We’ve been counting down our favorites of the past year with our Tops of 2014 posts for two weeks now, and it’s all led up to this. Our favorite albums of 2014. In an industry that is constantly creating incentives for one off releases, we still hold full album releases near at heart. It’s an art form to create a series of pieces that as a whole outshine the individual; it’s a lesson to new producers and a reminder to the experienced: show the world what you’re made of, and let your music become part of something bigger. Fans will gladly follow along for the ride. And what a beautiful year it was for albums this year; we saw brand new artists making names, some of our favorites from the past two years hit us with huge sophomore releases, and some vets flexed seasoned album-crafting muscles for us. I was also pleased to see that the Souls In Action crew agreed on several releases, so I can announce our favorite albums of the year! 1. Odesza– ‘In Return’ | 4 votes 2. Alt-J– ‘This Is All Yours’ | 3 votes 3. Tie: SBTRKT– ‘Wonder Where We Land’ / Run The Jewels– ‘Run The Jewels 2’ / Flying Lotus– ‘You’re Dead’ | 2 Votes each And of course our submissions by team member: Andy Immerman Artist: Album Title: Jungle Jungle Spoon They Want My Soul Slow Magic How To Run Away Beck Morning Phase Sylvan Esso Sylvan Esso Andrew (Pump The Jam) Artist: Album Title: Alt-J This Is All Yours SBTRKT Wonder Where We Land Flying Lotus You’re Dead Theresa (Artist Management Ace In The Hole) Artist: Album Title: Jungle Jungle. Alt-J This Is All Yours Odesza In Return Hensley (Hip Hop Anonymous) Artist: Album Title: Run The Jewls Run The Jewls 2 G-Eazy These Things Happen Flying Lotus You’re Dead Malkovich Pre-Boarding Atmosphere Southsiders Jaquelyn (Jackie of All Trades) Artist: Album Title: Odesza In Return Alt-J This is All Yours Chet Faker Built on Glass SBTRKT Wonder Where We Land Sam Smith In The Lonely Hour Dante (The Groove) Artist: Album Title: Banks Goddess K.Flay Life As A Dog Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 2 Tender Games Tender Games Jessie Ware Tough Love Little Boots Business Pleasure Melissa (Under The Radar) Artist: Album Title: Manic Focus Cerebral Eclipse Odesza In Return SizzleBird Further Tycho Awake Griffin (That New Nu) Artist: Album Title: Porter Robinson Worlds. La Roux Trouble In Paradise Odesza In Return Broken Bells After The Disco RAC Strangers Well that about wraps it up folks, it’s been a blast recapping 2014 with all of you. Thanks so much to each and every one of you for keeping up on the SIA blog, coming out to support events, and generally getting that soul of yours into action. While we’re sad to see 2014 go, we can’t wait for what lies ahead. 2015 is going to be a huge year for music, for art, for activism, for Souls In Action. Get ready, because big things are coming. SIA all day! Keep up on the Tops of 2014