The year 2011 has seen some significantly joyful growth for gogoyoko. We see our store‘s catalogue getting bigger and weightier each week with more artists and labels making their homes on the site. We’ve been participating in many great events throughout the year including the successful gogoyoko Wireless Series, gogoyoko Off Venue Extravaganza during Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík Music Mess and more. We revived the provisionally defunct blog and gave it a lighter and fresher appearance. We are very excited and happy to have added another field to introduce outstandingly great music to you all.
The year 2011 has seen some really great music. Many new and exciting artists are surfacing with new releases, ideas and approaches, alongside releases by dearly established artists. The content team went through piles of releases, carefully voting between almost hundred nomination-worthy candidates for The Best Album 2011. The result is this juicy Top 30 list of highly recommended albums.
Enjoy!
Low Roar
Low Roar
Tonequake Records; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
gogoyoko’s Hreinn Elíasson says: The Californian Low Roar has gained an incredibly rapid success on gogoyoko.com and currently holds the #1 position at the site’s Top Albums chart. The self-titled debut displays quality songwriting and tender vocal arrangements reminiscent of Thom Yorke and Jónsi, while maintaining its own originality.
Snorri Helgason
Winter Sun
Kimi Records; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
gogoyoko’s Gylfi Blöndal says: Snorri Helgason keeps growing as a songwriter and here on his sophomore album Winter Sun he joined forces with Sindri Már Sigfússon (Seabear, Sin Fang) who helped produce what is a stunner of an album, so honest and forthcoming and well executed that I’m already anticipating his next move. Snorri is here to stay.
Reykjavík!
Locust Sounds
Self Released; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
gogoyoko’s Benedikt Reynisson says: One of Reykjavík‘s most passionate and guttural live acts displayed their affectionate and melodic side on their third and first self-released album. Locust Sounds is the most diverse album; it’s climatic and sometimes spectral without sacrificing the ROCK! Standout tracks are the first single “Cats”, “Hellbound Heart”, “Nurse, Please” and the rocketing “Internet”.
FM Belfast
Don’t Want To Sleep
Morr Music; 2011
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Benedikt says: FM Belfast’s second album was probably one of the most anticipated Icelandic albums of the year. Did it live up to the expectations? For me it did; it’s quite more accomplished than its predecessor and more of a band effort – at least it sounds like that. The production more developed and slightly darker but all the fun elements that filled How To Make Friends are still here.
Alexander
Alexander
Rough Trade; 2011
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Benedikt says: The Magnetic Zero front man Alexander Ebert comes out with his most effortless, hazy and chilled out modes for his first and self-titled album. It sounds like you’re on a holiday in a really warm place and you feel so relaxed and maybe a little bit lost but in a nice way.
Sandro Perri
Impossible Spaces
Constellation; 2011
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Benedikt says: One of my pleasant surprises this year. Polmo Polpo’s Sandro Perri released his third album this year that’s eccentric and experimental yet comforting and accessible. He ricochets around squelching electronics, poly-rhythms, AM Radio saxophone suites, jittery jazz guitar interludes, indie folk and whatnot. This description might not sound accessible but it sure is.
SBTRKT
SBTRKT
Young Turks; 2011
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Benedikt says: SBTRKT is the the debut full length by the magical Londoner SBTRKT. This self-titled effort is a low-key, late night suite inspired by silent nights and the blooming music scene around East London’s Plastic People Club. SBTRKT has been making a name for himself with his reworkings for the likes of Radiohead, Modeselektor and Goldie and releases for up and coming labels like BRAINMATH, Ramp and Monkeytown. SBTRKT features vocal appearances by Yukimi Nagano of Sweden’s Little Dragon, Jessie Ware and Roses Gabor.
The Horrors
Skying
XL; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Gylfi Blöndal says: Following the artistic and commercial success of 2009′s Mercury Prize winner Primary Colours, the Brits unveil their biggest success to date, Skying. It’s full of the new-wave-goth-shoegaze antics you’d expect from them and yet it delivers so much more, mostly in the form of unforgettable hooks as presented best on the text-book track ´Still Life´.
Cymbals Eat Guitars
Lenses Alien
Memphis Industries; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: After gaining much buzz over the last couple of years Cymbals Eat Guitars release their second album on Memphis Industries. Featuring ten astounding tracks, Lenses Alien is a godsend for admirers of purist 90′s indie-rock, and suitable for fans of Superchunk, Built to Spill and any similarly genuine rock of the indie nature.
Atlas Sound
Parallax
4AD; 2011
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Hreinn says: This year Bradford Cox from Deerhunter brought us his third and most complete solo album as Atlas Sound, called Parallax. On the album Cox delivers his vocals mostly via 1950s style ghost-like croon, along with echoed guitars, soft percussion and psychedelic synths filling up the rest of the atmosphere. All of this results in a very pleasurable listening experience.
I’m Being Good
Mountain Language
Self Released; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Benedikt says: Brighton’s unsung underground heroes I’m Being Good have been at it for almost two decades now. The minimal deconstructionist rock trio never ceases to stretch the boundary and idea of rock and roll across it‘s musical alphabet. I’m Being Good create their own unique blend of sludgy math-core with tiny references to Harvey Milk, Polvo, ZZ Top and Lungfish here and there. They’ve always maintained an instinctive eeriness and they’ve always sounded mean but Mountain Language shows them at their meanest.
Prinspóló
Jukk
Kimi Records; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Benedikt says: Jukk by Prinspóló is second album from alter ego of Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson (of Skakkamanage fame and a mainstay figure in the Reykjavík music scene). Prinspóló started out as a one man band and to begin with it was his much more lighthearted side-project from his main band. On Jukk the solo project had developed into a full band experience and the band took a refreshing and surprising shift up with the club hit “Niðrá strönd”. Other outstanding tracks include “Skærlitað Gúmmulaði”, “Njótum Afans” and “Hakk og Spaghéttí!.
Gang Related
Stunts & Rituals
Self Released; 2011
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Benedikt says: A pretty hot of the press band in the Reykjavík music scene or so to speak. With a self-assure ten song debut that starts on the sweet paths of 60s pop and gradually ends upon the route to the aisles of angst-ridden and heartfelt indie-sound of the 90s. Stunts & Rituals is possibly the perfect marriage of early Pavement, The Zombies, Panda Bear, The Byrds and Phil Spector.
Rich Aucoin
We’re All Dying To Live
Self Released; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Gylfi says: Canadian Rich Aucoin has possibly made the feel-good album of the century. I’m not kidding here. He’s displayed in his live sets the ability to practically hypnotize everyone in the room onto his side, and with the help of no less than 500 friends, We’re All Dying To Live is the most positive album to surface this year. As Rich puts it himself: “The record is really about making big life decisions or at least about thinking about those decisions and how to live one’s life. This is something that is very relevant to me as the lives of people my age are in so much flux.” Jolly good sir.
Dark Captain
Dead Legs & Rituals
LoAF; 2011
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Gylfi says: Stand-out tracks on the album include “Strange Journeys Home”, “80000 Reasons” and closer “Flickering Light”. Dead Legs & Alibis is overall a very impressive album of masterfully assembled compositions, musicianship and style.
Wye Oak
Civilian
City Slang; 2011
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Gylfi says: Baltimore’s Wye Oak caught my attention after hearing the brilliant single ´Civilian´. I suppose they would rank high for fans of Yo La Tengo or Stereolab and I wouldn’t blame them, just listen to the single and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Includes one of the best vocalist of the year, Jenn Wasner.
St. Vincent
Strange Mercy
4AD; 2011
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Benedikt says: On her third album Annie Clark (St. Vincent) balanced experimentation and accessibility in almost divine manner. Strange Mercy is full of artistic brilliance, challenging and gritty guitar riffs and fascinating and elegant vocals. Also as a huge fan of Big Black (one of America’s most abrasive and aggressive punk bands of the 80s) and seeing a Youtube-clip of her paying them a jaw dropping tribute put her up in a place with the coolest ladies in music. Strange Mercy attacks and holds you fondly at the same time.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
True Panther Sounds; 2011
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Hreinn says: After being conceived as a simple home recording project, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has quickly outgrown its former perimeter and now sports a handsomely assembled self-named debut. The effort is filled with lo-fi sounding hook driven songs that all have in common to be incredibly natural, untamed and catchy.
Mugison
Haglél
Self Released; 2011
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Hreinn says: Mugison’s Haglél is the first full-length he releases in his own native tongue, Icelandic. The album is undoubtedly his most level-headed effort to date as he now brings out his raunchy old blues guitar, crooning softly yet eagerly through each song. Although Haglél stays mostly on the comfortable side it still manages to cover much of the emotional spectrum, making it such a gem of an album.
Sóley
We Sink
Morr Music; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Sóley Stefánsdóttir has spent the better part of the last 4 years touring with her bands Seabear and Sin Fang. In that time she’s been on what seems like a quest for her own voice. And she’s found it! We Sink is an intimate and highly personal album where minimal structures merge perfectly with Sóley’s soft and enticing voice. Amazing indie-pop-folk debut from an artist bound to make a significant mark on the genre in the future.
Gusgus
Arabian Horse
Kompakt / Smekkleysa SM; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Benedikt says: This year saw a dignifying return of Icelandic electronic soul band GusGus. Two years after releasing their deepest and darkest album to date, 24/7. Very few Icelandic bands, if any, has submerged so deep to garner such enthusiasm and return with their strongest album sixteen years into the career.
The trio still consists of Biggi Veira, Daníel Ágúst and President Bongo who gathered the refreshing vocal talents of former GusGus lead songstress Earth and Hjaltalín’s Högni Egilsson on Arabian Horse. The vocal threesome harmonizes so rightly with the GusGus’ highly developed world of sound and so do Samúel Jón Samúelsson’s Gainbourg-esque string arrangements and Davíð Þór Jónsson’s (a long time Ólöf Arnalds and Mugison collaborator) gypsy band kinks.
Eleanor Friedberger
Last Summer
City Slang; 2011
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Gylfi says: The Friedberger siblings have left behind countless hours of recorded material as The Fiery Furnaces, some of it quite enjoyable, some of it not. The artistic struggle between them may have been why sister Eleanor Friedberger decided to go try her luck on her own. And did she luck out? Oh yes. Hers is a triumph of ridiculously memorable songs that echo times past where music had bite and softness at the same time. Last Summer is a soft-rock opus to the 70′s whilst showcasing the songwriting skills of a seasoned veteran of the indie scene, yet just now making her own individual statement.
Nolo
Nology
Kimi Records; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Gylfi says: When lof-fi duo Nolo first decided to share some demo’s with the world, they did so on gogoyoko by means of the “Fair Play” method. It quickly caught on and after a few (which is an understatement) self-released recordings they’ve achieved some kind of minimal excellence on Nology, their first on a label. Sure, their sonic playing-field is limited but it’s what they do within those self-imposed boundaries that counts. And counts it does.
Dillon
This Silence Kills
BPitch Control; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: Dominique Dillon de Byington’s debut has taken many by a very pleasant surprise for its beautiful song structures, outstanding melodies and quirky/cute lyrics. Although vocally distinctive, she respectfully crosses between Joanna Newsom, Regina Spektor and Lykke Li, while citing influences from Billie Holiday. Dillon’s This Silence Kills is without a doubt one of the greatest discoveries of the year.
John Maus
We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves
Upset The Rhythm; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves is a devastatingly catchy and thought-provoking album that stays within the lost genre of New Wave. It’s highly saturated with arpeggiated vintage synth action in spirit of Giorgio Moroder and echo soaked vocals reminiscent of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, which gives it its distinct charm while it manages to maintain it’s own uniqueness.
tUnE-yArDs
W H O K I L L
4AD; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: Armed with a loop machine and her afro-pop influenced vocals, Merrill Garbus a.k.a. tUnE-yArDs delivers one of the most interesting genre-bending albums that has surfaced in a long time, mixing lo-fi, folk, hip hop, afro-beat, avant-jazz, rock, funk and R&B with absolutely stunning results.
Radiohead
The King Of Limbs
Ticker Tape Ltd.; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: A gratifying moment occurred earlier this year when one of the most influential bands of our time, Radiohead, finally joined gogoyoko with their groundbreaking 8th LP, The King of Limbs. Needless to say, the album packs the quality you can expect from Radiohead – resulting in an album that is highly rewarding upon close and long listening. You hear their sound being brought further into the 21st century in the ever-evolving cycle that makes Radiohead so constantly current and interesting.
Sin Fang
Summer Echoes
Morr Music; 2011
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Gylfi says: Sindri Már Sigfússon seems unstoppable these days. On his second album under monicker Sin Fang, he masters the perfect balance needed to create some of the most interesting pop music I’ve heard ever, or not since Lindsey Buckingham was at the height of his powers. An album for any occasion. A triumph.
Bon Iver
Bon Iver
4AD; 2011
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Gylfi: Bon Iver’s first album, For Emma Forever Ago never did much for me. I feel I have to admit that before going on. Right then. What he achieves here on his second full-length is nothing short of amazing then, to me at least. It seems like yesterday he emerged from the mountains where he resided while writing his debut effort. And even though he was praised for it, I was unsure whether he’d be able to keep up the act. But it was no act. The emphasis Justin Vernon has put on the production of this album, the premium musicianship, the vocal harmonies, the words, the whispers and shakes cannot be valued or weighed. What they have is this deep emotional worth as long as the running time lasts and only if you give it your full attention, because JV has earned it. Simply put, a classic.
Kurt Vile
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Matador Records; 2011
Buy and listen on gogoyoko.com
Hreinn says: This is clearly one of the most astonishing releases of this year. Kurt’s atmospheric acoustic-folk songs hit you right in the heart in a combination of sonic depth and intense lyrical compositions. This album’s lyrics mainly feature conflicted situations that involve problems and solutions, and in such a convincing way that it’s equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. The best thing about it all is the overall impression you get by listening to the richly layered textures accompanied by the heartfelt vocals.
The Philadelphian troubadour also released So Outta Reach in November this year, a collection of five remarkable songs recorded during the sessions for Smoke Ring For My Halo that are definitely worth checking out.
You can win a vinyl copy of Kurt Vile’s Smoke Ring For My Halo. If you buy it on gogoyoko before January 1st 2012 you’ll be entered into a raffle to win the vinyl. Same goes for those who already bought it, you’ll also be eligible to win.
Honorable Mentions
There are quite many honorable albums that the team considered great but didn’t get enough scores to make it all the way to the top thirty – yet our content-boys feel that you’re obliged to check them out.
These distinguished artists get an honorable mention for their releases this year: Iceage, Adult Fur, Blue Daisy, Fucked Up, Friendly Fires, Wolves In The Throne Room, ADHD, Dead Skeletons, Darkness Falls, Dan Mangan, Ham, Thurston Moore, Ben Frost & Daníel Bjarnason, Hjálmar, Swimming, Tamikrest, The Field, 22-Pistepirkko, Dad Rocks!, Of Monsters and Men, Like a Stuntman, Wet Illustrated, Trash Talk, Walls, For a Minor Reflection, Gunman & The Holy Ghost, Herman Dune, Hermigervill, Plastic Gods, Skálmöld, Ryan Teague, Skurken, The Bent Moustache and Wet Paint.
