Best of 2011 So Far

So with almost half the year gone, yes at Headlikeahole we are very much a glass half empty kind of music blog, surely it’s the perfect time to pick out what we think are the five best albums of the year so far. The list below is not in any kind of order, these are just the five records we have enjoyed the most thus far in 2011.

1. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

The Glaswegians made a triumphant return to form after the dip that was The Hawk is Howling, with their seventh studio album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Showing the band embrace a more mature, even more restraint sound, the album silenced any critics who claimed their best years were behind them.

Standout Track: How To Be A Werewolf.

2. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Another of post rocks stalwarts, Explosions in the Sky returned with a new album this year. Take Care, Take Care, Take Care the bands sixth album is an utterly breathtaking, deeply layered and gorgeous record from start to finish. Easily their most lush offering to date the album revealed some subtle variations from previous releases evidence of the bands clear progression.

Standout Track: Be Comfortable, Creature

3. Maybeshewill – I Was Here For A Moment, Then I was Gone

Deciding to forget about everything that had gone before, Maybeshewill returned this year with a much more polished and refined sound on I Was Here for a Moment, Then I Was Gone. Ditching the samples and getting bassist Jamie Ward on production duties, Maybeshewill have made arguably their most accessible record to date and arguably their best.

Standout Track: Red Paper Lanterns

4. This Will Destroy You – Tunnel Blanket

With their second album Tunnel Blanket, we find This Will Destroy You evolving at a staggering degree. Completely avoid of any apparent post rock characteristics, Tunnel Blanket is TWDY sounding how they have always wanted to, abstract and ambient. This totally works producing a lavish, wonderfully desolate record driven by freedom and an unending ambition to create something absolutely unique.

Standout Track: Black Dunes

5. Jeudah – While We Sleep

A collaboration between Pg.losts Kristian Karlsson and Jan Jämte vocalist with Khoma, Jeudahs debut While We Sleep was created over distance and time, 800 kilometres and two years to be precise. The record is enshroud in places with a beautiful fragility that is blended very intelligently with something darker and heavier to create a debut that is original, stylish and powerful.

Standout Track: The Edge of the World