10. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach [Parlophone]
We’ve all heard it and we all love it. Plastic Beach is the newest record from the musical prodigies that we all know as Gorillaz; this time with a fresh, relaxing charm.
9. Boy & Bear – With Emperor Antarctica [Island]
These Sydney boys produce the feel-good music that inspires you to hit the road with nothing but friends, petrol money and a guitar. triple j has played this album constantly, but nothing can take the joy out of it.
8. Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History [Glassnote]
Tourist History has proved to the word that the Irish have more to offer than beer and limericks. These musical geniuses have crafted ten tracks each as breathtaking and playful as the next.
7. Agoria – Balance 016 [EQ Recordings]
This is the album you play on repeat in the car, until it dies of old age. French DJ Agoria, in the newest of the popular series of Balance compilation albums, has created a unique and relaxing two disc set that you will be happy to have as the soundtrack to your life.
6. The Amity Affliction – Youngbloods [Boomtown]
Brisbane band The Amity Affliction, with their new and brilliantly produced album Youngbloods, continue after eight years to add light to their unique breed of melodic post-hardcore.
5. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (II) [Fiction]
The duo’s second self-titled album, while being a far cry from the first, still upholds the rebellious reputation that we know them by. Steering away from the clean electronic sound that occupied most of their first album, the second is full of the harsh, deep and distorted bass of ‘Alice Practice.’
4. Little Red – Midnight Remember [Liberation]
They have caught the attention of the masses with Rock It, which, let’s face it, is the song you have to play five times in a row to get your fix. Each and every track on Midnight Remember has the same energising effect.
3. Rout – Spirit of Humanity [Independent]
We can always count on Britain to produce great dubstep, and Enter Shikari front man Rou’s dubstep project is no exception, mixing gentle, relaxing electronics and absurd dialogue with the dense and powerful dubstep that we all love.
2. Yeasayer – Odd Blood [Secretly Canadian]
Two words: uplifting and enchanting. Yeasayer have merged genres to craft an indescribable sound that will pick you up and make you appreciate everything around you.
1. The Books – The Way Out [Temporary Residence Limited]
This is one of the most mesmerising albums I have ever heard. The Way Out can only be described as a masterpiece, a journey, whisking you away with The Books’ quirky and almost meditative concoction of sound effects and dialogue.
