1. Nap Eyes - Four More Songs By / Tribal Thoughts

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across Nap Eyes Bandcamp page via a recommendation by Each Other. As fate would have it, I have found the greatest new band ever. These are some strong words, as there is very little information about them. You can search (believe, me I've scoured the internet,) but only find snippets. Here are some facts about this band: 1.) They hail from Halifax. 2.) They have a Bandcamp page, maybe a Last.fm page too, but who uses that shit? 3.) They have a very small number of live videos on Youtube. 4.) A few people have written about them (all praise) on some obscure blogs/websites, much like this one! 5.) There's no five, that's it. However, while for the most part their persona is shrouded in mystery, the music they create speaks volumes about them. When I first listened to their self-titled I thought there was no way way this could possibly be new. Nap Eyes sound like a band that was once, long ago, like some 90's band you never knew existed, THAT WAS DOING SOME 60's REVIVALIST SHIT or something. But, here they are, 2012, completely out of place in the modern music world. Honestly, for me, this just adds to their appeal. While technically, not a full album, the lazily, yet appropriately titled For More Songs By... is immediately appealing. I cannot tell you how much I've listened to it; it's astounding. "Madames of Fortune" kicks off with this simple strummed guitar, as he opens with, "Now the Madames of fortune, will never know the depths of my pain..." I mean you just know you're listening to something different, something special. The singer/songwriter Nigel Chapman has a way with words, deeply sad, yet spiritual, that really resonates with me. And as the drums come in with that buildup, it's over for me. "Four Strong Winds" is this really great sluggish jam that has verses and changes that don't fit the traditional song structure, but somehow work. I love the way on "A Stolen Boy" there is this excellent breakdown, which sounds like this 50's doo-wop ballad ala "Earth Angel". Finally, there is "White Disciple," the single most greatest song I've heard all year, maybe even for as long as I can remember. I mean you just have to hear it. It's fantastic. Only a mere two months later they give us Tribal Thoughts, a sloppy, twenty some minute collection of old and new songs, and I will do my best to break it down for you. There are around eight to ten short tracks here, each interrupted by a loud WHOOOMPH, or a small interlude of what I like to call "noodling." The first is this awesome title track of sorts, which is followed by this one minute cover of The Smiths "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." Track "3" is this acoustic number that remains one of my favorites, going straight into another awesome jam, reminiscing of Nap Eyes first show. Next we have a sped up version of "Become Our Next Raving Fan," which you can find the original on Nap Eyes'Self titled (not to be missed.) It's hard say with the rest of it, as there's really no telling if one of the jams is a full song, or part of another one. Towards the end, we get what sounds like a b-side or live version of "White Disciple," and then some more "noodlings". It all remains interesting though, as you can hear the band just hitting you with a bunch of ideas for songs, but that is my interpretation. To those that know me, my bread and butter is and has always been 90's indie rock. Nap Eyes have this really simple approach: clean guitar(s), bass, drums; in other words, no bullshit. No fancy production, no special pedals or gimmicks, WHICH IS REFRESHING. The reason I am making such a big deal about Nap Eyes is that when I listen to their music, I hear a ton of artists that I love. I hear a band that has the rawness of early Pavement. I hear the glorious lo-fi recording aesthetic of, and the ability to write GREAT pop rock songs, as Guided By Voices. I hear the Velvet Underground in the influences of their music. I see The Jesus and Mary Chain in their stage presence, (the drummer, playing standing up, with his "less-to-nothing" kit.) I hear echoes of Jeff Mangum on the acoustic track in Tribal Thoughts. I hear Ian McCulloch in the way he sings, "Forget me not..." and I hear The Smiths actually. And yet, still, I hear something new and wonderful. I feel this band, Nap Eyes, have such incredible potential. I feel there is an honesty about them that other bands don't possess. This makes them more than deserving of my favorite album of the year. Nap Eyes cause a ruckus. Set once and for all, The song in the skull, To win evil hearts , And not know what to do with them all. Set once and for all, The song in the skull, To win people's hearts, And not know what to do with them all. http://napeyes.bandcamp.com/album/four-more-songs-by

2. Kindness - World, You Need A Change Of Mind

Let's just get this right out of the way, Kindness' World, You need A Change Of Mind is the best pop album of the year. It's also the best debut album of the year, and Kindness is the best new artist of the year. Period. The album is gorgeous, and you can hear the love Adam Bainbridge put into it. On top of this, I think it's the best sounding album I've heard all year. The production is crystal; I mean this is just headphone candy at its best. Kindness is not shy about wearing their influences, in fact, on "Bombastic," the chorus cuts out and he begins to list a few of them: John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Paul Westerberg (obviously) and many others. I think a lot of people gave him shit for this, as coming across gimicky or even cheesy... I don't see it. In fact the two covers on this album, just, completely awesome, are treated with extreme care. On "Swingin' Party," by The Replacements, he uses a simple, but effective drum loop that is overlapped by some light synths. Where it shines though, is his ability to make the vocal melody the star. Truly, "Swingin' Party" would be one of my favorite songs of all time, and this cover is a thoughtful and moving version of it. The next is Anita Dobson's "Anyone Can Fall In Love" and if you have never heard it, please do so now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CFcu8JRwAU . It is this beautiful pop gem, and I guarantee you will begin to believe that, even you, could fall in love. What I love about the cover is that he adds this great early 90's R&B vibe to it. I just keep imagining Aaliyah (RIP, much love) or Boyz 2 Men taking a verse or something. "Gee Wiz" is this quiet little jam, that has some great guitar and bass runs, that goes straight into "Gee Up" which is so awesome, I can't believe it fades away before two minutes. It really showcases some great funky slap bass, maybe a little disco in there too; anyways, it's just way to good of a hook to end so abruptly. Again, the centerpiece is "House," and I never tire of hearing it. Perhaps the most surprising moment on World... is "That's Alright." The track is HUGE, complete with background singers, incredible, almost cheesy big drums, synths, and chunky bass. I also love there's this really low sounding voice that says shit like, "THE BEAT, THE BEAT IS BAAAADDD..." and to me what sounds like, "HUGGA, HUG HER BUTT!..." It's so over the top, you can't help but get really into it. I hear a lot of INXS on that one. "Cyan" is pretty chill (and endlessly listenable) and "Doigsong" is more of that slap bass and slinky guitars we've heard earlier but really amped up. All in all, it's an extremely solid debut. What it comes down to is you can hear the love and thought that went into this album, and for me that's what it's all about.

3. Pop Winds - Earth To Friend

"What you live for, is gonna kill you soon," followed by, "What (do) you live for?" This seems like such a horribly depressing contrast to the bright beat behind it. Before you get a chance to really think about it, there is a sudden change, in key and in tone. Pop Winds have the answer: "Sunlight." The answer is life, and Earth To Friend has this in spades. Pop Winds are, I am pretty sure, members of the equally awesome Majical Cloudz, and this is their final release, though MC will likely continue making music. I would say Pop Wind's make highly intelligent pop, like what Animal Collective does, except twice as good and much less obnoxious. They have a way of taking a simple guitar riff and looping over it, creating textures and layers and it's always something interesting. My only problem with the album , and this is purely selfish, is I wish that it was longer. At only eight tracks, and three interludes of sorts, we get really only five songs. I mean, these are all grade A, (particularly the title track which could very well be the most played song by me of the year) but there is a little to be desired. If this is the last music they made together, I would say they really outdid themselves. However, do not fret. Check out Majical Cloudz Turns Turns Turns and feel reassured that this won't be last you hear from them.

4. Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet Light

Spiritualized may have made the best record of their career on this one. It certainly features some of the best songs he's ever written: "Hey Jane," the 10 minute powerhouse, in all it's guitar driven glory, "Little Girl," with it's wondrously feel-good chorus and the classic, guitar solo as the melody trick, to the overly sappy, but lovely nevertheless "Too Late." And that is just the first half of the album. I love how "Headed To The Top Now" is not only classic Spiritualized, but classic Spaceman, just pummeling you with those two notes over, and over, and over... "The Freedom" is the sweeter side of Spiritualized, and "So Long You Pretty Thing," (which sadly, sounds like a farewell,) is so depressing, but set to one of the best outros/choruses I've ever heard. I mean I seriously teared up the first time I listened to it. The long running themes of substance abuse, depression, salvation, etc. that ARE Spiritualized are abundant on Sweet Heart Sweet Light but with Jason Pierce, now much older, these themes come across as more sincere, more heartbreaking. Will J. Spaceman ever get his shit together? Is this the last we will ever hear from Spiritualized? It's an album that leaves more questions than answers, and I absolutely love the appropriate art work.

5. .L.W.H. - CIA TV

CIA TV was probably the biggest surprise this year for me. I have been a fan for a while now of 2011's The Tape Hiss Hooligan, and have since been eagerly awaiting his next project. Only a year later, we get CIA TV, a (mostly) instrumental album, that not only doesn't sound like his previous work, but doesn't sound like most anything I've heard all year. It would be too easy to lump him in with other hip-hop producers like Friendzone, Astrronomy, or even bigger, Clams Casino, even though he has collaborated with some of them. While .L.W.H. is similar , he uses more of an emphasis on atmosphere and emotion, rather than simply say, a "sick-as-fuck" beat. I think it would be a disservice to actually try and break down the music within CIA TV, as I feel this is one you just have to let breathe. Highlights include "REGULATE UR GAT," "THE DEAD CHRIST," "PENTAGON Q & A," and "MEDU6SA." But again, there two surprises at the end of this album. The first is "DRACO JR," which features Squadda B and MONDRE Man of Main Attrakionz. You've never heard such slow hip-hop in your life til now. And there is violin! Oh, the violin... Finally, we get "MONUMENT" which is so ridiculously good, and so unlike the rest of the album, and yet, CIA TV wouldn't be whole without it. Complete with a different picture for each song, and later now custom music videos (check out this one for "FIGUREHEAD" http://vimeo.com/48846411 ) as well, CIA TV is clearly not your average affair. It's an album that takes a while to see the brilliance, but when you do, you'll be be wondering why you hadn't gotten into it sooner. Recently, he announced a new album in the works. I can guarantee you'll want to follow this guy, and again, if you haven't yet, ALL THINGS Green Ova.

6. Schoolboy Q - Habits and Contradictions

Did Schoolboy Q make the greatest hip hop album of the year? Critics will probably reserve that spot for Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music or more likely Kendrick's Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. While I really enjoyed these albums, I can certainly say without a doubt in my mind Habits & Contradictions is my favorite. Coming off the wake of the insane amount of underground hip-hop released last year, I was looking for something new to fill that void in 2012. Enter Schoolboy Q, the void-filler. Habits & Contradictions kills, start to finish, from the brilliant THIS IS ME of "There He Go," to the drug induced "Oxy Music," and the uplifting, bliss of "Blessed." It also features guest appearances from A$AP Rocky, Curren$y, Ab Soul and Kendrick Lamar. Earlier this year, I was showing a friend a bunch new hip-hop artists I was into, Schoolboy being one of them. Whenever we would hang out, he'd be like, "Play that Schoolboy album again." So I asked him why he preferred Schoolboy over the likes of Danny Brown, Main Attrakionz and others, and he replied with the most simple, yet powerful statement, one that has stuck with me to the writing of this very blog. What he said was, "I believe this guy." I believe that says it all.

7. Mac Demarco - 2

...The laid back version of Rock And Roll Night Club, which I know sounds kinda silly, as RARNC was already pretty laid back. The songs on 2 are stronger, and without the little radio interludes which interrupted RARNC, make it feel like more of an album. "Cooking Up Something Good" is a great opener. I particularly love the slinky guitar main riff. If you're into it, you're gonna love this album, as slinky guitars ARE this album. "Dreaming" has one of the most lovely choruses, and the bass really pops there. "Freaking Out The Neighborhood" has this Doldrums era Ariel Pink vibe to it, and the showstopper "Ode To Viceroy" will make its way comfortably into your skull, and never outstay its welcome. My personal favorite track is "My Kinda Woman." This is probably Mac at his most down to earth songwriting, and it sure is pretty. The album's not perfect, but I like that it isn't, as I don't think he's going for perfect. These are pretty simple pop songs, deceptively so, but therein lies its brilliance. Mac Demarco's 2 is the sound of early evening drinking alone, at some shitty bar. It's a little sleazy, but endearing nonetheless.