5. Kendrick Lamar – good kid m.A.A.d city

Carefully constructed hip-hop production helmed by Lamar’s confident, languid flow and – most importantly – a distinct personality shining through.

Highlight: Good Kid

4. Graham Coxon – A+E

Until this album, I’d assumed I loved Blur thanks to Damon Albarn. A+E, filled with jagged, fuzzy guitar pop and a lot of good ideas, revealed that essentially everything I like about Blur is thanks to this guy. Recommended.

Highlight: What’ll It Take

3. Crystal Castles – III

In my review, I described this album as a journey through a labyrinth, matching its gloomy, claustrophobic electronica. I’ve since seen someone else describe this as “haunted house” music and that’s a much better fit – flashes of light in the dark, rickety carts jerking around a disquieting maze, exciting and frightening all at once.

Highlight: Insulin

2. Moonface – With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery

Spencer Krug’s earlier work as Moonface was a little too experimental for my tastes, but he’s back to his best here, with this abstractly compelling emotional journey.

Highlight: Shitty City

1. The Presets – Pacifica

Pacifica is a modern noir classic: ichor-stained city streets; streetlights of shiny electro-pop engulfed by a haze of sullen machismo. Their best yet.

Highlight: A.O.

(Part One can be found here)