Alt-J (∆) - An Awesome Wave
Mercury prize winning album An Awesome Wave is the debut album from band Alt-J (∆) and it deserves all credit. The sound they produce is very unique and melodic with their vast selection of synths and beats they have used to create a defining debut album. This album has been a none stop playlist on my iTunes and it is well worth a listen as this band hit a lot of genres with their music and this band's recent fame is well earned.
Tracks to listen to: Breezeblocks, Tesselate and Fitzpleasure
The xx - Coexist
The xx's second album caused much debate prior to its release any many questioned if it could emulate their first album, X, which won the Mercury prize in 2010. Coexist didn't even make the nominations for the prize but this album is far from a let-down for The xx, their sound is even more refined than their debut album with its basic melodies which catch the imagination of any listener. Their sound is very similar to their debut album but Jamie xx has found his element and he polishes off the bands sound perfectly to give this second album a more of a mature sound like The xx have discovered their sound and now they are mastering it.
Tracks to listen to: Angels, Chained and Try
Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
Jake Bugg has had some year with his self-titled debut album. Starting off with a support slot for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds then ending with a Number One album in the UK Charts is something which most 19 year old's wont achieve in their lifetime. His blistering riffs and folk-like voice have set him a class apart from many bands around at the moment and his fame is well deserved because this album is an absolute gem. This album holds a mix of dance-floor fillers and some songs to relax and respect his country-ess voice so there is a bit of everything for listeners to take from the album. Next year will be another huge year for Jake with live shows and another album soon on the way.
Tracks to listen to: Two Fingers, Seen It All and Slide
Plan B - ill Manors
Plan B has placed himself in the 'creme' of British artists with this album, the album is made as the accompanying soundtrack to his own directed film under the same title. Plan B returned to his hip-hop roots for this album after his soul album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, and he is better than ever. The album is all about the council estates of London and how the government and politicians are causing all the recent riots from the youths of today, personally I love what this album stands for and how it is far from all the other British hip-hop albums with their luxury lifestyles etc.. this albums hits home the problems that the working-class face today and the lack of support they receive from David Cameron and his pathetic government.
Tracks to listen to: ill Manors, Playing With Fire and Pity the Plight
Calvin Harris - 18 Months
Calvin Harris had made himself the go-to guy if artists are after great nightclub floor-fillers and even possible Number One's in the charts with his catchy beats but unlike many chart DJs of the present like David Guetta etc.. I respect Calvin Harris. Each song he releases is completely different to the last one and he never forgets to collaborate with his fellow DJs for some dubstep, techno or house music. 18 Months is a mix of chart hits and some of his own stuff which shows the diversity of Calvin's tastes and ability as he can create hits for any genre of music. He has matured since his first album, I Created Disco, and has changed his sound completely to follow the trends of dance music of today.
Tracks to listen to: Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welsh), Awooga and Drinking From The Bottle (feat. Tinie Tempah)
Odd Future - The OF Tape Vol. 2
Odd Future returned in 2012 with their follow-up from their original mixtape named The Odd Future Tape but their craziness hasn't stopped in any stretch. 'Rella' was their first single from the album and that video was described as "Hodgy Beats shoots lasers from his crotch that turn girls into cats, Domo Genesis smacks a black girl in the face and she turns Asian, Tyler as a coke-snorting centaur." I love this album and I am huge of OF's work as it just a collection of what they want to release, they somehow release this high energy, offensive montage of rap and still are able to grab the attention of imagination of all their listeners. Just incredible.
Tracks to listen to: Rella, Forest Green (feat. Mike G) and Oldie
Tame Impala - Lonerism
How could I not include these guys, they have a song about an elephant's trunk! Seriously though, Tame Impala have been one of my favourite bands this year just because of their sheer difference to what I normally listen to, their psychedelic rock has been a favourite of mine over the winter. Lonerism is a fine collection of their work with some excellent foot-tappers and then some difficult listening songs that once you conquer will be a firm favourite for many years to come. They twangy guitars and catchy drums are what make this band great as they play out tune after tune, their appearance on Jools Holland was impecable and showed their talent as a great live band.
Tracks to listen to: Elephant, Led Zeppelin and Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
Mumford & Sons - Babel
I have included songs off this album on my blog since it was released and with good reason, this album is my favourite this year by a long stretch. Mumford have somehow got away with applying the same formula that they did in their debut album to create a perfect concoction of folk beats and romantic lyrics that will melt the heart of any girl that has Marcus Mumford pasted all over her wall. I must admit I still believe this album could of been released as a deluxe version of the first album, Sigh No More, but no matter how much I criticise their lack of change in between albums I can never stop listening to them and seeing this band perform is something every fan should definitely do!
Tracks to listen to: All of them!!!
The Maccabees - Given To The Wild
The Maccabees have done it again, everytime this band return I was doubt their success compared to their previous album but they always produce a spectacular album. 'Given To The Wild' is an album that shows another change in the music that The Maccabees are producing but they still include those tracks that will get their crowds bouncing off the ceilings at live shows. This album shows a softer side of the band with some nice melodic tracks but they always include the grand end to the track with some loud drums and crowd-pleasing chords to get any person dancing.
Tracks to listen to: Pelican, Feel To Follow and Ayla
The Lumineers - The Lumineers
The Lumineers self-titled debut album deserves a lot of credit amongst the music world for its beautiful simplicity and it shows that you don't need all the technology in the world to create great songs but just a little bit of passion and band members who can play guitar, sing and provide a rhythm. That is what The Lumineers do perfectly, they make songs that anyone could replicate but songs that everyone wants to replicate because they are soo god damn beautiful. There first album has been a hit with all crowds and their exposure from TV adverts and other formats have made this album a great seller and a must listen.
Tracks to listen to: Ho Hey, Stubborn Love and Big Parade
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