As someone hopelessly in love with music, I regularly ask friends what they’ve been listening to. Occasionally their replies cause me to jot down a few names, but more frequently the answers are “Oh, nothing really” or “Just old stuff.”

I understand why people don’t seem to find much new music. Searching is tiring, and takes a lot of time to do properly. The paradox of having access to more music than ever before is that most of it is, well, crap.

The aim of Art As Catharsis to help people discover great music – especially if it’s not particularly mainstream. That’s why I’ve pulled together this short list of songs that have made me really happy this year.

Hopefully it’ll help you discover a new band to love.

1. ‘Oh My Darling Don’t Cry’ – Run The Jewels

Okay, so this might be an obvious one. Run The Jewels, the rap duo of Killer Mike and El-P, have been setting the internet ablaze since their latest album dropped a few weeks ago.

There’s a reason for the hype. This is the most satisfying hip-hop album I’ve heard in a long time.

2. ‘The Antidote (feat. Nai Palm)’ – Taylor McFerrin

I’m a bit of a sucker for future soul. Discovering Melbourne’s Hiatus Kaiyote last year made me immensely happy.

It was a guest appearance by Hiatus Kaiyote’s Nai Palm that made me stumble onto Taylor McFerrin beautiful debut album. Early Riser, out on Flying Lotus’ label Brainfeeder, offers a delicate mix of soul, electronica and fusion.

3. ‘From the Zodiacal Light’ – Earth

Despite being a long-time fan of Earth, my love of them has been waning with recent releases. I was on the cusp of giving up the hope they’d deliver something new or innovative, them Primitive and Deadly dropped.

As soon as I heard ‘From the Zodiacal Light’ I was hooked. The vocals from Rabia Shaheen Qazi, combined with Earth’s signature psychedelic drone filled me with joy.

4. ‘Lied To’ – IDYLLS

Okay, enough with the nice music for a minute. ‘Lied To’, the first track off IDYLLS new album, is one of the most terrifying pieces of music I have ever heard.

The Brisbane hardcore group have developed their style considerably since their debut album. The atmospheric production, the oscillating noise, the tortuous sax, the swirling chaos – this is heavy music born of real, felt, psychological pain.

5. ‘Pretty Girls’ – Little Dragon

Scandinavia has certainly been doing it’s part to make pop music more interesting.

Sweden’s Little Dragon captured my ear with their smooth beats, soulful vocals, and textures so syrupy that they seem to just melt away.

6. ‘Tristrya’ – Secret Chiefs 3

Seeing Secret Chiefs 3 live remains one of my formative experiences as a musician. These guys perform challenging, Eastern-influenced progressive music often defined by clever opposing rhythms, and brilliant theme variations.

Their latest album, Book Of Souls: Folio A, has been highly anticipated by many of musician friends. It’s not hard to see why. Who else is producing music like this?

7. ‘Healah Dancing (feat. Ren Ford)’ – Keaton Henson

I’ve fallen for what is vaguely being called ‘ambient neo-classical’ music. It was Dustin O’Halloran’s delicate and melancholy Luminere that began my love affair. I’ve been searching for more ever since.

When I first heard Keaton Henson, he was playing bearded folk. What a surprise it was to hear this beautiful collaborative album with Ren Ford. Romantic Works is a work of textural beauty and deep introspection.

8.’Thrvst’ – Plebeian Grandstand

More terror, this time from France’s Plebeian Grandstand.

These young lads have distilled the very essence chaos into aural form. Their atmospheric and disorientating form of blackened mathcore will have you hiding under bed in no time.

9. ‘Hide From The Sun’ – GOAT

There’s something fun about Goat’s hypnotic, psychedelic jams. While the Swedish group incorporates elements from music traditions over the world, the kitschy 60’s psych throwback vibe on Commune makes it a little hard to take them too seriously.

10. ‘Marrow’ – YOB

YOB are what you might call a spiritual doom band: quasi-mystics whose introspection manifests itself in monstrous droning grooves. There are few sounds more cleansing.

– – – – –

2014 has been an incredible year. Never before have I felt so inspired and overwhelmed by the quality of new music coming out.

I’ll leave with you with this final track as testament to my recent obsession with D’angelo’s Voodoo; a fourteen year old sleazy neo-soul record that at times departs into gritty funk and hip hop.

If you’d like to keep in the loop with new music, be sure to follow my label, Art As Catharsis.

What music has been inspiring you? Let me know in the comments below.

Like this article? Share it

Did you find some cool new music? Be a pal and SHARE this article so others can too!