Adele – 21

With the incredible 21, Adele suddenly became the most important woman in music. It would take me several paragraphs to list all the accolades and records it has broken. It has already become one of the best selling albums of all time and the singles ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ and ‘Someone Like You’ became worldwide number one hits.

Arctic Monkeys – AM

After being one of the first bands to come to fame via the internet, they released the fastest ever selling debut album and soon became heralded as the greatest British band of the generations. Several albums down the line they went one better and combined their trademark Sheffield wit, slick Californian production and a newfound confidence to create their greatest album yet.

Amy Winehouse – Back To Black

Following her tragic death, Winehouse became the latest addition to the infamous 27 club. Her short lived, but hugely influential, music career has had a profound and lasting effect on modern music. Her final swansong Back To Black has already become a classic and features the singles ‘Rehab’ and ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Canadian band Arcade Fire have crafted what may be the finest album of the 21st century thus far. The band’s bittersweet letter from the suburbs is grand and complex but still pulls you in with the warmth and familiarity of home. A compelling tale of life on the edge, searching for hope; it is pure, ambitious and simply magnificent.