2010 Has Already Been a Great Year for Music

While I can say with confidence that  my headphone time has been dominated by archive episodes of WNYC’s outstanding RadioLab podcast, 2010’s new crop of music has already managed to wedge quite a few actual albums into my brain. The following have been particularly enjoyable, each with a brief blurb no longer than 140 characters. There are certainly more, but these have been particularly interesting to me.

Beach House - Teen Dream

Beach House’s dreamy pop arrangements and nonchalant, effortless delivery have been a staple of my music world. Teen Dream does not disappoint.

Vampire Weekend - Contra

I don’t care what anyone says, this band writes some of the catchiest, most satisfying songs I’ve heard. Clearly a gifted group of musicians.

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

Added to category bands-I-avoided-because-their-name-is-awful-but-now-enjoy-unapologetically.

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

Fine, it just came out today and I’m only halfway through. Doesn’t matter. It’s brilliant and beautiful just as you’d expect.