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.
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!
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.