These are our favourite records released since January 1 – voted for by our contributors

40. Half Waif

Lavender

(Cascine)

Nandi Rose Plunkett’s second album of skilled synth work about isolation in America.

Read Mike Vinti’s full review.

39. Phantastic Ferniture

Phantastic Ferniture

(Transgressive)

The debut album from a Sydney trio fronted by Julia Jacklin.

Check out Rosie Ramsden’s full review.

38. La Luz

Floating Features

(Sub Pop)

The LA group’s third album of blackened surf rock.

Take a look at Susan Darlington’s album review.

37. The Voidz

Virtue

(Columbia)

Julian Casablancas’ best, maddest work this side of ‘First Impressions of Earth’.

It kinda blew Edgar Smith’s mind at the time it came out – see the review.

36. Marie Davidson

Working Class Woman

(Ninja Tune)

Canadian techno about the stresses and strains of working Berlin’s clubland.

Check out Oli Rankine’s interview with Marie.