Sorry if there's already a topic for this.
I've only heard a handful of albums this year, but these are my three favourites, with examples.
1) Melt-Banana: Fetch
Chirpy Japanese noise-polluters Melt-Banana have released many brilliant albums in the past, but this is, I think, my new favourite. Catchy, consistent, and hugely accessible for newcomers.
2) Carcass: Surgical Steel
Scouse death-metallers have taken their sweet time over this release, but the wait has been worth it. 7 years after the so-so Swansong, Carcass are back on form with a release which sounds very similar to Heartwork, their best album in my opinion. Turn up the volume.
3) Melt Yourself Down: S/T
Watched these guys play this live in Manchester a few weeks ago. Pound for pound the best gig I've ever seen. Two saxophonists, a bassist, and two drummers ensure that they're as jazzy and danceable as can be.
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What are some of your favourites, and why?