1. Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory
Cloud Nothings surprised everybody this year and surpassed expectations by a mile and created one of the best rock albums of recent memory. Everything from the incredible production to the catchy, simplistic songwriting make this album one to remember for years to come.
2. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan
"Bitte is about the idea of songs, but these are just songs." Dirty Projector's frontman David Longstreth said this in an interview and he couldn't be more right. Ditching the boundary-pushing sonwriting techniques of it's predecessor, Dirty Projectors latest effort Swing Lo Magellan is a nice, easy listen that doesn't ask much from you, but you enjoy every second of it.
3. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
After seeing Japandroids live three times now, I can confidently say that they are one of the greatest rock duos in recent history. The spastic energy captured in the live show is equally matched on the record and makes you want to hive five and hug all of your bros. A truly uplifting listen and skyrockets the sound of anything they've done before. What could even come next from them?
4. Jens Lekman - I Know What Love Isn't
Well Jens, I can confidently say that I know I love this album. Truly his first album that follows a consistent theme, I Know What Love Isn't is mostly about heartbreak and the ups and downs that come along with it. Personally, I think Jens works well with a theme such as, and would love to see him follow up with with a more upbeat album, just to show us how versatile and great he really is.
5. Death Grips - NO LOVE DEEP WEB
Oh man. Death Grip's second album of 2012 definitely came along with some drama, but the end result, regardless of all of that, is a spectacular album that trumps anything they have ever done before. Sure the hooks aren't as good as predecessor The Money Store, but this album is just consistently better. And has some wonderful album art.
6. Joey Bada$$ - 1999
The classic boom-bap sounds that made hip-hop music ever so popular in the 90's is back in the 10's and it sounds better than ever, thanks to 17 year old rap prodigy Joey Bada$$ and the rest of his crew, Pro Era. Each of the 18 odd tracks on this mixtape hold so much character and charm, that listening to this thing front to back is a necessity. I almost feel bad I didn't pay for this one.
7. Tame Impala - Lonerism
Tame Impala took their uber psychedelic sound to the next level on their latest LP and blew everyone's expectations away, creating an extremely colorful palate of sounds and songs sure to give any listener the chills. Highlights such as "It Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" and "Apocalypse Dreams" are sure to top anyone's end-of-year track lists.
Tame Impala took their uber psychedelic sound to the next level on their latest LP and blew everyone's expectations away, creating an extremely colorful palate of sounds and songs sure to give any listener the chills. Highlights such as "It Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" and "Apocalypse Dreams" are sure to top anyone's end-of-year track lists.
8. Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse
The in-studio banter at the end of track "Diddy Wah Diddy" tell me that this album was probably a hell of a good time to make. That mindset also shows within the music as well. Ty Segall has been all over the map this year with three whole LPs, but this album sets itself apart not by trying anything entirely different, but by taking that familiar sound, turning it up to 11, and having a damn good time with it.
The in-studio banter at the end of track "Diddy Wah Diddy" tell me that this album was probably a hell of a good time to make. That mindset also shows within the music as well. Ty Segall has been all over the map this year with three whole LPs, but this album sets itself apart not by trying anything entirely different, but by taking that familiar sound, turning it up to 11, and having a damn good time with it.
9. Grimes - Visions
2012 has been the year of Grimes. With the release of Visions back in February, it would have been easy to forget about this one with everything else that has come out this year. But there some sort of hypnotizing quality about the kind of music she makes, and will keep the listener coming back again and again. I wonder if Grimes can keep the buzz going into next year.. what will she do next?
2012 has been the year of Grimes. With the release of Visions back in February, it would have been easy to forget about this one with everything else that has come out this year. But there some sort of hypnotizing quality about the kind of music she makes, and will keep the listener coming back again and again. I wonder if Grimes can keep the buzz going into next year.. what will she do next?
10. The Men - Open Your Heart
Guitar music certainly made a comeback this year, with bands like Cloud Nothings, Japandroids and Ty Segall dominating the game. But a little Brooklyn band called The Men might have just slipped past you. The album features a wide array of different types of rock music. Listening to it feels like walking through a museum of rock music, and The Men nail every single genre they try.
Guitar music certainly made a comeback this year, with bands like Cloud Nothings, Japandroids and Ty Segall dominating the game. But a little Brooklyn band called The Men might have just slipped past you. The album features a wide array of different types of rock music. Listening to it feels like walking through a museum of rock music, and The Men nail every single genre they try.
11. Beach House - Bloom
12. Grizzly Bear - Shields
13. Killer Mike - R.A.P Music
14. TNGHT - TNGHT
15. How To Dress Well - Total Loss
16. Mac DeMarco - 2
17. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.A.A.d City
18. DIIV - Oshin
19. Purity Ring - Shrines
20. Lower Dens - Nootropics
21. Death Grips - The Money Store
22. Lotus Plaza - Spooky Action At A Distance
23. Lower - Walk On Heads EP
24. Andy Stott - Luxury Problems
25. Metz - Metz
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