10) Emma Ruth Rundle - Engine of Hell
It's not the first time Emma's shown up on this list. On Engine of Hell she strips away everything except the most intimate portrayal of herself, her struggle. Other singer-songwriters may sound like they're missing something with this approach, but listen after listen, this record is full to the brim. Supported by the occasional minimal cello or acoustic guitar, the record focuses on the textures of a small number of instruments rather than filling in all the voids in the mix. By doing this the listener is invited inside to scrutinize the turn of the gears, all the little details of performance and production. This is a risky approach because it may expose missteps or awkward moments that don't quite work, chords strummed just a little out of the groove, a space too large slowing the momentum. Nothing like that here, just a woman taking every risk and succeeding in creating a deeply haunting and memorable piece of work.
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