2012 Music Critic Top Ten Lists

  • by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor
  • Publish Date: December 4, 2012
  • Comments: ↓ 42 user comments

Below, we collect the individual year-end Top Ten lists published by major music critics and publications. This page will be updated at least once a day throughout December and January as new lists are published; be sure to check back frequently.

Critics pick the best albums of 2012

Added in last update (Jan. 19; final update): Robert Christgau

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 Channel Orange by Frank Ocean 281936158
2 good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar 8103781
3 Lonerism by Tame Impala 762356
4 The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple 642854
5 Celebration Rock by Japandroids 352544
6 Visions by Grimes 561441
7 The Seer by Swans 321932
8 An Awesome Wave by Alt-J 511330
9 Blunderbuss by Jack White 202026
10R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike012325
11 Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel 201824
Devotion by Jessie Ware 211624
13Shields by Grizzly Bear111520
Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus 301120
Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings 101720
Bloom by Beach House 011820
17Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes001818
18 Kill For Love by Chromatics 12916
Tramp by Sharon Van Etten 101316
20 Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen 20915
21 Red by Taylor Swift 04614
22 Life Is Good by Nas 30413
23 Tempest by Bob Dylan 11712
Django Django by Django Django 001212
25 All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge 11611
Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen 11611
The Money Store by Death Grips 11611
28 Sun by Cat Power 10710
Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors01810
Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé20410
Fear Fun by Father John Misty 01810
Luxury Problems by Andy Stott 10710

Individual top ten lists

Below are the 131 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

Alternative Press View article
  1. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
  2. A Flash Flood Of Colour by Enter Shikari
  3. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  4. Classics of Love by Classics of Love
  5. METZ by METZ
  6. Floral Green by Title Fight
  7. Theatre Is Evil by Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra
  8. Go by Motion City Soundtrack
  9. Rebirth by Jimmy Cliff
  10. In Currents by The Early November
American Songwriter View article
  1. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  2. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  3. O' Be Joyful by Shovels and Rope
  4. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  5. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  6. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  7. The Carpenter by The Avett Brothers
  8. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  9. Slipstream by Bonnie Raitt
  10. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
Billboard View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  4. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  5. Red by Taylor Swift
  6. Bloom by Beach House
  7. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  8. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  9. Sun by Cat Power
  10. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
Clash View article
  1. The Bravest Man In The Universe by Bobby Womack
  2. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. The Money Store by Death Grips
  5. Visions by Grimes
  6. Here by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
  7. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  8. Django Django by Django Django
  9. Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose by Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny
  10. Shields by Grizzly Bear
Decibel View list
  1. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  2. Yellow & Green by Baroness
  3. Altra Mors by Evoken
  4. Legend by Witchcraft
  5. Sorrow and Extinction by Pallbearer
  6. Honor Found In Decay by Neurosis
  7. Riitiir by Enslaved
  8. CVI by Royal Thunder
  9. Tragic Idol by Paradise Lost
  10. Book Burner by Pig Destroyer
Exclaim! View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  4. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  5. Visions by Grimes
  6. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  7. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  8. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  9. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  10. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
Filter View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Visions by Grimes
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Diamond Rugs by Diamond Rugs
  6. Sun by Cat Power
  7. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  8. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  9. Instinct by Niki & The Dove
  10. Bloom by Beach House
The Fly View list
  1. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Sun by Cat Power
  5. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  6. Django Django by Django Django
  7. Plumb by Field Music
  8. World You Need A Change Of Mind by Kindness
  9. Given to the Wild by The Maccabees
  10. Lonerism by Tame Impala
Kerrang! View list
  1. A Flash Flood Of Colour by Enter Shikari
  2. Koi No Yokan by Deftones
  3. Weather Systems by Anathema
  4. This Is The Six by While She Sleeps
  5. Collide With The Sky by Pierce The Veil
  6. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  7. ¡Uno! by Green Day
  8. Funeral Beach by Blood Command
  9. Go by Motion City Soundtrack
  10. Resolution by Lamb of God
Les Inrockuptibles View article
  1. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. WIXIW by Liars
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. Django Django by Django Django
  6. In Our Heads by Hot Chip
  7. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  8. Lescop by Lescop
  9. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  10. Coexist by The xx
Magnet View article
  1. Heaven by The Walkmen
  2. (tie) Twins by Ty Segall
  3. (tie) Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
  4. (tie) Hair by Ty Segall & White Fence
  5. Bloom by Beach House
  6. (tie) Let's Go Eat the Factory by Guided By Voices
  7. (tie) Class Clown Spots a UFO by Guided By Voices
  8. (tie) The Bears for Lunch by Guided By Voices
  9. Sun by Cat Power
  10. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  11. The Seer by Swans
  12. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  13. Falling Off The Sky by The db's
  14. Reign of Terror by Sleigh Bells
Mixmag View article
  1. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  2. Jiaolong by Daphni
  3. Fin by John Talabot
  4. In Our Heads by Hot Chip
  5. Mala in Cuba by Mala
  6. Personality by Scuba
  7. Trouble by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
  8. Visions by Grimes
  9. Delay No More by Spectrasoul
  10. Ghettos & Gardens by Justin Martin
Mojo
  1. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Life Is People by Bill Fay
  4. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  5. One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys
  6. El Camino by The Black Keys
  7. Django Django by Django Django
  8. Locked Down by Dr. John
  9. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
  10. Tempest by Bob Dylan
NME View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. (III) by Crystal Castles
  5. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  6. Given to the Wild by The Maccabees
  7. Beard Wives Denim by Pond
  8. In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull by The Cribs
  9. Jake Bugg by Jake Bugg
  10. Blunderbuss by Jack White
Paste Magazine View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  3. Local Business by Titus Andronicus
  4. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  5. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  6. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  7. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  8. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  9. Bloom by Beach House
  10. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
Revolver
  1. Koi No Yokan by Deftones
  2. Koloss by Meshuggah
  3. King Animal by Soundgarden
  4. Yellow & Green by Baroness
  5. L'Enfant Sauvage by Gojira
  6. Book Burner by Pig Destroyer
  7. De Vermis Mysteriis by High on Fire
  8. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  9. Resolution by Lamb of God
  10. House of Gold & Bones Part 1 by Stone Sour
Rock Sound View list
  1. On The Impossible Past by The Menzingers
  2. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  3. Get What You Give by The Ghost Inside
  4. Failed States by Propagandhi
  5. Koi No Yokan by Deftones
  6. At Heart by Miss May I
  7. Dead Silence by Billy Talent
  8. Exister by Hot Water Music
  9. Gallows by Gallows
  10. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
Rolling Stone
  1. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  4. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. Here by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
  8. ¡Uno! by Green Day
  9. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  10. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The Source View article
  1. Life Is Good by Nas
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Jesus Piece by The Game
  4. Live from the Underground by Big K.R.I.T.
  5. Control System by Ab-Soul
  6. Cruel Summer by G.O.O.D. Music
  7. Welcome To: Our House by Slaughterhouse
  8. Habits & Contradictions by ScHoolboy Q
  9. Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 by Lupe Fiasco
  10. Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head by T.I.
State (Ireland) View article
  1. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  2. Coexist by The xx
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Visions by Grimes
  5. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  6. Django Django by Django Django
  7. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  8. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  9. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  10. In Our Heads by Hot Chip
The Stool Pigeon View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. The Seer by Swans
  3. 2 by Mac DeMarco
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
  6. Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
  7. Jiaolong by Daphni
  8. World Music by Goat
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  10. Melody's Echo Chamber by Melody's Echo Chamber
Uncut
  1. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  2. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  3. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  4. Locked Down by Dr. John
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Life Is People by Bill Fay
  7. Hair by Ty Segall & White Fence
  8. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  9. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  10. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
Under the Radar View article
  1. Nocturne by Wild Nothing
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. Bloom by Beach House
  4. The Haunted Man by Bat for Lashes
  5. Django Django by Django Django
  6. Something by Chairlift
  7. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  8. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  9. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  10. Visions by Grimes
The Wire View list
  1. Quarantine by Laurel Halo
  2. Icon Give Thank by Sun Araw & M. Geddes Gengras Meet The Congos
  3. R.I.P. by Actress
  4. Fremde Zeit - Addendum by Jakob Ullmann
  5. Songs About Nothing by Jason Lescalleet
  6. Live At The Grimm Museum Volume 1 by CC Hennix & The Chora(s)san Time-Court Mirage
  7. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  8. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
  9. Transverse by Carter Tutti Void
  10. Dependent and Happy by Ricardo Villalobos

Other magazines, newspapers, and news sites

Arizona Republic Ed Masley View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. A Thing Called Divine Fits by Divine Fits
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  5. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
  6. Open Your Heart by The Men
  7. The Something Rain by Tindersticks
  8. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  9. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  10. Blunderbuss by Jack White
Associated Press Mesfin Fekadu View article
  1. Life Is Good by Nas
  2. My Head Is An Animal by Of Monsters and Men
  3. Perfectly Imperfect by Elle Varner
  4. Is Your Love Big Enough? by Lianne La Havas
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  7. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  8. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  9. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  10. III by Shiny Toy Guns
Associated Press Nekesa Numbi Moody View article
  1. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  2. Red by Taylor Swift
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Radio Music Society by Esperanza Spalding
  5. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  6. The Hunger Games Soundtrack: Songs from District 12 and Beyond by Various artists
  7. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  8. Perfectly Imperfect by Elle Varner
  9. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  10. Life Is Good by Nas
Associated Press Chris Talbott View article
  1. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  2. For The Love of The Game / Hard in Heaven by Natural Child
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  5. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  6. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  7. Butter by Turbo Fruits
  8. King Tuff by King Tuff
  9. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  10. Stars and Satellites by Trampled by Turtles
Austin Chronicle Greg Beets View article
  1. Silver Age by Bob Mould
  2. Plumb by Field Music
  3. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  4. Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
  5. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  6. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  7. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  8. Mr. M by Lambchop
  9. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  10. Breakup Song by Deerhoof
Austin Chronicle Jim Caligiuri View article
  1. Signs & Signifiers by JD McPherson
  2. Wreck & Ruin by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
  3. Temple Beautiful by Chuck Prophet
  4. Sing the Delta by Iris Dement
  5. Nashville, Vol. 1: Tear the Woodpile Down by Marty Stuart
  6. Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance by Patterson Hood
  7. Little Victories by Chris Knight
  8. Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings by Waylon Jennings
  9. Traveling Alone by Tift Merritt
  10. Who's Feeling Young Now? by Punch Brothers
Austin Chronicle Thomas Fawcett View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. The Crossing by Menahan Street Band
  5. Landing On A Hundred by Cody ChesnuTT
  6. Antibalas by Antibalas
  7. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  8. Faithful Man by Lee Fields
  9. Seeds by Georgia Anne Muldrow
  10. Look Around the Corner by Quantic & Alice Russell
Austin Chronicle Doug Freeman View article
  1. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  2. Break It Yourself by Andrew Bird
  3. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  4. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  5. Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran by Jamey Johnson
  6. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  7. Silver Age by Bob Mould
  8. Carry Me Back by Old Crow Medicine Show
  9. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  10. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
Austin Chronicle Chase Hoffberger View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Open Your Heart by The Men
  3. Landing On A Hundred by Cody ChesnuTT
  4. awE naturalE by THEESatisfasction
  5. 12 Bit Blues by Kid Koala
  6. Royal Headache by Royal Headache
  7. Locked Down by Dr. John
  8. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  9. Live from the Underground by Big K.R.I.T.
  10. Remember When by The Orwells
Austin Chronicle Abby Johnston View article
  1. Shrines by Purity Ring
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. TNGHT by TNGHT
  4. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  5. Kill for Love by Chromatics
  6. Django Django by Django Django
  7. Something by Chairlift
  8. In Love With Dusk/Our Own Dream by Keep Shelly in Athens
  9. R.I.P. by Actress
  10. Confess by Twin Shadow
Austin Chronicle Margaret Moser View article
  1. The Blanco Sessions by Janis Martin
  2. Slipstream by Bonnie Raitt
  3. Bloom by Beach House
  4. Kin by Mary Karr & Rodney Crowell
  5. Nine Lives by Paul Sanchez & Colman deKay
  6. Ghost of Browder Holler by Chelle Rose
  7. Locked Down by Dr. John
  8. Plays Fats by Lil' Band o' Gold
  9. Arrow by Heartless Bastards
  10. Shifty Adventure in Nookie Wood by John Cale
Austin Chronicle Michael Toland View article
  1. Into the Lair of the Sun God by Dawnbringer
  2. Yellow & Green by Baroness
  3. Legend by Witchcraft
  4. The Thousandfold Epicentre by The Devil's Blood
  5. Step Inside by Troubled Horse
  6. The Black Code by Wo Fat
  7. Half Blood by Horseback
  8. Last Rays of the Dying Sun by Infernal Overdrive
  9. Carved Into Stone by Prong
  10. Rotten Thing to Say by Burning Love
Austin Chronicle Jay Trachtenberg View article
  1. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  2. Suite of the East by Omer Avital
  3. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  4. Rebirth by Jimmy Cliff
  5. Metal Moon by Dirty Ghosts
  6. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  7. Mysterium Tremendum by Mickey Hart Band
  8. Accelerando by Vijay Iyer Trio
  9. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  10. Coexist by The xx
Boston Globe Michael Andor Brodeur View article
  1. Visions by Grimes
  2. Oshin by DIIV
  3. Held by Holy Other
  4. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  7. First of a Living Breed by Homeboy Sandman
  8. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
  9. Jiaolong by Daphni
  10. Dark York by Le1f
Boston Globe Martin Caballero View article
  1. The Money Store by Death Grips
  2. Control System by Ab-Soul
  3. Reloaded by Roc Marciano
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  6. Life Is Good by Nas
  7. Russian Roulette by The Alchemist
  8. Blue Chips by Action Bronson
  9. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  10. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
Boston Globe Siddhartha Mitter View article
  • Caravana Sereia Bloom by Céu
  • Debo Band by Debo Band
  • Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  • Be Good by Gregory Porter
  • En Yay Sah by Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang
  • Sorry for the Delay by Just a Band
  • The Cherry Thing by Neneh Cherry & The Thing
  • Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  • Radio Salone by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
  • Accelerando by Vijay Iyer Trio
Boston Globe James Reed View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Lonesome Dreams by Lord Huron
  3. Interstellar by Frankie Rose
  4. Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone by Meshell Ndegeocello
  5. Cigarettes & Truckstops by Lindi Ortega
  6. Half Way Home by Angel Olsen
  7. Los Míticos del Ritmo by Los Míticos del Ritmo
  8. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  9. Put Your Back N 2 It by Perfume Genius
  10. American Standard by Dayna Kurtz
Boston Globe Sarah Rodman View article
  1. The Carpenter by The Avett Brothers
  2. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  3. Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran by Jamey Johnson
  4. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
  7. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  8. The Truth About Love by Pink
  9. Locked Down by Dr. John
  10. Human Again by Ingrid Michaelson
Chicago Sun-Times Thomas Conner View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. From The Ground Up by John Fullbright
  5. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  6. Bhiman by Bhi Bhiman
  7. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  8. Visions by Grimes
  9. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  10. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
Chicago Tribune Greg Kot View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  4. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  5. I Like to Keep Myself in Pain by Kelly Hogan
  6. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  7. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
  8. The Cherry Thing by Neneh Cherry & The Thing
  9. Sorry to Bother You by The Coup
  10. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
Cleveland Plain Dealer Emmet Smith View article
  1. We Don't Even Live Here by P.O.S.
  2. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  3. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  4. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  5. Young Man in America by Anaïs Mitchell
  6. The Lumineers by The Lumineers
  7. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
  8. Open Your Heart by The Men
  9. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  10. Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables by Todd Snider
The Daily Beast View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Bloom by Beach House
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. Europe by Allo Darlin'
  7. Red by Taylor Swift
  8. Bangarang EP by Skrillex
  9. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  10. Visions by Grimes
Denver Post Ricardo Baca View article
  1. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  2. The Lumineers by The Lumineers
  3. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  4. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  5. Some Nights by fun.
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. Bloom by Beach House
  8. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
  9. (III) by Crystal Castles
  10. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
Entertainment Weekly Melissa Maerz View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  3. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  4. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  5. Lonesome Dreams by Lord Huron
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Django Django by Django Django
  8. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  9. Breakfast by Chiddy Bang
  10. Some Nights by fun.
The Guardian Staff consensus View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  4. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  5. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  6. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  7. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  8. Coexist by The xx
  9. In Our Heads by Hot Chip
  10. The Bravest Man In The Universe by Bobby Womack
Los Angeles Times Staff consensus View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. Locked Down by Dr. John
  5. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  6. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  7. Sun by Cat Power
  8. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  9. The Seer by Swans
  10. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
The New Republic David Hajdu View article
  1. Visions by Grimes
  2. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  3. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  4. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  5. Be Still by Dave Douglas
  6. The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-'65 by Charles Mingus
  7. Another by Human Hearts
  8. The Truth About Love by Pink
  9. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  10. Live at Kitano by Frank Kimbrough Trio
The New York Times Jon Caramanica View article
  1. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  2. Red by Taylor Swift
  3. American Weekend by Waxahatchee
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. Warrior by Ke$ha
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. Life Is Good by Nas
  8. TNGHT EP by TNGHT
  9. Pluto by Future
  10. Hard 2 Love by Lee Brice
The New York Times Nate Chinen View article
  1. Snakeoil by Tim Berne
  2. Accelerando by Vijay Iyer Trio
  3. Star of Jupiter by Kurt Rosenwinkel
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  6. Continuum by David Virelles
  7. Today's Opinion by Yosvany Terry
  8. Spirit Fiction by Ravi Coltrane
  9. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  10. Centennial: Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans by Ryan Truesdell
The New York Times Jon Pareles View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  3. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  6. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  7. Little Broken Hearts by Norah Jones
  8. METZ by METZ
  9. Thankful N' Thoughtful by Bettye LaVette
  10. Teklife Vol. 1-Welcome to the Chi by DJ Rashad
The New York Times Ben Ratliff View article
  1. Continuum by David Virelles
  2. Nazoranai by Nazoranai
  3. Spirit Fiction by Ravi Coltrane
  4. Sunrise by Masabumi Kikuchi
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Off! by Off!
  7. Accelerando by Vijay Iyer Trio
  8. Figurations by Miles Okazaki
  9. Soul by Jeremy Pelt
  10. Worship Soul by Anita Wilson
News.com.au/Hit Cameron Adams View article
  1. Pacifica by The Presets
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  4. Leave Your Soul to Science by Something for Kate
  5. The Temper Trap by The Temper Trap
  6. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  7. Django Django by Django Django
  8. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  9. A Is for Alpine by Alpine
  10. The Ol Razzle Dazzle by Missy Higgins
Newsday Glenn Gamboa View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Some Nights by fun.
  3. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  4. Come of Age by The Vaccines
  5. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  6. Red by Taylor Swift
  7. Looking 4 Myself by Usher
  8. Silver Age by Bob Mould
  9. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  10. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
NOW Magazine (Toronto) Staff consensus View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  4. Jiaolong by Daphni
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  7. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  8. METZ by METZ
  9. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  10. YT//ST by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan
The Observer Kitty Empire View article
  • Be Strong by The 2 Bears
  • Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  • Toward the Low Sun by The Dirty Three
  • Shields by Grizzly Bear
  • Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  • Ill Manors by Plan B
  • Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  • Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  • Blunderbuss by Jack White
  • Coexist by The xx
Omaha World-Herald Kevin Coffey View article
  1. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  2. Transcendental Youth by The Mountain Goats
  3. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  4. Plays the Piano by McCarthy Trenching
  5. Icky Blossoms by Icky Blossoms
  6. Neck of the Woods by Silversun Pickups
  7. Mirage Rock by Band of Horses
  8. ¡Uno! by Green Day
  9. The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  10. Women & Work by Lucero
Philadelphia Inquirer Dan DeLuca View article
  • Europe by Allo Darlin'
  • The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  • Blak and Blu by Gary Clark Jr.
  • Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  • Living for a Song by Jamey Johnson
  • good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  • Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  • Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  • Gossamer by Passion Pit
  • Lonerism by Tame Impala
The Salt Lake Tribune David Burger View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  3. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
  4. 2nd Law by Muse
  5. Tornado by Little Big Town
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. Chimes Of Freedom by Various artists
  8. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  9. Elgar And Carter - Cello Concertos by Alisa Weilerstein
  10. Red by Taylor Swift
Slate Jody Rosen View article
  1. Pluto by Future
  2. 100 Proof by Kellie Pickler
  3. Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars
  4. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  5. Never by Micachu and the Shapes
  6. The MF Life by Melanie Fiona
  7. Grief Pedigree by Ka
  8. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  9. Beer for Breakfast by JB and the Moonshine Band
  10. Looking 4 Myself by Usher
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Kevin C. Johnson View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  4. Bloom by Beach House
  5. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  6. Life Is Good by Nas
  7. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  8. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  9. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  10. Some Nights by fun.
Sydney Morning Herald View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Locked Down by Dr. John
  3. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  4. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  5. Deep Heat by Oh Mercy
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  8. Toward the Low Sun by Dirty Three
  9. (tie) Visions by Grimes
  10. (tie) Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
Time Douglas Wolk View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  5. Y'Anbessaw Tezeta by Getatchew Mekuria & the Ex & Friends
  6. The Seer by Swans Listen, Whitey! The Sounds of Black Power 1967–74 by Various artists
  7. Transcendental Youth by The Mountain Goats
  8. 1991 [EP] by Azealia Banks
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
Time Out London View article
  1. World, You Need a Change of Mind by Kindness
  2. The Money Store by Death Grips
  3. Trouble by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
  4. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Oshin by DIIV
  7. Fin by John Talabot
  8. Playin' Me by Cooly G
  9. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  10. 2 by Mac DeMarco
Vulture (New York Magazine) Nitsuh Abebe View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Something by Chairlift
  3. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  4. The Money Store by Death Grips
  5. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  6. Clear Moon and Ocean Roar by Mount Eerie
  7. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  8. Evans the Death by Evans the Death
  9. Perfectly Imperfect by Elle Varner
  10. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
Wall Street Journal Jim Fusilli View article
  1. A Church That Fits Our Needs by Lost in the Trees
  • All others alphabetically:
  • An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  • Nothin but Love by Robert Cray
  • Toward the Low Sun by Dirty Three
  • Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now by Justin Townes Earle
  • Piramida by Efterklang
  • Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  • From the Ground Up by John Fullbright
  • Standing at the Sky's Edge by Richard Hawley
  • Young Man in America by Anaïs Mitchell
  • Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  • Form and Control by Phenomenal Handclap Band
Washington Post Chris Richards View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  3. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  4. Pluto by Future
  5. En Yay Sah by Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang
  6. Long Slow Dance by Fresh and Onlys
  7. 100 Proof by Kellie Pickler
  8. A Tribe Called Red by A Tribe Called Red
  9. Home by Dierks Bentley
  10. Quarantine by Laurel Halo

Music websites

The 405 View article
  1. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Piramida by Efterklang
  4. WIXIW by Liars
  5. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  6. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  7. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  8. The Money Store by Death Grips
  9. Held by Holy Other
  10. Everything Touching by Tall Ships
All Music Guide View article
  1. Visions by Grimes
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  6. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  7. Harmonicraft by Torche
  8. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  9. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  10. Kiss by Carly Rae Jepsen
A.V. Club View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  3. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  4. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  7. The Seer by Swans
  8. (tie) Silver Age by Bob Mould
  9. (tie) Local Business by Titus Andronicus
  10. We Don't Even Live Here by P.O.S.
Beats Per Minute View article
  1. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  2. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  3. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  6. I Know What Love Isn't by Jens Lekman
  7. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  8. Total Loss by How to Dress Well
  9. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
  10. The Seer by Swans
Cokemachineglow View article
  1. The Seer by Swans
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
  4. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
  5. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  6. Bloom by Beach House
  7. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  8. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  10. Collection 1 by Friendzone
Complex View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Rich Forever by Rick Ross
  4. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  5. Habits & Contradictions by Schoolboy Q
  6. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  7. Grief Pedigree by Ka
  8. Taylor Allderdice by Wiz Khalifa
  9. Pluto by Future
  10. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
Consequence of Sound View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  5. The Seer by Swans
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Bloom by Beach House
  8. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  9. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  10. Blue Chips by Action Bronson
Digital Spy View article
  1. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  4. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  5. Given to the Wild by The Maccabees
  6. Good Morning to the Night by Elton vs. Pnau
  7. Fall to Grace by Paloma Faith
  8. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  9. Glassheart by Leona Lewis
  10. iLL Manors by Plan B
DIY View article
  1. WIXIW by Liars
  2. Visions by Grimes
  3. In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull by The Cribs
  4. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Oshin by DIIV
  7. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  8. Something by Chairlift
  9. Toy by Toy
  10. The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes
Drowned in Sound View article
  1. (five-way tie for #1; each scored as 1 point:) Blondes by Blondes
  2. (tie) Kill For Love by Chromatics
  3. (tie) WIXIW by Liars
  4. (tie) The Seer by Swans
  5. (tie) Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  6. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  7. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  8. Ghostory by School of Seven Bells
  9. Skelethon by Aesop Rock
  10. Ekstasis by Julia Holter
Dusted Otis Hart View article
  1. Be Strong by The 2 Bears
  2. American Weekend by Waxahatchee
  3. Children of Desire by Merchandise
  4. Bish Bosch by Scott Walker
  5. Ten Freedom Summers by Wadada Leo Smith
  6. Sentielle Objectif Actualite by Mark Fell
  7. Among the Leaves by Sun Kil Moon
  8. The Paranormal Soul by Legowelt
  9. Feel Free by Duane Pitre
  10. First of a Living Breed by Homeboy Sandman
Epitonic View article
  1. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  2. The Seer by Swans
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  5. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  8. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  9. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  10. Centipede Hz by Animal Collective
FACT Magazine View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Dutch Tvashtar Plumes + Diversions 1994-1996 EP by Lee Gamble
  3. Playin Me by Cooly G
  4. Celestial Joy by Horrid Red
  5. God of Black (mixtape) by Spaceghostpurrp
  6. Total Loss by How to Dress Well
  7. Classical Curves by Jam City
  8. From the Far Future Pt.2 by Terrence Dixon
  9. The Seer by Swans
  10. Rückverzauberung 6 by Wolfgang Voigt
Fast 'n' Bulbous View article
  1. She Said by Colour Haze
  2. Oro: Opus Primum & Opus Alter by Ufomammut
  3. Lights Out by Graveyard
  4. Legend by Witchcraft
  5. Step Inside by Troubled Horse
  6. L'Enfant Sauvage by Gojira
  7. Golden Void by Golden Void
  8. CVI by Royal Thunder
  9. Flash Point by Spiders
  10. Possession by Christian Mistress
FasterLouder Australia View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  3. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  4. Sun by Cat Power
  5. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  6. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  7. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  8. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  9. Toward the Low Sun by Dirty Three
  10. A is For Alpine by Alpine
Gigwise View article
  1. Confess by Twin Shadow
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  4. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  5. Valtari by Sigur Ros
  6. The Only Place by Best Coast
  7. Part & Parcel by The Skints
  8. Coexist by The xx
  9. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  10. Come of Age by The Vaccines
Gorilla vs. Bear View article
  1. (tie) Visions by Grimes
  2. (tie) Kill For Love by Chromatics
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Kindred by Burial
  5. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  6. Habits & Contradictions by Schoolboy Q
  7. Bloom by Beach House
  8. Tender Opposites by Tops
  9. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  10. Something by Chairlift
Hidden Track View article
  1. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  4. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  5. Locked Down by Dr. John
  6. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  7. Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka
  8. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  9. Major by Fang Island
  10. Babel by Mumford & Sons
HitFix/The Beat Goes On View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  3. 3 Pears by Dwight Yoakam
  4. Little Broken Hearts by Norah Jones
  5. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
  6. Some Nights by fun.
  7. The Carpenter by The Avett Brothers
  8. Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars
  9. Looking 4 Myself by Usher
  10. Red by Taylor Swift
HitFix/Immaculate Noise View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. Beams by Matthew Dear
  3. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. The Seer by Swans
  6. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  7. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  8. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  9. Hundred Waters by Hundred Waters
  10. 3 Pears by Dwight Yoakam
Idolator View article
  1. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  2. Red by Taylor Swift
  3. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. Heal by Loreen
  6. Make Me Believe In Love by Bright Light Bright Light
  7. Bloom by Beach House
  8. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  9. Kiss by Carly Rae Jepsen
  10. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
The Line of Best Fit View article
  1. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  2. I Know What Love Isn't by Jens Lekman
  3. Oshin by DIIV
  4. Instinct by Niki and the Dove
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  7. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  8. Wild Peace by Echo Lake
  9. Pale Fire by El Perro Del Mar
  10. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
MTV / Bigger Than the Sound View article
  1. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Red by Taylor Swift
  4. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  5. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  8. Some Nights by fun.
  9. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
  10. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
musicOMH View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. Beams by Matthew Dear
  4. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  5. Blondes by Blondes
  6. fIN by John Talabot
  7. Oshin by DIIV
  8. WIXIW by Liars
  9. Transverse by Carter Tutti Void
  10. SSSS by VCMG
No Ripcord View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  3. The Money Store by Death Grips
  4. The Seer by Swans
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  7. Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
  8. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  9. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  10. Shields by Grizzly Bear
Obscure Sound View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Nocturne by Wild Nothing
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Bloom by Beach House
  5. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  6. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  7. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  8. The Seer by Swans
  9. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  10. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
Okayplayer View article
  1. Life Is Good by Nas
  2. Landing On A Hundred by Cody ChesnuTT
  3. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  4. Seeds by Georgia Anne Muldrow
  5. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  6. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  7. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
  8. Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka
  9. Master of My Make-Believe by Santigold
  10. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
Pinpoint Music View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Putrifiers II by Thee Oh Sees
  4. (tie) Hair by Ty Segall & White Fence
  5. (tie) Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
  6. (tie) Twins by Ty Segall
  7. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  8. The Seer by Swans
  9. (tie) Kindred by Burial
  10. (tie) Truant by Burial
  11. METZ by METZ
  12. Moms by Menomena
  13. Allah-Las by Allah-Las
Pitchfork View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  5. The Seer by Swans
  6. Visions by Grimes
  7. Bloom by Beach House
  8. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  9. The Money Store by Death Grips
  10. Shields by Grizzly Bear
PopMatters View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. Bloom by Beach House
  5. The Seer by Swans
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  8. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  9. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  10. Kill For Love by Chromatics
Pretty Much Amazing View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  5. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  6. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  7. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  8. Visions by Grimes
  9. Shrines by Purity Ring
  10. America by Dan Deacon
Punknews Staff consensus View article
  1. On The Impossible Past by The Menzingers
  2. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
  3. Classics of Love by Classics of Love
  4. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  5. Floral Green by Title Fight
  6. Zoo by Ceremony
  7. Yellow & Green by Baroness
  8. Harmonicraft by Torche
  9. Exister by Hot Water Music
  10. Masked Intruder by Masked Intruder
The Quietus View article
  1. The Seer by Swans
  2. Bish Bosch by Scott Walker
  3. Transverse by Carter Tutti Void
  4. Desertshore/The Final Report by X-TG [Throbbing Gristle]
  5. SSSS by VCMG
  6. Ghosts Of Chechynya by Vatican Shadow
  7. Widowmaker by Dragged Into Sunlight
  8. Quarantine by Laurel Halo
  9. Vanitas by Anaal Nathrakh
  10. V by KTL
Resident Advisor View article
  1. Voices from the Lake by Voices from the Lake
  2. R.I.P. by Actress
  3. fIN by John Talabot
  4. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  5. Jiaolong by Daphni
  6. Music for the Quiet Hour by Shackleton
  7. Order of Noise by Vessel
  8. The Killer by Shed
  9. Motor: Nighttime World 3 by Robert Hood
  10. Transsektoral by Barker & Baumecker
Rolling Stone/Pop Life Rob Sheffield View article
  1. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  2. Red by Taylor Swift
  3. Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Dub Egg by The Young
  6. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  7. Sorry by White Lung
  8. Pluto by Future
  9. Zoo by Ceremony
  10. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
Slant View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  3. Master of My Make-Believe by Santigold
  4. The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes
  5. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  6. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  7. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  8. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
  9. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
  10. Blunderbuss by Jack White
Spin View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  3. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  4. Teklife Vol. 1-Welcome to the Chi by DJ Rashad
  5. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  6. The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes
  7. The Seer by Swans
  8. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  9. Twins by Ty Segall
  10. Master of My Make-Believe by Santigold
Spinner (AOL) View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
  6. A Thing Called Divine Fits by Divine Fits
  7. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  8. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  9. Bloom by Beach House
  10. Visions by Grimes
Sputnikmusic View article
  1. The Seer by Swans
  2. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  3. There's No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man on Earth
  4. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  5. Break It Yourself by Andrew Bird
  6. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  7. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  8. Clear Moon by Mount Eerie
  9. Koi No Yokan by Deftones
  10. Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem
Stereogum View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. The Seer by Swans
  5. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  6. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  7. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  8. Heaven by The Walkmen
  9. Something by Chairlift
  10. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
Tiny Mix Tapes View article
  1. Bish Bosch by Scott Walker
  2. Black Is Beautiful by Dean Blunt and Inga Copeland
  3. The Seer by Swans
  4. Clear Moon and Ocean Roar by Mount Eerie
  5. Quarantine by Laurel Halo
  6. Floral Shoppe by Macintosh Plus
  7. R.I.P. by Actress
  8. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  9. TIMETIMETIME&TIME by YYU
  10. The Narcissist II by Dean Blunt
Treble View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  3. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  4. Bloom by Beach House
  5. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  6. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
  7. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  8. Visions by Grimes
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  10. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
XLR8R View article
  1. Fin by John Talabot
  2. Unpatterns by Simian Mobile Disco
  3. R.I.P. by Actress
  4. Pink by Four Tet
  5. Mala in Cuba by Mala
  6. Transsektoral by Barker & Baumecker
  7. Change in a Dynamic Environment by Untold
  8. Ready EP by Jacques Greene
  9. Fabric 63 by Levon Vincent
  10. Order of Noise by Vessel

Other sources/critics

3voor12 (Netherlands) Staff consensus View article
  1. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  4. Django Django by Django Django
  5. Heavy Flowers by Blaudzun
  6. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  7. Heaven by The Walkmen
  8. Allah-Las by Allah-Las
  9. Coexist by The xx
  10. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
BBC Staff consensus View article
  1. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys
  4. Devotion by Jessie Ware
  5. Trouble by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
  6. The Money Store by Death Grips
  7. Reggae Music Again by Busy Signal
  8. Love This Giant by David Byrne & St Vincent
  9. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  10. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
Robert Christgau's The Dean's List (MSN Rock Critic, BN Review) View article
  1. Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  2. Sounds of the Syrian Houran by Dabke
  3. Older Than My Old Man Now by Loudon Wainwright III
  4. The Truth About Love by Pink
  5. Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables by Todd Snider
  6. Bangarang EP by Skrillex
  7. Nehru Jackets by Himanshu
  8. Transcendental Youth by The Mountain Goats
  9. The Rough Guide to Highlife by Various artists
  10. Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen
KCRW (Santa Monica) Jason Bentley, Music DirectorView article
  1. Blak and Blu by Gary Clark Jr.
  2. In Our Heads by Hot Chip
  3. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
  4. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  5. Black Radio by The Robert Glasper Experiment
  6. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  7. >album title goes here< by deadmau5
  8. Look Around the Corner by Quantic & Alice Russell
  9. Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka
  10. Shields by Grizzly Bear
NPR Bob Boilen View article
  1. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  2. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  3. Swing Lo Magellan by Dirty Projectors
  4. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  5. Sun by Cat Power
  6. Adventures in Your Own Backyard by Patrick Watson
  7. Hypnotic Nights by JEFF the Brotherhood
  8. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  9. Blunderbuss by Jack White
  10. Passage by Exitmusic
NPR Robin Hilton View article
  1. Sun by Cat Power
  2. Passage by Exitmusic
  3. Twins by Ty Segall
  4. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  5. Hospitality by Hospitality
  6. 151a by Kishi Bashi
  7. Sic Alps by Sic Alps
  8. Adventures in Your Own Backyard by Patrick Watson
  9. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  10. Dept. of Disappearance by Jason Lytle
NPR Ann Powers View article
  1. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Some Nights by fun.
  6. Be Good by Gregory Porter
  7. MTMTMK by The Very Best
  8. How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? by Sinead O'Connor
  9. The MF Life by Melanie Fiona
  10. (tie) O' Be Joyful by Shovels & Rope
  11. (tie) From the Ground Up by John Fullbright
  12. (tie) Look Out Mama by Hurray For The Riff Raff
NPR Stephen Thompson View article
  1. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. Threads by Now, Now
  4. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
  5. The Only Place by Best Coast
  6. Deer Creek Canyon by Sera Cahoone
  7. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  8. The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy by Nada Surf
  9. Landing On A Hundred by Cody ChesnuTT
  10. Is Your Love Big Enough? by Lianne La Havas
NPR/Fresh Air Ken Tucker View article
  1. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  2. 3 Pears by Dwight Yoakam
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Sing the Delta by Iris DeMent
  5. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  6. Older Than My Old Man Now by Loudon Wainwright III
  7. Tempest by Bob Dylan
  8. From The Ground Up by John Fullbright
  9. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  10. Kin by Mary Karr And Rodney Crowell
WBEZ (Chicago)/Sound Opinions Jim DeRogatis View article
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. I Like to Keep Myself in Pain by Kelly Hogan
  3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  4. Melody's Echo Chamber by Melody's Echo Chamber
  5. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
  6. Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
  7. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  8. Charmer by Aimee Mann
  9. Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 by Lupe Fiasco
  10. The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes

Music stores

Amazon.com USA View list
  1. My Head Is An Animal by Of Monsters and Men
  2. The Lumineers by The Lumineers
  3. The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  4. Babel by Mumford & Sons
  5. Some Nights by Fun.
  6. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  7. Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka
  8. Night Visions by Imagine Dragons
  9. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  10. Signs & Signifiers by JD McPherson
Bleep UK View article
  1. The Paranormal Soul by Legowelt
  2. Motor: Nighttime World 3 by Robert Hood
  3. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  4. Jiaolong by Daphni
  5. Steam Days by Nathan Fake
  6. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus
  7. Lonely At The Top by Lukid
  8. R.I.P. by Actress
  9. Instrumental Tourist by Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin
  10. Lonerism by Tame Impala
eMusic View article
  1. I Predict a Graceful Expulsion by Cold Specks
  2. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  3. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. Europe by Allo Darlin'
  6. Big Inner by Matthew E. White
  7. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  8. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  10. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
Other Music New York View article
  1. Luxury Problems by Andy Stott
  2. Icon Give Thank by FRKWYS Vol. 9 - Sun Araw & M. Geddes Gengras Meet The Congos
  3. R.I.P. by Actress
  4. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  5. All Hell by Daughn Gibson
  6. Sleep Games by Pye Corner Audio
  7. The Seer by Swans
  8. Lucifer by Peaking Lights
  9. (tie) 2 by Mac DeMarco
  10. (tie) Rock and Roll Nightclub by Mac DeMarco
  11. The Killer by Shed
Piccadilly Records Manchester, UK View article
  1. World Music by Goat
  2. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
  3. White Manna by White Manna
  4. Django Django by Django Django
  5. Blood Speaks by Smoke Fairies
  6. Circles by Moon Duo
  7. Kill For Love by Chromatics
  8. Tramp by Sharon Van Etten
  9. Shields by Grizzly Bear
  10. Manifest! by Friends
Rhapsody View article
  1. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
  2. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
  3. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
  4. Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
  5. All Hell by Daughn Gibson
  6. The Idler Wheel… by Fiona Apple
  7. Jiaolong by Daphni
  8. Visions by Grimes
  9. R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
  10. Yellow & Green by Baroness
Rough Trade Shops London, UK View article
  1. Visions by Grimes
  2. Fin by John Talabot
  3. Toy by Toy
  4. Europe by Allo Darlin'
  5. World Music by Goat
  6. Maraqopa by Damien Jurado
  7. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J
  8. Django Django by Django Django
  9. Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
  10. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Waterloo Records Austin, TX View list
  1. Lonerism by Tame Impala
  2. Literature by Arab Spring
  3. CYRK / CYRK II by Cate Le Bon
  4. Bloom by Beach House
  5. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
  6. Nocturne by Wild Nothing
  7. Deep Time by Deep Time
  8. Distant Waves by Kingdom of Suicide Lovers
  9. Oshin by DIIV
  10. The Seer by Swans

Comments (42)

  • BENNEB  
    • Feb 26, 2013 8:46PM

    2012's top 20 albums:
    1. Shields by Grizzly Bear (Rating: 10.0/10.0)
    2. Lonerism by Tame Impala (Rating: 10.0/10.0)
    3. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean (Rating: 9.9/10.0)
    4. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City by Kendrick Lamar (Rating: 9.9/10.0)
    5. The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do by Fiona Apple (Rating: 9.9/10.0)
    6. Blunderbuss bu Jack White (Rating: 9.9/10.0)
    7. An Awesome Wave by Alt-j (Rating: 9.7/10.0)
    8. Bad As Me by Tom Waits (Rating: 9.7/10.0)
    9. Kaleidoscope Dreams by Miguel (Rating: 9.6/10.0)
    10. Celebration Rock by Japandroids (Rating: 9.6/10.0)
    11. 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Rating: 9.6/10.0)
    12. Attack On Memory by Cloud Nothing (Rating: 9.5/10.0)
    13. Nocturne by Wild Nothing (Rating: 9.5/10.0)
    14. Bloom by Beach House (Rating: 9.5/10.0)
    15. Coexist by The XX (Rating: 9.4/10.0)
    16. Ill Manors by Plan B (Rating: 9.4/10.0)
    17. Django Django by Django Django (Rating: 9.4/10.0)
    18. Oshin by DIIV (Rating: 9.4/10.0)
    19. Until The Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus (Rating: 9.4/10.0)
    20. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized (Rating: 9.4/10.0)

  • pressburgerpowe  
    • Jan 12, 2013 3:38PM

    1. Dexys - One Day I'm Going to Soar
    2. Go-Kart Mozart - On The Hot Dog Streets
    3. Donald **** - Sunken Condos

  • adkilmer  
    • Dec 24, 2012 9:19AM

    1. Tramp - Sharon Van Etten
    2. Bloom - Beach House
    3. Boys &amp; Girls - Alabama Shakes
    4. The Lion's Roar - First Aid Kit
    5. Blunderbuss - Jack White
    6. Port of Morrow - The Shins
    7. Fear Fun - Father John Misty
    8. Here - Edward Sharpe &amp; The Magnetic Zeros
    9. Rebirth - Jimmy Cliff
    10. Voyageur - Kathleen Edwards

  • jp_fal  
    • Dec 22, 2012 11:43AM

    Hype Machine top 10 is up.
    http://hypem.tumblr.com/post/38468735631
    1- Crystal Castles - (III)
    2- Lana Del Rey - Born To Die
    3- Grimes - Visions
    4- Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
    5- The xx - Coexist
    6- Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
    7- Purity Ring - Shrines 8- Beach House - Bloom
    9- Two Door Cinema Club - Beacon
    10- Grizzly Bear - Shields

  • andy399  
    • Dec 20, 2012 12:00PM

    1) Good Kid MAAD City, Kendrick Lamar
    2) Channel Orange, Frank Ocean
    3) Shields, Grizzly Bear
    4) Lonerism, Tame Impala
    5) Visions, Grimes
    6) Port of Morrow, The Shins
    7) Until The Quiet Comes, Flying Lotus
    Life is Good, Nas
    9) Given to the Wild, Maccabees
    10) Bloom, Beach House

  • Illiniq  
    • Dec 19, 2012 12:19AM

    jaykzoo - Love the Menomena love - that is one of the year's finest albums that is getting no year end affection - In fact, as far as these polls have gone, here are my votes for the albums, every bit the equal of the ones getting all the year in buzz, that have fallen into neglect.

    2012s most underrated records - Allo' Darlin - Europe - Best Twee pop album of year
    Redd Kross - Researching The Blues - Best Power Pop Album Of Year
    Dr. John - Locked Down - Best Dad Rock album of the Year
    Anais Mitchell - Young Man In America - Best Folk album of Year
    Menomena - Moms - Not the best art rock album of year, but after The Seer and WIXIW, right there with Shields...really good stuff on here, and far more playful than the other art rock notables. Death Grips - The Money Store - Talk about Kendrick all you want, and M.A.D.D. City may be the better album, but this album will prove far more impactful ten years from now. Most forward looking album of year.
    Swans - The Seer - simply because it's the year's best record and will never lock down that spot in all but a handful of lists...The fact that it's even cracked the concensus top ten is stunning and a testament to how cool it is. Gotye - Making Mirrors - cheesy but way more eclectic than I expected, so many likeable songs, Someone That I Used To Know is an afterthought...my favorite lightweight guilty pleasure of the year.

  • eddie1987  
    • Dec 17, 2012 8:14AM

    X. Grimes: Visions
    IX. Crystal Castles: III
    VIII. Kendrick Lemar: good kid, m.A.A.d city VII. Beach House: Bloom
    VI. Azealia Banks: 1991/Fantasea
    V. Solange: True
    IV. John Talabot: fin
    III. Lana Del Rey: Born To Die
    II. Jessie Ware: Devotion
    I. Frank Ocean: Channel Orange

  • buzzlight  
    • Dec 16, 2012 1:15AM

    1. Shields - Grizzly Bear
    2. Blunderbuss - Jack White
    3. A Thing Called Divine Fits - Divine Fits
    4. Sun - Cat Power
    5. My Head is an Animal - Of Monsters and Men
    6. Idler Wheel - Fiona Apple
    7. Channel Orange - Frank Ocean
    8. Start the Revolution without Me - Kaiser Chiefs
    9. Port of Morrow - The Shins
    10. Lonerism - Tame Impala

    This year was unimpressive compared to last year - although the top 3 are stellar. I've listened to Frank Ocean several times now. He is not the reincarnation of Stevie Wonder - although it is a nice album and deserving of accolades. The Grizzly Bear album is a masterpiece - very few albums keep you listening to hear &quot;what happens next&quot; quite like this album. Jack White's Blunderbuss solidifies his place as the premier rock songwriter of our era. Kids will one day look back at Jack the same way kids now look back at the great acts of the 70s and 80s. My favorite songwriter of the modern music is Britt Daniel of Spoon. His new band Divine Fits put out a phenominal intro album this year - can't wait to hear more.

  • buzzlight  
    • Dec 16, 2012 1:06AM

    1. Shields - Grizzly Bear
    2. Blunderbuss - Jack White
    3. A Thing Called Divine Fits - Divine Fits
    4. Sun - Cat Power
    5. My Head is an Animal - Of Monsters and Men
    6. Idler Wheel - Fiona Apple
    7. Channel Orange - Frank Ocean
    8. Start the Revolution without Me - Kaiser Chiefs
    9. Port of Morrow - The Shins
    10. Lonerism - Tame Impala

    This year was unimpressive compared to last year - although the top 3 are stellar. I've listened to Frank Ocean several times now. He is not the reincarnation of Stevie Wonder - although it is a nice album and deserving of accolades. The Grizzly Bear album is a masterpiece - very few albums keep you listening to hear &quot;what happens next&quot; quite like this album. Jack White's Blunderbuss solidifies his place as the premier rock songwriter of our era. Kids will one day look back at Jack the same way kids now look back at the great acts of the 70s and 80s. My personal preferance is Britt Daniel of Divine Fits/Spoon over any other artist of our day - great intro album - can't wait to hear more.

  • jaykzoo  
    • Dec 13, 2012 6:36PM

    1 Japandroids
    2 Diamond Rugs
    3 DIIV
    4 Menomena
    5 Patterson Hood
    6 Alt-J
    7 Lotus Plaza
    8 Spiritualized
    9 Django Django
    10 Grimes
    11 Alabama Shakes
    12 Mark Lanegan
    13 Brian Jonestown Massacre
    14 Bob Mould
    15 Damien Jurado
    16 Yppah
    17 Father John Misty
    18 Best Coast
    19 Cloud Nothings
    20 Moon Duo

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