Single: Malcolm Middleton – Zero

Even Malcolm Middleton, arguably the most angsty front-man around, has embraced this year’s electronic revolution. Zero, taken from Malcolm’s fifth solo album Waxing Gibbous, is a slight departure from his usual guitar heavy songs. His inclusion of electronic drum beats and keys may even give it a greater chance of reaching the heights of the charts than his 2007 Christmas hope We’re All Going to Die, which reached a dizzying Top 40 slot.

Album: Richmond Fontaine – We used to think the freeway sounded like a river

If there is something that characterizes Richmond Fontaine, this alternative country band from Portland Oregon, is their ability to recreate imagery into music. Willy Vlautin – vocals and guitar – is well known for this art. Yet this album combines his skill with an additional display of pure American songwriting spells and traditional rock and roll bravado.