5. Making a Door Less Open by Car Seat Headrest. The indie rock band that can do no wrong does no wrong again.
4. Lamentations by American Aquarium.
Americana that quietly shouts about the state of our nation. Every time I listen to it, I hear more subtlety buried under what seems at first to be straightforward country rock.
See also: Reunions by Jason Isbell. My personal favorite singer/songwriter came out with my least Jason Isbell album. It’s still better than most music out there, but it feels overly sentimental–almost to the point of inauthenticity. But Jason gave us a lot more this year: A live show with his wife, some great TV and youtube material that proved his new songs are better live, and–and this is amazing–an official release of the 2014 Fathers Day reunion with The Drive-By Truckers
3. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist.
Most excellent. If you like this, see alsoThe Price of Tea in China by Boldy James and Alchemist.
2. Saint Cloud by Waxahatchee. Transcendent indie folk/Americana. If you like this, you might also like Brother Sister by Watkins Family Hour.
1. RTJ4 by Run the Jewels.
The best album of the year was offered for free. I know people will say RTJ have done better in the past, and they did. Exactly once. This is their second best record, and certainly their most timely mix of protest, humor, and pure rage.
