2010 Music Critic Top Ten Lists [Updated Jan. 7]

  • Comments: ↓ 153 user comments
  • by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor
  • Publish Date: December 6, 2010

Below, we collect every year-end Top Ten list published by major music critics and publications. This page will be updated throughout December and January whenever new lists are published; be sure to check back frequently.

The Scorecard: Critics and experts pick the best albums of 2010

Added in last update (1/7): Austin Chronicle, One Thirty BPM

Below is our updated running tally of the albums most frequently mentioned by individual music publications in their year-end Top Ten lists. Although most of the lists come from publications whose reviews are included on this site, we have also included a few extra lists from prominent music stores, websites, and publications not normally found on Metacritic. Note that if a source ranks more than the standard 10 albums, we will not include titles ranked 11th or worse. In case of a tie for first or second, each album will receive the full points for that position. Our points system works as follows:

  • 3 points for each 1st place ranking
  • 2 points for each 2nd place ranking
  • 1 point for being ranked 3rd - 10th, or for being included on an unranked list
  Album / Artist # 1st Place # 2nd Place # Other Points
1 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 93
by Kanye West		 22 13 31 123
2 The Suburbs 86
by Arcade Fire		 9 15 27 84
3 This Is Happening 84
by LCD Soundsystem		 6 3 32 56
4 The ArchAndroid 91
by Janelle Monáe		 7 4 25 54
5 Teen Dream 82
by Beach House		 6 4 22 48
6 High Violet 84
by The National		 3 9 20 47
7 Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty 89
by Big Boi		 0 3 31 37
8 Brothers 82
by The Black Keys		 3 1 15 26
9 Contra 81
by Vampire Weekend		 2 1 16 24
10 Halcyon Digest 86
by Deerhunter		 0 2 18 22
11 The Monitor 82
by Titus Andronicus		 0 2 17 21
  Swim 83
by Caribou		 3 0 12 21
13 Before Today 85
by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti		 0 4 10 18
  Have One on Me 85
by Joanna Newsom		 2 1 10 18
15 Thank Me Later 75
by Drake		 1 0 12 15
16 Plastic Beach 77
by Gorillaz		 1 0 11 14
  Treats 84
by Sleigh Bells		 0 1 12 14
18 The Age of Adz 81
by Sufjan Stevens		 1 0 9 12
  Body Talk 86
by Robyn		 0 1 10 12
  Teflon Don 79
by Rick Ross		 2 2 2 12

Individual top ten lists

Below are the individual top ten lists used to calculate the standings above. Some publications may list ten albums without ranking them in order; such lists are displayed below, without numbers, in alphabetical order.

Music magazines

American Songwriter View article
  1. Brothers by The Black Keys
  2. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  3. Pauper's Field by Dylan LeBlanc
  4. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  5. Odd Blood by Yeasayer
  6. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  7. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  8. Le Noise by Neil Young
  9. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  10. July Flame by Laura Veirs
Billboard View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Body Talk by Robyn
  4. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  5. Teen Dream by Beach House
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Thank Me Later by Drake
  8. Congratulations by MGMT
  9. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
Clash View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. A Sufi and a Killer by Gonjasufi
  3. Swim by Caribou
  4. Black Noise by Pantha Du Prince
  5. Teen Dream by Beach House
  6. Infinite Arms by Band of Horses
  7. Total Life Forever by Foals
  8. Black City by Matthew Dear
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. Hidden by These New Puritans
Exclaim! Best Pop & Rock Albums View full list
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Meet Me at the Muster Station by PS I Love You
  5. Heartland by Owen Pallett
  6. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  7. High Violet by The National
  8. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  9. Transference by Spoon
  10. Public Strain by Women
Filter View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. Teen Dream by Beach House
  3. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  4. High Violet by The National
  5. Lisbon by The Walkmen
  6. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  7. Astro Coast by Surfer Blood
  8. Brothers by The Black Keys
  9. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
  10. Infinite Arms by Band of Horses
Hot Press View full list
  1. Becoming a Jackal by Villagers
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. Chariot by The Cast of Cheers
  6. The Nameless by Cathy Davey
  7. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  8. The Drums by The Drums
  9. The Promise by Bruce Springsteen
  10. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Kerrang! View full list
  1. Diamond Eyes by Deftones
  2. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem
  3. The Final Frontier by Iron Maiden
  4. There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret by Bring Me The Horizon
  5. Option Paralysis by The Dillinger Escape Plan
  6. Kvelertak by Kvelertak
  7. Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance
  8. Out of Our Minds by Melissa auf Der Maur
  9. White Crosses by Against Me!
  10. At Night We Live by Far
Magnet View full list
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. High Violet by The National
  4. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
  5. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  6. I'm Having Fun Now by Jenny and Johnny
  7. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  8. Shadows by Teenage Fanclub
  9. Brothers by The Black Keys
  10. Together by The New Pornographers
Mixmag
  1. Swim by Caribou
  2. Further by Chemical Brothers
  3. Greatest Hits by Dop
  4. Magnetic Man by Magnetic Man
  5. Love Someone by Wolf + Lamb
  6. Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie
  7. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  8. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  9. Barking by Underworld
  10. Outside the Box by Skream
Mojo View full list
  1. Queen of Denmark by John Grant
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Congratulations by MGMT
  4. Losing Sleep by Edwyn Collins
  5. Brothers by The Black Keys
  6. Wake Up the Nation by Paul Weller
  7. The Courage of Others by Midlake
  8. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  9. Butterfly House by The Coral
  10. Constant Companion by Doug Paisley
NME View article
  1. Hidden by These New Puritans
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  5. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  6. Total Life Forever by Foals
  7. Stridulum II by Zola Jesus
  8. King Night by Salem
  9. Sisterworld by Liars
  10. The Drums by The Drums
Paste View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  3. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  6. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  7. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  8. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  9. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  10. The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit
Q View full list
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  3. The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B
  4. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  5. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  6. Queen of Denmark by John Grant
  7. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  8. High Violet by The National
  9. Wake Up the Nation by Paul Weller
  10. Congratulations by MGMT
Rock Sound View article
  1. There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret by Bring Me The Horizon
  2. Diamond Eyes by Deftones
  3. Option Paralysis by The Dillinger Escape Plan
  4. White Crosses by Against Me!
  5. Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance
  6. Symptoms + Cures by Comeback Kid
  7. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem
  8. Blessed & Cursed by Devil Sold His Soul
  9. Scatterbrain by The Xcerts
  10. Spiral Shadow by Kylesa
Rolling Stone View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Brothers by The Black Keys
  3. The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  6. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  7. Thank Me Later by Drake
  8. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  9. Recovery by Eminem
  10. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
Spin View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  5. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Grinderman II by Grinderman
  8. Maya by M.I.A.
  9. Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager by Kid Cudi
  10. Body Talk Pt. 1 by Robyn
Uncut View full list
  1. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  2. Le Noise by Neil Young
  3. Wake Up the Nation by Paul Weller
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  6. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  7. Queen of Denmark by John Grant
  8. Ali and Toumani by Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. Grinderman II by Grinderman
Under the Radar View article
  1. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. High Violet by The National
  7. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
  8. Record Collection by Mark Ronson and The Business Intl.
  9. Brothers by The Black Keys
  10. The People's Record by Club 8
Vibe View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  3. Thank Me Later by Drake
  4. Recovery by Eminem
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. No Mercy by T.I.
  7. How I Got Over by The Roots
  8. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  9. Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
  10. Love Me Back by Jazmine Sullivan
Wire
  1. Splazsh by Actress
  2. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never
  3. My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky by Swans
  4. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  5. The Electric Harpsichord by Catherine Christer Hennix
  6. Suburban Tours by Rangers
  7. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  8. Lost Daylight by John Tilbury & Sebastian Lexer
  9. Disingenuity/Disingenuousness by Keith Fullerton Whitman
  10. Necro Acoustic by Kevin Drumm

Newspapers and other magazines

Austin Chronicle Raoul Hernandez View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. Teen Dream by Beach House
  3. Mojo by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  4. Rise & Shine by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
  5. Otra Cosa by Julieta Venegas
  6. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  7. Adje! Adje! by Elikeh
  8. Le Noise by Neil Young
  9. Volume 2 by She & Him
  10. The Soft Pack by The Soft Pack
Austin Chronicle Audra Schroeder View article
  1. The Fool by Warpaint
  2. Ring by Glasser
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Epic by Sharon Van Etten
  5. Rush to Relax by Eddy Current Suppression Ring
  6. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  7. Melted by Ty Segall
  8. For the Ghosts Within by Wyatt, Atzmon & Stephen
  9. Color Your Life by Twin Sister
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
Boston Globe Julian Benbow View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  3. Kush and Orange Juice by Wiz Khalifa
  4. MSTRD by Tiron
  5. Recovery by Eminem
  6. Thank Me Later by Drake
  7. Pilot Talk I & II by Curren$y
  8. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  9. Distant Relatives by Nas and Damian Marley
  10. 24 Hour Karate School by Ski Beatz
Boston Globe Michael Brodeur View article
  1. Heartland by Owen Pallett
  2. Forget by Twin Shadow
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  5. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  6. The Waves by Tamaryn
  7. Causers of This by Toro y Moi
  8. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. Swim by Caribou
Boston Globe James Reed View article
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. O, Sinister Force by Mr. Sister
  6. Brothers by The Black Keys
  7. Obadiah by Frazey Ford
  8. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  9. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  10. Forget by Twin Shadow
Boston Globe Sarah Rodman View article
  1. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  2. Love and Its Opposite by Tracey Thorn
  3. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  4. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  5. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  6. Up on the Ridge by Dierks Bentley
  7. Wreck Your Wheels by Kim Richey
  8. Black Dub by Black Dub
  9. Here Lies Love by David Byrne & Fatboy Slim
  10. Street Songs of Love by Alejandro Escovedo
Chicago Sun-Times Thomas Conner View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. Congratulations by MGMT
  5. The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night by The Besnard Lakes
  6. ///Y/ by M.I.A.
  7. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  8. You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo Green
Chicago Tribune Greg Kot View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night by The Besnard Lakes
  3. Le Noise by Neil Young
  4. Body Talk by Robyn
  5. epic by Sharon Van Etten
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  8. A Badly Broken Code by Dessa
  9. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  10. The Fool by Warpaint
Cleveland Plain Dealer John Soeder View article
  1. Brothers by The Black Keys
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. I Learned the Hard Way by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
  4. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  5. American VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Orchestrion by Pat Metheny
  8. Wake Up! by John Legend & The Roots
  9. Story of a Heart by Benny Andersson Band
  10. Volume 2 by She & Him
Detroit Free Press Brian McCollum View article
  1. Brothers by The Black Keys
  2. Diamond Eyes by Deftones
  3. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  4. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  5. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo Green
  6. High Violet by The National
  7. Midnight Souvenirs by Peter Wolf
  8. I Learned the Hard Way by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. How I Got Over by The Roots
Entertainment Weekly Leah Greenblatt View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Body Talk by Robyn
  4. Brothers by The Black Keys
  5. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  6. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  7. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo
  8. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  9. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
  10. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
The Guardian View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. One Life Stand by Hot Chip
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. Hidden by These New Puritans
  6. Body Talk by Robyn
  7. Swim by Caribou
  8. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  9. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  10. Queen of Denmark by John Gran
Hartford Courant Eric R. Danton View article
  1. The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit
  2. Teen Dream by Beach House
  3. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  4. High Violet by The National
  5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. Epic by Sharon Van Etten
  9. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
The Independent [UK] Andy Gill View article
  1. The Courage of Others by Midlake
  2. Band of Joy by Robert Plant
  3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  4. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Los Angeles Times August Brown View article
  1. Learning by Perfume Genius
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  4. Stridulum/Valusia by Zola Jesus
  5. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  6. Everything in Between by No Age
  7. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  8. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  9. Love King by The-Dream
  10. King of the Beach by Wavves
Los Angeles Times Gerrick D. Kennedy View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  3. Last Train to Paris by Diddy Dirty Money
  4. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo Green
  5. Still Standing by Monica
  6. Thank Me Later by Drake
  7. Loud by Rihanna
  8. Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
  9. Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars
  10. The Preview by Chiddy Bang
Los Angeles Times Randy Lewis View article
  1. Women + Country by Jakob Dylan
  2. Le Noise by Neil Young
  3. The Foundling by Mary Gauthier
  4. The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman by Sparks
  5. Praise and Blame by Tom Jones
  6. One Stolen Night by John Jorgenson
  7. Scratch My Back by Peter Gabriel
  8. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  9. Tin Can Trust by Los Lobos
  10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Los Angeles Times Todd Martens View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  3. The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night by The Besnard Lakes
  4. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  5. How I Got Over by The Roots
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  8. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  9. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo Green
  10. IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg
Los Angeles Times Ann Powers View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  3. "Love the Way You Live" by Eminem feat. Rihanna
  4. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo
  5. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  6. Love and Its Opposite by Tracey Thorn
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise by Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
  9. The Sea by Corinne Bailey Rae
  10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Los Angeles Times Randall Roberts View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  3. Small Craft on a Milk Sea by Brian Eno
  4. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  7. Apparat DJ Kicks by Various Artists
  8. Brothers by The Black Keys
  9. Fields by Junip
  10. Congratulations by MGMT
Los Angeles Times Margaret Wappler View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  3. High Violet by The National
  4. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  5. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  6. Teen Dream by Beach House
  7. Brothers by The Black Keys
  8. Homeland by Laurie Anderson
  9. Sisterworld by Liars
  10. Crazy for You by Best Coast
Los Angeles Times Jeff Weiss View article
  1. The Complete Medicine Show (Volumes 1-11) by Madlib
  2. North by Darkstar
  3. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  4. Swim by Caribou
  5. Splazsh by Actress
  6. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. The Hybrid by Danny Brown
  9. Marcberg by Roc Marciano
  10. Anidea by Guido
New York Nitsuh Abebe View article
  1. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  2. Love King by The-Dream
  3. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  4. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  5. Nothing Hurts by Male Bonding
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Quadron by Quadron
  8. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  9. Shut Up, Dude by Das Racist
  10. Body Talk by Robyn
New York Post Dan Aquilante View article
  1. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. Recovery by Eminem
  5. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  6. Brothers by The Black Keys
  7. Memphis Blues by Cyndi Lauper
  8. Travelling Like the Light by V.V. Brown
  9. American VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash
  10. Transference by Spoon
The New York Times Jon Caramanica View article
  1. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  2. Speak Now by Taylor Swift
  3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  4. Thank Me Later by Drake
  5. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  6. Get Off On the Pain by Gary Allan
  7. There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service by DJ Drama & Fabolous
  8. My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber
  9. Love Letter by R. Kelly
  10. Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury by Jerrod Niemann
The New York Times Nate Chinen View article
  1. Ten by Jason Moran
  2. Jasmine by Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden
  3. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. Saturn Sings by Mary Halvorson Quintet
  6. The Sixth Jump by Benoit Delbecq Trio
  7. Marnie Stern by Marnie Stern
  8. Deluxe by Chris Lightcap's Bigfoot
  9. Paradoxical Frog by Kris Davis, Ingrid Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
The New York Times Jon Pareles View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  3. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  4. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  5. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  6. Bábá mo Túndé by King Sunny Adé
  7. Soldier of Love by Sade
  8. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  9. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  10. Dark Night of the Soul by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse
The New York Times Ben Ratliff View article
  1. Harvesting Semblances and Affinities by Steve Coleman and Five Elements
  2. Live in New York by Antonio Sanchez
  3. Domador de Huellas by Guillermo Klein
  4. A Small Turn of Human Kindness by Harvey Milk
  5. Your Future Our Clutter by The Fall
  6. I See the Sign by Sam Amidon
  7. Sun Rooms by Jason Adasiewicz
  8. False Flag by Rangda
  9. New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh by Erykah Badu
  10. Ten by Jason Moran
NOW Magazine [Toronto] View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  3. Swim by Caribou
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. Grinderman II by Grinderman
  7. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  8. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  9. I Will Be by Dum Dum Girls
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
The Observer Kitty Empire View article
  1. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  2. One Life Stand by Hot Chip
  3. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. Ali and Toumani by Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate
Philadelphia Inquirer Dan DeLuca View article
  • The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  • Teen Dream by Beach House
  • Grinderman II by Grinderman
  • This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  • The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  • How I Got Over by The Roots
  • Treats by Sleigh Bells
  • You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples
  • The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  • My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Slate Jonah Weiner View article
  • Splazsh by Actress
  • Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  • Sit Down, Man by Das Racist
  • There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service by Fabolous
  • Ring by Glasser
  • Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  • EARL by Earl Sweatshirt
  • Contra by Vampire Weekend
  • King of the Beach by Wavves
  • My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
The Telegraph [UK] Neil McCormick View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. Disc-Overy by Tinie Tempah
  5. Becoming a Jackal by Villagers
  6. Recovery by Eminem
  7. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  9. The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B
  10. I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron
Time View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  4. High Violet by The National
  5. Thank Me Later by Drake
  6. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  7. Brothers by The Black Keys
  8. Odd Blood by Yeasayer
  9. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  10. Teen Dream by Beach House
Village Voice Zach Baron View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  3. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  4. ///Y/ by M.I.A.
  5. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  6. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  7. There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service by DJ Drama & Fabolous
  8. Thank Me Later by Drake
  9. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  10. Sit Down, Man by Das Racist
Village Voice Rob Harvilla View article
  1. Love King by The-Dream
  2. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  3. Expo 86 by Wolf Parade
  4. The Fool by Warpaint
  5. Cerulean by Baths
  6. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
  7. Marnie Stern by Marnie Stern
  8. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  9. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Wall Street Journal Jim Fusilli View article
  1. Heartland by Owen Pallett
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  4. These Hopeful Machines by BT
  5. Shutter Island OST by Robbie Robertson
  6. Go by Jonsi
  7. New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh by Erykah Badu
  8. Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You by Lightspeed Champion
  9. Crashing the Party by The Russians
  10. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
Washington Post David Malitz View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  4. Epic by Sharon Van Etten
  5. Everything in Between by No Age
  6. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  7. Hippies by Harlem
  8. Ring by Glasser
  9. Transference by Spoon
  10. Drunkdriver by Drunkdriver
Washington Post Chris Richards View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  3. Soldier of Love by Sade
  4. Teen Dream by Beach House
  5. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  6. Body Talk by Robyn
  7. The Soft Pack by The Soft Pack
  8. Thank Me Later by Drake
  9. Oro by Choc Quib Town
  10. They Call Me Cadillac by Randy Houser
Washington Post Allison Stewart View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  3. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  4. The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
  5. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  6. Go by Jonsi
  7. Broken Dreams Club by Girls
  8. Recovery by Eminem
  9. Str8 Killa by Freddie Gibbs
  10. Speak Now by Taylor Swift

Music websites

The Boombox View article
  1. Teflon Don by Rick Ross
  2. There Is No Competition: The Funeral Service by Fabolous
  3. Thank Me Later by Drake
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh by Erykah Badu
  6. Wake Up! by John Legend & The Roots
  7. Kush and Orange Juice by Wiz Khalifa
  8. Trill O.G. by Bun B
  9. The Stimulus Package by Freeway and Jake One
  10. Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
ChartAttack View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  4. (tie) Brothers by The Black Keys
  5. (tie) The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night by The Besnard Lakes
  6. (tie) This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Swim by Caribou
  8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  9. Expo 86 by Wolf Parade
  10. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  11. (tie) Contra by Vampire Weekend
  12. (tie) American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem
  13. Heartland by Owen Pallett
Cokemachineglow View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  5. Paul's Tomb: A Triumph by Frog Eyes
  6. Public Strain by Women
  7. Sit Down, Man by Das Racist
  8. Ardour by Teebs
  9. Astro Coast by Surfer Blood
  10. Blooming Summer EP by Blue Hawaii
Consequence of Sound View article
  1. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  5. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  6. High Violet by The National
  7. Teen Dream by Beach House
  8. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  9. Go by Jonsi
  10. How I Got Over by The Roots
Crawdaddy! View article
  1. High Violet by The National
  2. In Evening Air by Future Islands
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. Beach Fossils by Beach Fossils
  6. Gemini by Wild Nothing
  7. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
  8. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  9. Pink Graffiti by Secret Cities
  10. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Delusions of Adequacy View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  4. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  5. Swim by Caribou
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Brothers by The Black Keys
  8. Teen Dream by Beach House
  9. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  10. Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene
DIY View article
  1. High Violet by The National
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  4. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  5. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Everything in Between by No Age
  8. Hidden by These New Puritans
  9. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  10. We Were Exploding Anyway by 65daysofstatic
Drowned in Sound View article
  1. Does It Look Like I'm Here? by Emeralds
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. Diamond Eyes by Deftones
  4. Learning by Perfume Genius
  5. Tomorrow, in a Year by The Knife
  6. Hidden by These New Puritans
  7. The Golden Archipelago by Shearwater
  8. Odd Blood by Yeasayer
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
Dusted Otis Hart View article
  1. Heartland by Owen Pallett
  2. Fabric 55 by Shackleton
  3. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  4. Epic by Sharon Van Etten
  5. Good Things by Aloe Blacc
  6. Similies by Eluvium
  7. Ardour by Teebs
  8. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  9. Love and Its Opposite by Tracey Thorn
  10. Funeral Mariachi by Sun City GIrls
Fact Magazine View article
  1. Dagger Paths by Forest Swords
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. Splazsh by Actress
  4. 7AM by Teengirl Fantasy
  5. North by Darkstar
  6. King Night by Salem
  7. Thank Me Later by Drake
  8. Does It Look Like I'm Here? by Emeralds
  9. Tenement Yard Vol. 1 by Altered Natives
  10. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never
Fast 'n' Bulbous View article
  1. Eve by Ufomammut
  2. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  3. LoneLady by Nerve Up
  4. Heavy Metal Fruit by Motorpsycho
  5. Your Mercury by Teeth of the Sea
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. The Soft Pack by The Soft Pack
  8. Kvelertak by Kvelertak
  9. The Bad Wife by Julie Christmas
  10. The Optimist by New Young Pony Club
Gigwise View article
  1. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. High Violet by The National
  4. Thank Me Later by Drake
  5. Man Alive by Everything Everything
  6. Total Life Forever by Foals
  7. Swim by Caribou
  8. Hidden by These New Puritans
  9. The Fool by Warpaint
  10. Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance
Gorilla vs. Bear View article
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  3. Shabazz Palaces / Of Light by Shabazz Palaces
  4. CMYK / Klavierwerke by James Blake
  5. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  6. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  7. Twin-Hand Movement by Lower Dens
  8. That We Can Play by Games
  9. Last Day of Summer by White Denim
  10. Broken Dreams Club by Girls
HitFix/The Beat Goes On Melinda Newman View article
  1. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons
  4. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  5. Up on the Ridge by Dierks Bentley
  6. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
  7. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  8. The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell
  9. Court Yard Hounds by Court Yard Hounds
  10. I Learned the Hard Way by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
HitFix/Immaculate Noise Katie Hasty View article
  1. I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. Soldier of Love by Sade
  5. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  6. Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
  7. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  8. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  9. In Memory of Loss by Nathaniel Rateliff
  10. New Chain by Small Black
Lost at Sea View article
  1. White Crosses by Against Me!
  2. Teen Dream by Beach House
  3. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  4. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  6. Everything in Between by No Age
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. The Fool by Warpaint
  9. Speak Now by Taylor Swift
  10. High Violet by The National
MTV / Bigger Than The Sound View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  3. Body Talk by Robyn
  4. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  5. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  6. High Violet by The National
  7. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  8. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  9. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  10. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
musicOMH View article
  1. High Violet by The National
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  4. Swim by Caribou
  5. Teen Dream by Beach House
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  8. Total Life Forever by Foals
  9. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  10. Queen of Denmark by John Grant
No Ripcord View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  4. High Violet by The National
  5. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Sisterworld by Liars
  8. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  9. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  10. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
One Thirty BPM View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  4. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  5. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
  9. Odd Blood by Yeasayer
  10. High Violet by The National
Onion A.V. Club View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Lisbon by The Walkmen
  3. High Violet by The National
  4. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  5. How I Got Over by The Roots
  6. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. Majesty Shredding by Superchunk
  9. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  10. Body Talk by Robyn
Pitchfork View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  3. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  4. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  5. Teen Dream by Beach House
  6. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  7. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  8. (various EPs) by James Blake
  9. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  10. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
PopMatters View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  6. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  7. Teen Dream by Beach House
  8. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  9. Trans-Continental Hustle by Gogol Bordello
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
Prefix View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  3. High Violet by The National
  4. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  5. Teen Dream by Beach House
  6. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  7. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  8. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  9. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  10. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
Punknews View article
  1. Chamberlain Waits by The Menzingers
  2. End Measured Mile by Make Do and Mend
  3. Real Ghosts Caught on Tape by Fake Problems
  4. Cavalcade by The Flatliners
  5. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem
  6. White Crosses by Against Me!
  7. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  8. Hostage Calm by Hostage Calm
  9. I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone by Crime in Stereo
  10. The Brutalist Bricks by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
The Quietus View article
  1. Sisterworld by Liars
  2. King Night by Salem
  3. My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky by Swans
  4. Hidden by These New Puritans
  5. Your Future Our Clutter by The Fall
  6. Walls by Walls
  7. Real Life Is No Cool by Lindstrom and Christabelle
  8. Your Mercury by Teeth of the Sea
  9. The Optimist by New Young Pony Club
  10. Eve by UFOmammut
Resident Advisor View article
  1. Swim by Caribou
  2. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  3. The Traveller by Shed
  4. Splazsh by Actress
  5. Glass Eights by John Roberts
  6. Black Noise by Pantha Du Prince
  7. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  8. Triangulation by Scuba
  9. Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie
  10. Black City by Matthew Dear
Rhapsody SoundBoard View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  4. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. Brothers by The Black Keys
  7. Body Talk by Robyn
  8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
  9. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  10. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
Slant View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. Body Talk by Robyn
  3. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  4. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  5. Brothers by The Black Keys
  6. Crystal Castles by Crystal Castles
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  9. Real Life Is No Cool by Lindstrøm & Christabelle
  10. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Spinner View article
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  4. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  6. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  7. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  8. The Promise by Bruce Springsteen
  9. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  10. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Sputnikmusic View article
  1. The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  4. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
  5. High Violet by The National
  6. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  9. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  10. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
Stereogum View article
  1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Teen Dream by Beach House
  4. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
  5. Body Talk by Robyn
  6. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  7. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  8. Swanlights by Antony & The Johnsons
  9. Gemini by Wild Nothing
  10. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Tiny Mix Tapes View article
  1. New Slaves by Zs
  2. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  3. My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky by Swans
  4. Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus
  5. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  6. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never
  7. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  8. Does It Look Like I'm Here? by Emeralds
  9. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Treble View article
  1. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  6. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  7. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  8. Swim by Caribou
  9. High Violet by The National
  10. The Monitor by Titus Andronicus
XLR8R View article
  1. Subiza by Delorean
  2. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  3. CMYK EP by James Blake
  4. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never
  5. Swim by Caribou
  6. King Night by Salem
  7. The Traveller by Shed
  8. Emerald Fantasy Tracks by Lone
  9. Triangulation by Scuba
  10. Teen Dream by Beach House

Other sources/critics

BBC Music Editors' Picks View article
  1. Thank Me Later by Drake
  2. Diamond Eyes by Deftones
  3. How I Got Over by The Roots
  4. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
  5. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
WBEZ/Sound Opinions Jim DeRogatis View article
  1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  3. The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo
  4. King Night by Salem
  5. IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg
  6. Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager by Kid Cudi
  7. Grinderman II by Grinderman
  8. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  9. Crazy for You by Best Coast
  10. How I Got Over by The Roots

Music stores

Amazon.com View article
  1. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
  2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
  3. Brothers by The Black Keys
  4. High Violet by The National
  5. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  6. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  7. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
  8. Contra by Vampire Weekend
  9. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
Bleep.com View article
  1. The Traveller by Shed
  2. Does It Look Like I'm Here? by Emeralds
  3. Oversteps by Autechre
  4. '86 by Neu!
  5. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never
  6. A Sufi and a Killer by Gonjasufi
  7. Black Noise by Pantha Du Prince
  8. Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie
  9. Night and Day by Oriol
  10. Triangulation by Scuba
eMusic View article
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. Allo Darlin' by Allo Darlin'
  3. Grinderman II by Grinderman
  4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
  5. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
  6. Lisbon by The Walkmen
  7. Treats by Sleigh Bells
  8. CMYK EP by James Blake
  9. Soundway Records Presents The World Ends Afro Rock and Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria by Various Artists
  10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
Other Music [New York] View article
  1. Teen Dream by Beach House
  2. Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
  3. Stridulum EP by Zola Jesus
  4. Does It Look Like I'm Here? by Emeralds
  5. Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie
  6. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
  7. Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
  8. Gemini by Wild Nothing
  9. Twin Hand Movement by Lower Dens
  10. The Traveller by Shed
Piccadilly Records [Manchester] View article
  1. I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron
  2. High Violet by The National
  3. Swim by Caribou
  4. Field Music (Measure) by Field Music
  5. The Wants by The Phantom Band
  6. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
  7. There Is Love In You by Four Tet
  8. From the Cradle to the Rave by Shit Robot
  9. This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
  10. Off Duty / Boat Trip by Sun Araw
Rough Trade Shops [London] View article
  1. Swim by Caribou
  2. I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron
  3. Hidden by These New Puritans
  4. Own Side Now by Caitlin Rose
  5. Here's To Taking It Easy by Phosphorescent
  6. North by Darkstar
  7. IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg
  8. Lucky Shiner by Gold Panda
  9. Gemini by Wild Nothing
  10. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala

 

We're sorry, but comments are closed for this article.

Comments (153)

  • Max  
    • Dec 6, 2010 4:47PM

    Really disliked This Is Happening, sad to see it so high on the list. Sufjan, Kanye, Arcade Fire, FlyLo, Joanna Newsom, Emeralds made the year for me, not necessarily in that order.

  • caleb oakley  
    • Dec 6, 2010 4:41PM

    Not much love for Treats by Sleigh Bells :/

  • CR  
    • Dec 6, 2010 3:53PM

    Would have thought that Broken Bells would have been mentioned more than it did. Good work Metacritic (Y)

next
Page:

New in Metacritic Features

  1. Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos Image
    Published: June 17, 2013
  2. Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos Image
    Published: June 10, 2013
  3. This Week: Movie, TV, Music, and Game Picks for June 10-16
    This Week: Movie, TV, Music, and Game Picks for June 10-16 Image
    Published: June 9, 2013
  4. Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos Image
    Published: June 3, 2013
  5. This Week: Movie, TV, Music, and Game Picks for June 3-9
    This Week: Movie, TV, Music, and Game Picks for June 3-9 Image
    Published: June 2, 2013
  6. This Month's Best New Albums: May 2013
    This Month's Best New Albums: May 2013 Image
    Published: May 30, 2013
  7. Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos Image
    Published: May 28, 2013
  8. Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos Image
    Published: May 20, 2013

What Our Users Are Talking About

  1. /feature/music-releases-for-the-week-of-june-17-2013 Image
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    June 17, 2013 - 2 comments
    1. MarcDoyle : Show note: Fartbarf (Post-Neandrathal Analog Synthesists) are playing the Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach on Friday. Read »
    2. LamontRaymond : Good streaming list, thanks! Read »
  2. /feature/movie-trailers-and-news-for-week-ending-june-14-2013 Image
    Film Friday: This Week's Movie News and New Trailers
    June 14, 2013 - 1 comment
    1. pps : BIG STAR!!!!! Read »
  3. /feature/music-releases-for-the-week-of-june-3-2013 Image
    Music Monday: This Week's New Albums and Videos
    June 3, 2013 - 2 comments
    1. cristane : @Breadbitten: Agreed, two great albums in two consecutive weeks. And that Nine Inch Nails news kinda made my week too. Read »
    2. Breadbitten : '...Like Clockwork' and 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' have made my year! Read »
  4. /feature/movie-trailers-and-news-for-week-ending-may-31-2013 Image
    Film Friday: This Week's Movie News and New Trailers
    May 31, 2013 - 1 comment
    1. TheQuietGamer : Planes, Monsters University, Walking with Dinosaurs, and This Is The End are the movies I'm looking forward to on... Read »
  5. /feature/best-new-albums-may-2013 Image
    This Month's Best New Albums: May 2013
    May 30, 2013 - 4 comments
    1. Nedloh94 : Sorry. I meant to put a heart next to Trouble Will Find Me, 'cause I love it so much. 3 Read »
    2. Nedloh94 : Trouble Will Find Me Read »
  6. /feature/nbc-2013-14-tv-schedule-and-new-shows Image
    Upfronts: NBC's New Shows and Schedule for 2013-14
    May 13, 2013 - 1 comment
    1. martinex : It's pretty scaring when the canceled shows (Whitney, Go On) are more entertaining than the renewed ones (The Biggest... Read »
  7. /feature/game-publisher-rankings-for-2012-releases Image
    Metacritic's 3rd Annual Game Publisher Rankings
    February 5, 2013 - 14 comments
    1. Mudpooch : Its so sad to see that tell tale is at the top of so many of the lists since it is nothing else but extremely!!!... Read »