Standouts: Music

Fleet Foxes: “Helplessness Blues”:
Robin Pecknold’s lyricism rides atop existential themes of purpose and meaning, all while implementing the lush guitar work fans have come to admire in previous works.  Such a combination puts the indie band as a frontrunner of not only 2011, but among the greatest songwriting folk outfits of all time.

Bon Iver: “Bon Iver, Bon Iver”:
Justin Vernon’s long awaited follow-up has finally dropped and exceeded all expectations.  “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” is as emotive as the previous masterpiece “For Emma, Forever Ago”, but much more dynamic. Featuring musical greats such as saxophonist Colin Stetson and steel-pedal guitarist Greg Leisz, the album’s sound nothing short of pristine.

The Weeknd: “House of Balloons”:
This is 21st century R&B and singer Abel Tesfaye brings the whole gamut of the swag generation to “House of Balloons.”  Themes of sex, drugs, and endless partying set the stage for songs about love, insecurity and stardom.  The album reads like a diary and its confessions are haunting, honest and more than a little entertaining.

Fucked Up: “David Comes to Life”:
The hard core punk rockers have released a lengthy, epic LP that pushes the boundaries of the genre in new and creative ways.

Panda Bear: “Tomboy”:
Following another acclaimed album, Noah Lennox, one of the founding members of Animal Collective has created an extremely experimental, yet easily accessible album that’s sure to delight.

Toro y Moi: “Underneath the Pine”:
The dream-like sound of Toro y Moi totes a psychedelic groove reminiscent of something in between MGMT and Memory Tapes.

James Blake: “s/t”:
When minimalist dubstep and electronica meet soaring vocals, the result is a hypnotizing soundscape perfect for listeners with an attention span.

The Antlers: “Burst Apart”:
The indie alt-rockers’ latest album twinkles and lingers then comes full circle with its poignant lyricism.

Bad Meets Evil: “Hell: The Sequel”:
Eminem teams up with Royce Da 5’9’’ for a flagrant lyrical beatdown that sounds like it came straight off of the streets of Detroit.

Kurt Vile: “Smoke Ring For My Halo”:
The lo-fi garage rocker’s latest album features his trademark musical haze and melodramatic, yet direct lyrical capabilities in a concentration unlike any previous effort.