Andy Stott - Luxury Problems
Luxury Problem is a dark ambient dub techno album that keeps giving. It consists of the seductive vocals of Alison Skidmore (whom was Stott's piano teacher) narrating his haunting loops. It is a beautifully understated and stylish album.
9.0/10
Hear - Numb
Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man
Third album from London born Natasha Khan, and it's another solid one. Comparisons with Kate Bush are easy to make, Khan puts everything into her songs, and this album is no exception. The Haunted Man is one of the most refreshing albums in popular music this year, and Khan is growing an ever more impressive catalogue.
8.0/10
Hear - Laura
Beach House - Bloom
Beach House seem to have a winning formula with their music. All songs have an incredible aura with the inviting voice and perfectly layered sounds. Not a weak song on the album, I don't think Beach House are capable of anything else. Great listen for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
8.0/10
Hear - Myth
Cat Power - Sun
Although her ninth album, Sun is Chan Marshall's first original album in since The Greatest (2006). Since then Chan had several demons to fight. Sun sees Chan Marshall in a different light. She diffuses the soulfulness of previous records with a more sharp edged and upbeat set of tracks. One thing that is not lost is her passion and appeal.
8.0/10
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
Moody Indie Rockers Cloud Nothings got 2012 rocking in January with their third album, Attack on Memory. Dark, catchy and emotional, this album is addictive. It also causes every listener to become an air drummer. Wasted Days is possibly my favourite song of this year.
7.5/10
Hear - Wasted Days
Death Grips - Death Grips
Death Grips are like marmite, you either love them or you hate them. There is simply no other sound like them. Heavy and Aggressive beats and rhymes, Death Grips are in your face and not afraid. Remember to catch your breath.
8.5/10
Hear - Get Got
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw & Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
An incredible 7 years from her previous album The Extraordinary Machine (2005), Fiona Apple releases her fourth album The Idler Wheel. There is an influx of raw passion delightfully contradicting with masterful and unpredictable composition. The Idler Wheel is ambitious, raw and yet elegant.
9.0/10
Hear - Every Single Night
Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes
Fourth album for FlyLo, and eagerly awaited by fans such as myself. Stephen Ellison is an ambitious electronic producer who doesn't just release a new set of songs for an album, but each album draws different influences and themes. Until The Quiet Comes has less layers than other works, with a more flowing and melodic feel. Each song is very different song from another, however they all intertwine well. One of the masters in his genre, FlyLo does it again.
8.5/10
Hear - Putty Boy Strut
Four Tet - Pink
Sixth album from Kieran Hebden, Pink did not have much buzz or anticipation. However that is not to say it is not a good album. Many songs are previously released singles, which make the album understandably contrasting in sounds. Compared to past works, this album does seem more serious. However each song has something different to offer, which all salute electronic and house music. Pink is another solid album from one of the most consistent electronic musicians around.
7.5/10
Hear - Lion
Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE
Debut for R&B singer Frank Ocean, channel ORANGE has got rave reviews across all boards this year. No.1 in many peoples top albums of the year. Frank Ocean is not your average RnB/Soul musician, in one word he is unorthodox. channel ORANGE contrasts in its themes, lyrics and is generally full of conundrums. For me I feel some songs do suffer from over narration, however that is his style. A sexual and lyrical album that has really got Frank Ocean running.
8.0/10
Hear - Pyramids
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
After ten years out, the experimental post-rockers GYBE produce an experience to the listener like no other. Only four tracks in the 55 minute album, in true GYBE style. The sheer atmosphere that each composition has gives an enthralling blood raising feeling. One of my best experiences of the year was going through the National Gallery, viewing some masterful works whilst listening to another masterful work. Dark yet poetic, with no word spoken.
9.5/10
Hear - Mladic
Grimes - Visions
A refreshing entrance to the electronic pop scene, Grimes has an incredibly appealing sound. Visions has a beautiful array of textures, some pretty and some dark. On the whole it is a very good album, which could have been one of the best of the years was it not for one or two weaker songs. Nevertheless, Grimes gives an out of the world experience that may find you inadvertently dancing in public.
7.5/10
Hear - Genesis
Grizzly Bear - Shields
Indie folk band Grizzly Bear come back with another mesmeric album. As always, expect beautiful harmony and intrinsic use of instruments that let each song glide. Compared to previous albums, I would say this one is more lyrical and assertive. Although it won't set the world on fire Shields is another intelligent piece of work from one of the best bands performing at the moment.
8.0/10
Hear - Yet Again
JJ Doom - Keys to the Kuffs
An album brought off of Dooms own passport problems, he uses his birthplace London as his concept for this album. With the collaboration of producer Jneiro Jarel the beat glides well and does not obstruct Doom, who is back in his jaunty and expressive mood. It's easy to miss features from Blur's Damon Albarn and Portishead's Beth Gibbons, however that doesn't matter, this is about Doom doing what he does best.
7.5/10
Hear - Guv'nor
Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar has got critical acclaim for this concept album. The power of the album lies in the understated beat that let Lamar rhyme without overcomplicating the music. In this sense, it is an album that old school hip-hop heads will appreciate. It includes a whole host of collaborations, however they are all artfully fit in to the mood of the song. There are no gimmicks, it is just Lamar telling his story.
8.5/10
Hear - Backstreet Freestylers
The Men - Open Your Heart
Loud and proud from Brooklyn are The Men. Open Your Heart has some good old fashioned punk with a new Brooklyn tenacity. Some songs make you sing your lungs out and jump around, others are more instrumental showcasing the varied talents of the musicians. I look forward to hearing more from these punk rockers.
7.5/10
Hear - Open Your Heart
Purity Ring - Shrines
Canadian duo Purity Ring have been one of my favourite discoveries of the year. The combination of heavy, mystical beats with lofty, eloquent vocals works perfectly throughout the album. Shrines has a majestic aura with a dark backdrop. With both members having youth on their side and this being their debut, I expect good things from them in the future. Hopefully they can push boundaries once more.
8.5/10
Hear - Fineshrines
Scuba - Personality
Berlin based British electronic producer Scuba has been transforming, in a market that is doing the same. When the beginning of an album claims a lack of originality these days you can become concerned. There is much tenacity in most tracks, which makes it surprising that the lead single "The Hope" has the least to offer. Nevertheless there is enough other great, less brutal tracks that give good substance to a great techno album.
7.5/10
Hear - If U Want
Tame Impala - Lonerism
Psychedelic Rockers' Tame Impala came out of the traps running on their debut album, and with Lonerism they look like they aren't prepared to stop. From the first song on Lonerism I was already hooked. Tame Impala could have dropped their albums 30 years ago, or 30 years in the future and you would still have the same enjoyment. Lonerism uses strong synths, rocking drums and lofty vocals.
8.0/10
XXYYXX - XXYYXX
First of all, its hard not to ignore the age of Marcell Everett. At only 17 years old he has no right to be on a top album of the year list. I did not know this fact until several listens of the album later. XXYYXX is a tenacious debut that grabs you from the first track. It is the perfect juxtaposition of sweet vocals with a heavy base (much like Purity Ring). Everett shows great multidisciplinary talent with many contrasting songs. Admittedly some songs on the album hide away from the light compared to other much stronger pieces. Nevertheless, even though he is so young, from the sound of the album you cannot call him raw. He seems to understand the intricacies and subtleties that are needed to make a great electronic album.
8.5/10
Hear - About You
