Albums Of The Year: 2012

I would start off with 'well it's that time of year again', when in fact that time was about 3 weeks ago. But here's my 2012 list nevertheless, better late than never and all that. Yes, it's in some sort of order, and yes there are 2 mixtapes and a best of in there, so deal with it. Saying that I will probably have forgotten something and disagree with this as soon as I've pressed post. Oh well. Enjoy and disagree...

21. Polica - Give You The Ghost

Favourite track: Dark Star


20. Grizzly Bear - Shields

Favourite track: Sleeping Ute


19. Plan B - Ill Manors

Favourite track - Ill Manors


18. Nas - Life Is Good

Favourite track: Nasty


17. Purity Ring - Shrines

Favourite track: Lofticries


16. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun

Favourite track: Petur


15. Django Django - Django Django

Favourite track: Hail Bop


14. Yeasayer - Fragrant World

Favourite track: Reagan's Skeleton


13. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man

Favourite track: Laura


12. Hot Chip - In Our Heads

Favourite track: Flutes


11. Passion Pit - Gossamer

Favourite track: Talk A Walk


10. Alt - J - An Awesome Wave

Favourite track: Something Good


9. Grimes - Visions

Favourite track: Oblivion


8. Hodgy Beats - Untitled (Mixtape)

Favourite track: In A Dream


7. Japandroids - Celebration Rock

Favourite track: The House That Heaven Built


6. DJ Shadow - Reconstructed (Best of)

Favourite track: Midnight In A Perfect World


5. The XX - Coexist

Favourite track: Fiction


4. Kendrick Lamar - good kid m.a.a.d city

Favourite track: Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst


3. Two Door Cinema Club - Beacon

Favourite track: Beacon


2. Joey Bada$$ - 1999 (Mixtape)

Favourite track: Waves


1. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Favourite track: Lost

Grimes: Genesis.

I don't think there's really anything you can say about this. Other than, strangely, it's just what I expected.

LOVE Issue 8 Preview by Sølve Sundsbø.

LOVE Issue 8 Preview by Sølve Sundsbø from LOVE on Vimeo.

In the form of an eerie and odd live fashion-shoot, LOVE magazine have released a video preview of their latest edition, Issue 8. Featuring the visuals of the wonderful, and equally odd, Grimes, Sølve Sundsbø puts together beautiful piece, even if you're not quite sure what just happened...

Grimes: Nightmusic

Yep, more Grimes, but in no way is it undeserving.



A huge contrast from the homemade, carefree Oblivion video, Nightmusic gives us a deeper view into what goes on inside Grimes' head. And unsurprisingly, it's a bit weird. Set in a forest that looks very much the one I grew up next to (I very much doubt it is), it's full of ghost-like naked folk, strange happenings and fits the track perfectly.

Grimes: Live.

I've become a bit obsessed with Grimes recently. I first stumbled across her in her Oblivion video, I instantly fell for the song and loved the cheap and carefree video that went along with it. Her album visions was just as instant on me, as it was with many others. It's soaring melodies, strong synth base and Grimes' voice wavering between the musical lines all came together perfectly. She also comes across a genuinely humble girl who is simply just doing what she wants.

Watching her performing is quite mesmerising, as she flitters between keyboards, synths and soundboards which fluency and accuracy. It's quite something to watch her mix all the layers of her music together live. Watch her do exactly that whilst knelt on the floor in a radio studio, "classic Grimes".



It's also worth watching her Jools Holland performance from last week.

The Playlist: Jools Holland: Jack White / Grimes / Alabama Shakes

Later with Jools Holland is still one of the best shows the BBC has to offer us. It's a dedication to live music, and to talented and diverse musicians that is often left by the way side in the current world of TV. It's a show where you will be watching the biggest acts in the world rubbing shoulders with the latest hype, all next to the most obscure artists. There's just one requirement, talent. Simple as. Over the years Jools has provided some truly memorable performances, most notably for me Bon Iver and Seasick Steve.

The latest show was one of the best I've seen in a while, with Jack White, Grimes and Alabama Shakes really standing out for me. Jack White with his energy and incredible live sound, Grimes with her unique, talented and beautiful ways and Alabama Shakes just going balls out and giving it some.

Jack White - Sixteen Saltines



Grimes - Genesis



Alabama Shakes - Hold On

Grimes: Oblivion

It's a track that could be right at home in the Drive soundtrack and that is by all means a very good thing. The video is wonderfully shot, slightly odd, but fun and carefree from beginning to end. Bit obsessed