FEATURE: Top 5 Albums of 2011 - Contributors Choice

I'd like to thank everyone of the 18 people who contributed to this feature over the past few weeks. It's been a blast and I don't know about you but I've certainly found out about some great acts that I'd missed this year thanks to these knowledgeable people and their lists. So a big thanks out out to the following:

Simon from Sonic Emporium Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice Jerome from Desire Records Simon from People Get Real Piper from Puro Instinct Stephen from WeAreHunted.com ZanitaNico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1 Jamie Moffett Film DirectorHayden Black from Goodnight Burbank Michelle from Audible Treats Lana Mir Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours Louise from A Band Called Quinn Tasha from Demain Magazine Maxime from Kitsuné

So based on repetitions in everyone's contributions here are the Top Five Favourite Albums of 2011.

1. New Look - New Look (4 Repetitions)
2. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost (3 Repetitions)
3. Washed Out - Within and Without (2 Repetitions)
4. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (2 Repetitions)
5. Foster The People - Torches (2 Repetitions)

All other entries received no repetitions except Shabazz Palaces that got an honourable mention but was not in a top 5 more than once.

FEATURE: Vainzine's Fave Five Albums of 2011

To those who said that 2011 was full of shit music, I say look harder and more importantly, listen harder. Use the internet, get peoples opinions and do some work. There was a hell of a lot of music churned out again this year and the bullshit filter had to be turned up to the max but there was also a lot of great, truly great music out there that you didn't really have to try that hard to find. I had great difficulty in narrowing down to five choices, but here they are. I've dropped in a few of those who didn't make the cut at the end.

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco
What to say about this album? It split fans and critics alike. The back-draft on this was huge. I loved it, it's a masterpiece and massive step forward for a band that will hopefully be around for a long time to come.



Alex Turner - Submarine (Original Songs)
Original songs from the film Submarine, directed by Richard Ayoade. A super film that I loved and it's the song that make it what it is.



Puro Instinct - Headbangers In Ecstasy
Great band, great attitude, great music. This album is a work of art, well programmed and produced demands to be listened to from beginning to end every time. 'Stilyagi' just about my fave track.

Tycho - Dive
Dreamy beats, the cover artwork explains it all, sunset, sea, warm climes and good times. J'aime.



New Look - New Look
'Nap on the bow' is one of the tracks of the year and the album is another future classic that demands attention throughout. Can't wait for the next one.



Some honourable mentions go out to:

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Blood Orange - Coastal Grooves
Mr Oizo - Stade 2
Hollie Cook - Hollie Cook
2562 - Fever
Ancient Astronuats - Into Space And Time
Chali 2NA - Fish Market Part 2
Lucy - Wordplay For Working Bees
Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
The Kills - Blood Pressures

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:
1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

15. Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours
16. Louise from A Band Called Quinn
17. Tasha from Demain Magazine
18. Maxime from Kitsuné

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Maxime from Kitsuné

Maxime Souverain is the PR for Maison Kitsuné in Paris. Er, obviously we don't need to say anything about Kitsuné they have been chu8rning out consistently hot, upront tomorrow music for a long time now and they continue to hit it hard with the latest Parisien 2 comp that we'll be reviewing very soon. Here are Maximes faveourites for 2011;

IS TROPICAL - Native To

I just love this naive / lo-fi productions
"Take my chances" makes me want to fall in love and do surf somewhere in the south of France, perfect no?


JAMES BLAKE - James Blake
"Limit to your Love" see? speechless




THE RAPTURE - In The Grace of Your love
I always start the album by the end … "It Take Time to Be A Man" sounds like the perfect happy ending in a movie! Can't you see me in the south of France surfing on the artwork cover?



TIMBER TIMBRE - Creep On Creepin' On
I don't know why I picked this one really! This is maybe the kind of sound that I would do if I was a musician, boring hein?



HOUSSE DE RACKET - Alesia
The most stunning live act of the year, impressive for these two little boys!



And here are 3 Eps that I really loved too:

PARADIS - La Ballade de Jim
LESCOP - EP
JUVENILES - We Are Young

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

15. Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours
16. Louise from A Band Called Quinn
17. Tasha from Demain Magazine

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Tasha from Demain Magazine

Tasha Lovecity is Editor in Chief at Demain Magazine and well, she knows her music. Check out her list for the proof and don't forget to check out the superb Demain too.

New Look - New Look
I’ve been waiting for a record from these guys for a long time. Something really endearing about the sparse beats and Sarah Ruba’s voice really reminds me of loads pop stars I loved as a kid in the 80s. ‘The Ballad’ is so beautiful I could almost cry.



The Strokes - Angles
The Stokes were largely panned for this record, as people felt they were not trying anything new. I remember when I was very young, I found it harder to take when my favourite band had a ‘new sound’ on every new record they put out and found it hard to adjust. It’s hard to deny the jovial and uplifting chorus of ‘so long, my friend’ on ‘Caffeinated Consciousness’ and the band’s signature droll lyrics on ‘Taken for a Fool’. This was an album for fans of The Strokes, and I love the fact it didn’t break any boundaries.



TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
There is little this band can do wrong. My stand out track on this has to be ‘Will Do’, it’s like a gloriously haunting words of advice.



Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
A very emotional record full of different shades.. from the wonderfully chipper ‘Honey Bunny’ which kind of makes you want to run through the nearest field with all of your friends to play Frisbee to the Love is Like a River which could almost be a doo-wop song from the 60s. However, the song which fascinates me the most is ‘Vomit’; though it’s the most sparse track on the album, it’s probably the most enigmatic.




Cold War Kids - Mine is Yours
Up till now, Nathan Willett’s voice was always quote weathered and blues-y, which is great but on this record it’s quite smooth and poppy. The guitars and arrangement on the single ‘Finally Begin’ remind me of The Smiths, which I always find a good thing. A really uplifting album.



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

15. Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours
16. Louise from A Band Called Quinn

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Louise from A Band Called Quinn

Louise Quinn is a singer/ songwriter with A Band Called Quinn. She has sung on several Kid Loco albums & he joins her on forthcoming single 'Oh Jackie' to be released on Tromolo Records in the New Year alongside the band's much anticipated new album Red Light Means Go.

The band have three tracks featured on Series 2 of Lip Service which airs on BBC3 this spring. Here are her thoughts on the top 5 albums of 2011;

I've not sought out any new music this year but through the ether certain albums have permeated.

Star Wheel Press - Life Cycle of a Falling Bird
Beautiful, sincere album with stark honest production.

Washed Out - Within & Without
Effortlessly transcendental.

The Crystal Stilts - In Love With Oblivion
Old ground but sounds very fresh.

Remember Remember - The Quickening
Mesmerizing piece of minimalism.

St Vincent - Strange Mercy
Always interesting.

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

15. Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours

I used to work with Tel back in the day and he is a top bloke. He's currently Editor of Dazed & Confused’s global platform Satellite Voices, heading up creative special projects at Dazed Group. Music and arts journalist for Dazed & Confused, AnOtherMag, Nowness, URB, Staf. He's also one of the founders of the Earnest Endevours record label. You can check out their latest release by B. Bravo below. It's hot by the way, smoking in fact. If you are into that then they also have upcoming releases from Cardiff’s Darkhouse Fam and LA’s Widows. Check out his thoughts on the top 5 albums of 2011 below.

B. Bravo - Kiss 'n' Tell EP // Teaser by Earnest Endeavours


“I tried to stick with albums but there was a mixtape and a forthcoming EP (which with its seven-minute-long songs is nearly as long as an album). Half hourz of power.”

Kutmah - The New Error Vol 1
My most listened to mix of this year that kicked off 2011when we launched Kutmah’s “Two Soups & Honeybun” exhibition and party, back in January with HIT+RUN. Certified classic.


Borgata Boredom - Borgata Boredom
A scene-defining compilation of primal sludge noise from Rome’s east side emerging from the classic NO=FI label, who also run one of Rome’s best dive bars.


Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
Rampant experimental hip hop that transcends into visual art with both the awesome Dumb Eyes studio and the game changing filmmaking collective What Matters Most.


New Look - New Look
This is a celebratory album as two amazingly talented friends of mine finally released their awesome experimental pop debut on !K7 after years of other labels’ indecisive quagmire.


E.S.P - E.S.P
The EP is forthcoming but the dublab session and free first track are all over the internet. This cosmic LA psyche trio of Aska, Bobby Evans and Seiya Matsumiya are the future.


Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

Merry Christmas peeps, tweeps, fb's, bloggers and net heads! Eriin is the newest member of team vainzine. She's done a few things already but this is her formal introduction, not that we're very formal 'round here but you get the picture. In here own words she's A 17 year old from Warwickshire, stuck in a woeful sixth form, surviving the middle class suburban landscape by attending gigs, listening to music, reading obscure things and watching Newsnight. All conglomerating in lots and lots of writing with almost there journalistic flair. Here's her top 5 for 2011.

Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
The most booming and captivating voice I've heard in a while. 'Jezebel', even though it's a cover, gives me goosebumps. She's like 2011's little Siouxsie Sioux.



Metronomy - The English Riviera
Pretty much nothing like their last indie nu rave stuff, which if regurgitated again in 2011 would've left them in that forgotten ditch of the Klaxons. (No matter how much the NME are bloody touting them). It's chilled out and quietly pretty. 'She Wants' is a god damn fave.



The Kills - Blood Pressures

Tbh, I wasn't sure how they would top their previous album cos I loved it so much. But even with the duo veering off with models and Jack White's side project (you can a bit off Mosshart's Dead weather-ness in there) but as a whole, the album still has the trademark sleaze and swagger just more refined.



Girls - father, son, holy ghost
It annoyed me when critics dumped them with Beach House and Waves on their debut album, when their work had tons more depth. This album takes a couple of listens to get into to realise how consistently strong it is. 'Vomit' is the most striking.



Nicola Roberts - Cinderellas eyes
*cheesy name barf* - even though it sounds like a poor man's early M.I.A that would be on repeat in New Look, she's the only girls aloud member to do a solo album that doesn't sound completely like a soulless profile booster i.e she's not twattin' around with 'messy fucking raindrops' like Cheryl the mofo Cole.



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Lana Mir

Lana Mir is a singer and songwriter. She's been featured a few times on Vainzine. If you'd like to see those features and listen to her amazing cover of the Stone Roses 'I Wanna Be Adored' Click Here. Here's her views on her favourite 5 albums of 2011;

It wasn't an easy choice to name top 5 albums. More like top 25. Here they are:

Little Dragon - Ritual Union
I like the vibe of the album and singer's voice.



Ivy - All Hours
After five years they finally released a new album. Catchy songs and lyrics.



Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Great album to listen while on the road (even though it was released in 2010).



Foster The People - Torches
Love "Pumped Up Kicks".



Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Beautiful songs




Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Michelle from Audible Treats

Michelle McDevitt is the president of Audible Treats, a boutique entertainment marketing and publicity company located in Brooklyn. Before Audible Treats, Michelle spun records as a college DJ at UC Santa Cruz for 3 years so she really, really knows her stuff. Here are her thoughts on her top 5 for 2011;

Rustie - Glass Swords
I just got turned onto him by friends. He draws from so many influences to create a kaleidoscope of cinematic, synthy, dancey tunes.



The Naked and the Famous - Passive Me Aggressive You
"Young Blood" was the bait. That song might be my most listened to song this year. On constant repeat.



The Roots - undun
Solid album from one of the most consistently solid groups in hip hop. they're humble, hardworking, don't care about the hype machine, and make great music; they're heroes.



Pac Div - The Div
Love the breadth of material here. From heartfelt love jawns to fuck-you-pay-me anthems to party starters, to thanking supporters, to flossy big bassed anthems about picking up girls, the album covers it all. All over superb production.



Adele - 21
What more can be said about this album that hasn't already been said?




Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank

For those of you who haven't seen the stupendously funny Goodnight Burbank, please go and watch it now or check out the promo video below to see what you've been missing.

Hayden is the creator and star of the superb hit internet TV show. You can check it out now on Hulu if you are in the states. We interviewed Hayden back in 2009 so check that out too. Hayden is a regular tweeter so look for him on twitter @haydenblack. Here are his Top 5 albums of 2011.



In no particular order:

Human League - Credo



Cee-Lo Green - The Ladykiller



Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now



Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys



Munk - The Bird & The Beat



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Jamie Moffett Director of Return to El Salvador

Jamie Moffett is a busy guy. He is a film director and recently completed the Return to El Salvador film, narrated by Martin Sheen, that explores the reconstruction of El Salvador, post-civil war. He took some time out to talk to us about his fave 5 albums of 2011.

Making movies for a living, I listen to a lot of music. Here's my top 5 albums for 2011;

Johnny Showcase - Love is the Message
Amazing talent, brilliant songwriting and absolutely hilarious. Best album of the year. Any year.



AWOLNation - Megalithic Symphony
"Sail" is fantastic, but the album spans a ton of genres and is a great from start to finish.



Zach Stock - Until We Lay Alone
great songwriting, mixed & mastered by Bill Moriarity (Dr. Dog, The Swimmers). Go treat your ears and get this album.




Bon Iver - Bon Iver
I'm not sure words can express. Just listen.



Prefuse 73 & The Flaming Lips - EP
Expect this split EP to cause your head to explode. Wear a hoodie so you don't make a mess.




Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1/Hyena Stomp/Rebirth Records

London based Nico De Ceglia is a visionary Italian music geek who makes full use of all things music. Whether it’s as a DJ, producer, journalist, A&R, club promoter or radio show host, there isn’t much that he hasn’t
tried his hand at.

He's been scouting and pre-selecting for Pete Tong's legendary show on BBC Radio 1 since 2001, his vital job is to keep him informed on the more alternative and underground sounds.

In the studio Nico's been busy with his partner in crime Severino (from Horse Meat Disco) under the name Hyena Stomp. The duo have remixed DJ Hell, The " Bears, Tevo Howard & Tracey Thorn as well having released own stuff on Rebirth Records. Check Nico out on Facebook and Soundcloud. Here's his thoughts on the top 5 albums of 2011;

"Lots of great music this year and it's difficult to squeeze it all in a
Top 5. These 5 albums are just some of those that have been in heavier
rotation from my speakers in the past 12 months. I would need at least a
Top 50."

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
"A journey through the spectres of England. I love PJ."



Tom Waits - Bad As Me
"7 years wait for another splendid album by this legend."



Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome
"First of all I'm from Rome so I like the title. Second and most important
it has a perfect nostalgic cinematic touch."



Locussolus - Locussolus
"If there is a name that can manipulate disco and surrounding in a
superior way that's DJ Harvey."



Veronica Falls - Veronica Falls
"Gothic. Haunted. Melancholic. Punk-indie-pop."

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Zanita

Zanita is an Australian model, photographer and entrepreneur. She recently opened up her own store selling her own label clothes simply called The Zanita Store. Apart from that she's a super nice person with a great taste in music. To find out more about Zanita visit her blog and you can also check out this interview she did for us back in 2008. Here's her top 5 Albums of 2011.

Oh god only 5! That's really tough. My top 5 is pretty inconsistent but I'm a firm believer that talent is talent no matter what form it presents itself, so I'm going with;

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming



Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know



Redcoats - EP



Radiohead - The King Of Limbs



Art Vs Science - The Experiment



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Stephen Phillips from We Are Hunted

For those of you who don't yet know what WAH is then check out the little widget on the side bar. You wont be disappointed! If you want the long story visit the Wikipedia page here. Stephen Phillips is one of the co-founders of We Are Hunted and he took time out of his busy schedule to gather up the thoughts of the whole WAH crew on their Top 5 for 2011. Enjoy.

Youth Lagoon - The Year Of The Hibernation



Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine



Big Scary - Vacation



Washed Out - Within And Without



Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost



Honourable Mentions:

Bill Callahan - Apocalypse

Destroyer - Kaput

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

The War On Drugs - Slave Ambient

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Piper from Puro Instinct

One half of sisterly duo Piper from Puro Instinct took time out from their busy schedule to let us know her thoughts on this years top 5 hottest albums. Piper filled us in on what will be coming in 2012 from the band.

"We're releasing a lot of stuff next year. Definitely some EP's but potentially a full length. Going to start recording in a proper studio when we get back from Europe next week. So excited.

We also have a compilation coming out in early spring 2012 featuring our young cohorts from Los Angeles like Geneva Jacuzzi, SFV Acid, Diva Dompe, Arrow Sperske, and more. Pumped about that too!"

If you haven't heard their awesome new album that just dropped entitled Headbangers In Ecstasy' check it out. There is a little taster of what to expect below in this free stream and download. Piper's top 5 albums of 2011 are below.

Puro Instinct - Stilyagi (Ft Ariel Pink) by RecordMakers

John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves



SFV Acid - New West Coast



Reaux Shambeaux - Hollywood Sands



James Ferraro - Far Side Virtual



Stan Hubbs - Crystal



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real

FEATURE: Fave Five Albums Of 2011: Simon from People Get Real

Simon is one half of Production DJ duo People Get Real. They've been tearing up dancefloors for a few years now and are renowned for their individuality and superb musical taste, silky DJ'ing skills and never allowing themselves to be pinned down to a particular sound or pigeon-holed.

Their philosophy is that a club night or mix shouldn't be at the same level or tempo all the way through, instead it should be a mixture of all things good and proper. This gives the lads the uncanny ability to bring their mixture of house, techno and disco to any floor and rock it.

Check out their latest remix of Shields 'White Knuckle Tight Grip' for the proof! Simon has selected his top 5 albums for you below.

Shields - White Knuckle Tight Grip (People Get Real Remix) by People Get Real


Dillon - This Silence Kills

A beautiful and haunting album that really made us stop for a second and listen. Not what we'd expect from Bpitch Control but to be honest I really like how supposed 'dance' or 'electronic' labels are really pushing the envelope on artist albums. Read the Vainzine review HERE.



Kreidler - Tank (Bureau B)

New German kids doing old school kraut-rock. It shouldn't work but it totally does.



John Tejada - Parabolas (Kompakt)

Drift away to the sounds of John Tejada, Kompakt as a label is up there as one of our favourites. A John Tejada album on Kompakt is a match made in heaven and does not disappoint. Floaty and melodic is all the right places.



Deadbeat - Drawn & Quartered (BLKRTZ)

Amazing dub-techno album that featured heavily on hazy days in the sun whilst in Croatia this year.



Kate Wax - Dust Collison

Weird and sparse sounds coming out of James Holden's Border Community imprint. A great example of new school nu-wave (if that's even a genre).



Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:

1. Simon From Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records