Year-End Lists

A hand-curated, browsable index of notable year-end lists. Follow the link for each list to see essential commentary from its author, at the source.
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Highlights

2014
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Tiny Mix Tapes: Favorite 50 Music Releases of 2014

18 December 2014

Tiny Mix Tapes: Favorite 50 Music Releases of 2014

[see also 2010s • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. Black Metal
    Dean Blunt
  2. Ruins
    Grouper
  3. Secret Mix
    GFOTY
  4. Soused
    Scott Walker & Sunn O)))
  5. The Abyss
    Kevin Drumm and Jason Lescalleet
  6. A Turn Of Breath
    Ian William Craig
  7. Dark Web
    Giant Claw
  8. MN.ROY
    D/P/I
  9. Faith In Strangers
    Andy Stott
  10. I LOVE MAKONNEN
    I LOVE MAKONNEN
  11. Real Raga Shit Vol. 1
    C L E A N E R S
  12. Because I’m Worth It
    Copeland
  13. The Light That You Gave Me To See You
    E+E
  14. Benji
    Sun Kil Moon
  15. PC Music x DISown Radio
    PC Music
  16. Damsel in Distress
    Lotic
  17. 05 Fuck Em
    Lil B
  18. Miseri Lares
    Valerio Tricoli
  19. Piñata
    Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
  20. Xen
    Arca
  21. Trust
    18+
  22. Bestial Burden
    Pharmakon
  23. Ghettoville
    Actress
  24. Meshes of Voice
    Jenny Hval & Susanna
  25. Too Bright
    Perfume Genius
  26. Babylon
    Magic Eye
  27. Pom Pom
    Ariel Pink
  28. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  29. Suzi Ecto
    Call Super
  30. To Be Kind
    Swans
  31. Western Beats
    Kane West
  32. Bécs
    Fennesz
  33. LP1
    FKA twigs
  34. Totem
    White Suns
  35. Skin Fade
    Dean Blunt
  36. Loom
    Fear of Men
  37. Suki Girlz
    James Ferraro
  38. Flatland
    Objekt
  39. Belomancie
    Sun Araw
  40. Beyoncé
    Beyoncé
  41. The Hierophant
    Burial Hex
  42. Admiral Frenchkiss
    Gem Jones
  43. Why Do the Heathen Rage?
    The Soft Pink Truth
  44. Niggas on the Moon
    Death Grips
  45. KOCH
    Lee Gamble
  46. Novos Mistérios
    Ninos Du Brasil
  47. Lone
    Ai Aso
  48. 486669f0e9b8990384108f3d54c6a8f036adeb8bc7108f3d54c6a8f036adeb
    TCF
  49. I Shall Die Here
    The Body
  50. Welcome to Fazoland
    Lil Herb

AllMusic: 50 Best Albums of 2014

17 December 2014

AllMusic: 50 Best Albums of 2014 presented alphabetically

[see also 2023 • 2021 • 2020 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

Resident Advisor: Top 20 Albums of 2014

17 December 2014

Faith In Strangers - Andy Stott

Resident Advisor: Top 20 Albums of 2014

[see also 2023 • 2018 • 2015 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. Faith In Strangers
    Andy Stott
  2. Psychic 9-5 Club
    HTRK
  3. Submit X
    Gesloten Cirkel
  4. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  5. Flatland
    Objekt
  6. Angels & Devils
    The Bug
  7. Minutes of Sleep
    Francis Harris
  8. Workshop 19
    Kassem Mosse
  9. After Forever
    Joey Anderson
  10. Moodymann
    Moodymann
  11. Megatrap
    Head High
  12. It’s Album Time
    Todd Terje
  13. Black Metal
    Dean Blunt
  14. Code
    Answer Code Request
  15. LP1
    FKA twigs
  16. Suzi Ecto
    Call Super
  17. Rivers of the Red Planet
    Max Graef
  18. Into A Better Future
    Edward
  19. Yellow Memories
    Fatima
  20. Signals
    Wen

Les Inrocks: 100 Best Albums of 2014

17 December 2014

Chaleur Humaine - Christine and the Queens

Les Inrockuptibles: 100 Best Albums of 2014

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. Chaleur Humaine
    Christine and the Queens
  2. Everyday Robots
    Damon Albarn
  3. Salad Days
    Mac DeMarco
  4. LP1
    FKA twigs
  5. Piano ombre
    François & the Atlas Mountains
  6. Bambi Galaxy
    Florent Marchet
  7. Love Letters
    Metronomy
  8. Our Love
    Caribou
  9. Jungle
    Jungle
  10. At Best Cuckold
    Avi Buffalo
  11. Manipulator
    Ty Segall
  12. You’re Dead!
    Flying Lotus
  13. Pom Pom
    Ariel Pink
  14. It’s a Pleasure
    Baxter Dury
  15. Too Bright
    Perfume Genius
  16. It’s Album Time
    Todd Terje
  17. Wonder Where We Land
    SBTRKT
  18. Ultraviolence
    Lana Del Rey
  19. World Peace Is None Of Your Business
    Morrissey
  20. L’Aventura
    Sébastien Tellier
  21. This Is All Yours
    alt-J
  22. Sunbathing Animal
    Parquet Courts
  23. Tyranny
    Julian Casablancas+The Voidz
  24. Shake, Shook, Shaken
    The Do
  25. VIEUX FRÈRES – Partie 1
    Fauve
  26. Lazaretto
    Jack White
  27. Hot Dreams
    Timber Timbre
  28. Complètement Fou
    Yelle
  29. Turn Blue
    The Black Keys
  30. “What Is This Heart?”
    How to Dress Well
  31. Ateyaba
    Joke
  32. Le Monde Möö
    Moodoid
  33. Lost in the Dream
    The War on Drugs
  34. Benjamin Booker
    Benjamin Booker
  35. Mess
    Liars
  36. American Interior
    Gruff Rhys
  37. Popular Problems
    Leonard Cohen
  38. Atlas
    Real Estate
  39. Ballroom
    Tahiti 80
  40. Everything’s a Thread
    The John Steel Singers
  41. St. Vincent
    St. Vincent
  42. Vélo va
    Dick Annegarn
  43. Rave tapes
    Mogwai
  44. Ici-bas, ici même
    Miossec
  45. In the Silence
    Ásgeir
  46. Ghettoville
    Actress
  47. Royal Blood
    Royal Blood
  48. Sun Structures
    Temples
  49. First Mind
    Nick Mulvey
  50. Babel
    Jean-Louis Murat
  51. Commune
    Goat
  52. Revolution Son
    Fredo Viola
  53. The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
    Courtney Barnett
  54. Liminal
    The Acid
  55. À bouche que veux-tu
    Brigitte
  56. Worship the Sun
    Allah-Lahs
  57. Lese Majesty
    Shabazz Palaces
  58. To Be Kind
    Swans
  59. Cavalo
    Rodrigo Amarante
  60. A l’amitié
    Aquaserge
  61. Songs
    Deptford Goth
  62. Brill Bruisers
    The New Pornographers
  63. Morning Phase
    Beck
  64. Audiorama
    Mermonte
  65. Moan Snake Moan
    Bror Gunnar Jansson
  66. Parades
    Mina Tindle
  67. Burn Your Fire For No Witness
    Angel Olsen
  68. Angels & Devils
    The Bug
  69. Histoire de J.
    Jeanne Cherhal
  70. Arcadia
    Ramona Lisa
  71. L’anguille
    Mocke
  72. Dans la peau
    Camélia Jordana
  73. Everybody Down
    Kate Tempest
  74. My Friend
    C.A.R.
  75. Built on Glass
    Chet Faker
  76. Patine
    BRNS
  77. Tremors
    SOHN
  78. GIRL
    Pharrell Williams
  79. Amphetamine Ballads
    The Amazing Snakeheads
  80. Ghost Surfer
    Cascadeur
  81. The Green Tiger’s Alibi
    Bosco Delrey
  82. Allombon
    Dorian Pimpernel
  83. Asiatisch
    Fatima Al Qadiri
  84. Rise
    Jessica93
  85. The Best Day
    Thurston Moore
  86. La Isla Bonita
    Deerhoof
  87. Lacuna
    Childhood
  88. Someday World
    Eno • Hyde
  89. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  90. Soused
    Scott Walker & Sunn O)))
  91. Bum
    Cheveu
  92. Why?
    Ginger Baker
  93. Tzenni
    Noura Mint Seymali
  94. Twice
    Hollie Cook
  95. …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin
    The Roots
  96. From Scotland With Love
    King Creosote
  97. Close To the Glass
    The Notwist
  98. July
    Marissa Nadler
  99. V
    JJ
  100. Madman
    Sean Rowe

Pitchfork: Top 50 Albums of 2014

17 December 2014

Run the Jewels 2 - Run the Jewels

Pitchfork: Top 50 Albums of 2014

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2010s • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. Run the Jewels 2
    Run the Jewels
  2. LP1
    FKA twigs
  3. Lost in the Dream
    The War on Drugs
  4. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  5. Ruins
    Grouper
  6. To Be Kind
    Swans
  7. Benji
    Sun Kil Moon
  8. It’s Album Time
    Todd Terje
  9. Pom Pom
    Ariel Pink
  10. Our Love
    Caribou
  11. Too Bright
    Perfume Genius
  12. Salad Days
    Mac DeMarco
  13. They Want My Soul
    Spoon
  14. Atlas
    Real Estate
  15. Burn Your Fire For No Witness
    Angel Olsen
  16. St. Vincent
    St. Vincent
  17. You’re Dead!
    Flying Lotus
  18. Xen
    Arca
  19. Are We There
    Sharon Van Etten
  20. Hell Can Wait
    Vince Staples
  21. High Life
    Eno • Hyde
  22. Singles
    Future Islands
  23. I Never Learn
    Lykke Li
  24. Sunbathing Animal
    Parquet Courts
  25. Broke With Expensive Taste
    Azealia Banks
  26. Rips
    Ex Hex
  27. My Krazy Life
    YG
  28. Bestial Burden
    Pharmakon
  29. “What Is This Heart?”
    How to Dress Well
  30. Plowing Into the Field of Love
    Iceage
  31. 1989
    Taylor Swift
  32. Deep Fantasy
    White Lung
  33. Tha Tour Part 1
    Rich Gang
  34. Here and Nowhere Else
    Cloud Nothings
  35. Lese Majesty
    Shabazz Palaces
  36. Aquarius
    Tinashe
  37. Say Yes To Love
    Perfect Pussy
  38. The Moon Rang Like a Bell
    Hundred Waters
  39. More Than Any Other Day
    Ought
  40. Manipulator
    Ty Segall
  41. Music for the Uninvited
    Leon Vynehall
  42. In Conflict
    Owen Pallett
  43. Piñata
    Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
  44. Sea When Absent
    A Sunny Day In Glasgow
  45. Faith In Strangers
    Andy Stott
  46. My Everything
    Ariana Grande
  47. Dude Incredible
    Shellac
  48. Clark
    Clark
  49. Mr Twin Sister
    Mr Twin Sister
  50. A U R O R A
    Ben Frost

Aquarium Drunkard: 2014 Year in Review

15 December 2014

Rips - Ex Hex

Aquarium Drunkard: 2014 Year in Review, an "unranked list of albums that caught, and kept, our attention"

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2013 • 2012]

Slate: Carl Wilson: Top 14 Albums of 2014

15 December 2014

1989 - Taylor Swift

Carl Wilson: Top 14 Albums of 2014, in alphabetical order by artist, published by Slate in their 2014 edition of The Music Club

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013]

Magnet: Top 25 Albums of 2014

15 December 2014

Rips - Ex Hex

Magnet Magazine: Top 25 Albums of 2014

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. Rips
    Ex Hex
  2. Freeman
    Aaron Freeman
  3. The Both
    The Both
  4. Lost in the Dream
    The War on Drugs
  5. Transgender Dysphoria Blues
    Against Me!
  6. They Want My Soul
    Spoon
  7. Somewhere Else
    Lydia Loveless
  8. Singles
    Future Islands
  9. Brill Bruisers
    The New Pornographers
  10. St. Vincent
    St. Vincent
  11. Seeds
    TV on the Radio
  12. Manipulator
    Ty Segall
  13. Cool Planet
    Guided By Voices
  14. Motivational Jumpsuit
    Guided By Voices
  15. Way Out Weather
    Steve Gunn
  16. Nikki Nack
    Tune-Yards
  17. Teeth Dreams
    The Hold Steady
  18. Here and Nowhere Else
    Cloud Nothings
  19. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  20. Sunbathing Animal
    Parquet Courts
  21. To Be Kind
    Swans
  22. Ultraviolence
    Lana Del Rey
  23. Commonwealth
    Sloan
  24. Too Bright
    Perfume Genius
  25. Ryan Adams
    Ryan Adams
  26. Do to the Beast
    The Afghan Whigs

Guardian: 40 Best Albums of 2014

15 December 2014

St. Vincent - St. Vincent

The Guardian: 40 Best Albums of 2014

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2015 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]

  1. St. Vincent
    St. Vincent
  2. Lost in the Dream
    The War on Drugs
  3. LP1
    FKA twigs
  4. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  5. Our Love
    Caribou
  6. Trouble in Paradise
    La Roux
  7. Run the Jewels 2
    Run the Jewels
  8. Morning Phase
    Beck
  9. You’re Dead!
    Flying Lotus
  10. Divide and Exit
    Sleaford Mods
  11. Salad Days
    Mac DeMarco
  12. 1989
    Taylor Swift
  13. Everybody Down
    Kate Tempest
  14. Singles
    Future Islands
  15. Burn Your Fire For No Witness
    Angel Olsen
  16. Present Tense
    Wild Beasts
  17. Dead
    Young Fathers
  18. The Voyager
    Jenny Lewis
  19. Souled Out
    Jhené Aiko
  20. In Conflict
    Owen Pallett
  21. So It Goes
    Ratking
  22. After the End
    Merchandise
  23. Small Town Heroes
    Hurray for the Riff Raff
  24. Goddess
    Banks
  25. Ghettoville
    Actress
  26. Aquarius
    Tinashe
  27. Otherness
    Kindness
  28. Everyday Robots
    Damon Albarn
  29. Pom Pom
    Ariel Pink
  30. Total Strife Forever
    East India Youth
  31. Popular Problems
    Leonard Cohen
  32. Lese Majesty
    Shabazz Palaces
  33. Soused
    Scott Walker & Sunn O)))
  34. Carry On the Grudge
    Jamie T
  35. Everything Changes
    Peggy Seeger
  36. Rips
    Ex Hex
  37. Piñata
    Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
  38. Toumani & Sidiki
    Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté
  39. Are We There
    Sharon Van Etten
  40. Adrian Thaws
    Tricky

Under the Radar: Top 140 Albums of 2014

12 December 2014

Lost in the Dream - The War on Drugs

Under the Radar: Top 140 Albums of 2014 (in which they list 100 albums)

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2011]

  1. Lost in the Dream
    The War on Drugs
  2. St. Vincent
    St. Vincent
  3. Singles
    Future Islands
  4. Atlas
    Real Estate
  5. Burn Your Fire For No Witness
    Angel Olsen
  6. Our Love
    Caribou
  7. They Want My Soul
    Spoon
  8. Are We There
    Sharon Van Etten
  9. Shriek
    Wye Oak
  10. This Is All Yours
    alt-J
  11. Salad Days
    Mac DeMarco
  12. Run the Jewels 2
    Run the Jewels
  13. LP1
    FKA twigs
  14. You’re Dead!
    Flying Lotus
  15. The Voyager
    Jenny Lewis
  16. Total Strife Forever
    East India Youth
  17. Syro
    Aphex Twin
  18. Brill Bruisers
    The New Pornographers
  19. I Never Learn
    Lykke Li
  20. The Future’s Void
    EMA
  21. Sunbathing Animal
    Parquet Courts
  22. To Be Kind
    Swans
  23. Alvvays
    Alvvays
  24. Stay Gold
    First Aid Kit
  25. Complete Surrender
    Slow Club
  26. Too Bright
    Perfume Genius
  27. Pom Pom
    Ariel Pink
  28. Wonder Where We Land
    SBTRKT
  29. Racy
    Hooray for Earth
  30. More Than Any Other Day
    Ought
  31. “What Is This Heart?”
    How to Dress Well
  32. Here and Nowhere Else
    Cloud Nothings
  33. Ruins
    Grouper
  34. Gist Is
    Adult Jazz
  35. Too True
    Dum Dum Girls
  36. Loom
    Fear of Men
  37. Lose
    Cymbals Eat Guitars
  38. The Take Off And Landing Of Everything
    Elbow
  39. Love Letters
    Metronomy
  40. Luminous
    The Horrors
  41. Benji
    Sun Kil Moon
  42. Morning Phase
    Beck
  43. It’s Album Time
    Todd Terje
  44. La Isla Bonita
    Deerhoof
  45. Time Is Over One Day Old
    Bear In Heaven
  46. Nikki Nack
    Tune-Yards
  47. Sand + Silence
    The Rosebuds
  48. Nausea
    Craft Spells
  49. The Shadow of Heaven
    Money
  50. Zaba
    Glass Animals
  51. Ices
    Lia Ices
  52. Present Tense
    Wild Beasts
  53. Tough Love
    Jessie Ware
  54. Plowing Into the Field of Love
    Iceage
  55. The Hum
    Hookworms
  56. Manipulator
    Ty Segall
  57. Days of Abandon
    The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
  58. Typical System
    Total Control
  59. The Moon Rang Like a Bell
    Hundred Waters
  60. In Conflict
    Owen Pallett
  61. Piñata
    Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
  62. Clark
    Clark
  63. Neuroplasticity
    Cold Specks
  64. Chiaroscuro
    I Break Horses
  65. Lazaretto
    Jack White
  66. Not Art
    Big Scary
  67. HEAL
    Strand of Oaks
  68. Ryan Adams
    Ryan Adams
  69. Wig Out At Jagbags
    Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
  70. Sun Structures
    Temples
  71. Conversations
    Woman's Hour
  72. Breakfast
    Teleman
  73. Sea When Absent
    A Sunny Day In Glasgow
  74. Portico
    The Mary Onettes
  75. American Interior
    Gruff Rhys
  76. Galore
    Thumpers
  77. El Pintor
    Interpol
  78. This Is My Hand
    My Brightest Diamond
  79. Everyday Robots
    Damon Albarn
  80. The Dew Lasts An Hour
    Ballet School
  81. Seeds
    TV on the Radio
  82. Mandatory Fun
    "Weird Al" Yankovic
  83. Arcadia
    Ramona Lisa
  84. Sukierae
    Tweedy
  85. Jungle
    Jungle
  86. Encyclopedia
    The Drums
  87. Hell Can Wait
    Vince Staples
  88. Warpaint
    Warpaint
  89. Soft Friday
    Coves
  90. Mess
    Liars
  91. …And Star Power
    Foxygen
  92. Sylvan Esso
    Sylvan Esso
  93. Sound Mirror
    Syd Arthur
  94. Futurology
    Manic Street Preachers
  95. World Peace Is None Of Your Business
    Morrissey
  96. Rave tapes
    Mogwai
  97. Honeyblood
    Honeyblood
  98. Wild Onion
    Twin Peaks
  99. Lacuna
    Childhood
  100. Cheatahs
    Cheatahs

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