Dirty Projectors {thanks, Mia Ferm}

1. Dirty Projectors — Bitte Orca
Upon first spin, Bitte Orca proves band leader Dave Longstreth views music in colors (Google “synesthesia”). Luckily for the rest of us, Longstreth honed in his countless ideas with the help of angelic-voiced female band members and a proficient band. Each layer of sound feels like a brush stroke from the most vibrant palette.

2. Lil Wayne — No Ceilings
Jay-Z challenged the mix tape Weezy on “D.O.A.” Big mistake, Hov. Wayne took the baton and sprinted faster than Usain Bolt, bludgeoning other artists’ beats to the point of sheer intoxication.

3. Animal Collective — Merriweather Post Pavilion
It sounds like there’s a hiatus on the burnt-out horizon, which is a shame, because Merriweather is the work of a confident group perfectly clicking as it leans even more on its emerging pop sensibilities. A short break, please!

4. Girls — Album
“Lust for Life” and “Hellhole Ratrace” are two of the best singles offered in 2009. The backdrop is sunny California, but there’s sadness constantly looming.

5. Drake — So Far Gone
You don’t become rap’s hottest topic without a strong product. Drake’s mix tape played like a full-fledged album, and toed the line of arrogance and vulnerability brilliantly.

6. Wavves — Wavvves
Plenty of detractors called Wavves bratty-noise, but that was the point. He was bored, we were bored, and his angst-driven bedroom recordings perfectly summed it up.

7. The Antlers — Hospice
Hushed vocals. Instruments rising out of steam. Soft-to-loud dynamics. Hospice maintains a dignity hard to pinpoint, but it never fails to touch our core.

8. Gucci Mane — Writing on the Wall
The official LP is nice, but this is Gucci’s purest form. It’s a perfect balance of hard-as-hell gangsta rap and the tongue-twisting wordplay that has become Gucci’s calling card.

9. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart — The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Ignore the twee name. This 10-song debut is as finely crafted as any indie rock album this year.

Wesley Case is a presentation architect for b. E-mail him at wesley@bthesite.com. 

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