As a radio host that specializes in exclusively new music, compiling a ‘Best Of’ list wasn’t challenging—it’s basically made up of what I spin most frequently. Last year, Iceage’s New Brigade claimed the #1 spot (a dramatic battle between them and Total Control, who’s debut Henge Beat was tied at a close second.) This year will without a doubt go down as the year of Merchandise with Children of Desire, their most dynamic work to date, one that genuinely garnered in a mainstream indie rock culture while never leaving their punk roots behind. Some things are just beautiful.
10. Aaron Dilloway, Modern Jester (Hanson)
9. Vatican Shadow, Ornamented Walls (Modern Love)
8. Swans, The Seer (Young God)
7. White Lung, Sorry (Deranged)
6. Nasa Space Universe, 12” EP (Self)
5. Lust for Youth, Growing Seeds (Avant!/Sacred Bones)
4. Waxahatchee, American Weekend (Don Giovanni)
3. Holograms, Holograms (Captured Tracks)
2. Cloud Nothings, Attack on Memory (Carpark)
1. Merchandise, Children of Desire (Katorga Works)
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**If I could make this list longer, it would definitely include Linea Aspera, Linea Aspera (Dark Entries) and basically everything Slumberland put out this year (specifically Allo Darlin’ and Evans the Death).
7”s
Dawn of Humans, Blurt of the Birdfish 7”
Hoax 7” (Youth Attack)
Salvation, House of the Beating Hell
Lower, Walk on Heads (Blind Prophet / Escho)
Veronica Falls, Teenage
Cassettes
Shoxx demo CS
Pharmakon, Deserve It (Chondritic Sound)
Warthog, Chain Wallet Demo
