Albums Of The Year: 2011

Most of this year’s top albums lists have already been release and whilst everyone is looking towards Pitchfork for the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed list, there will be a large percentage of the music loving community eagerly anticipated Village Boy’s top list. Possibly.

Putting this list together made me realise a couple of things. 1. What an incredible year of music it has been across all genres, the fact that almost all of these albums are debut albums makes you realise that music is in a healthy state no matter what LMFAO and Pitbull try to do to it. And secondly, how much my music taste has changed, I've got TWO R&B albums in there. There's hip-hop, indie, rock, dance, acoustic, it makes my iTunes a happy place to be.

So here's my 21 favourite albums of the year. Feel free to point out ones I've missed, which order they should be in or how completely right I am...


21. Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter And Melancholy Jam

Favourite track - Cash And Carry Me Home


20. Twin Atlantic - Free

Favourite track - Free


19. Everything Everything - Man Alive

Favourite track - Come Alive Diana


18. James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning

Favourite track - We Don't Eat


17. The Weeknd - House Of Balloons

Favourite track - High For This


16. Frank Ocean - Nostaligia Ultra

Favourite track - Swim Good


15. Apollo Brown - Clouds

Favourite track - Never In A Million Years


14. Wild Beasts - Smother

Favourite track - Albatross


13. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Favourite track - Reunion


12. Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

Favourite track - The Fear


11. The Black Keys - El Camino

Favourite track - Gold On The Ceiling


10. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

Favourite track - All In White


9. J Cole - Cole World: Sideline Story

Favourite track - Sideline Story


8. Foo Fighters  - Wasting Light

Favourite track - Bridge Burning


7. SBTRKT - SBTRKT

Favourite track - Wildfire


6. Yuck - Yuck

Favourite track - Holing Out


5. Jamie XX & Gil Scott Heron - We're New Here

Favourite track - NY Is Killing Me


4. Drake - Take Care

Favourite track - Marvin's Room



3. Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix

Favourite track - Lights Out, Words Gone



2. Jay Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne

Favourite track - Murder To Excellence

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Favourite track - Towers

We Are Your Friends Edit.

As a young boy I used to love filming and putting together little videos and it's something that I've not done for a long time. Too long. So as I made my way back down to my university home, Bournemouth, I decided to change this. Sure it's no Scorsese epic but I think it captures the fun times we had that night, more so than yet another Facebook album does. Enjoy.

Jamie XX X Quayola: Structures.

Enigmatic producer Jamie xx is at the forefront of contemporary musical experimentation. Jamie xx has created iconic remixes of Adele and Florence & The Machine, as well as finding the time to make the critically acclaimed remix album ‘We’re New Here’ with the legendary
Gil Scott Heron.

For RizLab Project 1, 'Structures', Jamie xx has been collaborating with multimedia artist Quayola, whom he has long admired. Their work will culminate in an exclusive live event in Shoreditch on 22nd September. If you weren't lucky enough to win tickets, we will be capturing the event and posting here on RizLab - so check back soon.

Looks like a great project here from Rizla.

Music Monday 55.

Some new songs from some huge artists that we haven't heard from in a while, and with them headlining Glastonbury Festival this year, I'm very excited.

Beyonce ft Andre 3000 - Party



Yep Beyonce is back. And so is Andre 3000. And I don't think Kanye ever leaves us who produces the first single from Beyonce's fourth album. Now I'm far from a huge Beyonce fan, and an R&B fan in general, but can't deny the force of the women. And from everyone I've spoken to Beyonce is the most anticipated artists of Glastonbury. This song is a lovely bit of old-school R&B, that I can actually enjoy. Kanye did a fine job on it, apart from talking about a swag-sauce called 'swagu'. Weird. And it's good to hear Andre back on it, still strong. Terribly named track though.

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall



Another lame track title. But it's good to see Coldplay back too. Again, I'm not a huge Coldplay fan, but they've produced some massive songs and been really important to British music. So I guess I'm a little bit of a fan. I don't think this is anything particularly fresh and original from the band, but still good to hear something new.

Jamie XX - Far Nearer



And now for somebody who isn't headlining Glastonbury but is nevertheless a very special artists. I'm pretty sure this a new track, I had not heard it before this week that's for sure. I love that Jamie is always pushing himself and the music he ceates, he needs to be admired for that. Every track and project he works on seems to have classic Jamie XX traits to it, but it always so completely different to the last. Love this latest piece.

Deadmau5 - Kick, Push n' Snuff



Really wanted to end this week's post on a high. Love this track, had it on repeat all week. Lupe Fiasco's Kick Push was one of my favourite tracks as a teenager, and was part of my initial hip hop love, and now this Deadmau5 mix has taken it to a whole new level. It's just massive. End of.

Music Monday 46: Bumper Edition

Yes, I missed one, I'm sorry. I'M SORRY! But I was in the French Alps snowboarding so I'm not really that sorry. But to make it up to you, here's another bumper edition. No words, just music.

City and Colour - Fragile Bird



Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist



Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise



Shad & Skratch Bastid - Give You All I Can



Hoodie Allen - NY is Killing Me (Prod. by Jamie XX)



Childish Gambino - The Longest Text Message



Hodgy Beats - Mystery



Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math

Music Monday 37: Bumper Edition

It’s one of those weeks, where songs just seem to creep out of every oriface of the internet and as usual I am in no way complaining. Some new stuff, some new remixes and a couple of cool videos for you this week.

Jay Electronica - Jazzamatazz



This is familiar territory from Jay Elec, but in no way, as with anything this man produces, should be ignored. There’s a famous speech (brought to you by Martin Luther King this time), a looping beat, kids laughing. And, oh yeah, Jay Electronica bringing it as strong as every. I’m happy in this territory.

Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On



So here’s the first of the cool videos, ok it’s not incredible but the editing and cinematography is pretty sweet in parts. But more importantly the song behind the video is pretty special. This song has been around a little while but it’s only recently that I’ve been hitting repeat for it. It’s got a nice beat, it’s inspirational and it’s Lupe Fiasco. It should not be ignored.

Panic At The Disco - The Portrait Of Mona Lisa



Remember Panic? My teenage years certainly do. The pop-rock band that took camp to a new level, that could not be ignored for their catchy tunes and lead singer’s Urie’s voice. Well, they’re back and it’s almost like they’ve never been away. A nice slice of delicious pop-rock, I’d expect nothing less.

The Go Team - Buy Nothing Day



The Go Team. How do you describe them? Pop, indie, hip-hop, funk? Yeah all of those I’d say. The Go Team have seemingly been around for every, but in no way is that a bad thing. They have produced numerous hits of the years, including one of my favourite tracks ever, LadyFlash. They’re unique and that’s the best way for them to stay.

James Vincent McMorrow - Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree



Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Pictures



A bit of a change of pace from the treble-barreled named singer-songwriters. I’ve put these two together, not because of they are any less than the other songs, but because there is little to say other than to appreciate the beauty of these songs. Lovely videos too.

Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill



Now let’s ease you back up. Amazing video and amazing song from Sleigh Bells. That’s all that needs to be said.

Tame Impala - Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind? (Erol Alkan Remix)



A great combination of two great artists. It takes the dreamyness of Tame Impala with a pinch of Erol Alkan’s dance vibes and it works very, very well.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX) Ft Childish Gambino



Yeah it may only be one verse different from the original (original remix, that is) but wow. What a verse.

Ellie Goulding - Lights (Wired Remix)



Wow, this is dubby.