Musical Review 2015

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

2015 has been very musically inclined. Music defines moments and helps shape our thought processes at certain times. Musical therapy is something I take quite seriously, there's nothing quite like putting on a pair of headphones and tuning out the world to tune into your favorite tracks. Music is the emotion that we forget exists until certain events in our lives, music is a way of life, music is the unknown yet welcomed distraction. Music is the world's most known yet most innocuous form of medicine, it can help keep your emotions aligned and enliven your brainwaves. My music taste goes from a fast, prominent beat to a slowed down, meditative beat. Since I listen to so many tempos my state of mind and energy levels stay pretty fair. Music therapy is key, and I've listed my top albums from this past year that have truly captured my senses! 

One of my favorite music labels houses about 75%  of my favorite artists, Soulection. From it, I discovered Ta-ku about two years ago and my mind has never gotten quite used to any other form of EDM! Ta-ku recently released his anticipated follow up album to Songs To Break Up To, Songs To Make Up To. Dreamy, ambient beats with beautifully, haunting vocals by guest artists like Jordan Rakei, JMSN, Alina Baraz and Sunni Colon. Ta-ku also takes great influence from R&B and jazz and translates it so fluidly with his style. One of my favorite tracks on Songs To Make Up To is Down For You, the crown jewel of the collection. The best thing about this album is that it tells a story, a story with complex beats and layers about love. This album is like sun showers on a clear day! 

Upon listening to Glass Animals I get the sense of crushed velvet, repressed sexuality caused by a primal and lascivious instinct that penetrates every beat and synth hum. Glass animals has a sound so overtly forward thinking, playing with textures and layers to create lucid sepia toned images in your mind. The lyrics, while beautiful and carnal are quite cryptic, so cloaked that not even the band knows. Expertly ambiguous to keep you listening over and over to figure out what exactly the lyrics mean. I have a major appreciation for anyone that can contort poetry into their own hands and make the listeners dissect it to garner any meaning. My favorite track to plug into would have to be Hazey, it's like a delirious, narcotised stream of consciousness, in the best way possible! 

One might say I have a penchant for a good ole love song! A tendency towards ballads and dreamy love songs, beautiful and melodic in nature which greatly describes Lianne La Havas' album Blood. Lianne's soulful tunes alternate between her trademark lullaby and brash chords in an almost grating affect, yet still manages to compliment the album. The track Wonderful is stunning sultry and sweet. La Havas' voice really shines and her lyrics are that of a relatable nature, an ode to love lost, a reflection on past romance with a tantalizing effect.

Ethereal melodies in an effortless manner will always tug my strings! Sultry vocals, smooth tempos with a modern approach to R&B sounds is exactly what Alina Baraz brings to the table. Alina who also works with Danish producer Galimatias to bring forth am experimental range of instruments, snags and echoes very seamlessly. When you listen to Urban Flora you feel a sense of emotion, tales of passion, lust and infatuation. "All that you are/ Is all that I need/ I'm all yours..." Alina definitely does not shy away from expressing herself, which is something I can totally appreciate because sometimes we really don't know how to direct what we're feeling in words, this song is like a staple for that. This dreamy debut houses a lot of beautiful songs but if I had to choose one song to listen to on repeat, it would be Pretty Thoughts.

Music as a self help, therapy can be quite effective, all you have to do is plug your headphones in, close your eyes and let the melodies sweep you away. Let the music be the ravishing backdrop to all of the moments in your life, from the seemingly small to the big events. These albums have the most alluring vibes I have ever heard this year and hopefully they can inspire you like they have for me! Dear readers, what are your top albums for this year?