Trif's Top 100 of the Decade
These are my favourite records of the 2010s. No rules, none of that one record per artist stuff, just the 100 records that I enjoyed the most, listened to most often or love most dearly. Ranking became increasingly difficult, inaccurate and loose after the top 10, top 20, etc. |
| 100 |  | Monolake
VLSI
2016
Minimal Techno
Germany
Robert Henke restricted himself to using only old school, vintage analog synthesisers. This resulted in an album that is incredibly warm, and with Henke's perfect ear for detail production-wise, this can only mean something good. |
| 99 |  | Ihsahn
Das Seelenbrechen
2013
Progressive Metal
Norway
Ihsahn went more experimental than he ever did in his career. It worked out really nicely. NaCl, Sub Γter and especially M are among the best of his solo works. Sometimes the experimentation can hamper the listening experience though. |
| 98 |  | Sam Sparro
Return To Paradise
2012
Soul / Funk / Pop
Australia/US
Haha, Sam must be here of course. Adored his debut, this certainly was a step down, but it remains perfect road-trip music, and the memories I have of situations where this was playing are all great. Weee aaarreee, the paaradiiisee peoopleee!! |
| 97 |  | Pinkshinyultrablast
Everything Else Matters
2015
Shoegaze
Russia
What's amazing on this one is the absolutely right balance between punchy, drum-machine like beats, great distortion and grittiness on the guitars and nicely dreamy vocals. I haven't spent long with this yet, but I know I will do so in the coming time. |
| 96 |  | Plastikman
EX
2014
Minimal Techno / House
Canada/UK
EXpand is what makes me love this. The rest of the tracks can become a little too samey, but EXpand is so good. Floating through space and enjoying it. Super mega expansive. |
| 95 |  | Underworld
Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
2016
Techno / Electronic
UK
Some of these tracks are so nicely warm. Low Burn especially is a good example of this. When tracks like these can stand proudly next to the biggest bangers from the glory days you know you've got something special. |
| 94 |  | Alcest
Kodama
2016
Shoegaze / Black Metal
France
That softer section in Je Suis d'Ailleurs is all I want from Alcest. Well, combined with the heavier section surrounding it of course. What I really dig here is how good Winterhalter has gotten. Same goes for Spiritual Instinct, which only just missed making the list. By the way, these Alcest ones would be much higher if I would be in the mood for them more often, but that just doesn't happen much anymore. Incredible records. |
| 93 |  | Lantlos
Melting Sun
2014
Black Metal / Post Rock
Germany
How can stopping the collaboration with Neige mean something else than disaster? Well, this way! Record is truly lovely, with warm, sunny waves of heaviness washing over you without pause. |
| 92 |  | Efdemin
New Atlantis
2019
House / Ambient / Techno
Germany
Really like the cover here. I mean, that has to count for something, right? What I love too is how Efdemin always takes particular care to make his albums feel like albums. The intro and outro here are beautiful, and really make this flow. Lovely! |
| 91 |  | The Field
The Follower
2016
Minimal Techno
Sweden
Axel Willner went to darker places on this one, and it only sometimes pays off. I think Pink Sun is really cool, so is Monte VeritΓ‘, but the final half of the album is where he really shines. Especially on Raise The Dead. Gorgeous. |
| 90 |  | Chloe Thevenin
Endless Revisions
2017
House
France
Sometimes electronic music can be so nicely married to acoustic elements. ChloΓ© has this gift. Love how diverse this is, you never really know what the next track is going to be like, yet it all works together. |
| 89 |  | Melody Gardot
Currency of Man
2015
Folk / Jazz / Rock
US
Melody has made some nice albums, but she was always a little too saccharine to really appeal to me. This album is amazing though, opting for a noir-ish, James Bond-like, ultra cinematic approach. I think it should be higher up the list probably. |
| 88 |  | Mellow Gang
Adjourn
2019
Psychedelic / Rock / Indie
UK
Why isn't this one released on a physical format yet!? Makes me sad! It's so lovely, dig the vocals, the reverb and echo, twinkly guitars and synths, and how psychedelic this sometimes gets. |
| 87 |  | James Holden
The Inheritors
2013
Electronic
UK
Another one that's mainly here because of one track. This time it's Blackpool Late Eighties. What a banger. Great build up, lovely flow. Of course the rest is cool too, nicely organic, fuzzy and warm. |
| 86 |  | Snarky Puppy
Sylva
2015
Funk / Rock / Jazz
US/The Netherlands
I had this one on repeat for several months after I saw these dudes live in Rotterdam. Totally insanely catchy grooves. Loved the energy these guys were giving during that gig, and miraculously it translates very well to CD! Featuring the amazing Metropole Orchestra. |
| 85 |  | Lantlos
Agape
2011
Black Metal / Post Rock
Germany/France
Great blend of jazzy drumming and black metal and post rock sections. Love the texturalness of the distortion here. The contrast between the soothing You Feel Like Memories and the overwhelming distortion in Eribo form a great contrast. |
| 84 |  | Darkside
Psychic
2013
Electronic / Psychedelic
US/CHILE
This record is placed here mainly because the absolute awesomeness of Golden Arrow. That track is the perfect amalgamation of electronic and guitar music. Really Pink-Floydian too. I mean, the rest is nice as well, Paper Trails especially, but that opener is on another level. |
| 83 |  | Durand Jones And The Indications
American Love Call
2019
Soul
US
This one came as a surprise. I found out about it through a Dutch music website (no, I'm not cheating on you!), loved the soulful, old school, beautifully produced record immediately. One week later they were booked by my fave music festival here in The Netherlands too. Yippeee! Happy me! |
| 82 |  | Massive Attack
Heligoland
2010
Trip-Hop
UK
Still amazing, but I don't really revisit it as often as I would have hoped from a Massive Attack record. Some absolutely gorgeous tracks though, and the feature with Guy Garvey made me very happy. |
| 81 |  | Alcest
Γcailles De Lune
2010
Shoegaze / Black Metal
France
Thanks for this one Neige. The t/t and Sur l'OcΓ©an are so damn good. One of the best harsh vocalists active today in my opinion. Don't find myself returning to this anymore that often, but if this decade list was made earlier this one would have been much higher. |
| 80 |  | Emiliana Torrini
Tookah
2013
Electronic / Pop / World
Iceland/Italy
This lady makes nicely weird poppy electronic music, as one can expect from artists from her island. Her voice is what sets her apart though. It has this gorgeous quality, everyone knows her from Gollum's Song in the credits roll from LotR-2: The Two Towers. The final track here is one of my faves from this decade. |
| 79 |  | Elza Soares
A mulher do fim do mundo
2015
Samba
Brazil
My god that voice. Seriously. So raspy, with ages of experience behind it. Elza allows her voice to do whatever it does naturally, and the beat-heavy, electronic and acoustic samba ruckus surrounding her makes for a truly unique album. |
| 78 |  | Kate Bush
50 Words for Snow
2011
Acoustic / Rock
UK
A gorgeous record, satisfied with staying quiet and calm throughout its 65 minutes. Mostly it's just piano, bass, some ambient soft layers of orchestral flourishes and Kate's immaculate voice. Seriously. That voice. |
| 77 |  | Nicolas Jaar
Space Is Only Noise
2011
Electronic / Experimental
Chile/US
The way the ambient sounds and clicks, plops, watery blubs and vocal samples are integrated here is nothing short of amazing. Really dig what Mr Jaar did with this one, sadly the follow-up wasn't my cup of tea. Space is only noise if you can see. |
| 76 |  | De Staat
Bubble Gum
2019
Rock / Pop / Alternative
The Netherlands
From that first huuuuge single Kitty Kitty, with an A M A Z I N G video clip, to the goofiness of Pikachu (that bassline is sooo silly, I love it) and the general ugliness of Me Time (AAA LITTTLEEEE MEEEEEE TIIIMEEE!!), this record is nothing but fun. Thanks once again weirdo De Staat bunch! |
| 75 |  | Stephan Bodzin
Powers of Ten
2015
Techno / House
Germany
Great house-ish techno record. Really dig this direct and open style, as many of these entries show. Great, warm synths and produced wonderfully. And hello, I mean, this one has a track called Sputnik. Cute! |
| 74 |  | RX-101
Dopamine
2019
Techno
The Netherlands
A throwback to 90s analog techno equipment. Although this one becomes one big blur after a while, it's one nice blur for sure! Makes me happy and cannot stop listening, great flow and both suitable to relaxing and vigorous at home dancing. |
| 73 |  | D'Voxx
Telegraphe
2019
Ambient / Techno
UK
Simulating a tube ride through some big European cities, this is some very effective ambient driven techno. I've never understood why techno and railroads go so well together, but they certainly do. |
| 72 |  | Balthazar (BE)
Applause
2010
Indie / Rock / Pop
Belgium
Super addicting album. When indie rock pop shizzle is done right, you get something like this. The duo of Maarten and Jinte as frontmen keep things nicely varied, Blood Like Wine is a personal fave of mine, especially live with the drawn out ending. Lovely bunch. |
| 71 |  | Riverside
Love, Fear and the Time Machine
2015
Progressive Rock
Poland
Riverside's last full length to feature Piotr on guitars. One of their best records, this time they opted for a much lighter approach, ditching all of the metal elements. Turned out this was a very great idea, genuinely beautiful prog. |
| 70 |  | Moby
Destroyed
2011
Electronic
US
I loved Destroyed from the moment it was released. Moody enough to make you immediately think of Moby, no angsty punk energy yet so still nicely downtempo. Plus the three part punch of Stella Maris, The Violent Bear It Away (hello Everything Is Wrong!!!) and Lacrimae is one of his best stretches of songs of the 10s. |
| 69 |  | DJ Krush
Cosmic Yard
2018
Hip Hop / Trip-Hop
Japan
Krush goes back to his more instrumentally oriented hip hop for which he is known. The album features many jazzy parts, some upright bass, and new collaborations with Toshinori Kondo, with whom Krush recorded an awesome collab album many years ago. |
| 68 |  | Pitou
Pitou
2016
Folk / Indie
The Netherlands
Beautiful vocal harmonies and sparse instrumental accompaniment, never much more than an acoustic guitar and some darker undertones of whatever she feels like. I'd love for her career as a recording artist to flourish, she's amazing. Those harmonies are so magical. |
| 67 |  | Pi Ja Ma
Nice To Meet U
2019
Indie / Pop
France
This record is nothing but fun. Really. Even the many videos this French lady has made to accompany the tracks are hilarious. It's fittingly lo-fi, unpretentious, and makes me laugh, especially that synthetic horn (?) solo halfway through I Oh I. |
| 66 |  | Hampshire and Foat
Saint Lawrence
2019
Folk / Jazz / Modern Classical
UK
One of my favourite winding down albums from this decade. Most of the album is just a nicely twinkly piano, some calm guitar strumming and a slow upright bass backbone with some atmospheric sounds. Perfect combination of jazz, folk and classical. |
| 65 |  | D5
Sides Of Space
2015
Techno / House
UK
Delicious, pure, clean, no nonsense techno. Very great sound, bass goes really deep and synths are very nicely old school sounding. Nice bleeps and bloops. Oh yeah and there's clapping involved. |
| 64 |  | Slumberland
Sea Sea Sea Drifter See See See Drifter
2019
Psychedelic Rock / Experimental
Belgium
A superbly intricate record, takes its time to unfold and show what it's got. Both Manta Ray and When The Frozen Lake Starts To Sing are two of my favourite tracks of the year. Experimental weirdness, yet approachable enough. |
| 63 |  | Guy Garvey
Courting The Squall
2015
Rock / Indie
UK
It was shocking for me that Guy Garvey's solo record made my list, whereas none of the 2010s Elbow records did. Yet here we are. I just love the Tom-Waits-light version of pub bluesy rock Garvey went for here, and his voice is to die for. |
| 62 |  | Efdemin
Chicago
2010
Techno / House
Germany
Oh my god. Oh my fucking god. Delicious mixture of techno and house, and this album truly shows that electronic music can have the feeling of going somewhere. Probably should be way higher on the list. |
| 61 |  | Emma Ruth Rundle
Some Heavy Ocean
2014
Rock / Folk
US
That final track is everything I love about Emma Ruth Rundle's style. Dark, heavy, with her lurid voice coming through brightly as a ray of sunshine cutting through heavy rain. That was super lame but I hope it gets the job done. |
| 60 |  | Drudkh
They Often See Dreams About The Spring
2018
Black Metal
Ukraine
Drudkh's brand of folk-tale inspired black metal hasn't always given them much success, but this album rightfully so reclaims a lot of respect that was lost during their 2010s slump. For the record, I loved them even during their lows. |
| 59 |  | GAS
Narkopop
2017
Minimal Techno / Ambient
Germany
GAS returns after 17 years of nothing. Well, almost at least. This isn't one of his best albums of his career, but it's still incredible. Far away forest techno. |
| 58 |  | Sea Oleena
Shallow
2014
Dream Pop
Canada
A gorgeous record, very pristine and ethereal sounding. That isn't very descriptive probably, but I cannot find better terms for this now. Just know that this is perfect for late-night reading. |
| 57 |  | The Field
Infinite Moment
2018
Minimal Techno
Sweden
The first half of this record is very good, he loses some steam on the second half. However, with tracks like Made Of Steel. Made Of Stone, I'm still very, very happy. |
| 56 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Milestone
2013
Jazz
Japan
When the worst album of your career can still end up in a decade top 100 at a respectable place you know that either the decade was crap or the band is good. |
| 55 |  | Jungle
Jungle
2014
Soul / Funk / Pop
UK
With incredibly catchy singles such as Busy Earnin', Time and The Heat, Jungle swept over Europe (the World?) from out of nowhere. Great music for when painting your house or laying floors. |
| 54 |  | Mgla
Exercises in Futility
2015
Black Metal
Poland
The second great Mgla record, very atmospheric, very clear in its style. Plus I get a weird sense of satisfaction when cover and music suit each other so well as is the case here. |
| 53 |  | De Staat
o
2016
Alternative / Rock / Stoner Rock
The Netherlands
This band is always out to have some fun, and boy do they find it on O. Make the Call and Leave it all is their take on a radio-friendly hit, and given by how successful they were with it, they should do it more often. |
| 52 |  | Gidge
Autumn Bells
2014
Techno / Ambient
Sweden
Another great sounding, melancholic and spacious record, this time invoking images of large, empty stretches of Swedish nature. |
| 51 |  | Voices From The Lake
Voices From The Lake
2012
Techno / Ambient
Italy
If underwater environments would have a sound, this would be it. I know music is often compared to sounding this way, but it is more applicable here then on many, many other cases. Fantastic record. |
| 50 |  | Monolake
Ghosts
2012
Minimal Techno
Germany
This record is super spooky, as one can expect with such a cover and title. And, also as one can expect, the music is incredibly well produced. The dropping glass marbles effect is especially gorgeous. |
| 49 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Indigo Jam Unit
2014
Jazz
Japan
10, Horizon, Gladiator and Detective all rule so very hard. The fifth album of this particular Jam Unit on my decade list, and it isn't even the last. Something about their energetic and genuine style just really works for me. There is some true emotion involved here. |
| 48 |  | Kiasmos
Kiasmos
2014
Electronic
Faroe Islands/Iceland
This is one of those could-have-been-the-soundtrack-to-an-arthousy-blockbuster records. The music is epic, for the lack of a better term, always drenched in sepia hues and very cinematic. |
| 47 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Rebel
2012
Jazz
Japan
The fourth entry for these four Japanese jazz maestros. Peekabo could have been comfortably placed on their career best (?) Pirates, with its undeniable groove, whereas some others here are nicely quiet. |
| 46 |  | The Great Yawn
Botanica
2019
Folk
South Africa
A very soothing record this one. Love how sunny the melodies are, and how diverse the instrumentation is. This deserves a lot more recognition around here, a truly beautiful and calming record to get lost in. |
| 45 |  | Jessica Pratt
Quiet Signs
2019
Folk
US
I love how daringly stripped down and spaceous Jessica Pratt has allowed this album to be. There is so much calm and emptiness here and that really suits her. That intro into second track is one of my fave musical moments of 2019. |
| 44 |  | Mgla
With Hearts Toward None
2012
Black Metal
Poland
Mgla's blend of trance-inducing and repetitve black metal with fittingly low production standards isn't for everyone but I love it. There's power and beauty in repetition sometimes and during this part of their careers they completely understood how to use that to the fullest. |
| 43 |  | Emma Ruth Rundle
Marked For Death
2016
Rock / Folk
US
Beautifully distorted and with a powerful voice, Rundle's second album is very addictive. Waves of reverb drenched guitar wash over you and leave you begging for more. Heaven is a career highlight. |
| 42 |  | DJ Krush
Butterfly Effect
2015
Hip Hop / Trip-Hop
Japan
Surprise return after eleven long years of absence. Krush shows yet again he is still on top of his game, with a diverse album which probably is just a little too electronic heavy for what I want from him. |
| 41 |  | Ihsahn
Eremita
2012
Progressive Metal
Norway
Both The Eagle And The Snake and The Grave contain some of the greatest high points of Ihsahn's solo career. This heavy music visionary artist delivers yet another very diverse and very successful album. |
| 40 |  | Richie Hawtin
From My Mind To Yours
2015
Minimal Techno
UK/Canada
Very minimalistic record by a techno giant. A track like Purrkusiv (eeeeeew that title) manages to stay interesting by relying just on drums. Amazing. Contains some massive tracks for sure. |
| 39 |  | Lakker
Tundra
2015
Techno
Ireland
Mainly up here because Milch and Mountain Divide work SO INCREDIBLY WELL. Especially Milch. Seriously. If you haven't heard it yet do it. That beat is so powerful and the vocals form the best contrast, being all pastoral and divine sounding. |
| 38 |  | John Tejada
Signs Under Test
2015
Minimal Techno
Austria/US
Only slightly less of a beaut than Parabolas, this spaceous and warm album filled with melody is wonderfully paced. Every time it finishes I want it to start all over again. Check R.U.R. and Heave In Sight. |
| 37 |  | Pole
Wald
2015
Dub / Techno
Germany
After an eight year hiatus Betke returned to his cracks and pops heavy dub techno project. This version is a lot cleaner than the 90s and early 2000s albums that brought him fame, but nonetheless they are immensely effective. |
| 36 |  | Darkthrone
Old Star
2019
Black Metal
Norway
This truly is a magnificent album, with amazing riffs following each other at a comforable pace. The diverse writing styles of Nocturno Culto (uneven tracks) and Fenriz (even tracks) alternating is perfect for its flow. |
| 35 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Lights
2015
Jazz
Japan
When my fave jazzy quartet announced their breakup I was sad. I'm super happy with their swansong though, commons&sense and especially Nomad for instance contain everything I love about these guys. As ABBA put it: thank you for the music, Indigo Jam Unit! |
| 34 |  | Mazzy Star
Seasons of Your Day
2013
Folk / Rock / Psychedelic
US
They've still got that beautiful sense of laid back, relaxed, comforing ease yet keep things nicely grainy by means of the production, the mixing, the cool approach to those wonderfully warm vocals, and the country influences. Lovely record. |
| 33 |  | Benjamin Damage
Obsidian
2015
Techno
UK
Cosmonout is a big reason for why I love this record so much. It just goes on forever, with that relentless beat and incredible synth line. As stark and bleak as the album cover. |
| 32 |  | J. Bernardt
Running Days
2017
Indie / Rock / Electronic
Belgium
An indie pop/rock/electronic gem from my Southern neighbours. I'm shocked to find that I probably like this almost as much as Balthazar's best, of which Jinte here is one of the frontmen. The hip-hop incluences here are to die for. Just check out The Other Man. |
| 31 |  | Washed Out
Within and Without
2011
Dream Pop
US
Put this on and drift away. Completely relaxing atmosphere, but when this is blasting through my speakers there's also a very high chance of some air guitar, air drumming (especially in that opener, such an amazing track!), and vigorous dancing. Suitable for so many situations. |
| 30 |  | Balthazar (BE)
Thin Walls
2015
Indie / Rock
Belgium
The perfect indie record. Their bass player is so good he reportedly has been asked many times to join other bands, which is why the Balthazar dudes put him so high in the mix. Lovely tracks, nicely diverse, and weird enough for poppy music to make me come back for more and more and more. |
| 29 |  | Fink
Perfect Darkness
2011
Folk
UK
The t/t here is my go to for an introspective and melancholy mood. A beaut. Wheels sounds like a blues standard but isn't, it was written by this man/these guys themselves. This is way too boring or mopey for most, but I love it. |
| 28 |  | Walls
Walls
2010
House
UK/Italy
The flow of this thing is incredible. Of course, with just under half an hour's worth of material that can easily be accompished, but this record feels so complete and covers such a large amount of ground that I'm still in awe. I've listened to this one a shameful amount of times and will continue to do so. |
| 27 |  | Ihsahn
After
2010
Progressive Metal
Norway
Ihsahn's second best solo recording is a triumph. The groovy riffs of The Barren Lands, the progressive and beautiful career highlight t/t, and the pounding Heavens Black Sea are a clear indication why. |
| 26 |  | Cradle Of Filth
Cryptoriana β The Seductiveness of Decay
2017
Metal / Symphonic
UK
No way, that Hammer of the Witches record probably was just a lucky shot. Expecations are way too high for Cryptoriana, it cannot ever be good. Guess what? It's every bit as inspired and geniunely exciting as Hammer. Cradle are back in full force. |
| 25 |  | Agnes Obel
Philharmonics
2010
Folk
Denmark
Agnes' least diverse album is still absolutely gorgeous, maybe even because it is so direct and no-nonsense in its approach. Some beautifully tranquil piano driven tracks that are great for late-night reading. |
| 24 |  | Oumou Sangare
Mogoya
2017
Wassoulou / West African
Mali
Warm vibes. One of the most beautiful voices in current music. Her 90s stuff is incredible in a folk-way, this one incorporates modern production techniques and instrumentation in a glorious manner. Kamelemba or Kounkoun are great examples of this. And I do not know of a single more relaxing and gorgeous track this decade than Mogoya. This one should perhaps have been placed even higher... |
| 23 |  | John Tejada
Parabolas
2011
Minimal Techno
Austria/US
I want this record to be on loop forever. These tracks are so spacious, evolve on such a nice and comfortable pace and are so wonderfully produced. That opener is a great example of this. Sometimes people say they want to live in certain music, I want to live here. |
| 22 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Roots
2010
Jazz
Japan
This one incorporates more latin influences and it grooves very nicely. T/t is one of their best tracks, watch the band video for some perfect examples of why these guys rule so much. Un*sampling, Monkey Trick and Silhouette, this record is stacked. |
| 21 |  | Paul Kalkbrenner
Icke Wieder
2011
Techno
Germany
Probably would be considered a guilty pleasure among Sput electronic elite, PK just scratches an ich that none other do for me. His version of Ibiza friendly techno does wonders, still haven't figured out why. But god do I know that when Gutes Nitzwerk comes on it works for me! |
| 20 |  | Blanck Mass
World Eater
2017
Electronic / Noise
UK
After two not-so-great records I didn't think the solo project of Jonathan Power from Fuck Buttons would ever appeal to me. How happy I was to discover that I was wrong. This record rules. Oversaturated, loud and very addictive. |
| 19 |  | Meshuggah
Koloss
2012
Metal
Sweden
I love how accessible and direct Meshuggah dared to go on this one. It shows once and for all that they can write very catchy stuff. Demiurge is a great example of just how good that version of the band can be. I listened to this so many times. |
| 18 |  | Cradle Of Filth
Hammer of the Witches
2015
Metal / Symphonic
UK
When Cradle returned with Hammer Of The Witches none of us saw it coming that after five years and two albums of career lows they would be right back at their all time high Midian level they hadn't really touched for 15 years. They did. I'm still awestruck and happy about that. |
| 17 |  | Walls
Urals
2015
House
UK/Italy
Farewell gift from now sadly disbanded music duo Walls. Gorgeous vintage sounding synths and nicely constructed tracks reign supreme here. In less than 40 minutes they cover a lot of ground, and all of it works. |
| 16 |  | Sungrazer
Sungrazer
2010
Stoner Rock
The Netherlands
This thing is so warm and fuzzy, rocky and jazzy that I cannot ever stop listening when those first bluesy chords start. Do yourself a favour, check Zero Zero and be hooked forever. |
| 15 |  | The Field
Looping State of Mind
2011
Minimal Techno
Sweden
Heavily processed vocal samples, loops of bass and drum that form intricate patterns, and a great understanding of when to go on looping and when to stop make Axel Wilner's The Field so succesful. Electronic bliss. |
| 14 |  | Agnes Obel
Aventine
2013
Folk
Denmark
The second Obel entry and not even the last. On Aventine she included some other instruments, but kept her beautiful voice and Debussy-inspired piano-driven compositions at the centre of her music. |
| 13 |  | Radiohead
The King of Limbs
2011
Rock / Electronic
UK
Another underappreciated album, this time from everyones favourite darlings Radiohead. Bloom, Seperator, Codex and Give Up The Ghost are all perfect, and I really love the way this flows from start to finish. One of their most consistent records to date. |
| 12 |  | GAS
Rausch
2018
Minimal Techno
Germany
Ambient forest techno with classical elements. I love how W. Voigt chose to make this album flow as one piece. It is mesmarising and gives a great sense of space and progression. Love the inclusion of some new aspects to the original GAS sound, especially the high-hat. |
| 11 |  | LCD Soundsystem
This Is Happening
2010
Indie / Electronic / Rock
US
Hipster-central music, makes me think of Talking Heads in a good way. Goofy lyrics, great energy and perfectly suitable to dance around weirdly in your house when you hope no-one is there looking. Or on the bus. In your office. On the street. Dance yourself clean yeah! |
| 10 |  | Ihsahn
Arktis.
2016
Progressive Metal
Norway
One of the best ways to make me appreciate how fast time is going is looking at Ihsahn's solo career output. He has released seven albums already since Emperor disbanded. Seven. And this might be his very best. There are no weak links here, and some ideas that sounds a little weird on paper work out beautifully. An example would be album highlight Until I Too Dissolve, an 80s inspired retro sidestep that is so undeniably good I keep hoping he releases more in this vein. Maybe in the 20s Ihsahn? |
| 9 |  | Ulver
ATGCLVLSSCAP
2016
Electronic / Experimental
Norway
Ulver prove yet again that they understand jam-centered and trance inducing music very well. A collection of tracks developed by tinkering with jam sessions from several liveshows across Europe, this album focusses solely on flow and atmosphere. There's almost no Garm vox to speak of, but even that doesn't hold this back. With highlights as strong as Cromagnosis and sci-fi-esque Desert/Dawn and D-Day Drone I almost wish they opt for this recording technique more often. |
| 8 |  | Fazerdaze
Morningside
2017
Dream Pop
New Zealand
The best rec I ever got through Sput probably. Music doesn't have to be complex or difficult for it to be good, this album proves that beautifully. So many nice hooks, delicously produced and a great dreamy quality throughout. These guys and gal know how to write something catchy yet keep it rough enough to keep it from being overly saccharine. Some distortion, vocals placed snuggly deep in the mix. Little Uneasy has got to be one of the most perfect tracks ever. Bedankt budgie! |
| 7 |  | Underworld
DRIFT Series 1 Sampler Edition
2019
Techno
UK
When Underworld decided to release a track each Thursday for a year I thought we were going to see many wishy washy outtakes. Man, was I wrong. There's career highlights in this project, and that is saying something for a band of their calibre. Collaborations with jazzy Aussies The Necks, elimination of artistic boundaries and a tighter release schedule have reinvigorated Karl and Rick. This whole project feels joyous, energetic, and oozes with creativity. They've created some absolutely awesome tracks such as Appleshine, Tree and Two Chairs and Custard Speedtalk. And there's more to come since they extended the project with another year. Thanks guys! |
| 6 |  | Indigo Jam Unit
Independent
2011
Jazz
Japan
Truly, for me this decade is ruled by my favourite Japanese jazz quartet Indigo Jam Unit. They've been incredibly productive, releasing six albums before 2016, and this is their very best outside of their zeroes masterpieces. From the hyped beginning with Escape, a bassline that never lets go and makes you run just that little bit faster, all the way to melancholy album closer Genuine, this album's a blast. Plus ever since its 2011 release date there have been more days where I had Bounce's first 30 seconds stuck in my head than days on which I didn't. I wouldn't have it any other way. Obligatory. |
| 5 |  | DJ Krush
Kiseki
2017
Hip Hop / Rap
Japan
Mr Krush gained recognition through his (mostly instrumental) jazzy take on Hip Hop with perfect beats in the 90s. This album was a take on rap-centred Hip Hop with collaborations with artists not readily known outside of Japan. Boy did it pay off. Many of these dudes have incredible flow and sense of rhythm, which of course fits very well with the beatmaster Krush himself. YUI for instance shows what this album is all about. Very addictive. |
| 4 |  | Agnes Obel
Citizen Of Glass
2016
Folk
Denmark
Before Citizen Of Glass Agnes Obel was a very (super mega) good acoustic folky lady. After Citizen Of Glass she also became a perfect interpreter of the times. This record really surprised me, not with being so very good (both her other albums are high up this list too), but because the message behind the music was so much deeper and resonated much more strongly than ever before. And, as we have come to expect from Miss Obel, this record sounds incredible. Can't wait for her new one. |
| 3 |  | Minilogue
Blomma
2013
Minimal Techno
Sweden
It's Sunday morning. You're lying on your back, sunlight pouring in through the windows. You're in this very relaxed, slighlty sleepy mood and ready to just dream off for a little while (or a long while, this is a double album after all). This album is the perfect accompaniment or even instigator of such a mood. It reminds me of the way The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld approaches electronic music. It's comparable in scope and atmosphere and in my opinion it isn't even a little less effective. Perfect record. |
| 2 |  | Ulver
Wars of the Roses
2011
Electronic / Rock / Experimental
Norway
An often overlooked gem in Ulver's extensive, diverse and acclaimed discography. For some reason this one has so much replayability for me, I cannot ever get enough of it. Island especially, with its mysterious sound design and calm yet slightly eerie ambient outro embodies this perfectly. Despite its shortness Ulver cover a lot of ground here, and to me all of it is perfect. This mix between approachable and tight songwriting and more elaborate and experimental stretches just makes me come back for more and more. |
| 1 |  | Opeth
Heritage
2011
Progressive Rock
Sweden
Hello lovely album. You're my favourite of the decade. Wonderfully quirky, adventurous and twisted, still finding new things here every time I listen to it. Produced absolutely perfectly, from the Jan Johannson inspired piano and upright bass t/t to that nice mirror-image of the guitar-only outro. These tracks are so full of personality that they can almost talk. And god Axe's drumming and Mendez' bass playing are incredible. One of Opeth's very best, happy to be spending many more years with this one. |
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