The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #59: Soft Swells

2014 was quite a year. Not the best of years, on a personal level, but a rather good year from a music standpoint. Having given a listen to record after record after record from the year that was, I’ve pulled together a list of favorites, finding it next to impossible to whittle the list down any further beyond 60 (I tried). In this group of 60 you’ll find records from old, faithful friends, upstart newcomers, and even a headscratcher or two. You’ll probably see some records that were a Big Deal not on this list. I either didn’t bite or didn’t buy the hype. I’m pleased as punch with this list, and I hope you’ll come across something that might have otherwise passed you by. And so, without further ado, my favorite records of 2014.

WHO: Soft Swells

WHAT: Floodlights

WHEN: September 2014

WHERE: Modern Outsider

WHY: To me, Floodlights is a record that just sounds like Southern California. As it so happens, Soft Swells is a Southern California band. Go figure. This is a dreamy, airy record, incandescent with the endless sunshine of LA and an overall feeling of being carefree.  

My jams: “Keep It To Yourself,” “Floodlights,” “Locks,” “No Regrets,” “Love Like You”







[posted 3.10.15]