Joanna Newsom - Ys

I first thought her vocals were absolutely horrendous. Luckily I got used to them, and eventually started to adore them. How unique they are.

Sadly, I have a very hard time listening to this album the whole way through. I can't even get past the first track. Sounds like I hate this album, judging from a portion of the song "Emily", right? Wrong. "Emily" is such a captivating track, filled to the brim with vivid imagery, beautiful instrumentation, and breathtaking storytelling. It really takes you places. Every time I try to listen to Ys in its entirety, I find myself playing Emily on repeat.

Now to listen to the rest of the album...

Owen Pallett - Heartland

Can't really think of a good word to describe this album right now. "Climactic"? idk... but this is definitely a highlight of 2010. Lush, intricate baroque pop-esque instrumentation, cinematic almost. Check this album out.

Toro Y Moi - Causers of This

"Chillwave is the Dubstep of indie rock" -- edIT

"Chillwave"... what a fitting name. This album, which is thrown under the "chillwave" umbrella, has one great purpose:

chilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

I find that a lot of chillwave shit can sound similar, but yaknow, that doesn't really matter to me because all you need to do is throw on any chillwave album and, you guessed it, chill the fuck out.

Four Tet - There Is Love In You

Creative, blissful, chillllllllll. Sublime. My favourite release of 2010 so far.

Beach House - Teen Dream

Majestic, dreamy, beautiful.