Another great year for new music, always a big challenge to pick the cream of the crop. While I feel less strongly about the 1-10 order this year than most (there wasn’t a clear favorite that stands out above the rest) it feels like I’ll be returning to all these records often. Apologies to those albums I didn’t hear yet, or that crossed my path too late in the year to fully absorb and consider (looking at you Peter Gabriel). Excited to see what everyone else chose to spotlight, as I anticipate looking back in dismay in a couple years and thinking, “How’d I leave THAT off my list?”
| Artist | Album | Label | |
| 1 | Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit | Weathervanes | Southeastern |
| 2 | Black Pumas | Chronicles of a Diamond | ATO |
| 3 | Queens of the Stone Age | In Times New Roman | Matador |
| 4 | Janellle Monae | The Age of Pleasure | Atlantic |
| 5 | Frankie & the Witch Fingers | Data Doom | Greenway |
| 6 | Huw Marc Bennett | Days Like New |
Albert’s Favourites
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| 7 | Charif Megarbane | Marzipan | Habibi Funk |
| 8 | Bobby West | Big Trippin’ | Soulville Sound |
| 9 | Kate Davis | Fish Bowl | ANTI- |
| 10 | Leroy from the North | Toughen Up | From The North |
