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#1To Be Kind by Swans (Mute/Young God)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
There are not enough good things I can say about this album. An engaging, intense, and direct experience - on a level that most of today's music cannot get to. If you do partake, be sure to follow Gil Scott Heron's listening rule.
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#2You're Dead! by Flying Lotus (Warp)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Undoubtedly one of today's most talented and creative artists. Tons of great collaborations going on here. Conceptually solid, and an excellent vinyl listen all the way through.
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#3Syro by Aphex Twin (Warp)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
There are some sounds and artists that become part of your 'sound DNA' over time. Aphex is one of those artists for me. Although the electronic landscapes have caught up to some of his signature production techniques, he's still managed to carve out a phenomenal album that is relevant without trying too hard.
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#4Ni**az On The Moon by Death Grips (Harvest)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Since my first listen of Exmilitary from 2011, these guys can do no wrong. Sad news to hear they broke up earlier this year, but the world can still look forward to the 2nd disc (Jenny Death) to this double album, The Powers That B.
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#5Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs (Secretly Canadian)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Solid songwriting and production that keeps this album an interesting listen throughout. There's a timeless quality to it that made it one my most played albums in 2014.
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#6Manipulator by Ty Segall (Drag City)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Another great release from one of my favorite artists. Catching him at Thalia Hall earlier this year was a highlight.
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#7Black Metal by Dean Blunt (Rough Trade)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Elusive and subversive in his own unique way. An album where the emotional aesthetic was the most interesting part to me. It's a work that is difficult to make complete sense of - ambiguous lyrics, half-felt emotions, and a distance from the material.
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#8Tayi Bebba by Clap! Clap! (Black Acre)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
An excellent fusion of African percussion, trap, and footwork.
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#9LP1 by FKA Twigs (Young Turks)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
This sound has been in style for a few years now; however, I don't think anyone has done it quite as well as FKA Twigs.
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#10Sunbathing Animal by Parquet Courts (What's Your Rupture)
 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon
Similar to FKA Twigs, nothing too outside of the stream, and this album made it many year-end lists. I picked Parquet Courts as a top ten last year, and I think this is another solid release.
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Some of my Honorable Mentions include:
Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2 (via Mass Appeal)
The Budos Band - Burnt Offering (via Daptone)
Badbadnotgood - III (via Innovative Leisure)
Serengeti - Kenny Dennis III (via Joyful Noise)
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