The Fashionably Late Top 50 of 2015 #1: Lower Dens

I am forever running late. While it may not be a part of my charm, I would refer you to the old saying about better late than never. In any case, after probably way too much thought, I finally settled upon my favorite 50 records from the year that was 2015. I'm also mixing it up a little this year, y'all. Instead of ranking every record, I'm giving you my picks in alphabetical order, saving my number one, very favorite record of the year for last. So sit back, relax, and refresh your memory of last year's best with a group of records that I hope will tickle your fancy.

Who: Lower Dens

What: Escape from Evil

When: March 2015

Where: Ribbon Music

Why: Despite the volume of awesome released that were out in 2015, in truth I knew this was my number one record of the year the first time I heard it. Even as a Lower Dens fan for a good little while now, this one took my breath away. In place of the gorgeous gloom and haze, there was a slick, well-oiled noise machine churning out almost primal, glossy 80s-esque sinews. The excellent Jana Hunter's voice somehow became even more plaintive and pleading, cajoling, and at times smolderingly seductive. Naturally, it's not a cheery record, but the sheer intense beauty of it makes me incredibly happy this record exists. Escape from Evil is a luscious, high drama listen, and it still makes me a bit weak in the knees even after so many months listening to it on a rather incessant basis.

My very favorite jam: The whole dang record.






[posted 5.31.16]