YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 100 tracks of 2011

I decided to compile a list of the best one-hundred songs of the past year that music had to offer, and put them in order too. Thought long and hard about the order, and it took a very long time. I even compiled them into a Spotify playlist that you can listen to here. 2011 was a really great year for diverse and innovative music, and it showed a lot of potential for new bands and musicians as well. Some of the albums that are in the top fifty, although brilliant, stand out as a whole, whereas other weaker albums still had really strong tracks on them, so there's a lot of variation on the list. Here is the list in full, in order:

1. SBTRKT - Trials of the Past (featuring Sampha)
2. Bon Iver - Calgary
3. The Antlers - Putting the Dog to Sleep
4. Jamie xx - Far Nearer
5. M83 - Midnight City
6. tUnE-yArDs - Gangsta
7. Los Campesinos - By Your Hand
8. Gang Gang Dance - Adult Goth
9. Real Estate - Green Aisles
10. CITIZENS! - True Romance
11. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
12. Youth Lagoon - 17
13. St Vincent - Cruel
14. Drake - Marvins Room
15. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
16. Girls - Magic
17. Cass Mccombs - County Line
18. Yuck - Get Away
19. Washed Out - Amor Fati
20. Bon Iver & James Blake - Fall Creek Boys Choir
21. Atlas Sound - Mona Lisa
22. Future of the Left - Polymers are Forever
23. Civilian - Wye Oak
24. Wise Blood - Nosferatu
25. Times New Vikings - Fuck Her Tears
26. EMA - The Grey Ship
27. The Black Keys - Sister*
28. TV on the Radio - Will Do
29. Tyler, the Creator - Yonkers
30. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Forever 28
31. Patrick Wolf - Bermondsey Street
32. John Maus - Hey Moon
33. Fucked Up - Ship of Fools
34. Deleted Scenes - Bedbedbedbedbed
35. The Weeknd - House of Balloons*
36. Destroyer - Chinatown
37. Panda Bear - Slow Motion
38. Childish Gambino - Freaks and Geeks*
39. Gil Scott Heron & Jamie xx - I'll Take Care of U
40. Frank Ocean - Novacane
41. Toro y Moi - Freaking Out
42. Das Racist - Girl
43. Hey Sholay - Wishbone
44. Death Cab For Cutie - St. Peter's Cathedral
45. Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
46. Kanye West & Jay-z - No Church in the Wild (Featuring Frank Ocean)
47. Cults - Abducted
48. Bright Eyes - Triple Spiral
49. Theme Park - A Mountain We Love
50. Dananananaykroyd - Think & Feel
51. Active Child - Playing House (Featuring How to Dress Well)
52. Lana Del Rey - Video Games
53. Okkervil River - Lay of the Last Survivor
54. Pulled Apart By Horses - V.E.N.O.M.
55. Radiohead - Lotus Flower (SBTRKT RMX)
56. Beirut - Vagabond
57. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Jello and Juggernauts
58. Blood Orange - Forget It
59. Cut Copy - Take Me Over
60. BRAIDS - Lemonade
61. Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever
62. Big Troubles - Misery
63. The War on Drugs - Baby Missiles
64. New Look - Relax Your Mind
65. Veronica Falls - Wedding Day
66. Austra - Beat and the Pulse
67. WU LYF - Summas Bliss
68. The Horrors - Still Life
69. Laura Marling - My Friends
70. Johnny Foreigner - (Don't) Show Us Your Fangs
71. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
72. My Morning Jacket - You Wanna Freak Out
73. The Wild Boys - Walking Two by Two
74. Thurston Moore - Illuminine
75. Wild Flag - Something Came over Me
76. Bjork - Crystalline
77. Cave Singers - Haller Lake
78. Chad Valley - Now That I'm Real (How Does It Feel?)
79. Manchester Orchestra - Virgin
80. Neon Indian - Polish Girl
81. Iron & Wine - Me and Lazarus
82. Bird of Youth - When My Wings Hit the Shed
83. Beach Fossils - Out in the Way (featuring Wild Nothing)
84. Cat's Eyes - The Best Person I Know
85. Battles - My Machines (featuring Gary Numan)
86. Rustie - All Nite
87. Total Slacker - Magical Date Night
88. Tom Vek - Aroused
89. Craft Spells - Party Talk
90. Bear Driver - Never Never
91. Jonathan Keevil - Blind, Deaf Too
92. Wild Beasts - Loop the Loop
93. Cymbals - Totally Over
94. Metronomy - The Look
95. Wilco - Sunloathe
96. Oneohtrix Point Never - Nassau
97. Emmy the Great - A Woman, A Woman, A Century of Sleep
98. Gross Magic - Sweetest Touch
99. Memory Tapes - Sun Hits
100. Surfer Blood - Miranda

Agree with the list? Disagree? Let me know what you think, and tell me what your personal favourite songs of the year are. 

*not available on Spotify.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 10-1

	10. SBTRKT - SBTRKT The talented London producer's debut record is a soulful, varied and fun record that evokes many different feelings throughout. This makes it perfect for every occasion, be it relaxing at home or partying it up. 2011 has been a year saturated in amazing electronic music, but SBTRKT stands heads and shoulders above the rest in my mind, as the most well-crafted collection of songs. Sampha provides much of the vocal work throughout, but the many collaborations help elevate this album towards greatness. Each song has a distinct feel and it never gets repetitive. SBTRKT's debut album is one of the most promising debuts of the year.  DOWNLOAD: Trials of the Past
	9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver Gone are the days of recording albums in secluded cabins for Bon Iver. With his second album, Justin Vernon upped his game in a major way. The album is treated to arrangements of full orchestras while still maintaining that heart-wrenching soul that For Emma, Forever Ago showed so brilliantly. Beautiful harmonies permeate every corner of the album and every element feels like it was thoroughly thought-out and planned so precisely. It's a rather unforgettably beautiful album. DOWNLOAD: Towers
	8. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost With Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Girls created one of the most diverse and creative albums in the diminishing world of quality guitar rock. It draws influences from a vast pool of artists, and fuses them together to make on of the most solid rock albums in a fair while. Frontman Christopher Owens' vocals display an impressive range of emotions throughout the album, from the loved-up pop of Magic to the frantic rock opera of Die. The second album is usually a difficult thing to accomplish for bands, but Girls show that they have everything figured out terrifically. DOWNLOAD: Magic
	7. tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L The way in which tUnE-yArDs style their name might look peculiar to the casual onlooker, but once you come to terms with Merrill Garbus's second album, you'll see that the name is one of the least strange things about it. W H O K I L L diverse, fun and just altogether different experience. She uses her voice as much as an instrument in its own right as a forms of communicating. The vocal ranges on display here are phenomenal, and the almost tribal beat of the album is really something you need to here. She has many different bases covered throughout the album, from the up-beat, bombastic stylings of Gangsta, to the eerie, haunting Wooly Wolly Gong. W H O K I L L is one of the most innovative, ingenious albums of the year. No one else makes music like this. DOWNLOAD: Gangsta
	6. Destroyer - Kaputt Destroyer, AKA Dan Bejar, have had a long history of creating music, with Kaputt being the ninth studio album under the moniker. I was blissfully unaware of the musician's existence until this offering, I had been missing out on a treasure trove of music. Kaputt was one of the most relaxing, intriguing records of the year, and the instrumentals on display were beautiful. Bejar employed so many different instruments for so many perfect occasions and combined it with his soothing vocals and honest lyricism. This album is absolutely essential listening for 2011. DOWNLOAD: Savage Night at the Opera
	5. Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness Los Campesinos! aren't as young as they were back when recording 30 second songs filled with frantic drumming and yelping. Hello Sadness showed a distinct evolution to the band, and a distinct feeling of sorrow, but countered with an underlying feeling of confidence. Los Campesinos! are a band that just get stronger and stronger, and Hello Sadness is the most concise, powerful and brilliant collection of songs they have produced to date. DOWNLOAD: Baby, I Got the Death Rattle
	4. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic With Mirror Traffic, Malkmus's fourth solo album since Pavement's end, he compiled the most rhythmic, accessible solo material to date, with hooks everywhere, this was the true return to form we'd always been waiting for from the godfather of indie music. His trademark wordplay and vocals came together, along with intricate guitar playing, to create an album that encapsulates everything that makes Malkmus such an influential figure. Tigers, the lead single displays the infectious hooks that Pavement were known for, while Senator has that signature tongue-in-cheek attitude. Mirror Traffic just has track after track of good old fashioned indie rock, with excellent production by Beck himself. DOWNLOAD: Stick Figures in Love
	3. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation Combining minimalist instrumentation, hypnotic rhythm and soothing synth beats, Trevor Powers' honest, heartfelt lyrics help propel this debut forward. The songs start off simple, and build up and up into more complex structures, forming some of the most mesmerizing sounds put onto record this year. For someone of 22 years old to have created a collection of songs with the power, precision and passion on display in his debut is staggering, especially bearing in mind it was self-produced in his bedroom. The future for Youth Lagoon is almost blinding. DOWNLOAD: July
	2. St Vincent - Strange Mercy Annie Clark's third solo album was never going to disappoint. The musicians brand of off-beat fuzz-filled pop is always unpredictable in nature, and Strange Mercy displayed the diversity that we have come to expect from St Vincent. Her soft spoken vocals harmonise with the music perfectly, while the intelligent, witty lyrics slide by seamlessly. Strange Mercy sure feels like musical bliss. DOWNLOAD: Cheerleader
	1. The Antlers - Burst Apart Following up from 2009's Hospice was always going to be a difficult task, but the resulting album feels like it was conceived by a completely revitalised band. Burst Apart feels like the perfect middle-ground between the desolate misery of Hospice and happy-go-lucky pop. The songs flow together so well, and Silberman's haunting falsetto voice falls so delicately upon the music, it just all feels so right. The lyrics shine as much as the music itself; Silberman has taken his experience making hospice and refined his skill to create songs that can be at times brutally honest and the next moment upbeat and insightful. The emotion conveyed in Silberman's voice is second-to-none. Burst Apart is a record that is so well conceived and has enough variation to keep it exciting. It packs in just the right elements of raw emotion on display in Hospice, to create what is, to my mind, the best album that 2011 has to offer.  DOWNLOAD: Putting the Dog to Sleep

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 20-11

	20. Atlas Sound - Parallax After listening to Parallax, I think I've decided that Bradford Cox is one of those musicians I can always rely on, year in, year out, to deliver amazing musical experiences; be it while playing in Deerhunter or during his solo affairs as Atlas Sound. Parallax is a hazy, familiar affair that doesn't necessarily evolve the Atlas Sound formula, but when the foundations are set down so well, why change them? The record is another massive achievement from a musician who just seems to ooze song-writing ability. DOWNLOAD: Mona Lisa
	19. Deleted Scenes - Young People's Church of the Air I feel like I don't need to put a lot here, seeing as I only did a review recently, which you can read here. Young People's Church of the Air is a wonderful collection of songs with infectious melodies and pleasant vocals akin to The Shins. If you don't have a melody contained on this album running constantly through your head after listening, there might be something wrong. DOWNLOAD: Baltika 9
	18. TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light The follow-up to 2008's Dear Science was a massive release for me, and it delivered on all fronts. TV on the Radio are a band that sound on top of their game with this record. 40 seconds into the album, the beat kicks in and you remember what you'd been missing for three years. No one does it quite like TV on the Radio, and their brand of soulful, trumpet-filled, frantic rock music is always welcome. Nine Types of Light is the epitome of what the band are all about. DOWNLOAD: Caffeinated Consciousness
	17. Drake - Take Care Drake's brand of smooth RnB mixed with some of the best-produced hip hop made Take Care an album that needs to be heard. Collaborations from Jamie xx, The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, to name a few, Take Care takes everything that was great about Drake's debut and adds more variety and polish to create a record that's a joy to listen to from start to finish. DOWNLOAD: Marvin's Room
	16. Active Child - You Are All I See Active Child's 2010 EP Curtis Lane showed a lot of promise, so I was anticipating his debut LP very highly. Heavenly harp notes join with synthesisers and thumping drum beats to create a unique sound punctuated by Pat Grossi's unique falsetto tones, the album leaves you feeling a strange sense of enlightenment. DOWNLOAD: Hanging On
	15. Beirut - The Rip Tide Zach Condon & Co's new album shows the most refined, complete collection of songs the band have put out to date. With delicate melodies spread across a modest 10-track, this album proves to be the easiest entry point for newcomers to Beirut's work, with all shades of their unique style on show for all to see.  DOWNLOAD: Vagabond
	14. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming When I try to think of any double albums that I listen to regularly or even at all, my mind comes to a blank. With Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83 were taking a big risk that ultimately paid off in dividends. This album provided a fascinating look at the world of M83 through an epic 22-track.  Gonzales is well experienced in his art, and this year's offering from him feels like the most complete, visualised and compelling work yet. Plus... Saxophones. DOWNLOAD: Midnight City
	13. Bright Eyes - The People's Key Personally, this was my most highly-anticipated album of the year, and it did not disappoint. After 2007's slightly underwhelming Cassadaga, The People's Key was Oberst's chance to prove that he still had what it takes to compete with other bands these days, and it proved it superbly. nonsensical ramblings from a priest introduce the album with a familiarly long winded spoken intro, and he closes it as well. Oberst is at the top of his game with this album, it really has all the key ingredients; whimsical lyrics that are perfectly constructed, a decidedly more upbeat instrumentation and hook after hook. One For You, One For Me is a testament to how bands should close out albums for future reference. It might just be Oberst's most well-realised, polished and complete collections of songs to date. DOWNLOAD: Triple Spiral
	12. Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra Frank Ocean is undoubtedly the best thing to come out of Odd Future, in my eyes. Nostalgia, ultra is a mixtape that showcases the limitless talent that Ocean possesses. The smooth pop-tinged R'n'B is so heart-felt and different to what the rest of the Odd Future crew are doing. Audio snippets from Kubrick's last film Eyes Wide Shut permeate throughout the record in an unsettling fashion, along with other little blemishes that give the album a distinguished feel. Ocean uses samples of the likes of Coldplay and MGMT but makes them his own with his imminently listening vocals. The fact that the album is free from the constraints of a label and was released DIY-style on the internet is an added bonus to this already brilliant debut. DOWNLOAD: Novacane
	11. Connan Mockasin - Forever Dolphin Love This re-issue of Connan Mockasin's delightfully weird 2010 debut is one of the most unusual records I've had the pleasure of listening to this year. His sound is definitely unique, showing hints of The Beatles at their most hallucinatory. Mockasin uses surreal lyricism and a psychedelic sound to build a collection of songs which have such an endearing atmosphere. The album has a decidedly laid-back pace which just lets you sit back in wonderment at the strangeness of the world Connan Mockasin has created. DOWNLOAD: It's Choade My Dear

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 30-21

	30. Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine The king of "chillwave" returned early this year with Underneath the Pine. It displays his skill at creating instantly danceable beats, with defined melodies, but also shines in other areas, such as the decidedly more downbeat Before I'm Done. Underneath the Pine has the atmosphere of the best synth albums of yore, while somehow maintaining the ability to feel current. Dance away. DOWNLOAD: Divina
	29. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia Patrick Wolf has long since been my favourite musician, since I first heard Wind in the Wires. With Lupercalia, Wolf showed a side of his music that we'd only seen glimpses of previously. Whereas most of his other records are shrouded in apathy and gloom, it's clear on Lupercalia that Patrick Wolf is at a very happy time in his life right now. The City officially made the saxaphone cool again, with the help of M83 and the album is just full of consistently great hooks and lyricism.  DOWNLOAD: Bermondsey Street
	28. Cass McCombs - WIT'S END Cass McCombs' first album of the year was a perfect showcase of the skills in song crafting that he possesses. The album opens with serene ballad County Line, which is one of the most smooth pieces of music to be released this year. What follows is a dark, twisted journey finished up with 9-minute Knock Upon Upon the Door, which has an almost medieval vibe to it. McCombs' unique brand of folk music is really at its pinnacle here. It's a shame that his second album, Humor Risk, couldn't follow suit and appear even higher up this list. DOWNLOAD: County Line
	27. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra Unknown Mortal Orchestra were a complete surprise to me. I had no knowledge of the band prior to the release, but straight away the funk vibes, distinctive vocals and hazy summertime feeling caught my attention instantly, and kept me listening regularly to this day. DOWNLOAD: Jello and Juggernauts
	26. Cut Copy - Zonoscope Cut Copy seem to have a perfect balance between dance and alternative music, and Zonoscope is a shining example of what they do so well. The album is laden in hooks and pulsing beats; it has one of the biggest feel-good atmospheres of any we've seen this year. Frontman Dan Whitford has the attitude of so many great frontmen of indie music gone by, and the synths and electronic drums give the music a unique, captivating twist. Zonoscope closes in a deservingly grandiose fashion, with the sprawling 15-minute Sun God, which really sends the whole album off in style. DOWNLOAD: Take Me Over
	25. Panda Bear - Tomboy Before Tomboy was released, the hyperbole surrounding it was overwhelming. The singles leading up to it promised that it was going to be something special and it certainly is. Noah Lennox displays his expertise in creating rhythmically complex and deeply compelling music with a mix of sampled drum beats and synths. Even though it's been two years since Animal Collective's last full-length, Panda Bear more than makes up for this fact. DOWNLOAD: Slow Motion
	24. John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves Maus's Ariel Pink-like nu wave sensibilities are in full flow on his offering this year. It's quite a surreal experience, with many of the tracks being synth heavy, while Maus's low vocals meander throughout in a dream-like fashion. Big bass lines emphasise the 80's feel of the music, and the constant change in tempos give the album a great sense of pace.  DOWNLOAD: Hey Moon
	23. The Black Keys - El Camino This album was the latest new entry on to the list for me. The Black Keys can always be relied upon to bring around records that are consistently great and El Camino might just be their best one to date. They show their blues roots underneath roaring riffs reminiscent of The White Stripes and keep the hooks coming, song in, song out.  DOWNLOAD: Sister
	22. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life Some people will look at the run-time of this record and be instantly put off. Sprawling over 72 minutes, David Comes to Life is an epic concept album that combines sound instrumentation and Damian Abraham's distinct roaring tones to create example after example of how hardcore music should be sounding. If the rumours of Fucked Up ending their career (at least the way we know them as at the moment) they'll have this a a stellar testament to what a great band they are. DOWNLOAD: The Other Shoe
	21. Dananananaykroyd - There Is a Way When I heard the news that Dananananaykroyd were splitting up, my heart sunk. It's such a shame that so shortly after releasing the brilliant There Is a Way, they had to part ways. There Is a Way takes Hey Everyone! and shows how much the band has evolved musically, and translates the frantic live show experience perfectly onto record. DOWNLOAD: Think and Feel

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 40-31

	40. WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain WU LYF remained an enigma among the public and music press alike for a while. They wouldn't participate in interviews, and stayed obscured during their live shows. As a result, not many people knew what to expect from debut LP Go Tell Fire To the Mountain. The result is an album that is soaked in post-rock sensibilities and Foals-esque rhythms. The lead vocals are definitely an acquired taste, but grow on you with roaring, mostly unintelligible lyrics throughout. The atmosphere of the album is really unique. DOWNLOAD: Summas Bliss
	39. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx - We're New Here Jamie xx's reworking of the late-great Gil Scott Heron's 2010 album I'm Still Here sounded like a strange prospect at first. The two styles felt like they would clash together and sound horrendous a la Lou Reed and Metallica, but instead it created a strange, dark piece that built on the foundations that Scott-Heron built, and put xx's signature sound over the top of it. Jamie xx is quickly becoming the go-to guy for dub-influenced remixes, and We're New Here is an excellent display of his skill. DOWNLOAD: Ur Soul and Mine
	38. Blood Orange - Coastal Grooves Dev Hynes has had quite a prolific career thus far. After the demise of Test Icicles, he kept himself busy under the moniker of Lightspeed Champion, 2 albums later he recorded an album under the pseudonym of Blood Orange. Coastal Grooves is a sun-soaked, stripped down affair which sparkles with electronic drum samples and sensual rhythms which reflect Dev's delivery. Clever wordplay and sincere vocals make this one of the best albums of 2011. DOWNLOAD: The Complete Knock
	37. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know Laura Marling has always been known for being wise beyond her years, with her song-writing reflecting that of someone much older than in their early twenties, and A Creature I Don't Know reflects that statement. Her third album feels like, as is the case with most of 2011's best albums, a record that is so well-realised and her most accomplished work to date. It's one of the best displays of sincere, ear-pleasing UK folk music that 2011 has seen. DOWNLOAD: My Friends
	36. Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam Ghostpoet's debut felt like a refreshing change in the UK music scene when it released. Although it was primarily a hip-hop album, it showed many different musical shades, from James Blake-esque Post-Dubstep to rock-influenced finishing track Liiines. Ghostpoet's honest lyricism depicted life living in dreary old England to a tee and his slurred vocal delivery fits the mood of the album perfectly. DOWNLOAD: Liiines
	35. Kanye West & Jay-Z - Watch the Throne When two entities such as Kanye West and Jay-Z decide to do a whole album together, with the help of Frank Ocean and Beyonce, to name a few, it should never be taken lightly. Although it wasn't the best hip-hop album of 2011, it still had a lot of solid songs on it. Opening track No Church in the Wild still has one of the most alluring beats of the year, thanks in part to Frank Ocean. DOWNLOAD: No Church in the Wild
	34. Real Estate - Days Days is a sunny, up-beat gem of an album. It's remarkably easy-going and floats by like all those fond summer afternoons. The album is full of joyful melodies and jangling layers of guitars. Lyrically, the album follows the breeziness of the music, with frontman Martin Courtney singing "our careless lifestyle / it was not so unwise" really summing it up.  DOWNLOAD: Green Aisles
	33. Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde Dye It Blonde is some of the best fun I've had listening to music this year. It's almost dream-like in nature. The bouncy guitar riffs accentuate the up-beat hooks. Dye It Blonde is a massive step-up from their eponymous debut and the tunes on display will furl themselves in your mind before you even realise. DOWNLOAD: All Die Young
	32. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo Kurt Vile's newest LP is the ultimate record for a hungover sunday morning. The rolling, complex guitar patterns compliment his low, ponderous voice. Lyrically, the album is brilliant, Vile is able to conjure the most vivid imagery in your head seamlessly.  DOWNLOAD: Jesus Fever
	31. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong The infamous NME review of this album might have dissuaded some people from listening to this album, but if you put time into it you'll find that The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's sophomore effort contains well-constructed lo-fi anthems. Belong has some of the best sing-a-longs of the year. DOWNLOAD: Heart in Your Heartbreak

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 50-41

	50. CANT - Dreams Come True When Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor and musician Twin Shadow decided to work together on a side project, expectations were always going to be high. What came out of it was a dark, complex album which, although didn't feel immediately accessible to the listener, had lots of deeper enjoyment, the more the record grew on you. The production values are second to none. DOWNLOAD: Answer
	49. British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall With Valhalla Dancehall, the Brighton band stayed true to their excellent track record and created yet another stellar album, filled with good old fashion rock and roll. With their down-to-earth lyricism and sing-a-long choruses in tow, BSP were onto another winner following the brilliant Do You Like Rock Music? Being released in January, I could have easily forgotten about it, but it sticks out in my mind as one of the finest English rock albums of '11. DOWNLOAD: Mongk II
	48. Johnny Foreigner - Johnny Foreigner Vs. Everything A relatively long time had past since their 2nd, slightly disappointing, album, so Johnny Foreigner had a lot to prove with this one. What they offered was a continuation of the output they had thus far, with a more matured edge. The band show their noise-punk sensibilities while displaying a calmer, more grounded side at the same time, which suits them perfectly. DOWNLOAD: 200x
	47. Times New Viking - Dancer Equired! Lo-fi heroes Times New Viking's third LP Dancer Equired! is exactly what you expect it to be; a fun-filled garage-punk record that goes at full-throttle all the way through. The record has a juvenile mentality that makes it just a joy to listen to. DOWNLOAD: Fuck Her Tears
	46. IceAge - New Brigade IceAge are, without a doubt, my favourite new band from Denmark. New Brigade showed great promise from the band with a raw punk spirit shining so bright, which is rare these days. There are no tracks above the 3-minute mark, and it feels like an assault on the ears that you actually encourage because of the quality of the sounds being thrown at you. DOWNLOAD: Broken Bone
	45. Childish Gambino - Camp Pitchfork be damned, Camp is a really, really enjoyable hip hop record. Childish Gambino's word play is second to none, even if his subject areas might be a little limited. The self-produced commercial debut showed that actor Donald Glover has what it takes to be taken seriously, finally, among his fellow hip hop contemporaries. DOWNLOAD: Heartbeat
	44. Washed Out - Within and Without Within and Without had a lot riding on it, "chillwave" was at the peak of its popularity at the time it was released, and Washed Out was the poster boy for the genre, in a sense. Within and Without delivered on it's promise, in a large sense. It provided the perfect soundtrack for the summer days spend hanging out at the beach and for barbecues. Ernest Greene's vocals flow in and out of pulsing synth rhythms to create quite an atmosphere. All the potential that was on display in EP Life of Leisure is shown here in a large abundance, and then some. DOWNLOAD: Before
	43. James Blake - James Blake Even though James Blake didn't necessarily hold true to the promise that his EP's showed musically, his debut LP was still a wonderful, chilling collection of songs, which highlighted his talent both as an electronic producer and as a vocalist and all-round great musician. His use of minimalism really evokes a feeling of isolation throughout the music, but he makes it feel soulful using his great voice. His performance of The Wilhelm Scream on Jools Holland still gives me chills. DOWNLOAD: The Wilhelm Scream
	42. Total Slacker - Thrashin' Total Slacker are a bratty bunch of hip young musicians who fully embrace the lifestyle their moniker to the full extent. Thrashin' is a bible for those of the "slacker" disposition, tackling all of the issues encountered throughout the typical day of a slacker. The music is a throwback to music of the 90's, and it's played very, very well. For more information, read my feature here. DOWNLOAD: Magical Date Night
	41. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact When an album starts things off with a song that totals over 11 minutes, you know you're onto something special. Eye Contact follows through on the promise by providing one of the biggest roller coaster rides of electronic music that 2011 has had to offer. Searing vocals pervade through every surface of Adult Goth, and intermissions are needed throughout the album just to calm down from what your ears have just experienced. DOWNLOAD: Adult Goth