Björk - Biophilia

 Nic Newby likes this.  Every time Björk puts out a new album I think "this is the one that's going to make me realize I just like her because she's Björk and not because she's still making great music."  And then I'm pleasantly surprised all over again.

Beyoncé - 4

 Nic Newby likes this.  I was understandably hesitant, because the album is called "4" and the first track is called "1+1." But Beyoncé has a panache for using a minimalistic and percussion-heavy sound in a way that makes you want to break up with your boyfriend and go out to the club to find a new boyfriend.

Wavves - Life Sux

I know I have said before that this kind of raw, gritty sound isn't my style. However, this is absolutely no exception.

Veronica Falls - Veronica Falls

 Nic Newby likes this.  This was just some good, old-fashioned, before-indie-rock-was-taken-over-by-hipsters indie rock.  They sound like they've just invented the genre and they sound like no one else and everyone else in the genre at the same time.  It was refreshing.

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

 Nic Newby likes this.  This album had a nice echo-ey, breath-y etherial sound, like the whole thing was being overheard from the back row at a mostly empty cathedral.  Good for a Monday morning.

Regina - Soite Mulle

 Nic Newby likes this.  I love French music!

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

 Nic Newby likes this.  It was like the song "Wake Up" from Arcade Fire, only for the entire duration of a 2-disc album. I loved it! So epic and grandiose!

Tycho - Dive

 Nic Newby like this.  This album is like the soundtrack to every dream I've ever had.  Especially the good ones.  But also the ones where I'm trying to run fast but am moving really slowly.  And the ones where I'm trying to talk but no words will come out.

Class Actress - Rapprocher

 Nic Newby likes this.  It was like girl Hot Chip, only more ambient. A really nice listen for a cold winter's night.

I should make a clarification here.  There are two classifications for me with music: music I like to hear and music I like to listen to.  This is music I like to hear.  I love having it on as atmosphere music, but I probably wouldn't get to the point of singing or dancing along.