Here are the releases that I’ve spent the most time with this year in no particular order:
Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams
Twigs & Yarn – The Language of Flowers
Kane Ikin – Sublunar
Andy Stott – Luxury Problems
Hiss Golden Messenger – Poor Moon
Punch Brothers – Who’s Feeling Young Now
Voices From the Lake – S/T
Beach House – Bloom
The Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Grizzly Bear – Shields
Andrew Bird – Break it Yourself / Hands of Glory
Wild Nothing – Nocturne
Brambles – Charcoal
The Boats – Ballads Of The Research Department
Sigur Ros – Valtari
Actress – RIP
Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Band of Horses – Mirage Rock
Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Tame Impala – Lonerism

The heart of Incidental Music is the acoustic guitar: melodies, chords, drones, and percussive sounds sometimes used in a straightforward manner, while at other times abstracted and manipulated to beautiful effect. Upon this foundation the palette of sounds expands quietly to include various small acoustic instruments and vinyl samples.

