The quality and quantity of music released this year has been staggering, but unlike last year, I didn’t have such an easy time picking my favorite, and it was difficult for me to narrow my list to just five. I chose not to rationalize any of my choices, because I doubt I could do them justice. Give them a try if you haven’t already.

My name’s Shawn, by the way. I’m a student at Clarkson University, where I study biochemistry. Anyway, I feel obligated to mention a few other albums, so here they are:

6. “Shaking the Habitual” by The Knife
7. “New History of Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light” by Colin Stetson
8. “Overgrown” by James Blake
9. “Immunity” by Jon Hopkins
10. “Obsidian” by Baths
11. “Loud City Song” by Julia Holter
12. “Settle” by Disclosure
13. “Trouble Will Find Me” by The National
14. “Fetch” by Melt Banana”
15. “Reflektor” by Arcade Fire
16. “Sunbather” by Deafheaven
17. “Midcity” by Clipping.
18. “Fetch” by Melt Banana
19. “Clash the Truth” by Beach Fossils
20. “We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic” by Foxygen
21. “R Plus Seven” by Oneohtrix Point Never
22. “Excavation” by The Haxan Cloak
23. “mbv” by My Bloody Valentine
24. “You’re Nothing” by Iceage
25. “Pain is Beauty” by Chelsea Wolfe