2011 was a pretty big year for music, and in particular the entire electronic music genre. This very much a personal list; I’m pretty sure the rest of the Stoney dudes would have different lists! There have been some amazing releases though, and top 10s are always a good chance to check out anything you might have missed in the last twelve months. So, without further ado, let the countdown begin…

10. Mickey Moonlight – The Time Axis Manipulation Corporation

A late entry, but I really enjoyed reviewing this album last month and it’s been a regular player ever since. Weird but wonderful. Read the full review here.

9. Rimer London – Rimer London

This one was a real slow burner, but it became a bit of a summer spinner. Lots of juicy synth work, and one of the only times where the 80s throwback synthtacular works really really well without sounding like a retro covers band. Extra points for extremely nice album artwork.

8. The Shoes – Crack my Bones

Not a perfect album, it’s got some lemons on it later on in the tracklist, but it’s got some stonkingly good music on it and is well worth a listen. The French duo are extremely talented producers, also acting as half of Gucci Vump. Some really good featured vocalists, including the brilliant Esser on ‘Stay The Same’ and ‘Wastin’ Time’.

7. Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!

I waited a *long* time for this album to come out! I picked up ‘Hold On’ EP back in 2007 and I’ve loved these guys ever since. This is how synth pop should be done. Funnily enough, ‘Hold On’ is still the best track, it’s a total classic.

6. Modeselektor – Monkeytown

Berlin is the place where a lot of the best music comes from (in my humble opinion anyway), and this album was a real lesson in where German electro is heading. You can read my full review here.

5. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – We’re New Here

The last work of the great Gil Scott-Heron, surely reason enough to appreciate this album. Jamie xx is an incredibly talented UK producer, and you’ll be hearing a lot more from him this year. A very well considered and constructed album, it works better as a whole than it does in parts, which is a rare thing at the moment. This one has been popping up on quite a few ‘Albums of 2011’ lists for a good reason.

4. Sebastian – Total

Definitely the best of a slightly disappointing crop of Ed Banger releases last year, this was long awaited and didn’t disappoint.Fabulously French, unmistakably Sebastian’s choppy and often copied production style. The soundtrack to my summer, along with the number 3.

3. Metronomy – The English Riviera

I listening to this album on repeat for a week when it first came out. Great songwriting and a new lineup for Metronomy has resulted in probably the best ‘pop’ album in a very long time. It’s very British as well, which is another reason to love it. One of the first albums in a long term with songs that I learned all the words to!

2. James Blake – James Blake

Probably one of the most important albums of 2011, it was a total landmark in the UK bass genre. For me, this album singlehandedly showed how dubstep had evolved way beyond one genre and could be evolved into something very special. James Blake is certainly my favourite producer of the last year, and his album is a stunning piece of work. Beautiful songwriting and attention to detail that puts many other more traditional singer songwriters to shame.

1. Siriusmo – Mosaik

It was difficult choosing which order to put ‘Mosaik’ or James Blake in, but having looked at my Last.fm album chart for the last twelve months, the decision was made for me. I’ve listened to it (according to Last.fm anyway) 292 times. It never gets old, so rich and intelligent is the production. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you owe it to yourself to listen to Mosaik.