What a great year! Even though the world has not been saved in 2014 and the Antichrist is still hiding somewhere, I have discovered quite a lot of new bands, been to great shows and managed to write many songs as well. I’m not saying that it has been a legendary year, neither has it been any milestone in the history of music but to those who haven’t found any new favorites in 2014 I have two things here!

Firstly, as a heartfelt advice, don’t get lost in your listening routines and the good old favorites… Just open your ears because the enormous amount of information we consume every day almost excludes any sort of in-depth experience, so next time don’t skip to the next or scroll like a maniac.

Secondly, … of course, here are my favorite albums of 2014 – sorry but I am not setting up an order so that you could not skip to the no. 1 hahaahaa!

Total Control -Typical System  this album simply evokes everything that’s great about post punk. If you like Warsaw, Tubeway Army / Gary Numan or Blank dogs, you cannot go wrong with the Australian band Total Control

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Revelation after many fucked up years Anton Newcombe finally cleaned up his act (no drugs, no drinks), which – contrary to cynical preconceptions and many sobered-up predecessors’ failures – has yielded a great album and a powerful live band.

The Achtungs – Full of hate yeah, I haven’t really changed my mind since I wrote this

Wild Books – S/T the only thing I lack about Wild Books is a show in Budapest but better later then never.. this two-piece band from Warsaw combines the 60s and 90s damn well and recognizably. More words here but make sure to listen to their self-titled album at their bandcamp site

Ariel Pink- Pom Pom by now you might have seen numerous top 2014 lists where Ariel Pink’s crazy-genious super loud and super long album is all over the place and all I can add is that those lists don’t lie.

Khun Narin – Khun Narin’s Electric Phin Band this band from Thailand is a really original take on psychedelia as they experiment with folk music, kraut rock and neo-psychedelia. Once you hear this album, you will never forget their sound.

Low Life – Dogging these Sydney based noise/death rockers make very powerful and most depressing music but their minimalist approach makes it impossible for me to tell any more about this great album… it’s highly recommended!

Raspberry Bulbs – Privacy if you have ever been looking for something between noisy black metal and dark punk, don’t look further. In case you want more of this kind of evil noise, try Bone Awl, the previous band of frontman Marco del Rio too.

Gustave Tiger – At the Idyll’s End you don’t need a separate list for Hungarian bands if you want to include this gorgeous album. Gustave Tiger’s sound is really fresh and original as a result of combining dreamy vocals, black metal and even catchy indie pop tunes. Cathedral punk? Fucked up indie…? No, it’s simply Gustave Tiger and a great album with sophisticatedly nonsensical lyrics.