Of course, that isn't too say that all electronic music is hip-hop influenced, but I still like to make the connection. Often when not influenced, it is what is doing the influencing. What was once an electronic staple often becomes the basis for future hip-hop songs -- look at the house beat on Azealia Banks' 212, or the Rattatat-turned-dubstep beat on Omar LinX's Out For Blood. Rap has always been about a "DJ" and an "emcee", and whether they recognize it or not, electronic producers are the DJ in the equation.
All of these albums are either electronic, instrumental, simply "beat mixtapes", or something in between.
10. Silky Johnson - Hater of the Year
Pretty much a beat mixtape, to me. Don't have a lot to say about this album, besides the fact that I thought my favorite song would be the one sampling Lana Del Rey, when it is easily not. Silky isn't completely solid throughout the entire thing, but when he is on, I can't get enough. Could be an up and coming producer - would like to see what else he comes out with. Really, I just want to hear some rappers try out some of his stuff.
9. Alias - Fever Dream
Ah, very interesting album. Alias gets a little UK funky, a little housey at times -- most of the time he is just doing his own thing. Really fun album, A+ would listen again.
8. Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
How about that title? I didn't even know what Mogwai was when I first saw this album cover, and I sincerely thought I was about to listen to some hardcore music. I don't really like hardcore, but with a title like that -- I'm going to give you a chance. This is not hardcore music. This is beautiful post-rock. Each song sounds different than the last -- though they are at their best when they are trying to sound momentous instead of melancholy.
7. Blue Sky Black Death - Noir
Noir is the kind of album that you can listen to in it's entirety, decide you like it, and not remember a single track. It's not that the album itself is forgettable, it's that no single track really stands out on its on. The whole thing is a beautiful and elegant post-rock piece that just makes great background music.
6. No Gold - No Gold
Alright, so parts of this album would seem to not qualify for this category, with their organic instrumentals and real vocals -- but most of this album is one long and awesome jam session. It's chill as fuck, a little dubby, and has great production value. The entire album makes me want to drink piña coladas at a tiki-bar all night long. Seriously overlooked album that makes some great mood music. Watching them play live makes me want to see them even more.
5. African Head Charge - Voodoo of the Godsent
Another well-produced, high-fidelity, completely original album. The kind of album that makes me really mad that all this drone-shit is getting placed highly in various blogs' top album lists, and original and engaging material like this isn't even being listened too. The entire this is a revolutionary take on dub, psychadellic, and just tribal music. I listened to some of their earlier stuff (of which there is a lot... they've been around 30 years, jesus christ), and this is definitely miles ahead... I don't know. It's cool and exciting stuff, and really just puts me in a good mood. Goes well with No Gold's album, even though the groups performing them look to be of entirely different clans. Unfortunately, most of their stuff from this album cannot be found on YouTube.
4. Modeselektor - Monkeytown
Monkeytown is rarely forgettable. Sometimes that's an almost annoying song with an addicting buzzing beat that just rings in your head, and sometimes it's Radiohead's Thom Yorke's soothing voice over fast and dancable beats. Great release, tons of singles on it that could be making playlists.
3. Bibio - Mind Bokeh
Bibio kind of explores some new area for himself with this album -- in the past, he has had much more of a folk influence. Mind Bokeh, on the other hand, can be funky, it can be futuristic, and at times it can just be pretty. It's really lovely how diverse in style he gets while executing each one with grace and finesse. Rarely does he seem out of his element. An entirely upbeat album that unquestionably deserves its top 3 finish.
2. Clams Casino - Instrumentals
Funny how one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop this year has been someone who never rapped a verse in his life. He's the man behind ASAP Rocky's best beats, been used by Lil B, Lushlife, and countless others. His music is just *big*, it has an incredibly epic feeling to it without ever once seeming obnoxious.
1. SBTRKT - SBTRKT
I will be doing one more additional Top 10 Lists of the year for various genre's - keep checking to see what's up.
