PopMatters' Best Indie Rock Albums of 2011

Despite its hype, its expectations, its blown up sound, and its many production flourishes, Bon Iver is nothing more than a solid placeholder album.

With a crisper, clearer production that helps it to stand out, w h o k i l l is, almost literally speaking, tUnE-yArDs’ breakthrough.

A not-entirely-minimalist record, but one that scales back every element of its songwriting enough that each note seems precious.

EMA’s work is simultaneously some of the most interesting I’ve heard in years, and jaggedly alive, the furthest thing from any sort of academic exercise.

The album is really something that’s greater than the sum of its parts, thanks to the band’s instincts and intuition.

Civilian packs a more immediate punch, and hits you with southpaw jabs in the middle of songs, shifting once you’ve bedded down.