We done this already? Dunno.
Inspired by really, really enjoying the new Du Blonde album having been completely ambivalent towards them prior: what albums have come as a pleasant surprise to you this year?
Any artists that you weren’t expecting much from, but have blown you away this year? Stick em in here!
It’s mainly just The Cure for most folk I guess?
Not quite this year but John Cake’s MERCY from last year was miles better than I was expecting, really moody and atmospheric with loads of nice synths and electronic percussion and cool guest spots
“Pleasantly surprising thread? No no, this is the Pleasant Surprise thread”
The new Michael Kiwanuka, it’s very good, had previously written him off as being a bit Radio 2. Maybe he still is but he’s good at it now
Oh ffs
What an unpleasant surprise
This one, too
Shut it down folks, I can’t use the search function properly 
I was never really a fan of Father John Misty but his singles this year are excellent (haven’t heard the album yet).
Been bang into this lately, don’t know anything about her whatsoever. Dancey electronica.
Magdalena Bay and Confidence Man both being more consistent than I expected was a pleasant surprise.
I get so confused when I see you post sometimes because your avatar is exactly the same as one I had on another forum for years. I see it sometimes and think “wait… did I post that?”. It takes me a second 
pleasantly surprising albums of the year 