We’ve made it halfway through 2014 and it’s been a relatively modest year. Nothing on the caliber of Yeezus, 20/20 Experience, Modern Vampires of the City, or mbv has dropped, but it’s been interesting nonetheless.

Future and RiFF RaFF have solidified their persona led left-field rap, while rapper-producer duos like Madlib/Freddie Gibbs and GoldLink/Louie Lastic push rap into new places. It’s been a good few months for TDE with strong releases from Schoolboy Q, SZA, a new drop from Ab-Soul, and a highlight of this year, Isaiah Rashad. Chicago keeps on birthing new stars with Tink and Vic Mensa releasing absolute summer bangers while Chance continues to reign supreme.

St Vincent and Tune-Yards returned with follow-ups to two insanely acclaimed albums. Although both good, they consolidate their strengths instead of pushing forward. Guitar-led compositions are making a comeback in a big way with fantastic albums from Ought, Foxing, Parquet Courts, Perfect Pussy, and White Lung, bands with wildly differing approaches, but similar passions and convictions. Making the complex seem easy has been a theme of many of this year’s releases with Alex G, Sun Kil Moon, Mac DeMarco, and The War on Drugs all releasing deceptively affecting and complex albums.

Tanner, Grant, Cameron, and I have all compiled our top 3 albums and tracks for the year so far. For more in-depth coverage go to our official 2014.5 page by clicking