Halo

This hits a sweet spot between accessibility and experimentation that very few albums manage. It's catchy enough to enjoy casually but deep enough to reward close listening. Smart, well-crafted music.

A mature, confident album that knows exactly what it wants to be. No wasted tracks, no unnecessary detours. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but it polishes it to a brilliant shine. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I keep seeing this on 'best of' lists and I honestly think people are just copying each other's homework at this point. There's nothing here that hasn't been done better elsewhere. The emperor has no clothes and the praise is baffling.