Hello! I'm DJ Sanspants, co-host of We Let The Hats Decide. Here are some of my favorite albums released this year. 

1. Palm // Nicks And Grazes (Saddle Creek)

I absolutely loved their last album Rock Island. I can't say enough about this band and how innovative, original, and amazing they are.

2. Soft Kill // Canary Yellow (Cercle Social)

Heartbreaking but so good.

3. Makaya McCraven // In These Times (International Anthem)

Phenomenal drummer and band leader. After his Blue Note album last year where he raided the Blue Note vault to use on the album, Makaya released a new album of original compositions this year. So damn good.

4. Domi & JD Beck // Not Tight (Apeshit Inc.)

I first saw them on social media a few years ago and they finally have their full length out. Fun, jazzy, chill, rad stuff.

5. Romance & Dean Hurley // In Every Dream Home A Heartache (Ecstatic)

I knew Dean Hurley from being David Lynch's right hand for music/audio (the Twin Peaks Return soundtrack is phenomenal.) Romance was new to me but their music is also great (the Celine Dion reworks are top notch.) This album with the two of them together is spectacular.

Music highlight of the year for me was finally seeing fucking Karate live. One of the last on my list of bands I've never seen but hope they get back together. I'm hoping Botch comes to the East Coast in the next year or two.

I was very saddened by the loss of Jaimie Branch and Angelo Badalamenti this year.

Here are other albums I listened to a bunch, including a new Primus EP because they're my favorite band ever.