In 2013 I had a list of 30 best albums. I’ve managed to take it down to 20 this year. There are a lot of women on my list. 17/20 female-fronted bands or female artists. Female vox, darkness and swirling rhythms appeal to me. That’s why I adore Field Mouse so much. Lana Del Rey, Zola Jesus and Lykke Li are dark and dramatic. While I never liked The Pretenders all that much, I appreciate Chrissie Hynde and listened to her powerful solo album over and over. Megafauna is heavier rock than what I generally listen to but with a female singer– a feminist and lawyer– it’s kick-ass. Some are more electronic dance music [EDM] like Banks, Yaarrohs, Phantogram and FKA Twigs. Paloma Faith and Lilla incorporate world music, vibrant beats.

1. Field Mouse, Hold Still Life [Topshelf Records]

my review

2. Dum Dum Girls, Too True [Sub Pop]

3. Lykke Li, I Never Learn [Atlantic]

4. Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence [Interscope Records]

5. Banks, Goddess [Harvest]

6. Zola Jesus, Taiga [Mute]

my review

7. Phantogram, Voices [Republic]

8. Morrissey, World Peace is None of Your Business [Harvest]

9. Paloma Faith, A Perfect Contradiction [Epic]

10. Bee vs. Moth, Shelter in Place [Aggraveire Music]

my review

11. Jenny Lewis, The Voyager [Warner Bros.]

12. Chrissie Hynde, Stockholm [Caroline]

13. Lilla, The Awakening [Lucky Records/karisma music]

STEELE interviews Lilla

14. Megafauna, Maximalist [Danimal Kingdom]

my review

15. Karen O, Crush Songs [Kobalt]

16. Yaarrohs, Flesh and Blood EP [Glass Air Records]

17. The Kooks, Listen [Astralwerks]

18. FKA Twigs, LP1 [XL Recordings]

19. Jen Wood, Wilderness [Radar Light, New Granada]

my review

20. o’death, Out of Hands We Go [Northern Spy Records]