What? Only 2 days to go!!!? You’ve got to be joking haven’t you? This is the first time in years that I will have to get some (ok pretty much all) of my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Having a 6 month old baby as really thrown a spanner into the works and Christmas has completely crept up on me this year. It only feels like last week that we were in November!

I’m sure I’m not the only one whose left things to the last minute so today’s post is something that you should (if the shops still have them in stock) be able to get today or tomorrow.

Music is by far one of my biggest passions so today I thought I’d share with you my top 4 albums of 2014, why I love them, who they would be the perfect present for and why you should buy them!

At the end of the post I have also shared what album is on my Christmas List (I’ve been a good girl Santa – honest!) and what I think is going to be one of the stand out albums of 2015.

At Number 1 we have Caribou’s AMAZING album, Our Love.

Why do I love it:

Because it is brilliant. It’s one of those rare albums where every single track carries a positive and happy message and I just love listening to it. It is by far my favourite album for 2014 and was recently voted number 6 in 6 Music’s albums of the year.

It is an album where every track is inspired by love. The love you have for your partner, the love you have for your family, the love you have for music, the love you should have for yourself – it’s all there in 45 minutes of electronic beats.

Who else loves it:

Lauren Laverne who said

‘It’s such an emotional album; it’s the opposite of all the clichés people have about electronic and dance music’

Put it on when:

You’re getting ready for a night out, cruising in your car or doing the washing up!

Who it’s perfect for:

Anyone who has a passion for electronic beats or simply appreciates good music.

Number 2 is First Aid Kit with Stay Gold.

Why do I love it:

These two Swedish gals are well known for their incredible song writing ability and they do not disappoint with Stay Gold. Each track is beautifully written and matched with their equally beautiful voices. I find myself being completely immersed in their glorious harmonies – it really is a lovely album to listen too.

Who else loves it:

Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold who was also responsible for the girls rush to fame in 2008 when he shared

Put it on when:

You have time to sit and listen because this album deserves your ears.

Who it’s perfect for:

Anyone who loves a bit of Folk-Rock. If the Everly Brothers had little sisters, these two would be them!

Number 3 on the list is Alt J with their AWESOME second album, This Is All Yours

Why do I love it:

After their brilliant first album, An Awesome Wave, I was a little bit skeptical as to whether Alt J’s unique sound would be lost with their rise to commercial success. It’s happened before when bands have lost their way due to pressure from labels to create another spell binding album (I’m still longing for The Kings of Leon to produce an album as good as Youth and Young Manhood – please go back to your roots boys!) I’m pleased to say that Alt J have most definitely not lost their way – in fact they are leading the way with another unique, daring to be different, album. I love it. I’ll be honest, it does lack the same weird but wonderful creativeness of their first album but it is still good and definitely worth sometime in your headphones.

Who else loves it:

No other than Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad. Yeah Bitches!! Oh and Ellie Goulding too…………have you heard her cover of Tessellate? It’s magic:

Put it on when:

No one else is around so you can listen to it with no interruptions.

Who it’s perfect for:

Alternative Rock fans who are looking for something a bit different

Last but not least it’s Elbow with The Take Off And Landing of Everything

Why do I love it:

Because it is one of those albums that just gets better and better every time you listen to it. Each song draws you in. When you first listen you might notice the rhythmic patterns of the music, then on a second listen the storytelling really stands out, and on the third you are hooked by the genius song writing with stand out lyrics such as ‘When all the world is sucking on its sleeve’ and ”But there isn’t words yet for the comfort I get, from the gentle lunette at the top, of the nape, of the neck, that I wake to.” This is a really personal album. You can tell its been written from the heart which is what makes it work. Music is always good when the people making it are speaking from the heart.

Who else loves it:

Who doesn’t!? Any body worth their salt in music loves this album.

Put it on when:

You have a long car journey, train journey or time to really engage with the music. This album works when listened from start to finish.

Who it’s perfect for:

A thinker and a dreamer. There is a certain maturity and intelligence about The Take Off and Landing of Everything so would be the perfect present for someone you really loves their music.

So there is my top 4. Hopefully the shops will have stock of most of these so if you are a last minute gal/guy like myself, these should help you out!

So what is on my music Christmas list?

There is only 1 album on there this year and that is The War On Drugs’ Lost In The Dream.

Pretty much everyone that I have spoken too who has this album raves about it. It was voted Number 1 in the 6 Music albums of the year and has excellent reviews online.

Who Loves It:

My Dad who has the best music taste out of everyone I know. Oh and Mark Radcliff who says….

‘A ‘proper’ album where one track just effortlessly drifts into the next. It’s an introvert’s take on classic rock with echoes of Dylan and Springsteen but all wrapped in a blissful, slacker’s haze. Over the summer it accompanied me on more or less every journey I took. And what a summer it was. It seems like a dream now but a dream that recurs every time I put the album on. I keep coming back to the same word. Blissful.’

Now how could you not buy it after that?

Last but not least is an album that I have a feeling is going to be HUGE in 2015. It’s by Father John Misty (who used to be in the Fleet Foxes) with his debut album, I Love You, Honeybear.

Released on the 9th February 2015, it is meant to be brilliant. I have already heard some brilliant clips from the album plus a few interviews with the man himself who has said this is a very personal, autobiographical album.

But don’t just take my word for it! See for yourself……………here is the official album trailer:

Sounds good doesn’t it!?

We’ll see you all tomorrow for the final installment in our count down to Christmas! Eek!

Big Love

Laura xxx