Now It's On

Favorite Albums of 2015: #1 - Until The Ribbon Breaks - A Lesson Unlearnt

I was on the bandwagon for Until The Ribbon Breaks from the start, from the very second I first heard "Pressure" in 2013. At the time, the project was only one man, Pete Lawrie Winfield. I came across "Pressure" while reading the website of producer extraordinaire Rollo Armstrong, Dido's brother and one of the founders of electronic/dance legends Faithless. He posted about current projects he was working on and one of them was Until The Ribbon Breaks.

I knew these two had some history as Rollo produced an album for Pete called A Little Brighter in 2011, released under the name Pete Lawrie. That album saw Lawrie in folk-pop, singer/songwriter mode with a sound that did little to distinguish him from the many others making similar music. I wasn't sure what to expect from this new incarnation, then I clicked on the music video for "Pressure", Until The Ribbon Breaks' first single, and my jaw hit the floor. 

In September 2013, the first Until The Ribbon Breaks EP, A Taste Of Silver, was released containing "Pressure" and four other tracks. Then in March of 2014, a second EP called The Other Ones followed with four more new tracks. At the time, I said in my review you could have a potential Album of the Year if you combined the two EP's, the material was that strong. But a full length was on the horizon, initially thought to be coming in August 2013, but finally seeing the light of day at the start of 2015.

Until The Ribbon Breaks had now grown into a three piece band with the additions of James Gordon and Elliot Wall. Their debut album A Lesson Unlearnt contains seven of the nine tracks that were on the two EP's. Only the excellent "2025" and ballad "Back To The Stars" did not make the cut. Three new songs plus an intro round out the album and as I predicted, all combined they made an early front runner for my favorite album of 2015, a title it would not relinquish all year. What I have admired about Until The Ribbon Breaks from the start is the versatility in the music and the refusal to be pigeonholed in a particular musical style. On A Lesson Unlearnt, you get bits of funk, soul, electronic, hip-hop, infectious dance tracks and gorgeous ballads.

All the songs I raved about in my reviews of the EP's are here, all of them co-produced by Rollo. The aforementioned "Pressure" is a monster, moving from hard beats and a sinister feel to a lovely, piano led chorus, a stunning production. "Romeo" and "Goldfish" are soulful ballads, gorgeously melodic with sweeping strings and piano lines. "Perspective" featuring a rap by Homeboy Sandman brings the funk and there's even a song called "Until The Ribbon Breaks", a somber electronic ballad that literally breaks apart in the middle before building back with the help of a choir and electronic strings. Tremendous.

Of the new tracks, both "Orca" and "Persia" fall under the electronic R&B ballad umbrella, again the melodies are entrancing, as are Lawrie Winfield's vocals. "Orca" in particular, a reflection on death and its finality, hit me harder than any song released in 2015. It is beautiful in lyric, melody and heartbreak, another stunning achievement that especially resonates with anyone who lost someone they were close to. "Revolution Indifference" features one of the hottest duos in hip-hop right now, Run The Jewels, as it damns a generation with its head seemingly in the sand to the madness going on in the world around it. Rollo was not involved with these three tracks but they all share that unique UTRB sound and blend seamlessly with the rest of the album.

Not only did I appreciate the diversity in sounds and styles on A Lesson Unlearnt, the sequencing of the songs flows perfectly as well. Slower ballads are followed by funk before slowing down again, only to jump into a hip-hop laced song or an electronic dance number. The ebbs and flows are timed beautifully and it all adds up to the finest album I heard in 2015.

Favorite tracks: "Orca", "Pressure", "Goldfish", "Romeo"

A Lesson Unlearnt was released January 20th, 2015 via Kobalt Label Services.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #2 - Steven A. Clark - The Lonely Roller

I was introduced to Steven A. Clark in 2012 when his self released album Fornication Under Consent of the King showed up in my inbox. The eclectic mix of R&B, hip-hop, electronic music, pop and rock won me over upon first listen and the album, which was available as a free download no less, went on to become my #13 Album of 2012.

Sadly, you can't find Fornication Under Consent of the King online as easily anymore but for good reason. Clark was signed to the Secretly Canadian label who first released an EP, Late, in 2014 that contained new versions of three songs from F.U.C.K. That was followed by Clark's latest full length The Lonely Roller in 2015. Here, Clark continues that mix he created on his earlier self released material, but even he will tell you, the production values are bigger and better.

Two of the songs on The Lonely Roller also appeared on F.U.C.K., although these are much different versions. The title track has been remixed and also omits a rap from J. Nics that appeared on the original, while "She's In Love" has been radically re-arranged from its original version. Also appearing here in a new version is the fantastic "Bounty", which was first released as a one-off single in 2013. Of the material seeing release for the first time on this album, there is a slew of stand-out tracks. "Not You" is a somber ballad with Clark admitting, 'I want love, I need love, but not you' to another. "Can't Have" is awash in 80's synths and captivating melodies. "Time Machine" reminds me of something Prince would have written and produced for a protégé act back in the 80's with it's drum machine beats and guitar licks.

The subject matter on The Lonely Roller is mostly love and relationships gone wrong, flawed characters such as the one described in the angry, electronic tinged "Trouble Baby". Clark melds so many of my favorite music styles, and there is an obvious 80's influence touched upon within so many of these tracks, it's no wonder this album resonated with me so strongly. R&B, soul, pop, rock, electronic, they're all a part of Clark's scintillating sound. He's a helluva songwriter, singer and producer and he put it all together on The Lonely Roller, my #2 Album of 2015.

Favorite tracks: "Time Machine", "Can't Have", "Not You", "Bounty"

The Lonely Roller was released September 18th, 2015 via the Secretly Canadian label.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #3 - Prince - HITnRUN Phase Two

Prince released two HITnRUN albums in 2015. Unfortunately Phase One turned out to be my least favorite album he has ever released but that was quickly rectified when he surprised everyone by releasing Phase Two in mid-December via the TIDAL music service. Phase Two was everything Phase One wasn't. It was a return to Prince's 'real music by real musicians' mantra and is my favorite album of his since 2004's Musicology. 

Half of the songs on Phase Two had been previously released, which led to some unwarranted criticism that this was just a collection of songs thrown together. I strongly disagree, even at the height of Prince's 80's greatness, albums were built around long vaulted songs and resurrecting old material. Prince will often let a song sit for years until it fits into an album sonically or concept wise. So yes, it may seem to some that Phase Two was a place to collect a bunch of one-off singles from the last few years, but I find it to be amazingly cohesive. Most of the songs that had been previously released have been re-worked for this album as well. Tracks like "SCREWDRIVER", "XTRALOVEABLE", "ROCKNROLL LOVEAFFAIR" and "BALTIMORE" have all either been remixed or had instrumentation and production added and all benefit from the new touches.

Prince's mastery of different musical styles is on full display here. You want funk? There's "GROOVY POTENTIAL", "STARE" and "XTRALOVEABLE". Pop and rock? Try "ROCKNROLL LOVEAFFAIR", "2 Y. 2 D." and "SCREWDRIVER". Soulful ballads? "LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT U" and "REVELATION" are among the best he has done in years. In fact, "REVELATION" is a new addition to the classic Prince ballad list, a gorgeous masterpiece with his falsetto still flawless. Prince channels his inner Stevie Wonder on "BLACK MUSE", yet another highlight. And the horn work that runs throughout this entire album is extraordinary, it truly helps tie everything together into one cohesive sounding piece of work. There are also plenty of musical and vocal contributions from the likes of Michael Bland, John Blackwell, Liv Warfield, Andy Allo and many more members of Prince's ever evolving NPG, check the full band sound on album closer "BIG CITY".

Art Official Age was one of my favorite albums of 2014 and Prince has done it again with HITnRUN Phase Two placing as my #3 Album of 2015.  

Favorite tracks: "REVELATION", "GROOVY POTENTIAL", "LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT U", "ROCKNROLL LOVEAFFAIR"

HITnRUN Phase Two was released as a digital download exclusively on TIDAL December 12th, 2015 via NPG Records. A physical release is expected in 2016.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #4 - Denai Moore - Elsewhere

Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Denai Moore relocated with her family to Stratford, England when she was 10. A string of EP's started getting the still teenaged Moore attention in the UK as a female version of James Blake with a folk side, and now at 22 she released her debut album in 2015 with Elsewhere.

Elsewhere flew under the radar in the States where it didn't see a release until October as a digital download. Moore lists the likes of Lauryn Hill, Bon Iver and Feist as influences and all can be heard in the music on her debut. The majority of the album was produced by Rodaidh McDonald who has worked with the likes of Adele and The xx, so the mix of electronic, acoustic, soul and pop here is no surprise. Moore tends to write from personal experiences and isn't afraid to delve into the darker aspects of life and relationships. 

There isn't much in the form of upbeat, dance material here. Moore's music still retains some of her earlier roots in folk, "Flaws" is primarily acoustic guitar, some piano and her rich vocals for example, but McDonald's production fleshes things out with electronic beats, synths and lush arrangements. It's simply a beautiful listen all the way through, an album that should appeal to fans of artists like Adele or Lianne La Havas to name just a couple of others. "Piano Song", "Blame", "Absent" and the title track are just a few of the gorgeously executed tracks here on an album full of them. "No Light" is a soulful revelation, starting as an acoustic track but building into a powerful full band conclusion.    

Denai Moore is one of those new artist finds that makes every year a joy in seeking out music. I didn't discover Elsewhere until late in the year, but it came at just the right time to catapult itself to my #4 Album of 2015. 

Favorite tracks: "Piano Song", "No Light", "Absent", "Elsewhere"

Elsewhere was released in the UK April 6th, 2015. It was released as a digital download only in the U.S. October 23rd, 2015.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #5 - JR JR - JR JR

2015 saw Detroit favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. shorten their name to just JR JR, then follow that with their third full length. Titled after their new band name, JR JR saw Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott continue to combine their strengths of composing challenging yet accessible pop music. It was this gift that first made me take notice of each when they led their own local bands before combining forces and I'm always thrilled to see deserving local artists achieve the level of national exposure these two have with this project.

JR JR hits you right out of the gate with "As Time Goes By", the chorus section is prime material for fist pumping and shouting along. That's followed by the duo's most successful song to date, the whistling, sweet pop of "Gone" which gave the band their first hit on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. Epstein handles the lead on "Caroline", a song with a tailor made sing-along chorus, as proven by their show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre late in the year. "In The Middle" continues the impressive run of songs that opens the album, this one has a massive 80's vibe and as is often the case with JR JR's music, an undeniably catchy chorus.

In fact that is one of the greatest strengths of the album. There are just ear worms here for days. "Electrical Energy", "For My Brother", they just go on and on. "Break My Fall" is another highlight but my personal favorite is "Hypothetical", a mix of pop with electronics and a smooth R&B vibe. And that chorus, this song screams to be a single. It's also nice to have the fantastic "James Dean" included here, a one-off the band released as a digital single in 2014. Also worth noting, the version included here is just slightly different from the original single version. It's very subtle but there are some extra, added production touches that only a music geek like me would have noticed. This straight forward ballad is one of my favorite things JR JR have done and it's placed perfectly on the album as a bit of a break from the dancier, electronic pop material.

2013's The Speed Of Things placed at #5 in my Top Albums of that year. It's a repeat for the former Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. as JR JR comes in at #5 for 2015.

Favorite tracks: "Hypothetical", "James Dean", "Break My Fall", "Caroline"

JR JR was released September 25th, 2015 on Warner Bros. Records.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #6 - My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall

Any year My Morning Jacket releases a new album is exciting for me as that usually means a chance to see them live again. And in 2015 we got not one, but two shows in Detroit at The Fillmore. Not only did these shows continue to prove MMJ are one of the best live bands working today, the breadth of their catalog was on full display as they played two completely different shows without a single repeat song. It was certainly one of my top concert highlights of the year and the album the tour supported, The Waterfall, also places as a top musical achievement of 2015.

The band's seventh album, The Waterfall marks a bit of a return to their earlier sound, at times drenched in reverb and echoes. Tracks such as "Like A River" and "Thin Line" reside on that balance between folk, rock and country that the band tows so well. "In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)", "Compound Fracture" and "Tropics (Erase Traces)" all experiment with the rock side of things, while "Get The Point" is a gorgeous ballad with little more than acoustic guitar and Jim James' voice telling the story of a relationship that is over. James is always eager to add some soul to the mix as well as the band does on the album closer "Only Memories Remain", another track that touches on a breakup James went through.

Although I enjoyed 2011's Circuital, The Waterfall was a step above MMJ's prior release, proof that they still have a lot to say and explore musically. An adventurous album covering rock, folk, country and soul, The Waterfall is my #6 album of 2015.

Favorite tracks: "Get The Point", "In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)", "Tropics (Erase Traces)", "Like A River"

The Waterfall was released May 4th, 2015 on ATO/Capitol Records.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #7 - Active Child - Mercy

Pat Grossi first grabbed my attention in 2011 with his debut full length as Active Child, You Are All I See. As so often happens these days, I received a free mp3 of a track from the album, the glorious "Hanging On", which led me to the full album which eventually landed at #4 on my Best of 2011 list. 

Mercy is the follow-up album to You Are All I See, although Grossi has been far from silent. The New Jersey native's Rapor EP was as good as many full lengths released in 2013, a perfect six track gift to help make the wait for the next album less difficult. 

Mercy may clock in at only 36 minutes, just 13 minutes more than the Rapor EP, but I will always take a concise, flawless collection over a sprawling, over-long album loaded with filler. Grossi continues his run of outstanding work with this album. What I've enjoyed the most following Active Child's work is the progression of Grossi's sound. Yes, most bios will focus on that soaring falsetto of his, and for good reason. And let's not forget his proficiency on the harp. But Active Child's music continues to expand upon the synth-pop roots of You Are All I See. Electronics are always a part of the equation, but Rapor saw Grossi delve much more into an R&B sound, a direction that continues on Mercy.

The ten songs here are an exploration of love and its various stages. On album opener "1999", no it's not a Prince cover, Grossi reminisces on past loves, while the next track, my personal favorite "These Arms", is a declaration of devotion. The multi-tracked vocals that close the song are simply heavenly. The title track is a slinky, sexy slice of soul, check the backing vocals on this one. "Temptation" is another standout, a darkly hypnotic, sensual song tailor made for late night activities.

As with any album exploring love, there are sadder aspects to the subject. "Darling" explores a love lost over a sparse arrangement of little more than Grossi's falsetto and harp. And yes, it's gorgeous. And the piano based album closer "Too Late" couldn't be more explicit in its subject matter, a love that has simply run its course with no hope of a recovery. It ends things on a somber note to be sure, but not every story has a happy ending. Mercy, however, was destined for the same ending as You Are All I See. One of my favorite albums of the year, #7 in fact.

Favorite tracks: "These Arms", "Mercy", "Temptation", "Too Late"

Mercy was released June 16th, 2015 on Vagrant Records.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #8 - One eskimO - Faster Than Turtles

I've been a massive supporter of One eskimO going back to 2007 when their entrancing song and video "Hometime" started making the rounds. There were then a lot of stops and starts before their debut album finally reached stores. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a promo copy of the original configuration of their debut and reviewed it here back when it was still called All Balloons. The album was delayed a couple times and by the time it was released in September of 2009, now self titled, most of the tracks had been re-recorded or remixed from their original versions.

I was partial to the original recordings but One eskimO was still a fine debut release, one that scored them a No. 1 AAA Radio hit in "Kandi" and a growing fan base Stateside as they toured across the country. The road to the band's second album followed a similar path of planned release dates, delays and cancellations. For long stretches there was very little news about what was going on, leading to speculation it may never see the light of day. But finally, and somewhat out of the blue with very little buildup, the band released the long awaited Faster Than Turtles in April of 2015.

Sonically, this is quite the different direction from the band's debut. Their pop/rock with touches of electronic influences has been replaced with a trippy, darker electronic feel. It is incredibly adventurous musically but don't let that scare you as Kristian Leontiou's sweet melodies and mesmerizing vocal work are still at the core of each song. There is a heaviness to much of this album, simple, breezy pop tunes are not the name of the game this time, but it's an overhaul that pays tremendous dividends. 

Any fears that the new sound means the band's music is now inaccessible are alleviated right off the bat with album opener "Giants", the first of many unforgettable melodies to be found amongst the eleven songs here. "Black Dolphins" is another early standout, a lush track that leaves you wanting more than its barely three minute length.    

"Get Over Yourself" is the closest this album comes to their earlier sound, although it is still filled with enough glitchy electronics to fit here. "Sunny Day" and "Raincoats" have been floating around for awhile, released as teasers by the band with "Raincoats" the superior of the two, a lovely ballad featuring Leontiou's falsetto that calls to mind "Hometime" just a bit. The gorgeous "Kites" is awash in strings while "Clear" is a more intimate piano piece, punctuated with unsettling digital effects. The stunning "Ground Control" starts as a sparse piano led vocal piece before a bass line starts about two minutes in followed by intense beats as the song takes off in an almost funky direction.

It may have taken One eskimO over four years to release Faster Than Turtles unto the world but if there is one constant for Leontiou and his project, it is his insistence on doing things his way at his pace. Despite its rather limited availability, Faster Than Turtles is an album that deserves to reach as many ears as possible. It was good to have One eskimO back in 2015 and they came back with my #8 Album of the Year.   

Favorite tracks: "Ground Control", "Giants", "Raincoats", "Black Dolphins"

Faster Than Turtles was released April 27th, 2015 on vinyl only in the UK via ECC Records. It is also available for digital download via One eskimO's website.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #9 - Kopecky - Drug For The Modern Age

Formerly known as Kopecky Family Band but now shortened to just Kopecky, these Nashville based pop/rockers released their sophomore album in 2015 and it grabbed hold of my ears instantly. Drug For The Modern Age is filled with catchy pop-rock, tracks that should be all over radio if radio really still meant anything or broke deserving new artists. The band obviously has a gift for writing hooks and the vocal interplay between Kelsey Kopecky and Gabe Simon is infectious.

On Drug For The Modern Age, Kopecky just delivers one memorable melody and hook after another. "Die Young" opens things and simmers along only to give way to the insanely addictive "My Love", one of my most played songs of 2015. That chorus is straight out of the handbook on how to write an unforgettable pop tune. It's a fantastic piece of pop-rock but it's far from the only one here. "Vancouver" is every bit its equal and "Natural Selection", "Talk To Me" and "Quarterback" can't be ignored either. As I said, just put this album on and let it play start to finish, there's not a dud amongst the twelve tracks.

"Real Life" is another favorite and screams 80's throwback to me with that beautifully placed saxophone line. And of the three ballads here, "Burnin'" is the highlight with Simon taking the lead on this sultry track. I was not familiar with Kopecky's music before 2015. Part of the excitement of each new year is being introduced to either new artists or bands that are just new to me and Kopecky made such an impression with Drug For The Modern Age, they landed my #9 Album of 2015.  

Favorite tracks: "My Love", "Vancouver", "Better Luck Next Time", "Burnin'"

Drug For The Modern Age was released May 18th, 2015 on ATO Records.

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Favorite Albums of 2015: #10 - Lianne La Havas - Blood

My biggest concert regret of 2015 was missing Lianne La Havas when she came to Detroit in October to play St. Andrews Hall in support of her second album Blood. La Havas enlisted the production help of Paul Epworth, Stephen McGregor, Mark Batson and her chief collaborator Matt Hales, better known as his recording moniker Aqualung, for her second full length. Hales also released a stellar new Aqualung album in 2015, 10 Futures, that La Havas contributed vocals to on the gorgeous ballad "Eggshells". 

The great thing about Blood for me was the different producers all contributed to making the album shine as a whole. Hales along with Jamie Lidell teamed up with La Havas on "Green & Gold", while Hales produced stand out ballads "Wonderful" and "Ghost", as well as my favorite track on the album, the funky "Tokyo". Epworth produced the album opener "Unstoppable" while Batson was responsible for two of the more experimental tracks on the album, "Grow" and "Never Get Enough".

Of course, none of the production would matter without La Havas' shining vocal performances and songs. She co-wrote everything on here save for "What You Don't Do" and plays guitar on most of the tracks as well. On Blood, La Havas mixes in soulful grooves, acoustic tracks, bouncy pop, electronic based R&B and more into an impressive statement and a worthy successor to her acclaimed debut Is Your Love Big Enough? It all adds up to make Blood my #10 Album of 2015.      

Favorite tracks: "Grow", "Tokyo", "Green & Gold", "Ghost"

Blood was released July 31st, 2015 on Nonesuch Records.

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