Essential Full-Length Releases
 EL VY - Return to the Moon Matt Berninger has typically been a one-band man, performing with The National for more than 15 years (that band is still active). Last year, he formed EL VY with Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls and formerly of Menomena. The collaboration was stewing for many years, but they finally were able to get together and release their debut album this year, combining Berninger's distinctive baritone vocals and Knopf's penchant for poppier sounds. Watch: "I’m the Man to Be" Watch: "Need a Friend" |
 Martin Courtney - Many Moons Martin Courtney is known for his work with the sunny indie pop band Real Estate. This year, he is following in the footsteps of bandmates who have already embarked on solo careers: Matthew Mondanile and Alex Bleeker, both of whom also released albums this year. He gets some help from members of another band, Woods; Jarvis Taveniere provided production on a few tracks and Aaron Neveu played percussion. Watch: "Northern Highway" Listen: "Airport Bar" |
Other Full-Length Releases
 The Chills - Silver Bullets Listen: "Warm Waveform" Listen: "America Says Hello" |
 Elvis with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - If I Can Dream Listen: "If I Can Dream" Listen: "An American Trilogy" |
 Escort - Animal Nature Watch: "My Life" Listen: "Actor Out of Work" |
 Kirk Knight - Late Night Special Listen: "Dead Friends" (featuring Noname Gypsy & Thundercat) Listen: "Start Running" |
 Le Volume Courbe - I Wish Dee Dee Ramone Was Here with Me Watch: "The House" Watch: "Rusty" |
 Med, Blu & Madlib - Bad Neighbor Watch: "Knock Knock" (featuring MF DOOM) Listen: "Finer Things" (featuring Likewise & Phonte) |
 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - It’s a Holiday Soul Party Watch: "Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects" Watch: "8 Days (of Hanukkah)" |
 Sports - All of Something Watch: "Reality TV" Watch: "The Washing Machine" |
Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.
 Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Reissue Watch: "You Oughta Know" Watch: "Ironic" |
 Amy Listen: "Stronger Than Me" Listen: "Back to Black" |
 Laced - Laced Listen: "Clear" |
 Mark Kozelek - Dreams of Childhood Listen: "Beautiful Letter Dreams" Listen: "I Dreamed of My Sister" |
 Moses Sumney - "Seeds"/"Pleas" Listen: "Seeds" Listen: "Pleas" |
 Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth Reissue Listen: "Pacifico" Listen: "Diamonds on the Face of Evil" |
 The Velvet Underground - Loaded Reissue Listen: "Rock & Roll" (Mono Single Cotillion 45-44133) |
 We Love Disney Listen: Jessie Ware - "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" Listen: Kacey Musgraves - "A Spoonful of Sugar" |
 Weezer - "Thank God for Girls" Watch: "Thank God for Girls" |
