Albums of the year

Mumford & Sons have produced one of the best albums of the year. Photo / Supplied

Don't let 2010 pass you by without hearing these top albums.

Naysayers called it "fake folk", but for me Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More, with its knees-up acoustic guitar and banjo, mixed with heartbreaking ballads, remains one of the best albums of the year. For the same reasons, Frazey Ford's debut Obadiah also rates highly. The joyous, yet achingly sad songs from the former member of the Be Good Tanyas were thrashed in my household - they're now part of the furniture.

In keeping with the acoustic/country/folk flavour, Julia Deans' debut solo album, A New Dialogue, is also highly recommended. Gorgeous vocals and beautiful lyrics make it one of the best records out of New Zealand this year, as well as one of my favourites across the board. Likewise, Anika Moa's acoustic version of Love In Motion is simply stunning.

Other great albums include Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, The National's High Violet, Antony and the Johnsons' Swanlights, The Black Keys' Brothers, Mavis Staples' You Are Not Alone and The ArchAndroid from Janelle Monae.