Half-Way House - Albums Of '10 So Far...

It's no secret I've been generally crap at blogging of late. Seeing as we've reached the half-way point of 2010, I figured it was as good a time as any to do a little post about some of the albums I've had stuck on repeat the past few months but might not necessarily have got around to posting about before.

Delphic - Acolyte

Although their outright dismissal of the constant comparisons to New Order is probably a tad disingenuous, there's certainly more to Delphic's debut album 'Acolyte' than rehashed influences. Seamlessly marrying gurgling dance-beats, swirling synths and rock sensibilities, the band have crafted a truly modern-sounding record that more than justifies the litany of 'tip for 2010' rosettes hurled in their direction.

Delphic - Halcyon

Kelis - Fleshtone

Although I'm hearing reports of ropey live shows, PETA's number one enemy has produced one of the finest electropop records of the year so far in 'Fleshtone'. Kelis has been one of the most sonically adventurous popstars of the past decade, hopping between genres like nobody's business and dancefloor diva is seemingly a role that she wears well. The album's segues are probably a little unnecessary but there's scarcely a dud track.

Kelis - 4th of July (Calvin Harris Remix)

Sleigh Bells - Treats

I think maybe I confused Sleigh Bells with School of Seven Bells, which might be the reason that, despite the fact that this album inspiring mild blogospheric hysteria, I took ages to get around to listening to it. The debut by New York 'noise pop' duo Sleigh Bells is a genre-melding masterpiece. Signed by the poster girl for musical innovation, M.I.A., the pair's songs rarely run longer than three minutes but are positively bursting with fresh sounds and ideas.

Sleigh Bells - Run The Heart (Bassnectar Remix)

Muchuu - Adventure We Go

Prodigious brother and sister pair Muchuu have crafted a gorgeous debut that combines fantastical lyrics, synthy soundscapes and dreamy vocal harmonies. One of the tracks is called 'Getaway Train' and that pretty much sums up the type of glorious escapism that Milky and George serve up throughout the course of the album's twelve tracks. Recently, I've discovered that it's the perfect soundtrack to lying in the grass on a sunny day.

Muchuu - Somebody Tell Me

Janelle Monáe - The Arch Android

With her distinctive tailored suits, a swagger she's gleaned from Outkast's Big Boi and a gravity-defying quiff, Janelle Monáe certainly makes a memorable first impression. However, it's her earth-shatteringly soulful voice and arsenal of genre-melding tunes that sets her apart from the slew of overstyled wannabes that have been vying for our attention in the post-Gaga era. The Arch-Android deserves to be a monster success when it's released here next week.

Janelle Monáe - Faster

Robyn - Body Talk (Part 1)

We're likely to hear plenty from Robyn over the course of the next few months as she has decided to stagger the follow-up to her eponymous 2005 album over three parts. Here's hoping the remaining installments of the trilogy are up to the high standard set by Part 1. From the understated acoustic heartbreak of 'Hang With Me' and the electropop gleam of 'Fembot' to the reggae-tinged 'Dancehall Queen' and Swedish folk song thrown in for good measure, this is an album that covers a lot of ground despite its short run-time.

Robyn - Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do

Jónsi - Go

The (former?) Sigur Rós frontman has produced some incredible arrangements in this solo record that really does reveal itself more and more with every listen. Flutes, piano courtsey of Nico Muhly, luscious strings, electronic bleeps and a variety of percussive instruments all combine to produce an utterly symphonic collection of genre-defying songs that feature Jónsi's first ever English-language lyrics. Masterful.

Jónsi - Tornado

Foals - Total Life Forever

It took me a while to warm to this album but, after the seeing the band live in concert, I have a whole new appreciation for their follow-up to 'Antidotes'. Yannis and co have crafted an album that's deliciously textured, oscillating between sombre, subdued moments and bouts of frenetic guitar-pop. 'Spanish Sahara' initially sounded like an oddity but makes sense in the context of the album and is one of my favourite tracks this year.

Foals - Spanish Sahara

Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels

Both Ellie Goulding and Marina were frequently mentioned among 'tips for 2010' at the beginning of the year, with Ellie seemingly the tastemakers' favourite. However, in terms of their debut releases, Marina produced an infinitely better record. As good a study of the ego/insecurity dichotomy of the high achiever as you're likely to find, 'The Family Jewels' is choc-a-block with catchy pop hooks and anchored by Marina's distinctive voice.

Marina & The Diamonds - The Outsider

Chew Lips - Unicorn

Chew Lips' intricate arrangements, range of tempos and knack for pegging down killer hooks serve them well throughout Unicorn's ten tracks but there's no question that Chew Lips' trump card is frontwoman Tigs. Whether snarling and wailing on the anthemic 'Slick', or tenderly crooning on 'Piano Song', she is commanding throughout and her charisma and energy percolate through the record.

Chew Lips - Slick