This latter half of 2012 is seeing a ton of amazing CD releases. That means that I have quite a few albums on my wishlist. I will first hunt them down so I can listen to most of them, but there are also a few albums in there that I know I want to buy straight away. I have also added CDs that have already been released but that I’m still curious to hear. It’s quite a long list, so here it goes.
In no particular order…
Angus Stone – Broken Brights
I LOVE adore Angus and Julia Stone. The main reason for that? Angus’ voice and their ingenious combination of pop and folk rock. Both brother and sister have endeavored into solo projects and I have heard some great things about this record.
The Big Pink – Future This
Main reason for wanting to hear this is because I loved their first album A Brief History of Love. I saw them live at the time too. The performance showcased insanely catchy rock songs with a raw edge. Am curious to see what line this second album takes.
Isbells – Stoaling
Belgian band which I saw live at Pukkelpop. They played a solid set and even though I only knew their hitsong Baskin’ it made me want to hear more. I found their first self-entitled album online, now I’d like to hear this too.
Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
This band is handsdown my favorite band of 2012 (along with Django Django and both are up for the Mercury Prize!!!). I saw them at Pukkelpop too and have been listening to Mathilda and Something Good none stop since that performance. It’s the type of music that only gets better the more you listen to it.
Maximo Park – The National Health
Maximo Park isn’t a band that I’m exceptionally keen on. I think their stuff is a bit hit or miss, but I dig some of their older hits. I’m always hoping they do something that will blow me away again like Books from Boxes or Our Velocity.
Bombay Show Pig – Vulture
My local record store was ranting about this album earlier in the year and I have yet to hear it. They are usually bang on with their predictions. I often buy albums based on their recommendations and I have yet to be disappointed by it.
Ben Howard – Every Kingdom
This album has been out for some time now and I have heard quite a few songs from it as well, but I still have to buy this. I love his voice and vibe. No wonder his shows in The Netherlands in December sold out in minutes.
The XX – Coexist
Saw them live. Listened to their first untitled album non-stop. Crystalised was my go to ZZZzzz/ chill song for 2 years straight. I loved what little I heard from this one. For me, this is a nobrainer and it’s already waiting for me to purchase it in my Amazon bucket.
Muse – The 2nd Law
It’s Muse… No explanation needed I hope? Even though I absolutely despised the dubstep infused song I came across a while ago. I can’t wait to hear the full thing.
Bloc Party – Four
Another one of those ‘I have to have this at all costs’ nobrainers. I’ve been digging Bloc Party since their first album The Silent Alarm and became a complete fangirl when they released A Weekend in the City. I’m glad they got back together and made some new music again, though I still dig the old stuff best.
Animal Collective – Centipede Hz
If you like experimental music than this is something for you. An Animal Collective record is never the same and you never know what to expect. And that makes me curious. I loved Merriweather Post Pavillion, so we’ll see what this brings…
Grizzly Bear – Shields
Veckatimist topped many best of the year lists in 2009. It also topped mine. Need I say more?
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Aussie psychedelic folk rock never sounded as good as on Tame Impala’s debut Innerspeaker. I’ve heard mixed reviews on the album, but I loved the first single. Can’t wait to hear what the full album sounds like.
Band of Horses – Mirage Rock
If you like some easy listening indie pop rock with enchanting harmonies than Band of Horses is right down your alley. I heard one song so far and that sounded like good old Band of Horses. Flawless, a hint of melancholy and something dreamlike makes me want to hear this album.
Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon
TDDC is not a band that I am particularly fond of. They’re in the same boat as Maximo Park for me. It’s all a bit same old same old, but nonetheless they manage to make some very catchy songs that just make me happy whenever I hear them. I hope Beacon contains a few jems again.
The Killers – Battle Born
Finally! A new record by The Killers. I think I own all of their albums and I even have a limited edition single somewhere. A few years ago I listened to nothing but The Killers and so I’m curious to see what they have up their sleeve this time.
Mumford & Sons – Babel
The long awaited second album by British folk band Mumford & Sons will surely blow up a storm. Their first album did and they were catapulted into fame, headlining festivals and selling out shows left and right. This is another one that has found its way into my Amazon shopping bag. I just have to have it because if it’s anything like their first I’m in for some of the best music of 2012.
Which albums are you looking forward to that are still to be released or have been released this year? Can be from my list above, but if especially let me know if I’m missing anything!