The Waves
Tamaryn
mexican Summer, Album (full-length)
http://www.myspace.com/imagesmusic
It’s different yet very familiar. It’s Cocteau Twins, The Cure, JaMC and all things 4AD without being any of those things completely. It washes over your ears. You can listen to it and be happy or melancholy. It just enhances the mood you’re in. My favorite record this year by far.
Suggested by brad
Ardour
Teebs
Brainfeeder, Album (full-length)
http://bleep.com/index.php?page=release_details&releaseid=26970
Label URL: http://www.brainfeedersite.com/2010/10/19/teebs-ardour/ I chose a Bleep link for the other field as I read emphasis on music. Anyway, I haven’t been paying attention to musical releases much this year and was inspired by this post to look around and see what I missed. I’m glad I did because I found this. I have been really excited for Teebs full length debut ever since I heard him in an XLR8R podcast on the LA sound, or maybe a Mary-Anne Hobbs mix, don’t remember. I’m pretty sure the track I heard was My Whole Life, and I wanted more. This records does not disappoint. Its beautiful music, ethereal yet very tactile sampled instrumental textures, with wonderful harmonic/melodic language, pulsing with a laid back groove. If you are are into Flying Lotus or Nosaj Thing, chances are you will dig Teebs.
Suggested by jonnyfive nope
Coma Cat
Tensnake
Permanent Vacation, Single
http://soundcloud.com/tensnake/coma-cat-snippet
It always hard for me to narrow down my favorites of the year as I listen to so much new and old in a given year. Although Tensnake has been releasing a good amount of material this year (compilations and other singles), I found this to be his best output and have barely grown tired of playing this track all year (on a slight change of subject, his track narrowly won out against the Lindstrom & Christabelle album). While Italo-disco and other electronic disco offshoots experienced a sort of revival in the last 3-5 years, I generally think 2010 was the year latter 80s/early 90s style House resurged. Personally, I think Tensnake led the pack with this fantastic single
Suggested by Mike
Machinarium OST
Tomas Dvorak
(inner_fx) Tomas Dvorak, Album (full-length)
http://machinarium.net
It’s the most beautiful, interesting, inspiring, emotional music I’ve heard this year. I really like the mix of metallic, percussive sounds, acoustic instruments and ambient drones. Been listening to it all the time!
Suggested by Hannes Pasqualini http://soundcloud.com/rumpelfilter
Trabant
Trabant
RSVP Records (Italy), Album (full-length)
http://trabantband.bandcamp.com/
They are overlooked even in their own country, and greatly deserving of more attention. The album has some of the best synth sounds in a rock environment i have heard, perfectly integrated within each composition and not just an embellishment. Of course i am biased, as i know them well and have seen them grow over the years but this is precisely why i see this album as a special accomplishment. I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s definitely my favourite album of 2010.
Suggested by Robin F. http://www.twitter.com/evaristo
True Zebra
True Zebra
www.truezebra.com, Album (full-length)
www.truezebra.com
1 person did everything. Writing, recording, programing, producing etc…
Suggested by Steve Habsch
tourist history
two door cinema club
glassnote, Album (full-length)
?amazon
very accessible music with catchy rhythms, lyrics, structure. if you like to dance, this is fun and high energy with good opportunities for remixing.
Suggested by john cupp (cupperwear)
True Anomaly
Two Quiet Suns
Public Spaces Netlabel, EP
http://lab.pubspaces.com/2010/10/ps023-two-quiet-suns-true-anomaly/
Great free music (CC-Licensed) from a great Netlabel! http://lab.pubspaces.com
Suggested by Oracle Bones
Barking
Underworld
Album (full-length)
http://www.underworldlive.com/
For me this was one of the highlights of 2010.
Suggested by Eric Thoolen http://www.gearjunkies.com
As Always, But Never Before
Undo
InGrooves, Album (full-length)
http://soundcloud.com/undosound/sets/undo-1/
It’s a classic album that I feel is one of the best kept secrets in the world. I feel like I’m in some bizarre musical elite simply for ever having heard of it.
Suggested by Mike http://www.kenzoragames.com
Nema EP
Vakula
3d Strike, EP
http://soundcloud.com/vakula
The most amazing and professional Ukraine/Russian electronic musician. Very creative, make about 2-3 tracks per week, and they sounds finished and full. Every track he make has Vakula style sound, he make fantastic sound.
Suggested by Tim http://soundcloud.com/25tims
Ardour
Teebs
Brainfeeder, Album (full-length)
http://dublab.com/labrats/teebs/
The album is an excellent mixture between LA Beat Scene and ambiance. I’m a big fan of sample based music, Teebs is right up there in quality with Flying Lotus or DJ Shadow. Impressive production too. I’m sure he used logic or something to compose the and chop all of the samples here, however… the guy is using just a Roland SP 404 to perform live! Similar to Four Tet’s live technique, pretty amazing manipulation for such a small sampler.
Suggested by John