SOULFUL WHITE BOY DETECTED (complimentary)

Honestly for someone who is primarily an actor this is a surprisingly good album, even if it doesn't do anything new. It's clear that Ben just loves this kind of soul-infused music and you can feel it in both the writing and vocal delivery he brings. I can totally see fans of this genre really loving this one.

Certified TRENCH ANTHEM.

Banshee is very hit or miss for me, but I'm always excited to see what they're cooking up. The darksynth/darkwave background on this is a great way to accompany the dichotomy of clean and screamy vocals that she's known for.

I think this one is definitely a hit for me, but it still doesn't feel like what's fully possible with what she brings to the table. If she continues to hone this sound though, I could honestly see her carving a space similar to someone like ... read more

Not something I think I'd listen to again, but it did slowly win me over with it's haunting vibes as it came to a close.

An incredibly warm and dreamlike experience. This has just about everything I want from an indie record.

AOTY Top 20 - #1 - Monarch of Monsters by Vylet Pony (Noise Rock, Alt-pop)

TL:DR - Perhaps the greatest version of "Don't judge a book by it's cover" this decade, Vylet Pony's newest venture into alt and noise rock is one of the most musically diverse and emotionally unrestrained projects I have ever heard. It's musical and lyrical depictions of trauma and losing one's self is as impressive as it is haunting, and that is why I believe it deserves this spot ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #4 - A Cure To Poison The World by The Requiem (Emo/Post-hardcore)

TL:DR - Taking clear inspiration from bands like MCR, The Used, and Taking Back Sunday, The Requiem has been able to create a time-capsule that serves as a pinnacle for mid-2000s post-hardcore. Between it's sound, album cover, and track names, 'A Cure To Poison The World' feels so poignantly reminiscent of its inspirations that you'd find it difficult to believe it came out nearly 2 decades ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #3 - Tidal Memory Exo by Iglooghost (Industrial EDM)

TL:DR - Iglooghost's newest manages to whisk you away to a warehouse rave beneath the waves. A truly mesmerizing and otherworldly experience from front to back.

There isn't a whole lot to say about this album, other than it is just fucking COOL man. In all my years listening to EDM I don't think I've ever heard someone nail the theme they're trying to do this well.

From slower "wavier" ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #2 - The Black by Imminence (Metalcore/Blackmetal)

TL:DR - The Black is Imminence's magnum opus. In a genre oversaturated with 'downward spiral' themes, they have seemingly perfected it through haunting lyricism and somber violins. From it's slower instrumental sections to it's heavy choruses and breakdowns (both emotionally and instrumentally) this is one of the most cinematic and bone-chilling listens of the year.

THIS IS THE BLAAAAAAACK, my second ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #6 - FISSION by Dead Poets Society (Hard Rock/Heavy Pop)

TL:DR - A masterclass in how infectious and grooving modern hard-rock can be. Dead Poet Society knows how to write a fucking hook, and flaunts it on nearly every track on FISSION.

I'm sure a lot of my friends have been waiting for this one to pop up. I honestly feel like I don't even need to "sell" this album anymore because everyone I've showed it to this year probably has it in their top 5, and ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #8 - 'girl EDM - disc 1' by Ninajirachi (Electrohouse/Electropop)

TL:DR - BRAT SUMMER IS OVER, IT IS NOW GIRL EDM WINTER. Ninajirachi's newest album is electropop made for the ravers, with a plethora of different beats and subgenres guaranteed to get you moving.

This has been my absolute jam for the past few months, and one of the albums I've been most excited to share on this list. While clearly inspired by Late 2000s/Early 2010s EDM, Nina's ability to ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #11 - Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves (Country/Folk)

Deeper well has shown me that Country can be an amazing genre to get into once you find the right themes to get attached to. Kacey's ability to express finding the good things in life through friends and loved ones as she goes through her twenties hits right at home and has made a country fan out of me because of it.

Favorite Tracks: Deeper Well, Anime Eyes, Jade Green

For Fans Of: Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #10 - There Must Be Something Here by acloudyskye (shoegaze/indietronica)

TL:DR - 'There Must Be Something Here' is the perfect pairing to a rainy day. It's theme of trying to help others' mental health without ruining your own is supported by lush, melancholic instrumentals and some incredibly honest, soothing vocals.

"There Must Be Something Here" Is an allegory for trying to help those around you at all costs, and the sobering emotions that can ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #12 - 'i'm sorry I changed' by Xeuphoria (Piano Instrumental)

TL:DR - 'i'm sorry I changed' is a phenomenal display of how much emotion and story can be conjured from a single piano when placed in the hands of someone as creative as Xeuphoria is.

Certainly the most minimalist entry on my top 20 this year, 'i'm sorry I changed' is one of the newest entries from Xeuphoria, a pianist that I have become infatuated with over the past 6 ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #13 - Negative Spaces by Poppy (Rock/Pop/Metal)

TL:DR - Negative Spaces is Poppy's magnum opus, showing off nearly all aspects of why she is one of the most diverse and interesting artists of this generation. From it's poppier rock songs to it's authentic metalcore bangers, this album will have you entranced from start to finish.

Contrary to what Grimes has said, it is, in fact, NOT time for Poppy to leave, in fact this new album makes me feel like she's ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #14 - here (not rly) there by Glacier (chill/glitch pop, funk)

TL:DR - Glacier has managed to craft a perfect pixel garden with his debut record. His nature-infused sound mixed with lush instrumentals and calming vocals make for a very calm and cozy listen that leaves you yearning for springtime.

I think out of everything I've heard this year, this is the album I have been most surprised by. When I saw this was released, I expected some silly chiptune/future-bass style ... read more

AOTY Top 20 - #17 - Head Void by From Indian Lakes (Indie Rock/Shoegaze)

Head Void is another perfect example this year of how the vibe and flow of an album can win someone over just as much as individual memorable songs can. Beneath its melancholic lyrics and tone there is a certain warmth about this album that wraps you up as you go through it. Great for those cozy winter days as the season starts to get colder.

For Fans Of: Turnover, Foxing, Gleemer

Despite their previous works being hit or miss for me, I'm always excited to see what Convexity is cooking.

Their funky/jazzy sound always stands out from the pack for me and when it hits like this EP did, there's really no one that does it better.

For someone who was not too attached to the singles, this album really clicked for me. Can definitely see myself running this back in the weeks to come.

This is State Champs. It is not trying to be anything other than State Champs, and quite frankly it doesn't need to be.

I came into this album looking for some upbeat generic pop-punk songs with sing-along lyrics and great hooks, and that is exactly what I got!

In that regard it is a phenomenal self-titled album.