From Frank Ocean’s new-school R&B to indie rockers Wye Oak, our team of music/clubs writers share their favorite releases of 2011.
'The Errant Charm' from SF folkie Vetiver was one of the year's best.
Lynne Angel
Feel It Break – Austra
What does Katie Stelmanis, a classically trained opera singer from Toronto, do with her mad skills? She writes undeniably accessible electronic music lead by her powerhouse vocals and commences blowing minds all around the world.
Don’t Rock the Boat, Sink the Fucker – Des Ark
Aimée Argote moves her sound from impassioned credos to fully orchestrated sonic masterpieces. As if your heart couldn’t break anymore, try this one on for size.
Civilian – Wye Oak
An ode to simplicity and a thick and poignant set of pipes, Civilian may just exist to remind us that duos do not have to play the blues and dress in color-coded uniform. “Plains” is the track to take out to a nice dinner and call within 24 hours, but the entire album is a something you will want to get serious with.
Empros – Russian Circles
At once soaring and punishing, meandering and colliding, Empros is a beautifully crafted, and exceedingly forward exploration of instrumental and progressive metal. These Chicagoan natives never fail to deliver but with their latest release they appear to have redefined the genre once again.
The Errant Charm – Vetiver
Local San Francisco Richmond district living, street strolling, beach perusing folkster Andy Cabic has done it again. The Errant Charm seems to float along a course decided upon inception. The album is pre-determined and self-guided, a journey of gentle persistence. This is the man to sing you to sleep and stir you to wake, a beautiful record through and through.
Christina Li
James Blake – James Blake
James Blake’s self-titled album is like the break of rain and thunder on a cloudy day. All the notes within each melody seem like an afterthought from the previous, shaping a meticulous album full of bass drops, rumbling piano, and gospel choir vocals.
King of Limbs – Radiohead
Radiohead is like an alien species sent from the future to guide us through the evolution of music (with its female version being Bjork). From the dynamic “Lotus Flower” to the incredibly beautiful “Codex,” I have yet to find a song unsuitable for any of my multiple personalities.
21 – Adele
After the 900th remix/re-edit/edit/un-edit of “Rolling in the Deep,” I thought I could never bring myself to listen to Adele again. But I did, over and over, because she’s just that good with her bittersweet lyrics, undeniable vocal talent, and ability to turn anyone into mush with her live performances.
SBTRKT – SBTRKT
I’m not quite sure what post-dubstep is with the blurred lines of genres these days, but if it’s SBTRKT, I’m very much looking forward of getting out of the present. First single “Wildfire” is simply divine, with R&B tidbits reminiscent of the golden age of Aaliyah, and the quietly poignant “Hold On” is my personal favorite track.
Drive Soundtrack – Various Artists
One of the best movies of the year must also has one of the best soundtracks of the year. Featuring synthesizer-driven tracks by Kavinsky and The Chromatics, the soundtrack is perfect for a car heist or an evening drive down the 101.
Ellen Lovelidge
Nostalgia, Ultra – Frank Ocean
The OFWGKTA member voted “most likely to succeed,” Frank Ocean’s free mixtape showcased his sultry R&B voice and led to cameos on big industry albums like Watch the Throne.
Thursday – The Weeknd
R&B took over this year and reinvented itself by laying the bass on thick. Newcomer The Weeknd released two free mixtapes this year while remaining somewhat mysterious, a factor that added to his already deep ballads.
Heartbreak presents Moombahsoul II – Various Artists
This year, the house and reggaeton-hybrid of moombahton took over with 108bpm syncopated beats. David Heartbreak released three Moombahsoul compilations but the second one tugged at the heartstrings the most while shining light on some of the boutique genre’s greatest producers.
Rubba Band Business 2 – Juicy J & Lex Luger
Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J teamed up with one of 2011’s hottest hip hop producers to deliver syrup-infused raw Southern hip hop with catchy lyrics and dripped out beats.
Take Care – Drake
When this album was released, several songs had been steady on the charts for months but Drake added creative samples and quick one-liners to leave listeners pleased while also confused why he insists on being a rapper and not an R&B singer.
Ashley Smith
21 – Adele
Soulful. Assertive. Captivating. She’s a true talent and the album simply speaks for itself.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
The album is timeless with Vernon’s beautiful falsetto and almost eerie stillness. From “Calgary” to “Perth” and “Towers,” every song is just as epic as the one before, showcasing a true talent of our generation.
It’s all true – Junior Boys
The Canadian indie-electro duo does it again, bringing us a funky, synth-pop style that is sure to make listeners bop their head in breezy delight.
Angles – The Strokes
In their first album since 2006, these New York rock legends come back with a jangly, breezy album filled with a big sound and catchy melodies.
Shangri-la – Yacht
The album combines feminine, imaginative vocals with electric and synth-pop beats that can’t help but make you feel a little out of this world, in the best way possible. <!–nextpage–>
Paloma Ortiz
Fatty Folders – Roman Flügel
Fatty Folders shimmers with organic and inorganic elements and perfectly placed hooks, making it a great example of Roman Flügel’s strong points as a tech-house producer.
Galactic Melt – Com Truise
Com Truise revamped 80s nostalgia with the way he handled each synth melody and intricate beat on Galactic Melt.
Wordplay for Working Bees – Lucy
Stroboscopic Artefacts has been one of my favorite labels this year, and labelhead Lucy’s Wordplay for Working Bees flows effortlessly through ambient dub and hard-hitting techno creating an eerie atmosphere.
Ghost People – Martyn
Martyn has great judgment when it comes to picking out the best elements in a style, and Ghost People wanders into many different territories, from house to drum & bass, without being too much.
Re:ECM – Ricardo Villalobos and Max Loderbauer
Ricardo Villalobos became popular in the 2000s with his take on leftfield minimal techno. In this collaboration with Max Loderbauer, he strays away from dance music entirely to make jazz-fueled avant-garde—and I think that’s pretty damn cool.
Chris Crowley
Circuital – My Morning Jacket
Album of the year, band of the year, live show of the year? Yes, My Morning Jacket takes it all.
Girls Father, Son, Holy Ghost! – Girls
Incredible album from San Francisco’s rising indie stars Girls who are helping put the spotlight on the emerging SF Bay Area music scene.
Zonoscope – Cut Copy
If this album didn’t initially grab you early in 2011, all you needed was a dose of Cut Copy live, like Treasure Island Saturday night, to become a believer. Zonoscope is the year’s finest dance record.
Carrion Crawler/The Dream – Thee Oh Sees
Thee Oh Sees prove that the quantity vs. quality debate doesn’t apply to them because every they give you both. Thee Oh Sees are another band putting San Francisco’s garage rock and psych scene on the map.
James Blake – James Blake
James Blake had a hell of a year, and the release of this album is what put the wheels in motion.
What are your favorite albums from 2011?