview The New Yorker, saying that he was ready to calmly leave this world. This is roughly what the entire album is about - Cohen’s best in many years. Moreover, both textually (each song here reminds us that Leonard is first and foremost a poet) and musically - thanks to the exquisite production work of the singer’s son Adam. The latter, by the way, soon after his father’s death said that from the sessions “ You Want It Darker" there are several unreleased songs left that may see the light of day in the coming years.
Basta. "Basta 5"
Undoubtedly, the biggest Russian album of the year, which proved the status of Vasily Vakulenko as the main national hero of the moment. He easily appears on the streets, goes down the subway, and then for two days in a row he gathers the Kremlin and releases a double album of two and a half dozen songs. The scale is justified - Basta has something to say and sing to his listeners. The genre palette here ranges from a romance about love for the Motherland (“Where We Are Not”) to spicy trap (“XTZ”), from a cover version of Galich (“Devil”) to a stadium anthem (“Cosmos”). Next, apparently, it will be even more interesting: a new album and solo album are planned for the near future at the Olympic round arena. There is no doubt that Basta will succeed.
Fedor. "No fools"
The first completely new album by Fyodor Chistyakov in many years went unnoticed. At the same time, “No Fools” is worth most of the Russian music of recent years. This is easily played and at the same time incredibly inventively conceived music, songs that can, without warning, develop from rockabilly into folk, country, rhythm and blues, and then explode into a Gilmourian psychedelic solo. In addition, this record is the clearest proof that Chistyakov is still the best musician and frontman of Russian rock. The lyrics of the new songs are a chaotic interpretation of the news agenda, a cheerful sketch of a new Babylonian pandemonium (or Ragnarok), which its lyrical hero (who, it seems, is not too different from the author) looks at with a readiness to get involved in an eternal battle, but at the same time with Mitkovsky unwillingness to defeat anyone.
Kendrick Lamar. "Untitled Unmastered"
The album of outtakes from Kendrick's magnum opus "To Pimp a Butterfly", according to legend, was released thanks to the request of a basketball player who heard these songs and publicly (on Twitter) asked Lamar to publish them. However, it’s hard to believe that the untitled compositions that Kendrick performed every now and then throughout the year were not planned to be released at all - the material on “Untitled Unmastered” is presented without fools, magnificent. If we talk about any differences from previous albums, then here the rapper, to a greater extent than before, appears primarily as a jazzman - the heir of Miles Davis, whom he was dubbed at the last Grammy ceremony. The songs here appear as if by themselves, from free improvisation, and therefore their level of quality seems even higher.
Run The Jewels. "RTJ3"
Suddenly released almost a month before the scheduled date, the third album of the hip-hop duo instantly made those who hastened their results of the musical year blush. El-P and Killer Mike, two of the best people in world rap, have released an expectedly brilliant record full of caustic sarcasm. Compared to Run The Jewels' previous work, RTJ3 is perhaps their most digestible (and longest) album. Raised on jazz, the red-haired beatmaker El-P filled the record with springy and claustrophobic music, which is good for moving around the back streets of any of the world's megacities. It's rap with a fearless, sardonic grin—hardly the hottest musical genre at this moment in history.
James. "Girl at the End of the World"
Sweet-voiced, shaved fellow Tim Booth and his gang of Madchester's weirdest stars got a new lease of life on their previous album, La Petite Mort. The new record develops the ideas of stadium Britpop - the working class heroes James even managed to take over the top of the British chart for a while, overthrowing . The secret of their success is simple - enveloping keys, hypnotic beats and the mood of apocalyptic urban romance, which is given by Booth's vocals soaring above multi-layered guitars.
Banks and Steelz. "Anything But Words"
The showdown between the members of the Wu-Tang Clan and Martin Shkrelli, who bought the only copy of their album “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin,” left the release of this album in the shadows - and in vain. A key member of the rap syndicate, Rizza, joined forces with the vocalist, and the result, frankly, exceeded all expectations. Yes, Banks sings the choruses, and Rizza is responsible for the chant in the verses, but the roles are switched every now and then, and Paul's recorded guitars are superimposed on the inventive beat. The genre of Anything But Words is thus difficult to define. It is clear, however, that this is incredibly hit, weighty and yet cinematic music suitable for any time of year.
Swans "The Glowing Man"
With this album, Michael closes the current chapter in his history. main group- Swans. The most primitive group of industrial rock for this purpose chose the format of a triple album, when listening to which you can easily get lost - in unfamiliar alleys, an evening forest or your own thoughts. The shamanism for which Djira has always been famous is taken to the limit here, the songs last 20 minutes, and catharsis is inevitable.
Kanye West. "Life of Pablo"
The monstrous new album of the main rap madman was released in the “work in progress” format and was finalized by the author for quite a long time. Today, when Kanye canceled his tour and is being treated for nervous fatigue, this work can finally be fully appreciated. And to see that she came out really brilliant. The numerous elements from which the polymath West assembles his style, at first seemed like something like a broken kaleidoscope, but now they have formed a completely homogeneous mosaic. “Life Of Pablo” is the most comfortable journey into the world of an American psychopath who is seriously planning to run for president in 2020, and for that alone the album deserves attention. Above all, though, this is extremely intricate, eccentric, but charming music that proves that hip-hop is still capable of being more than hip-hop.
Frank Ocean. "Blonde"
Another long-term construction project that initially left the public bewildered. New job Frank's tremulous soul neurasthenic is not suitable for mastering hastily. “Blonde” needs to be listened to thoughtfully and repeatedly, but the effort will definitely be rewarded. This is multi-layered, complex and very beautiful music that does not just describe how easy it is to be young (for which Ocean was loved at the stage of the previous album “Channel Orange”), but rushes into the future, which Frank seems to be viscous, but always exciting.
Red Hot Chili Peppers. "The Getaway"
After the change of guitarist (John Frusciante’s place was taken by his friend Josh Klinghoffer) and the crisis album “I"m With You,” many gave up on the funk rockers, but not themselves. To modernize their own style, they changed their permanent producer for the first time in many years Rick Rubin on the retro wizard Danger Mouse, with whom every element of the new songs was carefully worked out. The result was the most interesting and mature RHCP record in the last 20 years - since the release of the swooning “One Hot Minute” recorded with Dave Navarro. There was a place on “The Getaway” raw rock ("Detroit"), dashing funk, kraut and art rock, and Anthony Kiedis finally learned to hit the notes. The quartet proved the ability and readiness for development and experimentation, which, frankly, few people dare to do on the threshold sixth ten.
Kano. "Made in the Manor"
This year, the main bomb of British grime music was the topical and dashing album of rapper Skepta “Konnichiwa”. However, this record is intended more for internal use, while the album by Skepta’s comrade, nicknamed Kano, is an ideal entry point into grime for everyone. What's missing here - aggressive bass-tep bass, dancehall, Damon Albarn on backing vocals. Made in the Manor is something of an anthology of British music from the last half century, filtered through the fast, edgy, zeitgeist of grime.
Deftones "Gore"
Deftones musicians admit that the new album is the first time they have fully come to terms with the death of one of the band's founders, bass guitarist Chi Cheng. The result was perhaps the most beautiful record in the discography of Californian metallers, in which the tenderness and dreaminess of shoegaze comes into perfect resonance with metal aggression.
Korn. "Serenity of Suffering"
Perhaps the main icons of nu-metal from Bakersfield, California, miraculously emerged from the role of brutal whiners with a difficult past and today teach fans not to give up, and play music that is more heroic than depressive. The combination of hip-hop rhythms, heavy guitars and compositional ingenuity does not give depression, but serious inspiration, and in terms of musical abilities, Korn are able to leave even older comrades like Metallica far behind.
Kings of Leon. "WALLS"
Having escaped from the yoke of their rural origins, the Nashville quartet had played plenty of stadium rock in the U2 tradition on previous albums and decided to go their own way. “WALLS” is not a tour de force, but a short but very diverse work, in which there was a place for funk, fast indie rocker numbers (like the hit “Find Me”) and an epic finale in the spirit of (“WALLS”). The Followill brothers apparently no longer face growing pains - each of these three songs contains so much musical ideas, which can easily be deployed for performance with an orchestra.
Kula Shaker. "K 2.0"
Britpop's most amazing and unapproachable heroes returned this year to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their debut album, K, from which the new record takes its name. Forever young Crispian Mills, however, did not overuse exercises in valiant prowess - unlike, for example, Suede, who also released a new album. “K 2.0” is a very confident, quiet and unexpectedly American record, built on country, rhythm and blues and traditional British psychedelia. At the same time, many songs from this album have already taken a strong place in the quartet’s concert program, and the hurricane number “Mountain Lifter” can even now be included in the collection of the best hits of Britpop in general.
Unloved "Guilty of Love"
A new project by a seasoned composer, known for his filigree film soundtracks (“Ocean’s 11”, “Knockout”, etc.). For this album, Holmes gathered a group of like-minded people, and put the tattooed beauty Jade Vincent at the microphone, who is capable of transformations ranging from a languid diva in the spirit of Lana del Rey to a fury in the tradition of Siouxie and The Banshees. The result is the most stylish and definitely the best noir rock album of the year, making it clear that Holmes’s ideas in this direction are far from exhausted.
Wilco "Shmilco"
Outstanding guitarist and composer Jeff Tweedy has been leading Wilco, arguably the best country-rock line-up in the world, for the second decade. The silly name here only means the apparent ease with which Tweedy and the company use everything they can get their hands on, construct folk music according to art-rock patterns and at the same time manage to set fire to American reality. By all standards, a magnificent, and most importantly, completely universal recording.
Cass McCombs. "Mangy Love"
Gloomy folk rocker Cass McCombs consistently records an album every two years and just as consistently maintains a brand of quality. “Mangy Love” is perhaps his most inventive recording. You can listen to these songs endlessly. Despite their apparent simplicity, they constantly reveal new instruments, guitar parts and melodic nuances - this reflects Cass’s youthful passion for the work of the Grateful Dead. At the same time, the main instrument here is still a calm voice that talks about the small tragedies and comedies of a big American city. If there is any music that can elevate the cheesy genre definition of “urban romance,” then this is it.
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