Various Artists - Rough Trade Counter Culture 15: Does exactly what is says on the tin

For casual music fans and musos alike, December usually brings with it a sweeping sense of panic: what have I missed? Should I have listened to that album more? How on earth did that pass me by?

Here, then, is a fine solution to rounding up the best of the year’s indie music, from John Grant to Tobias Jesso Jr, Father John Misty to Sleaford Mods and Sufjan Stevens to Floating Points.

Amidst the two eclectic discs, you may find a previously unmined gem – such as Jenny Hval's hypnotic That Battle is Over or the wonderful retro soul skitter of That's Love by Washington DC hip-hop artist Oddisee.

As end-of-year compilations go, it does exactly what is says on the tin.

[ Roughtrade.com ]