So. Many. Good. Albums. Released. This Year. Seriously, we were tempted to make a bigger list as there’s records we had to cut that we loved. Ordering the top ten was largely an ethical nightmare. LPs are, we feel, the best way to listen to music, an artist can show off their complete repertoire, than just trying to grab your attention. They already have your attention and can then take you on a journey through their musical vision.

The top ten of this list represent around 13 hours (approximating) of near perfect music. We can’t even begin to express how good these records are. We have never been at a loss for whole records that excite us this year. Just amazing.

The top slot was pretty much decided much earlier in the year, back in April in fact. On the condition that nothing came along that was even more stunning (and records came VERY close). Vanbot’s sophomore release, Perfect Storm, was a shoe-in for number one from the first moment we hit Play. A varied album that draws from a whole host of influences and wrap it up in Vanbot’s icy ScandiPop, Perfect Storm matches this musical eclecticism with some deeply emotional songs. We have been completely enchanted by this album for most of the year and it’s never been far away from our ears. Read our review here.

01: Vanbot – Perfect Storm (Lisch Recordings)

♫ Vanbot – Trooper

…and the rest of the list:

02: Kate Boy – One (Fiction Records)

♫ Kate Boy – Self Control

03: Chvrches – Every Open Eye (Glassnote/Goodbye Records)

♫ Chvrches – Leave A Trace

04: Tove Styrke – Kiddo (RCA)

♫ Tove Styrke – Even If I’m Loud It Doesn’t Mean I’m Talking to You

05: Computer Magic – Davos (Tugboat Records)

♫ Computer Magic – Fuzz

06: Little Boots – Working Girl (On Repeat Records/Dim Mak Records)

♫ Little Boots – Get Things Done

07: Karin Park – Apocalypse Pop (State Of The Eye Recordings)

♫ Karin Park – Look What You’ve Done

08: Marina And The Diamonds – FROOT (Elektra)

♫ Marina And The Diamonds – FROOT

09: Julio Bashmore – Knockin’ Boots (Broadwalk Records)

♫ Julio Bashmore – She Ain’t

10: John Carpenter – Lost Themes (Sacred Bones Records)

♫ John Carpenter – Vortex

11: Róisín Murphy – Hairless Toys (Play It Again Sam)

♫ Róisín Murphy – Evil Eyes

12: Kid Kasio – Sit And Wait (Self Released)

♫ Kid Kasio – The Kodo Song

13: Chad Valley – Entirely New Blue (Cascine)

♫ Chad Valley – Arms Away

14: Le Matos – Chronicles Of The Wasteland/Turbo Kid OST (Death Waltz Recordings)

♫ Le Matos (Feat. Pawws) – No Tomorrow

15: Purity Ring – Another Eternity (4AD)

♫ Purity Ring – Begin Again

16: Monarchy – Abnocto (Hacan Sound)

♫ Monarchy – Living Without You

17: Miguel Campbell – Night Drive Without You (Outcross Records)

♫ Miguel Campbell – Collision

18: The Egyptian Lover – 1984 (Egyptian Empire Records)

♫ The Egyptian Lover – Killin’ It

19: Real Lies – Real Life (Marathon Artists)

♫ Real Lies – Seven Sisters

20: Grimes – Art Angels (4AD)

♫ Grimes – Flesh Without Blood/Life In The Vivid Dream

As always, you should definitely pick up some of this music, it all comes highly recommended and most can be purchased here:

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