Here's one i discovered recently
Andy Shauf - The Party (2016)
genre: folk/pop
I saw this album at the number 1 spot on the top 10 of the year list from a guy working at my local record store. I'd never heard the name, so i thought i'd give it a go. I searched youtube and saw one of his music videos which was made by Chad Vangaalen (a big plus in my book) and fell in love with it instantly.
It's a pretty delicate, and really well composed album. It separates itself from the norm a tiny bit with a lot of interesting instrumentation with strings and clarinet and shit, without it ever becoming too elaborate. He leaves plenty of space for the music to breathe. It's sort of a concept album, i guess. All the songs are about different stages/people at a party.
Here's a taste:
! No longer availableClick the album art for the download link.