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Patrick Ryan's top 5 albums of 2014

Patrick Ryan
USA TODAY
Cover art of FKA Twigs' 'LP1.'

USA TODAY music writer Patrick Ryan shares his favorite albums of the year.

1. FKA Twigs, LP1

Fragile and ferocious, sultry and shy, FKA Twigs is many things, not one of which is uninventive. On her captivating debut album, the British singer (real name: Tahliah Barnett) lays out her complexities and vulnerabilities — the dissipation of a friendship on Pendulum, the push-and-pull of the spotlight on Video Girl — but only lifting the veil as far as she sees fit. Part of Twigs' genius is how she manipulates her image in her videos and in the media, and also the control she exerts over nearly all the album's 10 tracks as co-producer. Listening to the genre-bending effort, one knows that every click, bass line, synth and reverb-washed note is there because she wanted it to be. LP1 presents her singular vision as an artist, one that we should be lucky enough to see blossom on albums to come.

2. Jessie Ware, Tough Love

The British songstress set the bar high for herself with stunning debut Devotion in 2012, but she manages to deliver an even more satisfying package on her sophomore album, neatly wrapped by co-writers such as Ed Sheeran, Miguel, and Dev Hynes. More confident and even more in love this go-around (she got married this summer), Ware spills her emotions into bubbly confessions Champagne Kisses and You and I (Forever), and velvet-voiced ballads Say You Love Me and Pieces.

3. Glass Animals, Zaba

With vibrant, deeply textured songs such as Gooey, Hazey and Pools, Glass Animals has distinguished itself as one of the most evocative new bands in recent memory. On its cerebral debut, the British four-piece creates an exotic, electronic soundscape, occupied by throbbing beats, cool grooves and breathy vocals by frontman Dave Bayley.

4. St. Vincent, St. Vincent

The reigning art-rock queen returned to her throne this year with her fourth album, and it's her weirdest, boldest, most kinetic effort yet. Mining genres and ideas to otherworldly effect, singer/guitarist Annie Clark can bring you to your feet (Birth in Reverse, Digital Witness) as quickly as she can reduce you to tears (Prince Johnny, I Prefer Your Love).

5. Wye Oak, Shriek

"This morning, I woke up on the floor / Thinking, 'I have never dreamed before,' " begins the indie-rock duo's glimmering Before, the first track on their lush fourth album. Trading in guitar for synthesizers, the pair of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack has done an about-face from folk-leaning 2011 breakout Civilian, creating melodies that can be punchy and propulsive, but also dreamy and warm.

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