5. Polica – Give You The Ghost
Auto-tuned to within an inch of her life, yet still retaining grace, beauty, and melody, Channy’s vocals float airily over heavily synthesised instrumentals and driving drums on one of the more unique albums of the year. Her lyrics are restrained and concise, but that’s where the intrigue lays, and with both mournful and dancey moments, it’s a very well executed debut. AT
4. Tame Impala – Lonerism
Kevin Parker’s hazy, psychedelic masterpiece is an absolute joy to listen to. Its fifty one minutes are utterly flawless and transport listeners to another realm whilst simultaneously making one aware and in touch with their spirit. Tame Impala have recently enjoyed success on their UK tour, playing packed out academy shows and this record was undoubtedly, by a country mile, the best record of this year. There’s no reason to suggest Tame Impala can’t reach the heights of their famous fans Dave Grohl and Noel Gallagher. JDR
3. Purity Ring – Shrines
Purity Ring must surely win the award for most unnerving album of 2012. With Shrines came 11 ethereal, ominous tracks containing the eerie lyrics of vocalist Megan James, sung in an incongruously unsullied voice which glides seamlessly in and out of James Roddick’s cut up mix of spectral electronic, snare drums and reverbed hand claps. CG
2. Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
The first time I listened to Alt-J’s An Awesome Wave was closely followed by the second, and the third. The band make love with their music, managing to combine interesting multi-genre instrumentals with strong, and dare I say catchy choruses, creating an album which is both intelligent and engaging. Joe Newman’s irresistible vocals lace the album with gorgeous sensualism, giving the debut its impossibly smooth and sexy appeal. ∆ FF
1. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
It certainly came as a surprise to me that this is Josh Tillman’s eighth solo outing; there’s a renegade excitement to the ex-Fleet Foxes man that belies his time spent in the game, and Fear Fun, according to all other critics at least, leaves all his previous work trailing in the dust. Unapologetically American, Tillman reels his way through 12 hedonistic and cracked folk tales with a frenzy of superbly surreal lyricism. Criminally overlooked. BJ
Words By:
Tom Ritchie
Conor Giles
Melissa Taylor
James Daniel Rodgers
Barney Horner
Alex Throssell
Fiona Fletcher
Joe Abbitt
Happy 2013
Dance Yrself Clean
