Mike Whyte
Albums
Lamb: ”Backspace Rewind”
2014 seemed to be a year when artists took their creativity to new heights – this was Lamb’s personal best.
Tricky: ”Adrian Thaws”
The album that showed Tricky had his mojo back – his best in a long time.
John Hopkins: ”Immunity”
In a year of great albums, this was one of the greatest – firmly put Hopkins in the spotlight.
Lingouf: ”Frequencies Sensibles”
As good as some of my favourite artists, and even darker.
Little Dragon: ”Nabuma Rubberband”
Sweden’s Little Dragon pushed a little bit further for the mainstream with this album, but still as unique as ever.
Plaid: ”Reachy Prints”
We shouldn’t forget this effort from earlier in the year – solid Warp act Plaid.
Caribou: ”Our Love”
Can do no wrong at the moment, proof coming from the adoration shown towards the man at Sonar this year.
Aphex Twin: ”Syro”
The album appeared like a bolt out of the blue and made all other music this year seem 10 years old – without sounding like anything other than Aphex Twin.
St Vincent: ”St Vincent”
A very intriguing artist who constantly produces great product – an album you can really get your teeth into.
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Songs
Flying Lotus: ”Never Catch Me”
A great track showing Flying Lotus is escaping the ”new Aphex Twin” tag and going out to discover his own identity.
The Chemical Brothers featuring Miguel & Lorde: ”This Is Not a Game”
You may know this as a song from the ”Hunger Games: Mockingjay” soundtrack – I know it as a damn good track.
FKA Twigs: ”Two Weeks”
A top track from a woman who seems to have propelled herself from the future into our lives.
Caribou: ”Can’t Do without You”
Caribou has just been getting better and better, and this track opens up like a flower to remind you of that fact.
Todd Terje featuring Bryan Ferry: ”Johnny and Mary”
Impossible to resist this dreamy disco number – like the 80:s never disappeared.
Grimes featuring Blood Diamonds: ”Go”
Experimentalist hits the mainstream.
Live Artists
Jon Hopkins
I could barely get into the room at Sonar to see Hopkins in action this year, such was the buzz around this artist right now – it didn’t disappoint once inside.
Kid Koala
On stage, off stage, conga-ing through the crowd…y ou couldn’t take your eyes of this Kid this year.
Röyksopp & Robyn
Great show at Sonar – and my, how Robyn can sing live!
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Newcomer
FKA Twigs
As all great newcomers do, seemed to arrive from nowhere to suddenly be everywhere.
Artists
Aphex Twin
Great to have the main man back – and hopefully more to come.
Caribou
Great album, one of the songs of the year, and two performances at Sonar – it was difficult to get away from this man this year – but why would you want to?
Robyn & Röyksopp
One of the collaborations of the year – a supergroup made up of two acts that actually complement each other.