Album roundup

[credoimprobus]

So seeing as it's practically November now, let's talk POPTIMIST ESSENTIALS. Or in other words put: what albums will it be beneficial to have heard once year-end polling season rolls around again?

(I'm especially keen to hear about any albums that came out between abt midsummer and the end of September, because that time really struck me as a POP BLACK HOLE. Mind, that may well have been because I spent that time period buried up to my ears in obscurist electronic bobbins, rather than an actual lack of Big Albums...)

Comments

Should probably chip in myself, too

[credoimprobus]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the Fever Ray yet! Other than that, I strongly second (third?) the super-obvious The-Dream and the Ryan Leslie (well, the self titled, anyway; haven't heard Transition yet, though I've got it on preorder). I'll still go to bat for Chrisette Michele's 'Epiphany', too.

A lot of my favourites this year can't exactly count as 'poptimist essentials', but here are a few (with helpful samples!) that I think could go down well with certain sections of the comm:
Few Nolder - New Folder
Clark - Totems Flare
Two Fingers - Two Fingers (no, I'm really never shutting up about this one)