The best albums of 2011

Cut Copy: Zonoscope

An album full of sunshine and wide open spaces.

The Raveonettes: Raven In The Grave

Something to listen to while driving empty streets at night.

PJ Harvey: Let England Shake

Folk music which could be interpreted as either anti-war or ultra-nationalistic; it's too beautiful to matter.

Lindi Ortega: Little Red Boots

A classic country album. Fun!

Austra: Feel It Break

Eerie, beautiful, and danceable.

Zaz: Zaz

Impress your friends with this jazzy French album.

Gotye: Making Mirrors

This album doesn't come out in the US until February of 2012, but I'm too hipster to worry about things like borders. A variety of styles are represented on the album, from Motown to Alt-rock to experimental-electronic, and they're all done well.