No matter what we put on a list like this, we’re sure to get a million emails letting us know what we forgot, or unjustly left out.
No matter what we put on a list like this, we’re sure to get a million emails letting us know what we forgot, or unjustly left out. Therefore, we’re not even attempting to characterize this list as the “best” music produced here in Richmond over the past 12 months. Instead, we’re just pointing out some great sounds from all sorts of different genres that you should be checking out. We skipped some obvious heavy hitters (you already got the new Lamb Of God and Matthew E. White records though, didn’t you?) in favor of some sounds you may have missed over the past year. If you haven’t heard all of these, start checking them out now. You won’t be sorry.
This article was featured in RVAMag #23: Winter 2015. You can read all of issue #23 here or pick it up at local shops around RVA right now.
Diamond Center
Crystals From The Brass Empire
(Funny Not Funny/Egghunt/Steady Sounds)
After making RVA their home for the past five years, the Diamond Center departed for the hazy deserts of west Texas this year. However, their parting gift to our fair city is a brand new LP that solidifies in vinyl form all of the ethereal, psychedelic beauty their many local live shows have dispensed to us over the past half-decade.
Dr. Millionaire
My First Million
(Imaginary Friends)
One of the smartest and most talented emcees in town, Dr. Millionaire is a man of many facets, and he shows them all on this 8-song cassette. Over blazing beats from Conrizzle, Hovey Benjamin and others, he shows off his lyrical prowess, gives his reputation as a ladies’ man a boost, and demonstrates a surprising depth of emotion.
Kings
Kings
(Jellowstone)
The latest brilliance from the world of Jellowstone is spearheaded by the multitalented genius of Kelli Strawbridge. On his project’s self-titled debut, he brings the pioneering fuzz-funk of Sly & The Family Stone’s There’s A Riot Going On into the 21st century through a filter of prime Prince and James Brown jams. Get outta your seat and dance!
Manatree
Manatree
(Egghunt)
These fresh-faced teenage indie-rockers have been playing together since junior high, and their self-titled full-length debut bears the fruit of five years’ worth of refined jams. Upbeat REM-style alt-rock meets twinkly emo, pop-punk exuberance, and complex instrumental interplay on this album full of memorable, danceable gems.
Nickelus F
Triflin’
(Foundation Media)
Nick F’s first release since 2013’s Ohbliv collab Yellow Gold 2 sees him returning to his darker, less restrained alter ego, Sweet Petey. Containing mostly self-produced beats and no features, Triflin’ is an all-encompassing world, in which you’ll find close encounters with police and reflections of RVA in all its complicated glory.
Ostraca
Deathless
(Middle Man/Skeletal Lightning)
RVA screamo has done a lot in 2015 to make itself more widely known in the local scene and beyond, from the inaugural Swamp Fest in August to powerful releases by Caust, Truman, and Swan Of Tuonela. Ostraca’s debut full length towers above them all, though, mixing powerful metal riffage with epic post-rock structures and hardcore rage.
Positive No
Glossa
(Negative Fun/Little Black Cloud)
After years of tantalizing the city with passionate live performances, this emotionally-driven indie rock quartet finally gave us an LP, and Glossa lives up to every expectation that built up during the wait. Tracy Wilson’s warm, passionate voice and Kenneth Close’s glittering lead guitars add up to pure melodic bliss.
Sea Of Storms
Dead Weight
(Self Aware/Tor Johnson)
It’s taken years for the debut LP from this emotionally-driven post-hardcore trio to finally materialize, but these nine songs were decidedly worth the wait. The powerful rhythm section gives just the right amount of muscle to these melancholy midtempo tunes featuring evocative lyrics, which will thrill fans of Hot Water Music and Leatherface.
Shy Low
Hiraeth
(Spartan)
On their second full-length album, released late this year after much anticipation, instrumental quartet Shy Low creates powerful post-rock cinemascapes. There are certain obvious touchstones here–Godspeed You Black Emperor, Explosions In The Sky–but this band’s soaring melodies and inspiring crescendos stand on their own.
Toxic Moxie
VHS Box Set
(toxicmoxie.bandcamp.com)
Toxic Moxie’s first full-length release brings together the trilogy of EPs they’ve released thus far into a compilation of danceable disco-punk fury. With Sera Stavroula’s powerful voice at the forefront, this band generates nearly 80 minutes of postpunk grooves with an undeniable electro-funk vibe underpinning the whole thing. Dance!
