Tracks of 2012

As another passes I reflect on another year where I criticise myself for becoming more removed from new music.  I still love that moment when you discover a tune or an artist that contains something special.  In this digital age, discovery should be easier than ever, but I find it increasingly difficult.  Why?  Two linked reasons: 1) the internet actually makes sourcing recommendations much more fragmented, there is no "go to" place (though if I had to choose one, I'd suggest Marc Riley on 6Music); 2) I don't have enough time!

With this in mind, I thought I'd share my limited experiences of 2012 and my favourite songs of the last year.  I hope that this provides you with a taster of some music that you might not have otherwise heard.  

The list isn't in order, other than to say that First Aid Kit is absolutely a favourite.

Please leave a comment if you want to share your tunes of 2012 and, more importantly, tips for 2013.

First aid kit - Emmylou

An incredible album, but this song blows me away every time I hear it.  About the only lyric of the year I remember is "Stockholm's cold, but I've been told, that I've been built to endure this kind of weather".  Not sure if that's a classic line, but I love it.

Sharon Van Etten - Give Out

It feels like this song has played on every run I've been on in the last few months.  So good

Trailer Trash Tracys - You Wish You Were Red 

There's a handful of songs that have a guitar sound that makes me ache, this is one of them

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks

"Ba da da da da da da daaa, hey!" I defy this to not make you dance

Francois and the Atlas Mountains - Les Plus Beaux

A real dreamscape of a song.  Beautifully put together

The Dø - Gonna Be Sick 

Heard this in session and loved it ever since.  I'm gonna throw up...

Darren Hayman - I Taught You How To Dance

Almost cried the first time I heard this and every time since

Chilly Gonzales - Othello

What a pianist.  The notes to the album say that the piano is a limited instrument and this is an attempt to make it sing.  Absolutely achieves that

Two Door Cinema Club - Sun

Got me at the end of the year, and seriously catchy (should the song partly credited to Mark Owen?)

Martin Rossiter - I Must Be Jesus

See here for more thoughts on Martin, whilst the lyrics are deliberately outrageous, the Bacharach influenced piano is the thing that attaches me to the song

http://www.martinrossiter.co.uk/media/ (check out the music player on the right hand side of the screen)

Laura J Martin - Spy

In the first 6 months of the year, I must have listed to Laura J Martin's album more than anything else.  The best flautist since Ron Burgundy

http://www.myspace.com/lalajmartin/music/songs/spy-68042788