Wild Nothing – Nocturne
Like M83’s Saturdays = Youth, Wild Nothing’s Nocturne tugs at the heartstrings of my ’80s childhood and my ’90s twee indie pop infatuation.
Tennis – Young & Old
This album makes me want to lay in the grass on a sunny Summer day with nothing to do.
Marina & The Diamonds – Electra Heart
I am a sucker for a British chanteuse with a broken heart and a dark, wry wit backed by over-produced club-ready beats.
DIIV – Oshin
I hear elements of Ride, The Cure, and a slew of other “dream pop” bands I’ve loved for years.
Chromatics – Kill For Love
It is dark, seductive and preys on all my weaknesses like the perfect temptress.
Kaki King – Glow
Gorgeous guitar instrumentals that will break your heart over and over.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Raucous, unapologetic straight forward guitar-based indie rock with heart and soul.
Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Catchy power-pop with nods to early Emo as well as Jawbreaker, et al.
Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
Over-produced, over-hyped vapid and trite pop exactly how it should be done.
Saint Etienne – Words and Music
A synth laden dance-floor album about being in love with music.
Top Singles*
Breaking the Yearlings – Shearwater
Lost in My Bedroom – Sky Ferreira
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards – Tame Impala
Emmylou – First Aid Kit
Losing You – Solange
Threads – Now Now
Silver Spring – Lykke Li
Atomic Age – Parlour Tricks
I Wanna Go Out – Teen Mom
OKAY Cupid – Kitty Pryde
Dreamers – Savoir Adore
Disparate Youth – Santigold
Heartbreaker – The Walkmen
212 – Azealia Banks
Backlines – Stars
(*My personal rule is that my top singles can’t be on any of the albums in my top album list.)
Kerry’s previous lists: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008