Have we really reached the point where the culture is so accelerated that we can’t even wait until the end of the year to make “best of” lists? I’m not a fan of “best of” lists (and all that sort of end-of-the-year filler-writing that overtakes print and web media each November-January) in the first place, but at least it’s a predictable cycle and at least make an attempt at a semblance of context.

NPR: Your Favorite Music Of The Year So Far.