Collective suggestions for that Christmas list.

listen to albums of the year mix

The Bees – Sunshine Hit Me (We Love You) Who’d have thought it, two young men from the Isle Of White sitting in a shed and knocking out arguably the best debut of the year. Packed with influences from ska to the Beach Boys, it thoroughly deserved its Mercury nomination. I dare you not to like this album.
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The Cinematic Orchestra – Everyday (Ninja Tune)
DJ Jason Swinscoe’s beautifully upholstered follow-up to 1998’s loop-heavy Motion features (gasp) real jazz musicians, smouldering vocals from Fontella Bass and a brooding turn from Roots Manuva. And someone playing the harp. Luscious.
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The Coral - The Coral (Deltasonic)
Exuding explosive originality, this debut from the Hoylake sextet is a kaleidoscope of sounds that jackknifes from soda-fountain 60s pop and Funkadelic-era soul, to snaking Beefheart-tinged psychedelic, squalling rock. Hands down, the best and most exciting new band this year.
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The Streets – Original Pirate Material (679)
Raw urban poetry by Brummie geezer Mike Skinner. Perhaps not an album you’d listen to often but when you do you can’t help but be captivated by the honest sharp observations and quirky British humour.
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Aim – Hinterland (Grand Central)
The Lake District resident Andy Turner’s melodic take on hip-hop. From the crate-digging school of composition, Aim’s album stands out because of his sensitively creative production skills and collaborations with vocalists like Kate Rogers.

The Free Association - David Holmes Presents… (13 Amp)
Funk soul DJ David Holmes’ band taking his brand of rare groove-infused soundtracks into the live arena. While retaining Holmes ear for a sample, this record has more of a raw urgency than his solo stuff.
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – BRMC (Virgin)
Proper chin-out-and-strut guitar rock from California. If, like me, you left your rock habit in the sixth form common room this is the perfect way to get hooked again. Heavy riffs, leather jackets, and low-slung guitars haven’t sounded or looked this cool in years.

DJ Shadow – The Private Press (Universal Island)
The long-awaited follow-up to the seminal Entroducing, this album had a lot to live up to. Despite not surpassing its predecessor, it is, nevertheless, a fine album that shows Shadow’s ability to adapt while retaining those classic atmospherics.
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Underworld – A Hundred Days Off (V2)
A classic album from the depleted heavyweights after the departure of Darren Emerson. A varied set of melodic dancefloor grooves, this shows Underworld’s range while sticking to what their good at – intelligently produced dance music.
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Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (Warner Bros)
This eleventh album from the acid-soaked Lips retains the lust for surrealism and ethereal loveliness of their 1999 breakthrough, The Soft Bulletin, but sets it to bouncing beats and swathes of drifting synths. It’s a beautiful album filled with melancholy songs that both sigh with sadness and sparkle with life-affirming positivity.

listen to albums of the year mix