247 Album Verdict
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Albums of 2009

The records from 2009 that made our lists.

  1. 1
    Merriweather Post PavilionAnimal Collective

    Merriweather Post Pavilion

    Animal Collective · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A blissful, sample-swirled experimental-pop peak, home to 'My Girls'. Adventurous and beloved. Their masterpiece.

  2. 2
    HumbugArctic Monkeys

    Humbug

    Arctic Monkeys · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A darker, heavier desert-rock pivot. Bold and acclaimed. A turning point.

  3. 3
    Blue RecordBaroness

    Blue Record

    Baroness · 2009 · Metal

    A melodic, vibrant sludge-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

  4. 4
    Axe to FallConverge

    Axe to Fall

    Converge · 2009 · Metal

    A ferocious, dynamic metalcore peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.

  5. 5
    Bitte OrcaDirty Projectors

    Bitte Orca

    Dirty Projectors · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    An inventive, angular art-pop peak. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

  6. 6
    LungsFlorence + the Machine

    Lungs

    Florence + the Machine · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A dramatic, baroque-pop debut of huge voice and harp. Bold and beloved. A breakthrough.

  7. 7
    VeckatimestGrizzly Bear

    Veckatimest

    Grizzly Bear · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A lush, intricate indie-folk peak of harmony and arrangement. Beautiful and acclaimed. Their finest.

  8. 8
    The Fame MonsterLady Gaga

    The Fame Monster

    Lady Gaga · 2009 · Pop

    A darker, sharper companion to The Fame, home to 'Bad Romance'. Bold and immaculate. Arguably her pop peak.

  9. 9
    Born Like ThisMF DOOM

    Born Like This

    MF DOOM · 2009 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, dark late peak of intricate wordplay. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.

  10. 10
    Crack the SkyeMastodon

    Crack the Skye

    Mastodon · 2009 · Metal

    Their most progressive and melodic record, layered and conceptual. Dense and rewarding. A high point of modern metal.

  11. 11
    BLACKsummers'nightMaxwell

    BLACKsummers'night

    Maxwell · 2009 · Soul & R&B

    A lush, mature neo-soul comeback. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.

  12. 12
    ModeratModerat

    Moderat

    Moderat · 2009 · Electronic

    A sleek, melodic techno-and-bass collaboration. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

  13. 13
    Sigh No MoreMumford & Sons

    Sigh No More

    Mumford & Sons · 2009 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A rousing, banjo-driven folk-rock debut that sparked a revival. Anthemic and huge. A breakthrough.

  14. 14
    Rated RRihanna

    Rated R

    Rihanna · 2009 · Pop

    A dark, edgy pop-R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative turning point.

  15. 15
    Monoliths & DimensionsSunn O)))

    Monoliths & Dimensions

    Sunn O))) · 2009 · Metal

    An ambitious, orchestral drone-metal peak of immense weight. Singular and acclaimed. A genre high point.

  16. 16
    xxThe xx

    xx

    The xx · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A spare, intimate debut of whispered vocals and minimal guitar. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A striking, influential arrival.

  17. 17
    It's Blitz!Yeah Yeah Yeahs

    It's Blitz!

    Yeah Yeah Yeahs · 2009 · Alternative & Indie

    A synth-driven dance-rock reinvention, home to 'Heads Will Roll'. Bright and acclaimed. A bold pivot.