1. Charlotte Gainsbourg, IRM
(The Antichrist actress teams with Beck for one of the most beautiful pop/folk albums so far this year. Spacey, sultry, and dreamlike. Her legendary father would be proud.)
2. Vampire Weekend, Contra
(The second LP from these buzzy brainiacs is more of the same Afro-infused guitar-pop, but they add layers into their mix, that make it soar higher than you’d expect.)
3. The Magnetic Fields, Realism
(Songwriter Stephin Merritt is on a roll, and this time, he’s using more acoustic and organic instruments to bring us his timeless lovelorn anthems.)
4. Spoon, Transference
(I actually think this latest album from the Autin-centric indie rock icons is their best in years. It’s better than the last two, and it will reward their patient and faithful fans with renewed experimentation.)
5. Beach House, Teen Dream
(A Maryland duo that can supply breezy pop that fits their band’s name, this latest album is better than the last, and built to stand the test of time.)
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