2012 Q1: The Unsung (and The Less So)
25 great albums from 2012, sorted by release date. Admittedly, some of
these are released in April or May, but I happened upon them all during
the first quarter. |
| 1 |  | Ahnnu
Couch
Home-brewed beats that evoke old infomercials and Saturday morning cartoons
while keeping you guessing. http://www.ahnnu.bandcamp.com |
| 2 |  | The Caretaker
Patience (After Sebald)
A cavernous journey into empty headspaces. In other words, a hauntologist's
dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edWk-theSZc |
| 3 |  | Tyme. x Tujiko
GYU
Dreamy art-pop from another galaxy, gloriously liberated from traditional song
structure or conventional melodic wisdom. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=gSMLhNXxrj0 |
| 4 |  | Jason Urick
I Love You
Ever-shifting sonic landscapes that are seemingly bottomless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2orvwRxblw4 |
| 5 |  | The 2 Bears
Be Strong
Genuinely cheerful revivalism, with nary a cheeky wink in sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxI8QliBOKs |
| 6 |  | Lana Del Rey
Born To Die
Bougie dreams, silent screams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbyOKKqsTfE |
| 7 |  | Hospitality
Hospitality
Oh, this shit isn't cool anymore? Sweet. Now we can enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP_i6j-xGwc |
| 8 |  | Pepe Deluxe
Queen of the Wave
A perplexing, exhilarating journey through decades that gleefully bursts at the
seams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn2c6LhUBeI |
| 9 |  | Demdike Stare
Elemental
The keepers of the keys to worlds unknown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=k9i3aMLHyeY |
| 10 |  | Blondes
Blondes
Dance music centered about the x-axis, less concerned with where it's going
than with the possibilities of movement inherent in the 'going' itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tr4mGR36RQ |
| 11 |  | of Montreal
Paralytic Stalks
RIYL: the demented parade from Satoshi Kon's Paprika, Sufjan Stevens post-
breakdown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-8QkKikapk |
| 12 |  | Virtual Boy
Virtual Boy
Downtempo for the dubstep generation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Wy_cerZAht0 |
| 13 |  | OST
Invisible Ink For Sketching Ghosts
Memories through a magnifying glass, reinterpreted as music for the night and
the faceless. "Where there is fire, we'll carry gasoline." (Also: the Books if they
were depressed.) http://originalsoundtrack.bandcamp.com/ |
| 14 |  | Burial
Kindred
Do you have ears? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=555XMqqDYtU |
| 15 |  | Grimes
Visions
Spectral, alternate-world pop pilfered and filtered through too many Tumblrs to
count. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtH68PJIQLE |
| 16 |  | Mouse on Mars
Parastrophics
They've still got it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYEkvmk2Mw |
| 17 |  | Meysell Quintana
Miracle of the Sun
Gorgeous, healing washes of sound.
http://meysell.bandcamp.com/album/miracle-of-the-sun |
| 18 |  | Karantamba
Ndigal
Wicked rhythms, intoxicating grooves, and brilliant melodies that transcend the
21st century's fetishization of "world music". http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FQmT89440D8 |
| 19 |  | Rash
Purpleimage
What if your computer had feelings? http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=nbrWF8_q-xI |
| 20 |  | Tanlines
Mixed Emotions
Two unabashedly milquetoast dudes trying desperately not to be, making
strangely irresistible songs in the process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=4FdWDyH9XqY |
| 21 |  | Bear In Heaven
I Love You, It's Cool
This new look suits them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjW5rkXiQdc |
| 22 |  | Zammuto
Zammuto
Woodsy, irreverent, and devastatingly moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6D54K_XEk |
| 23 |  | Orcas
Orcas
Ambien(t) pop. That's not a criticism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=nvtM1v9zlFc |
| 24 |  | Huoratron
Cryptocracy
Filthy, squelching electro. You may need to shower after listening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsHIzhaNOYU |
| 25 |  | Beach House
Bloom
Music for cathedrals and dimly lit bedrooms all across the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuvWc3ToDHg |
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