1: Swans – The Seer
A 2 hour album with a 32 minute song and not a second is
less than sublimely vital.
2: First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
Innocently wise sisters’ gorgeous harmonies sing magical
campfire melodies.
3: Actress – R.I.P.
Masterful and challenging dance music layered and
enveloped in reflective brilliance.
4: Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE
Substantial intelligence and literate truth covered in an
irresistible smooth R&B exterior.
5: Ty Segall Band – Slaughterhouse
Powerful, exciting and unrelenting garage rock that kicks
melodic ass.
6: Bob Dylan – Tempest
Bob Dylan released an album in the year and so it was the
best album of the year.
7: Tame Impala – Lonerism
Psychedelic sounds spiral into a modern pop classic.
8: Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn’t
Heart-wrenchingly honest break-up album emitting humour
and hope.
9: The Cribs – In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull
Blasts of raw energy and chaotic choruses confirm why you
always loved them.
10: Bill Fay – Life Is People
Slowly moving masterpiece about life, death, hope and
regret crooned with accepted wisdom.
11: Liars – WIXIW
Off-kilter, nagging noise from dark souls creeps to
inviting warm and tuneful depths.
12: Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man
Dignified, exposing and beautifully realised collection
of crafted songs.
13: Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Aptly named joyous riot of guitars, slogans and energy.
14: Scott Walker – Bish Bosch
Difficult, abstract, impenetrable, twisted, terrifying
beauty.
15: Julia Holter – Ekstatis
Hypnotic dreams float organically into artfully pretty
melodic bliss.
16: Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind
An aggressive pounding in thrilling complex time
signatures.
17: Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music
Poetically aggressive, politically raw, cunningly
produced old-skool rap.
18: Crystal Castles – (III)
Atmospheric foreboding electronica that sparkles and
soothes.
19: Tall Ships – Everything Touching
Wonky electronic riffs and roaring organic choruses
impress.
20: The Coup – Sorry To Bother You
Addictively infectious hip-hop party with engaging
underlying messages.
*not made in Leeds
