Since this still isn’t up on the DW site, I’m doing a late post here on my favorites from 2011 w/ links to enjoy if you haven’t already heard.

AUSTRA / FEEL IT BREAK

This group does the whole darkwave thing right with amazing musicianship, lyrics, and vocal harmonies (something all too often given up for the live show, but in this case THREE singers!). Even the solo piano track is outstanding.

standout track: LOSE IT

HOLY OTHER / WITH U

I love how difficult it is to find in a record store…Electronic? R&B? Goth? Experimental? Perfectly sparse, haunting, gentle, lonely, romantic. In terms of melody, style, production, absolutely at the top of its ‘genre’. Reminds me of late nights in Berlin not having a clue where I am.

standout track: YR LOVE

LADY GAGA / BORN THIS WAY

This record sounds like a 90s uptempo dance remix of itself.

standout track: GOVT HOOKER

BRITNEY SPEARS / FEMME FATALE

I was lucky enough to have been able to work on this record. High production value to be expected, but the inventiveness of electronic sounds and hooks made a couple of the best radio singles this year.

standout track: INSIDE OUT

BALAM ACAB - WANDER / WONDER

Staying home sick from school, loaded up on all sorts of meds, slowly drifting in and out of consciousness watching the best underwater R&B Disney movie.

standout track: APART

CHELSEA WOLFE / APOKALYPSIS

standout track: TRACKS (TALL BODIES)

LYKKE LI / WOUNDED RHYMES

standout track: JEROME

DRAKE / TAKE CARE

standout track: DOING IT WRONG

LITURGY / AESTHETICA

standout track: HIGH GOLD

M83 / HURRY UP, WE’RE DREAMING

standout track: INTRO