After twelve months of listening to every key release (and a few weeks of intense stereo-focused arguments), Gigwise has compiled our annual 50 Best Albums Of The Year.

Read 50-41 below including Danish electronica, gothic UK hip-hop and a surprising selection from a glitzy Floridian poppet.Compiled by Andy Morris, Andrew Trendell, Ed Keeble, Alexandra Pollard and Elliot Mitchell.  

"A wonderful collection that flows with the wealth of Corgan's influences - drawing on grunge, classic rock and flourishes of new wave.  'The Smashing Pumpkins are more a concept than a band,' Corgan told Gigwise earlier this year. While the line-up may forever change, what remains is the core of Corgan as one alt-rock's finest songwriters. Stripped of any pretence and a direct, joyful listen, Monuments To A Eulogy is by far Corgan's best work since Adore - perhaps even Mellon Collie. The Pumpkins are back on form."

“The crowning moment from one of Scotland's most criminally underrated acts. It's a towering accomplishment of textured cinematic misery and open-hearted, poetic beauty. It is so dark and gruelling many may call it a difficult listen, but the truth is that it's a pleasure to get lost in their sea of undefinable sounds - wondering somewhere between The Cure at their peak, Amnesiac-era Radiohead and the shoegaze greatness of My Bloody Valentine. But the truth is they're incredible in their own world and on their own terms.” (AT)

“It could have easily fallen into generic electronica territory, but Mo is in possession of both an ironclad grasp of the intricacies of electro-pop, and wonderfully left-field lyricism. The fact that English is her second language seems to have aided, not compromised, the alien beauty of her lyrics ("Oh, what a world I was born into / Warriors are lying down / Hush little head – you'll get sick. / So sorrow-filled I am.”) (AP)

“Yukimi Nagano’s vocals, with rich and cutting vibrato, continue to be unmistakable in Little Dragon’s fourth album, and take centre­ stage in front of repetitive but effective synth riffs. Little Dragon have put their own stamp all over Nabuma Rubberband, before posting it to new realms.” (AP)

“A late arrival, this is a stand out release from the increasingly brilliant High Focus label. Baxter's sound is a unique gothic take on hip-hop that sounds like Edgar Allan Poe on a brutal come down. It's full of some of the richest (and creepiest) imagery and sounds that the scene has ever witnessed. To sum up how brilliant some of the lyrics are, 'Husk' reads: "Drenched on a park bench howling / Fat little feds in a toy car, mile high reptiles out there prowling / Hold that thought, brick for a brain, come let's talk / I caught her at Kings Cross squeezing her tears in a tall glass, feeding them to a bright red corpse". That's just the tip of the iceberg…” (EK)

“Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison goes solo, but don't expect 'Scott Unplugged' . The vision of Hutchison bleating through Highlands folk in a thick cable knit jumper by candlelight couldn't be any further than the tapestry of searing post-rock, chunky riffs and cinematic soundscapes that fill the many layers of the Owl John record - but still maintaining a fair whack of that Rabbity charm, loaded with devastating lyrics of alienation, misery and self-doubt.” (AT)

“After A$AP Yams declared 2014 the worst year for hip-hop ever and Kanye spent his time designing an engagement ring for his daughter, the rap game needed an album that packed a punch. Pinata pulsated with a thuggish, street smart power: and boy did Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs deliver. Madlib has produced some of the most considered (and downright funky) beats of his career - ‘Thuggin’ in particularly is worthy of RZA in his prime. Unreservedly recommended.”(AM)

“Like someone's loveable nutty brother, Mac DeMarco has without doubt won everyone over in the last few years, with his overwhelmingly fun live shows and optimistic, envy-inducing outlook on life. It makes sense then for his third record to be his most resonant. Salad Days is a perhaps unintentional piece of beauty, filled with instantly impactful hits cut with just the right amount of seriousness. In short, it's impossible not to feel uplifted from this record.” (EM)

“Mike Hadreas’ third album adds more drumbeats and electronica to his melancholic vocals. The result is something more assertive and forceful, but without compromising the shades of aching vulnerability.” (AP)

“Now before you turn your nose up at us in disgust, just hear us out. There is always room for good pop in this world. Ariana is exactly that, a strong vocalist who - beyond all the ridiculous fawning required for such an artist - actually has talent. She has an incredibly strong voice and range (more than can be said for her contemporaries) and a penchant for killer collaborations. Check out the tracks with The Weeknd, Cashmere Cat and A$AP Ferg and you may change your mind. In this writer’s opinion, Taylor Swift can do one: it's Ariana all the way.” (EK)

Read the rest of our albums of the year countdown below