For me, music is more than just art. Music is more of a force, able to stir one's emotions, awaken one's senses, and unite people under a common denominator. It is an essential part to my life.
A year ago today I was doing the same thing I am doing now, looking ahead onto a new year that is full of wonder and possibilities. There is no way I can fully know what to expect, and it's impossible to look into the future and get a solid grasp of what the music world will throw my way; right now, it's all up for grabs. What's going to be my favorite album of 2013? What is going to disappoint me? Which band will release a debut album that blows me away? These are the same questions I (and all of us for that matter) was faced with at the beginning of 2012. I didn't have answers, I didn't have a clue. It's for this reason that I love lists, if nothing else it's a reflection of the year that passed, a representation of the artists you listened to and the albums that grew to symbolize a small segment of your life. It's all there, neatly organized in a countdown. For me, that's why I do lists. I don't do them because I want to brag about what I listened to, nor do I think my list is better than everyone else's. No, I do it because it gives a certain portrayal of who I am for that year, it shows what I was into and what I cared about. Going through the years of previous lists, it's fascinating to look back and see how I've changed and how my music tastes shifted. Each list fills in the answers that you asked yourself at the beginning of each year, and it exhibits that child-like excitement and curiosity that you felt 12 months prior. To go back and observe that introspection is a wonderful thing, and the best part? You get a chance to do it at the beginning of each and every single year. The music side of me now has a clean slate going into 2013, and whenever a part of you has an uncertain future, how can you not help but feel a flurry of anticipation? That's how I feel now, and that's how I felt then, way back in January of 2012. Now, though, my questions have been answered, and 2012 will slowly disappear behind us (but that doesn't mean we won't forget it) as new and inspiring music makes its way into our ears. So, without further adieu, here are my favorite releases of the year that passed....
25. Blondes by Blondes
"Lover"
24. Strange Weekend by Porcelain Raft
23. Duality by Captain Murphy
22. Shrines by Purity Ring
"Crawlersout"
21. Allah-Las by Allah-Las
"Tell Me (What's On Your Mind)"
20. Confess by Twin Shadow
"Beg For The Night"
19. 2 by Mac DeMarco
18. Our House on the Hill by The Babies
17. Heaven by The Walkmen
"We Can't Be Beat"
16. Spiderwebbed by Stumbleine
15. Melody's Echo Chamber by Melody's Echo Chamber
14. Gossamer by Passion Pit
"It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy"
13. Coexist by The xx
"Tides"
12. Shields by Grizzly Bear
"Gun-Shy"
11. Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized
"Little Girl"
10. There's No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man on Earth
"To Just Grow Away"
9. Nocturne by Wild Nothing
8. Oshin by DIIV
7. Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings
"Fall In"
6. Bend Beyondby Woods
"Impossible Sky"
5. Kindred EP by Burial
"Loner"
4. Spooky Action at a Distance by Lotus Plaza
3. Bloom by Beach House
"Lazuli"
2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
"Music To Walk Home By"
1. Celebration Rock by Japandroids
"Evil's Sway"
So there ya have it, 2012 in a nutshell! As with every list I'm sure you agree on some while you completely disagree with others, but that's the beauty of music...no one has to agree on anything, we all just listen to what we like. Anyway, I look forward to what will hopefully be a stellar 2013 music year, there are sure to be some great releases heading our way (Beach Fossils and Toro Y Moi, I'm looking at you) as well some debut hopefuls (ON AN ON, my fingers are crossed!). Here's wishing everyone a happy new year, and hoping that your holidays were merry! Thank you all for reading, it has been a pleasure writing for you, and I hope to see you guys soon!!!
I think it's fair to say that A$AP Rocky is my favorite up-and-coming rapper these days. At least he's certainly the one I'm most excited about, especially after his mixtape LiveLoveA$AP surprised the hell out of me. Well, he's dropped another track on us called "Ridin'", and features the mysteriously alluring Lana Del Rey...ya know, the one who made a huge splash with "Video Games"? You may have heard of her. This new jam is much more chill than a lot of the other material he has made, it contains an entirely different atmosphere than another recent release in "Celebration", which is way more of a party anthem. All of this is preparing A$AP for the drop of his forthcoming debut studio album LongLiveA$AP, which is due out later this year. I'm expecting huge things out of it, and A$AP has been quoted as saying it's his "best work yet, like LiveLoveA$AP matured". Well, that's something I can deal with. Have a listen to "Ridin'" below, and get pumped for LiveLoveA$AP in the near future.
I never expected to like A$AP Rocky. When I was introduced to his mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, my friend told me that all he does is "rap about smoking weed, being fucked up, and getting his dick wet". Since I find these themes to be one of the most annoying problems with modern hip-hop, I wasn't exhilarated with such a preface. Then "Palace" came on; epic. Next came "Peso"; smooth. I was hooked. Knowing my tastes, I still can't figure out why I like him so much. I'm thinking it may be how he carries himself, a basic dude who likes to have a good time. He never appears to take himself too seriously, in fact at times LiveLoveA$AP is actually humorous, and I think he's aware of that. Also, the auto-tune is at a bare minimum, if even used at all; what you see is what you get, and you gotta give a guy credit for that. So what do you get when A$AP decides to make a more party-ready, synth-lined track? The answer is "Celebration", an unbearably infectious hip-hop ballad that gives tribute to loving life and living large. In typical fashion, there is no shortage of getting women and spending money. The song is getting me amped, I can't wait to hear what he comes out with next. He has all the criteria to make it huggeeee one day. Check it out below! Hopefully it'll get the weekend off to a good start.
