Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push the Sky Away

Nick Cave has reinvented himself many times in his career, and 2013's Push the Sky Away is a seminal record in his cannon. The album marked a dramatic left turn from his previous work, with sparse arrangements, looping motifs, and a palpable sense of space. Cave has spoken about becoming fascinated by the endless stream of information available online while writing the lyrics, and the album features fragments of internet culture, news stories, historical references, and surreal asides. The album holds an interesting place in the Resident story, as it was named the No. 2 album of 2013 behind Matthew E. White's Big Inner. The album is a masterclass in subtlety and restraint, with Cave's voice and Warren Ellis' haunting textures carrying the emotional weight.