Editor’s Pick: Top Music Releases of 2012

As always, my year-end list comes with a disclaimer. I hate rankings in art, period. End of story. This is an exercise in figuring out which albums meant the most to me in 2012. Nothing more. Nothing less. Those interested may subscribe to my Best of 2012 Spotify playlist, but I strongly urge you all to go out and purchase these releases. They are all worthy of your buck.

Several trends have developed as I look back on my favorite releases from 2012. First, I lean heavier towards releases from the latter half of the year. This is unintentional, but it’s just a reality of what I’ve been listening to lately and what is on my mind. Time will tell whether these releases continue to have staying power. 2012 was a really strong year for singer-songwriters and debut releases. Of the 30 albums on this list, eight are debuts with four ranking in the top 10. I am heavy on the folk this year with Barna Howard, Jessica Pratt, and Hip Hatchet all receiving nods. It was also a good year for EP’s and I decided to expand this list from full-length album’s to include releases from Bear Hands, Daniel Rossen and The Antlers.

2012 was also a great year for hip hop, which my list does not reflect. I enjoyed a lot of material that John Bugbee covered for Thought on Tracks this year, with billy woods’ History Will Absolve Me and Ka’s Grief Pedigree ranking near the top. Unfortunately, I gave most of these releases cursory listens and didn’t feel comfortable including them on my list. It’s possible that we’ll create another list that takes into account the entire staff’s picks, in which case hip hop would likely be included.

A note on number one: I chose Dirty Projetors’ Swing Lo Magellan as my top album of the year. In reality, any of the albums in my top five could rotate into that position. For me, the Projectors album was the one release that I could say definitively felt like it was moving the possibilities of pop music forward. Much of that has to do with the album’s inherent and intentional cerebral quality. I believe David Longstreth is the closest artist that my generation has to Brian Wilson in terms of executing a vision and creating other-worldly vocal arrangements. In honor of Swing Lo earning the top spot, feel free to check out the short film for “Hi Custodian” from Pitchfork.tv featured in all of its pretentious glory at the bottom of the post.

Below, you’ll find my list with links to any of the albums that we covered this year. I really think there is something for everyone on this list. It’s been another great year for music, and I hope that you’ve enjoyed some of what we talked about this year. Thanks as always for reading. And thanks to the incredible minds that created the artwork listed below. Without it, I honestly don’t know whether I’d get out of bed in the morning. It really means the world to me.

Best,

Rob Peoni

Best Albums of 2012

1. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
2. Matthew E. White – Big Inner
3. Tame Impala – Lonerism
4. Barna Howard LP
5. Jessica Pratt LP
6. Grizzly Bear – Shields
7. Allah-Las LP
8. Sleeping Bag – Women of Your Life
9. Mac Demarco – 2 
10. Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
11. Daniel Rossen – Silent Hour / Golden Mile
12. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
13. The Orwells – Remember When
14. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
15. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
16. Bear Hands – Songs From Utopia
17. Bobby Womack – Strongest Man in the Universe
18. Ariel Pink & Haunted Graffiti – Mature Themes
19. She Does Is Magic – My Height In Heels
20. Dent May – Do Things
21. Dusted – Total Dust
22. Woods – Bend Beyond
23. Here We Go Magic – A Different Ship
24. Port St. Willow – Holiday
25. Cat Power – SUN
26. The Antlers – Undersea
27. Hip Hatchet – Joy and Better Days
28. King Tuff LP
29. Jessie Baylin – Little Spark
30. Sonny & The Sunsets – Longtime Companion

Honorable Mention:

Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
Apache Dropout – Bubblegum Graveyard
Hospitality LP
Dr. John – Locked Down
Houndmouth EP
Ty Segall – Twins
Angel Olsen – Half Way Home
TEEN – In Limbo
Helvetia – Nothing in Rambling