No list of tips for 2012 from me I’m afraid, there’s enough of those already. Although I did contribute to the Blog Sound of 2012 and that long list is pretty strong so you should go and check out those artists if you haven’t already.
Here are some of my favourite songs from this year…
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Psychologist – Comes In Waves
A video as weird as it is wonderful which accompanies a brilliant song. I love everything surrounding this release, from it being recorded in a church to the seahorse etching on the back of the 12″. Record collector’s wet dream.
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Clock Opera – Lesson No.7
Another incredible tune made even better by the video. Clock Opera’s is one of the albums I’m most excited about hearing next year – everything leading up to it so far has been impeccable.
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PEACE – Bblood
Love this band.
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Dems – House
Dems are another of my favourite bands around at the moment. They have such a great sound and the live show is tight too – definitely one to keep an eye out for.
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Daughter – Love
Stunner.
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Bombay Bicycle Club – Lights Out, Words Gone
An obvious choice, but A Different Kind Of Fix was probably my favourite record of the year so I had to put one of the tracks on this list. Plus the video is quite funny.
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Unicorn Kid – Chrome Lion
The whole ‘Tidal Rave’ EP is amazing, but this is my pick of the songs for no other reason than it’s a massive banger.
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Dry The River – No Rest
Another album I’m childishly excited about next year is Dry The River’s. It’s hard to come by a genuinely epic sound, but with their arrangements and that voice I think they’ve pretty much nailed it. They also do well to keep singing here when people are being fucking annoying and throwing water on them.
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Fixers – Iron Deer Dream (Chad Valley remix)
My favourite Fixers song given the perfect treatment by Chad Valley.
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Outfit – Two Islands
You’ve got to love a 6 minute single, especially one that doesn’t drag musically or lyrically for a second. Amazing song.
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Pushing Hands – He’s Still Here
It’s difficult to make stripped back indie music without sounding immensely tedious, but these boys do it very well. I really enjoy this.
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M83 – Midnight City
Another obvious choice but whatever. There’s no point fighting it, this is brilliant.
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Ms Mr – Time Of Your Life
No-one knows who they are or what they look like (apart from them you’d have to assume) but NY-based pop duo Ms Mr rightly caused a big old stir online when their ‘Ghost City USA’ EP surfaced earlier in the year. The three originals on that release are excellent in their own right, but for me this Patrick Wolf cover really excels. What a brilliant voice that girl has, whoever she is.
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Jamie xx – Far Nearer
What’s not to love.
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Wildeflower – Good Girl
A track that has received criminally little exposure since it surfaced in the summer. If you’re in the right mood, this really hits the spot.
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Ghostpoet – Survive It
For all the new music I’ve heard this year, I’ve also been a bit of a bellend and not listened to that many albums. But one that did really grab me was ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’. The whole record is brilliant.
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Entrepreneurs – Fuck Tactics (feat. FOE & Ghostpoet)
So good he’s in the list twice – this time Ghostpoet provides a verse on this excellent Entrepreneurs track that came out earlier in the year. FOE’s vocals are also worth a note (hers is another album I’m desperate to hear). Three of the most exciting young musicians in the UK on one track together, obviously it’s amazing.
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How To Dress Well – Ready For The World (xxxy remix)
xxxy’s ‘Ordinary Things’ was very close to getting on the list, but instead I’ve chosen this remix. Just listen to it, so good.
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Radiohead – Lotus Flower
Perfect.
