I was hoping to write capsule reviews of each of my top ten albums of the year, but as has become the norm for me the last few years, that didn’t come together. I’d still like to share the one capsule that I did write, which is on an album that has been getting the praise it’s due from all corners and yet still deserves a bit more.
Addison Rae’s debut single, “Obsessed,” was so unfairly derided and widely ignored (by everyone other than the hyperpop crowd, tellingly) that it threatened to nip her incipient career in the bud. Much of the thanks for her second chance can be directed to Charli XCX, after guest verses on each other’s tracks (Charli on AR’s “2 Die 4,” Addison Rae on the “Von Dutch” remix) gave her the apparent boost she needed. With that stimulus, it would have been easy for Addison Rae to phone in a knockoff Charlicore LP; judging by each other’s Instagram presence, there was surely no shortage of A.G. Cook acolytes in her immediate vicinity who would have leapt at the opportunity to produce her debut album. So when Addison’s promotional singles started rolling out, it was a pleasant surprise to find that they bear little resemblance to BRAT and its ilk. The trip hop influence in “Headphones On” might be the best example of Addison Rae’s boldness: the song’s layers of moody drumbeats and hazy synths seem to have been recorded three decades ago, and while Addison Rae’s lilting vocals are anachronistic in their own way, they exemplify her fresh but unassuming new voice. Addison is the work of an artist who has already found her way, and it’s no stretch of imagination to call her our current most exciting pop musician.
50. Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong
49. Lust for Youth & Croatian Amor – All Worlds
48. Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar
47. Richard Dawson – End of the Middle
46. Boldy James & Chuck Strangers – Token of Appreciation
45. Hesse Kassel – La Brea
44. LSDXOXO – DGTL ANML
43. Death in Vegas – Death Mask
42. Boldy James & Anyy Beatz – Hommage
41. Jane Remover – ♡
40. billy woods – Golliwog
39. Earth Ball – Actual Earth Music – Volume 1 & 2
38. Moonchild Sanelly – Full Moon
37. Fabio Mina – Existence / Resistance
36. Sopa Boba – That Moment
35. Marina Zispin – Now You See Me, Now You Don’t
34. Deadguy – Near-Death Travel Services
33. Daniel Lopatin – Marty Supreme
32. Oklou – Choke Enough
31. Lord Snow – Have You Heard of the High Elves
30. FKA twigs – Eusexua Afterglow
29. Cosey Fanni Tutti – 2t2
28. Surgeon – Shell~Wave
27. Peter Brötzmann / John Edwards / Steve Noble / Jason Adasiewicz – The Quartet
26. Playboi Carti – Music
25. Tim Hecker – Shards
24. Model/Actriz – Pirouette
23. The Ex – If Your Mirror Breaks
22. Ethel Cain – Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You
21. Eris Drew – DJ-Kicks
20. Turnstile – Never Enough
19. Unspecified Enemies – Romance in the Age of Adaptive Feedback
18. Swans – Birthing
17. Djrum – Under Tangled Silence
16. Squid – Cowards
15. The Legendary Pink Dots – So Lonely in Heaven
14. Slikback – Attrition
13. Decius – Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)
12. Sandwell District – End Beginnings
11. Anthony Naples – Scanners
10. Skee Mask – E
9. FKA twigs – Eusexua
8. Stereolab – Instant Holograms on Metal Film
7. Tim Reaper – In Vain
6. Addison Rae – Addison
5. DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ – Fantasy
4. Efdemin – Poly
3. Tyler, the Creator – Don’t Tap the Glass
2. Huremic – Seeking Darkness
1. Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power
