With so many releases these days, sometimes it’s hard to cut through the noise and figure out what music to spend your hard-earned money on. Hopefully this helps. On the first day of each month, I’ll put together a list of the top five albums you need to cop over the next four weeks. I know I’m one of the last people on the planet that actually buys CDs, but downloading from iTunes is cool too. Here’s your fix for February:

Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (1/31)
Although this album technically came out on the last day of January, consider it a February release. Regardless, it’s one that will be heavy in your rotation all month. After her first single, “Video Games,” surfaced online last summer with an awesome music video, people couldn’t get enough of Lana. Even after buying this, you’ll still want more.

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp

Sharon Van Etten – Tramp (2/6)
Leave it to Jimmy Fallon to introduce me to some new music. While watching Late Night in early January, I caught Van Etten performing her first single from the album, “Serpents,” and was blown away. Tramp, which is the culmination of 14 months of scattered recording sessions with The National’s Aaron Dessner, is one of those albums you can listen to over and over and pick up something new every time.

Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror

Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror (2/21)
Sleigh Bells, comprised of guitarist/producer Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss, have one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2012. And after hearing “Born to Lose” in December and the “Comeback Kid” in January, you can understand why. Just their second album, Reign of Terror just gets you even more excited about the future.

Chiddy Bang - Breakfast

Chiddy Bang – Breakfast (2/28)
If you’ve been down with Chiddy Bang since The Swelly Express, then you’re going to love Breakfast. The 12-track LP is everything fans have been waiting for from Chiddy and Xaphoon Jones, with the single “Ray Charles” leading the way.

WZRD - WZRD

WZRD – WZRD (2/28)
For all you Kid Cudi fans out there, he’s back. Teaming up with producer Dot Da Genius, the two have formed WZRD. According to Cudi, bands that inspired this album include Electric Light Orchestra, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Nirvana and Pink Floyd, so expect something different. If you can’t wait, download the singles “Brake” and “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie” from iTunes.