2011 was a fruitful year for music not only for the pop genre. From soul, rock, to folk and dubstep, many albums have emerged that shaped the future of the music industry.

Here are some of the 10 best releases of 2011 that music fans should get their hands on before the year ends.

1. Radiohead - The King of Limbs (alternative, electronic)

Despite mixed reactions from fans, critics suggest that this record is one of the best the ingenious band has released. The single 'Lotus Flower' itself shows how much the band has evolved. Another striking track is the fast-paced manually-engineered 'Mr. Magpie' that sends chills to the tuneful spine of anyone's consciousness. The King of Limbs is nominated in the Best Alternative Album category for the 2012 Grammy awards.

2. James Blake - James Blake/ Enough Thunder EP (dubstep, downtempo)

This young British lad innovated the sub-genre "dubstep" into a melodic, bass-heavy, ballad-sung direction, and has gained success over the past year with his releases. Appealing to the younger audience as one of the best discoveries of the year, Blake has truly manifested the kind of musical evolution that this generation needs. Blake's self-titled album included the hit 'Limit to Your Love,' a single with endless impulses of chest-throbbing bass lines that go ear-to-ear with his deep, sensual voice.

Even prominent musicians such as Bjork and Maxwell praise Blake as one of the best singers that sprung out this year. Blake's EP, Enough Thunder, has tracks that delve into the surreal borders of the musical imagination, including an anticipated collaboration with celebrated artist, Bon Iver.

3. Tycho - Dive (trip hop, electronic)

Scott Hansen is a multifaceted one-man art and musical force. Hansen, or more known as "Tycho," has a prominent following due to his dreamy trip-hop music and visually appealing artworks that go hand-in-hand with his objective. 'Dive' is a collection of astral tracks that float on the senses, taking each listener into a journey of hypothetical hallucinogen-induced series of calmness and flight fancy.

4. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light (rock, alternative)

This explosive record from rock royalties, Foo Fighters, has proven that they still got it when it comes to captivating fans with pure, unscarred rock and roll. With powerful tracks like 'Burning Bridges,' and 'White Limo,' and subtle inserts such as 'Walk,' Dave Grohl and the rest of his crew continues to live on their legacy as one of rock's finest. The band is nominated for 6 categories for the upcoming Grammy awards, including Record of the Year for 'Wasting Light'.

5. This Will Destroy You - Tunnel Blanket (post rock, atmospheric)

The Texas-based band has provided their listeners with ambrosial instrumental tracks reminiscent of Explosions in the Sky - only with more heart and treble that will shatter the auditory senses into cosmos. This particular album has songs that are heavy on reverb, with untamed strumming work - the perfect sound for a forlorn evening, a laid-back night gazing at the stars or for a make out session with beers on the side.

 6. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (alternative, indie)

Justin Vernon elevated his reputation as a musician by incorporating vaporous textures, climactic songwriting, and his usual flawless singing in this record. This self-titled album made fans appreciate the concept of "sorrow" even more, proving that music is the best way to express a forlorn emotion without sounding hopeless. Listeners can feel the sadness of Vernon through the enchanting atmosphere he and his band mates have endowed in this record, making it one of the most celebrated releases of the year

7. Amusement Parks on Fire - Road Eyes (post rock, shoegaze, guitars)

Formed in Nottingham England in 2004 by front man Michael Feerick, the band has managed to create a post rock sub-genre fit for the idealists and romantics of the new-age depressive-yet-hopeful cohort.

With tracks like 'Water from the Sun', 'Raphael', and the title track, 'Road Eyes' is a record that has an unusual, dreamlike sound glutted with ephemeral vocals, nostalgic lyrics and some of the best guitar effect tricks invented. With Feerick's voice slightly reminiscent of Silverchair's Daniel Johns, the songs in this record will lift listeners to an invisible layer of the sky.

8. Little Dragon - Ritual Union (electronic, synth-pop, neo-soul)

Yukimi Nagano and her band created a sound that spike up the senses, especially with her unusual voice that pierces through the ceilings of the musical loom. 'Little Man', the prominent track of the record, proves that this Swedish act has managed to pull-off a style that belongs to the coming generations - a possessing combination of quirkiness, soulful, ardent beats and fresh, exhilarating atmospheres.

9. Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys! (rock, indie rock, post Brit-alternative)

Guy Garvey and the rest of his band continue their enduring flair to produce magnetic and ambrosial songs after 21 years of making music in this fifth release. Tracks from the album such as 'The Birds' and 'Dear Friends' showcase the band's ability to mash current musical trends with classic inserts and hooks. Garvey's signature candid-yet-gloomy songwriting shined throughout the record, blending his husky voice with the spell-binding melodies the band produces album after album.

10. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake (alternative, experimental folk)

Active since 1988, Harvey has become a staple female force in the music industry. Now that Harvey's back with her tenth album (which was recorded in a church in a span of five weeks), the singer channeled inspirations from artists and writers such as T.S. Eliott, Harold Pintor and Salvador Dali, as well her beliefs and outlooks on post-war happenings. This explains the dark and picturesque details on some of the lyrics.

Special mentions:

1. London Elektricity - Yikes! (drum and bass)

This London-based DJ brought drum and bass to a new height with this album, engaging listeners to bob their heads and move to the fast-paced, break beat rhythm of its tracks.

2. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Key (alternative)

Ben Gibbard and the rest of the band has returned with a seventh album to enchant fans with their melodramatic sound that will surely be on the soundtrack pool of many teen shows and movies.

3. Jono McCleery - There Is (soul, folk, bass-heavy)

Another vocal wonder from London, McCleery has a voice as sensual as a glass of wine in a dark room mixed with seductive company. The bass lines of his track 'Tomorrow' will take the listener to fields of groovy, musical assaults and tactile pleasures.

4. Jamie Woon - Mirror Writing (soul, r&b, post-dubstep)

Another gem from the UK, Jamie Woon's 'Mirror Writing' is a collection of vocal-heavy, beat-thudding tracks perfect for any auditory yearning.

Also read:

Why Radiohead Deserves a Win at the 2012 Grammy Awards