I'll format this by providing a link to the album via YouTube or Bandcamp, as well as my favorite song. (Except the EP's, they're short enough that I like them all.)
I'll do a short list of EP's, because so much great music has come out this year.
4. Athletics - When To Run Where To Hide
Since there is only 2 songs, listen to both of them on their website
3. Turnover - Humblest Pleasures
Another album with only 2 songs, but they're both fantastic. You can listen to them on their Bandcamp
2. Can't Swim - Death Deserves A Name
This is a five song EP that I preordered on vinyl, and was really happy with. Bringing a little more punk to the table in a pop punk world, Death Deserves A Name feels like fresh air. Listen to the album in full on their Bandcamp
1. Turnstile - Move Thru Me
How can you sum up this much great? Their full length last year didn't grow on me until the year was through, but better late than never. This EP is really fun. Listen to it on their Bandcamp
Okay, onto the full length albums.
20. Run The Jewels - RTJ III
Listen to the whole thing on their Bandcamp My favorite song is A Report to the Shareholders/Kill Your Masters
19. Brent Cobb - Shine On Rainy Day
I can't find a site to somewhere where his whole album his streaming, but here is a Link to his youtube channel where his whole album is uploaded, and it's worth the effort. My favorite song is Digging Holes.
18. gates - Parallel Lives
I loved this album at first listen, but it didn't stick as well as their prior releases. Still is absolutely fantastic stuff from one of my favorite current acts. Listen to the whole thing on Pure Noise Records Bandcamp. My favorite song is Shiver.
17. letlive. - If I'm The Devil
Easily my most anticipated of the year. Anyone who follows me on Twitter or knows me personally can attest that this is certainly a surprise, and didn't expect this on my list at all. While I agree with my good friend Harrison who said that this album "seemed to lack effort", I grew to really enjoy the album for what it was. I had to force myself to stop comparing it to Fake History or The Blackest Beautiful. I really hope they can bounce back from this album and create music to be excited about, but in the meantime I will drink the Kool-Aid, as it were. Listen to their album on Epitaph's YouTube Channel. My favorite song is A Weak Ago.
16. Dance Gavin Dance - Mothership
I like a few songs on this album more than the album as a whole, to be honest. I think it was a little soon as far as back to back releases. However, Tilian is really hitting his stride here, and they're veering from their stupid lyrics somewhat, which is a huge plus for me. You can check out the whole album on Rise Records' Youtube. My favorite song (Without much deliberation) is Betrayed By The Game.
15. Artifex Pereo - Passengers
I found these guys based on a twitter suggestion from a local, and one of my favorite, bands Eidola. Check out the album on their Bandcamp. My Favorite song is Soft Weapons.
14. Vanna - All Hell
One of my most anticipated of the year. I found their last release Void after it was out for a while, and have been following these guys since. You can check out this great album on their Bandcamp. My favorite songs are Lead Balloon or Circle The Flame.
13. Sianvar - Stay Lost
A supergroup of some of my favorite artists A Lot Like Birds, Hail The Sun, Stolas and Dance Gavin Dance. They work together well, and I think I enjoyed this release more than most on first listen. You can listen to Stay Lost on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Bedroots.
12. Zao - The Well Intentioned Virus
I know now that these guys were hugely influential in the early days of metal/hardcore. That's not why I love this album. You can listen to it on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is I Leave You In Peace.
11. Modern Baseball - Holy Ghost
Another highly anticipated, and one that didn't disappoint me. They formatted this with an A/B side between singers instead of tag-teaming all the vocals, which was a fun idea that worked well. Plus, how can you not like an album cover that was taken in Salt Lake somewhere? You can listen to the whole album on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Hiding.
10. The Hotelier - Goodness
Please don't go and look for the unedited artwork. This album is really great, and another one that I had been anticipating all year. They followed up their absolutely fantastic prior LP so well with this album. Go listen to the full album on their Bandcamp (Just close your eyes when you get there.) My favorite song is Soft Animal.
9. My Iron Lung - Learn To Leave
I can't write anything because I'm still sad that they've parted ways. Rest In Peace to these guys, they got me through a lot. Listen to the full album on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is all of them.
8. Mat Kerekes - Luna And The Wild Blue Everything
I have been a big Citizen fan for a little while, particularly since I saw them live. This is the lead singers solo album, which I usually don't care for. But this album is fantastic, the atmosphere he creates here is wonderful. Check it out on his Bandcamp. My favorite song is From None.
7. Angel Du$t - Rock The Fuck On Forever
Gathering members from Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice, Angel Du$t has turned to one of my favorite acts. It's like a time warp to the 90's but without being forced to drink Pepsi. Listen to this album on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Hurt You Bad or Toxic Boombox.
6. Tiny Moving Parts - Celebrate
I love these boys a little more now that I have lived in Minnesota. This album shows more maturity from the band than any other release. If I had to use one word to describe it, it would be 'infectious' This album makes me very happy, which is sometimes a rarer feat than it should be. Happy, moving, twinkling riffs will make you smile as well. Listen to it on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Birdhouse or Minnow.
5. Funeral Attire - Joy
I came across these guys on happenstance. This album is really raw, and emotional, but in a good way. I have suggested this album to everyone who has asked, and I will continue to do so. (I may have listened myself sick of these 8 songs, but I would do it the same if I could do it over.) Listen to the whole thing on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Cauterize.
4. Knocked Loose - Laugh Tracks
To be honest, I tried to like Knocked Loose with their prior releases, and nothing really stuck. I went out on a limb and pre-ordered this album based on my faith in Pure Noise Records, and wasn't let down. Talk about a breath of fresh air into hardcore/post-hardcore. Every time I finish the album, I wished it didn't end. Listen to the full album on their Bandcamp. My favorite songs are Deadringer and Counting Worms.
3. Nails - You Will Never Be One Of Us
Have you ever listened to an album that was so heavy it made your wife wonder if you had changed religions to worship the devil? I got into Nails when one day I was at a crossfit program and Lil P was playing it as we were working out. My really good friend Kevin C. described it as "Blast your face off music" Which I think is accurate. When I first heard this album I was driving home from work, and when I got to the song Violence Is Forever, I had to pull the car over to just listen to the riffs. It still gives me the chills. Stay angry, my friends. Listen to the whole album on YouTube. My favorite song is Violence Is Forever or Into Quietus.
2. Protest The Hero - Pacific Myth
Now, to be totally fair, this is officially released as a 5 song EP. However, this album clocks in at over 35 minutes, where Nails only checks out at 26. That reason, plus the fact that I still cannot stop listening to it, made me feel like it deserved better recognition than on the EP list. This album just feels raw and powerful rock and roll. Composed of riffs that will make you shiver, this album comes highly recommended to everyone by me. Listen to it on their Bandcamp. My favorite song is Harbinger.
1. Every Time I Die - Low Teens
I found the Every Time I Die train late in their game, but I am so happy I found them at all. I waited for this album all summer long, since they announced it before they started Warped Tour in the summer. While that was agonizing, it was worth waiting for. Their most emotional album to date, it combined well with some of the heaviest riffs and breakdowns in music. I cannot say enough about this album, so I will stop there. Go listen to it. You can start on Epitaph's YouTube. My favorite songs are Map Change or Just As Real But Not As Brightly Lit.
