50 Top Albums of 2014 Part 2: #40-31

40. Vince Staples- Hell Can Wait

The MC known for his collaborations with Odd Future finally puts out the statement which the world has been waiting to hear from him. The powerful lyrical content on tracks such as “Hands Up” (referring to the Michael Brown incident) shows that Staples has truly blossomed as a solo artist, and the aggressive production helps a whole lot as well. Staples is no longer just an OF collaborator, he is here to prove his message. Key Tracks: "Blue Suede", "Hands Up"

39. Phish- Fuego

Trey Anastasio and the boys come back to prove that they've still got it after more than 30 years since they formed as a band. The instrumentation is as strong as ever and the lyrical content is fun and goofy, just like good old times. While the hardcore Phish fans might not have warmed up completely to these tracks yet, they will soon be singing along every word at future live Phish shows. Just like they say in the first track, they are indeed here to "keep it rolling". Key Tracks: "Fuego", "Waiting All Night", "Wingsuit"

38. Porter Robinson- Worlds

With the predictable downfall of 'EDM', producer/DJ Porter Robinson decided it was time to change his ways and move to a more mature, less repetitive sound. The result is a very atmospheric, 80's-esque collection of songs which at times is very reminiscent of M83. Robinson is a talented producer, and this album was a great chance for him to morph his skills which made him so big in the EDM scene into something that is a very ecstatic listen without any MDMA involved. Key Tracks: "Sea of Voices", "Sad Machine"

37. SBTRKT- Wonder Where We Land

After his phenomenal 2011 self titled album, mysterious producer SBTRKT spent some time out of the spotlight until this release Wonder Where We Land which takes his production in quite a different direction. Instead of creating thick-layered synth heavy dance tracks, here SBTRKT relies heavily on his guest vocalists, as he lays down the foundation for this collection of  (somewhat) poppy ballads. While this is not as cohesive as his first album, it is still well worth a listen. Key Tracks: "Lantern", "New Dorp, New York"

36. The War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream

Complete with 80's-esque rhythm and hazy guitars, Lost in the Dream is perfectly summed up by the image on the cover. The War on Drugs' create a very euphoric, dreamlike atmosphere by combining shoegaze with classic rock n roll reminiscent of legends such as Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. The "dream" referenced in the title is neither a good or a bad dream, it is more of a nostalgic look back into the past. Key Tracks: "Red Eyes", "Suffering"

35. MF Doom & Bishop Nehru- NehruvianDOOM

Hip-hop legend MF Doom and newcomer Bishop Nehru combine as duo almost like Batman training Robin to begin fighting crime. Doom sits back and lays down the beats for most of the album while his apprentice Nehru does most of the rapping. While Doom does an excellent job on the production, he only raps on about three songs, so if you were looking for some classic verses by him you'll have to wait til the next release (collab. with Ghostface Killah coming in 2015). However, Nehru does show a lot of potential to be an upcoming solo force in the game. Key Tracks: "Caskets", "Om"

34. TV on the Radio- Seeds

Seeds shows TVOTR taking a step towards making more accessible music than their previous works such as the beloved Dear Science (2009). Although it is less experimental, it still retains their signature alternative/electronica sound. This is about as straightforward as they have gotten, but it still holds together very well. Key Tracks: "Happy Idiot", "Right Now", "Careful You"

33. Prince- Art Official Age

The R&B legend returns with an extremely impressive release considering how long he's been around. Here, Prince crafts some awesome experimental R&B while his lyrics reflect the artificial nature of the current generation (get it? art-official age). Many songs show Prince embracing current music styles, but at the same time you always know that nobody else could have made it except him. Key Tracks: "Clouds", "Funknroll", "Breakfast Can Wait"

32. Hudson Mohawke- Chimes EP

While this is only a four track EP, the title track caused enough of a boom to land this release on the #32 spot on the list. With a feature on an Apple commercial and a remix with French Montana, "Chimes" has become Hudmo's defining song, complete with heavy bass and booming horns. While the title track shows off his TNGHT influenced side, "Brainwave" and "King Kong Beaver" lean more towards his sound on the 2009 album Butter. Key Tracks: "Chimes", "King Kong Beaver"

31. J. Mascis- Tied to a Star

The classic indie group Dinosaur Jr.'s frontman presents a beautiful collection of acoustic tracks which really highlight his vocal capabilities. Tied to a Star shows that despite all the time gone by, Mascis is still an amazing songwriter. While it is a lot less heavy than Dinosaur Jr., this album is just as good. Key Tracks: "Me Again", "Every Morning"