Here’s one of the big ones. Spin remains my favorite music publication of all time, and this year they joined Stereogum under the BUZZMedia umbrella. Spin’s top 50 is appealingly loony and all-over-the-place, and it’s the rare list that makes room for stuff like Taylor Swift alongside Chicago footwork compilations and stoner-metal lurches. You’ll find the entire top 50 and some stellar writing here. For the top five, check below.

05 Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream

04 DJ Rashad – Teklife Vol. 1 – Welcome To The Chi

03 Japandroids – Celebration Rock

02 Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City

01 Frank Ocean – Channel Orange

I can guarantee you that nobody, DJ Rashad included, saw DJ Rashad’s #4 status coming. Again, check out the full list here.