2011 mix by Rob Schipul on Mixcloud
#21 - BLOUSE "Blouse"
The 80s were back in a big way - and Blouse took a fresh approach to new-wave synth pop by adding a twee and sinister haze over it.
#20 - CRAFT SPELLS "Idle Labor"
Another 80s throwback sound - this one more like the "band" elements of New Order. Rock you could dance to.
#19 - KURT VILE "Smoke Ring For My Halo"
A scrappy modern-day Dylan if you ask me.
#18 - ZOLA JESUS "Conatus"
The voice of Siouxsie Sioux reborn for a new generation.
#17 - ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER "Replica"
Who knew 80s commercial samples could be compiled to make the most haunting ambient album this year?
#16 - ATLAS SOUND "Parallax"
Bradford's art pop sound is carefully crafted into something even more accessible than his last LP with Deerhunter.
#15 - ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER "Last Summer"
1/2 of the Fiery Furnaces creates a beautiful laid-back pop record that wouldn't sound out of place in the mid 70s, yet manages to be thoroughly modern at the same time.
#14 - VERONICA FALLS "Veronica Falls"
Sinister twee-pop from England. Hooks that you won't be able to get out of your head.
#13 - THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART "Belong"
A fresh take on fuzzed-out shoegaze ala Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine if they had just fallen in love for the first time.
#12 - PANDA BEAR "Tomboy"
Noah Lennox creates music that sounds like childhood. One of the most anticipated records this year.
#11 - CLASS ACTRESS "Rapprocher"
One music blog cited this album sounding like early Madonna meets early Depeche Mode. Not too far off.
#10 - WASHED OUT "Within and Without"
2011 was the year Chillwave died and was born again as a new take on hip-hop influenced 90s art pop.
#9 - MIREL WAGNER "Mirel Wagner"
Dark folk of the blackest kind. Hauntingly beautiful and sad.
#8 - JULIANNA BARWICK "The Magic Place"
A minister's daughter develops an angelic choir-like ambient sound that gives you a glimpse into what heaven sounds like.
#7 - PJ HARVEY "Let England Shake"
A timeless take on the horrific effects of war that doesn't come off as preachy or heavy-handed. Could very well be Ms. Harvey's masterpiece.
#6 - JAMES BLAKE "James Blake"
From dubstep to modern day singer-songwriter balladry. This shift was a surprising one for Blake who produced a record that sounds nothing like what came before it.
#5 - SHABAZZ PALACES "Black Up"
Spaced-out psychadelic hip-hop of the most futuristic kind.
#4 - ROBERT SCHIPUL "Dream Theft"
Had to.
#3 - JOHN MAUS "We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves"
Midieval chamber pop meets Robocop at a Joy Division concert.
#2 - BON IVER "Bon Iver"
Justin Vernon crept into the mainstream this year which can only be a good thing for top 40 music - this is some beautiful and nostalgic stuff.
#1 - GROUPER "A I A : Dream Loss / Alien Observer"
A double album magnum opus from Liz Harris. Otherworldly ambient drone that could be the soundtrack to both the happiest and saddest moments of your life. A masterpiece.
