Left Hand Free

Even after producing 2010s mainstays such as “Breezeblocks,” alt-J has proven its ability to adapt to the alternative scene’s ever-shifting ecosystem.

What became clear as the band launched into its closer “Breezeblocks” is the way in which alt-J has grown into its image.

Relaxer is still weird, but for the first time for the band, steps beyond a reliance on style into a search for substance.

“Adeline” is more than tinged with sadness — melancholy drives the track from its opening notes, the lyrics offering little hope of success in the romantic premise.

From folk to electronic to hip-hop, 2014 was a year for the books in the music scene. Here are the top picks as selected by the arts & entertainment department at The Daily Californian.