Alison Wonderland - Run

Alison Wonderland is truly the “trap queen” of the year. This 12 track debut LP is a huge endeavor for one of Australia's most promising stars. Alison as a child was a classically trained cellist and you can hear that in the way she creates her songs with many sweeping echoes that take you into another world. Honestly, the whole album is fantastic so I can’t really pick out highlights 10/10.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

I mean what can I say Kendrick just knows what I love. Lyrical, conscious and perfect production that fits what you are talking about. I wholeheartedly think this is one of the best Hip-Hop albums of the decade and probably all of the last one as well. This is truly a project, an album with a purpose from start to finish. I applaud Kendrick and hope he can put out something even better next time. Highlight, for me, Institutionalized and The Blacker The Berry and the rest of the entire album too.

Flux Pavillion - Tesla

Yes this is the guy who brought you “I Can’t Stop” he is also the guy Diplo called, “One of the most interesting melody makers I’ve ever met.” He is only 26 and runs one of the most influential bass record labels in the world, Circus. With this album he makes non-stop new creations with many different influences. One of my favorite tracks is with a staple of very early Hip-Hop, Soulsonic Force, he creates a track where the group can perform as if it were still the early 70s which is something you don’t hear anywhere nowadays especially from a dubstep producer from England.

Yellow Claw - Blood For Mercy

Although as I am writing this the album is not out I can confidently say that Yellow Claw will not disappoint as they have never before. The trio from Holland have a very interesting sound combining elements of trap, dutch house, dancehall and something very uniquely their own. I would say it is one of the most original sounds in electronic music at the moment. I wasted no time in pre-ordering the album and the songs that came with it were nothing short of mind blowing. The intricate production quality and Yellow Claw’s ability to make a huge sound always leave me wanting more.

ZHU - Genesis Series

ZHU or Steven Zhu the semi-anonymous producer recently released his second body of work after weeks of putting out teaser after teaser. The album is extremely eclectic with features such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to AlunaGeorge. Across each song, the ZHU sound is very evident while remaining fluid to the styles of the other artists on the track. The album for ZHU was supposed to be as collaborative as possible. Check out the song with Skrillex below:

Big Grams - Big Grams

Big Grams is a supergroup formed by Phantogram and Big Boi 1/2 of Outkast. Phantogram produced and was featured on a few of the songs off Big Boi’s second solo album. Together the trio create a new sound that blends Big Boi’s southern bravado with Phantogram’s electro-pop perfectly.

Major Lazer - Peace is The Mission

Major Lazer is one of my favorite groups it started at a graphic design and cartoon idea between Diplo and DJ Switch and has evolved into a huge multi-media group with Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. Peace is The Mission is Major Lazer’s third album and the first to make such huge waves across the country. At the moment Lean On is the number one streamed song of all time on Spotify. I would say overall every song is really great so cover to cover just a great album, Major Lazer always puts out solid material.

A$AP Rocky - AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP

A$AP blesses us with his sophomore album and once again does not disappoint. I really liked the fact that he stepped away from his more mainstream debut and did something he was really feeling at the time. I think he has a crazy amount of potential and I am very interested to see what he does in the future. Highlight definitely Canal St.

Punch Brothers - The Phosphorescent Blues

This one is very much a deviation from my everyday listening patterns but although I mainly listen to electronic and Hip-Hop I definitely can still enjoy all kinds of music. The front man of the Punch Brothers is Chris Thile and he was given the MacArthur Genius Grant to continue playing the Mandolin. What does this mean? A selective group of experts gave him $625 thousand to continue playing. He is that good. On that merit alone you have to check them out. The album strikes and amazing balance between bluegrass, country, folk and classical music all played by an unparalleled 5 piece acoustic band. Highlights, Familiarity and Boll Weevil.

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2*

Although not from 2014 I felt this needed to be included as in my opinion, lyrically one of the best Hip-Hop albums of all time. It is aggressive and as in your face as an angry drunk guy and at the same time so conscious at times and just such amazingly crafted. I’m not even going to write anymore just listen for yourself:

I hope you found something knew you like and of course there is other great music out there that maybe isn't in an album or is just a click away. Go find it it's a lot of fun!