Big K.R.I.T. represents an era of southern hip hop that has become all but extinct. His style harkens back to early days of UGK, 8ball&MJG, Outkast, Goodie Mob, and Devil the Dude - all of which he pays homage to in his lyrics. And just like Pimp C( one of his major influences), Big K.R.I.T. produces all of his own material. Technically, this is a mixtape, but it's clear that Big K.R.I.T. takes the utmost integrity in his work, as this plays just like an album.
Catherine Feeny - America
tags: folk, singer-songwriter, indie, female vocals Sample song: Spill it all Over the Ground
Atmospheric and rhythmical folk music with female vocals. The music itself is subtle and pretty, which poses an interesting contrast to Catherine's socially and politically driven lyrics
Elle Varner - Perfectly Imperfect
tags: r&b, pop Sample song: Sound Proof Room
Elle Varner's debut album is the perfect example of what I think a modern r&b album should sound like - great production, great song-writing, and amazing vocals with no auto-tune in sight. I should also not that Elle has an incredible rasp to her voice that really makes her a treat to listen to.
4th album from the amazingly talented multi-instrumentalist and jazz vocalist, Esperanza Spalding. On this record, Spalding flawlessly delves into pop, soul, and funk while retaining the jazz and classical sensibilities that she's had from the start. Lovely~
Gary Clark Jr. - Blak and Blu
tags: rock, blues, soul, r&b, rock&roll Sample song: When My Train Pulls In
Impressive debut from Gary Clark Jr. that tackles a plethora of different genres, (rock&roll, blues, r&b, soul, and doo-wop) and does so without fault. While each style is performed wonderfully, my only gripe is that the album loses it's cohesiveness amongst all of the genre-hopping. So while this album doesn't exactly provide a smooth track-to-track listening experience, it is however, a g
Grasscut - Unearth
tags: electronic Sample song: Pieces
British independent record label Ninja Tune is one of my absolutely favorites, as they specialize in a variety of electronic genres and manage to maintain a consistent level of quality. With a sound that lies somewhere between modern classical and electropop, British duo Grasscut is no exception to Ninja Tune's excellent lineup.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, (senedjem, did you draw the cover art? ) Hiatus Kaiyote is a quartet dubbed as a "future soul" band. They're definitely much more forward-thinking than most contemporary soul acts, as they attempt to meld elements of hip hop, jazz, and other more subtle elements into a sound of their own.
Splendid release from another one of my favorite UK labels, Tru Thoughts. Hidden Orchestra's music is a cinematic boiling pot, borrowing equally from genres like jazz, electronic, classical, ambient and hip hop. Each track is brimming with intensity under the surface, yet they all maintain an overwhelmingly subtle exterior. It's perhaps because of this permeating contrast that the band's name couldn't be more fitting.
Invalids - Eunoia
tags: math-rock Sample song: Ursine Valor
Math-rock heavily influenced by early Maps & Atlases - from the vocals to the toy-like guitar tones! Awesome!
The prospect of a white female rapper has always been taboo, but K.flay pretty much destroys all expectations. Not only can she flow, but she also sings and produces all of her own material as well. This girl is just dope all around.
Kaki King - Glow
tags: instrumental, acoustic, world Sample song: Great Round Burn
6th album from guitar virtuoso Kaki King, which in entirely instrumental in contrast to her previous albums. The primary focus here is King's masterful guitar playing which she serves up through a worldly assortment of styles; all done in a very cinematic fashion.
4th album from rapper/singer and Tech N9ne's right-hand man, Krizz Kaliko. There aren't many rappers around with a style as vigorous and creative as Krizz Kaliko's. His flow in impeccable, he can actually sing (like, really sing), and his production is varied and dynamic. An excellent hip hop album from start to finish!
Marvelous debut from French folkstress, Ladylike Lily. Haunting and beautifully melodic folk tunes reminiscent of Germany's Entertainment for the Braindead.
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough?
tags: neo-soul, folk, female vocals Sample song: They Could Be Wrong
2012 has seen a great deal of impressive debut albums and Is Your Love Big Enough? is one of them. Lianne La Havas' sound is a stunning mix of neo-soul and folk, and her vocals are absolutely heart-melting!
Lucy Rose - Like I Used To
tags: folk, indie-pop, female vocals Sample song: Watch Over
Melancholic and ethereal folk music riddled with post-rock-esque sensibilities. Wonderful!
Marriages - Kitsune
tags: post-rock Sample song: Ride In My Place
Thanks to Ito for introducing me to this band. Marriages is a new band consisting of Greg Burns and Emma Ruth Rundle as the core duo - both members are formerly of the band Red Sparowes. Dark and grungy post-rock with male/female vocals.
Mina Tindle - Taranta
tags: indie-pop, folk, french, female vocals Sample song: Pan
Mina Tindle is a French musician whose debut album is a delightful collection of lilting folk and indie-pop tunes sung both in English and her native tongue. She's already being compared to the likes of Feist and to a lesser extent, Cat Power.
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Prehistory
tags: indie-rock Sample song: The Day
Frankly speaking, a lot of American indie-rock can be flat-out bland - especially compared to the indie-rock scenes of Canada and Japan. However, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band has a keen melodic sense, both vocally and instrumentally, that keeps them floating above monotony. They actually remind me a bit of OGRE YOU ASSHOLE circa 2007/2008 - which can only be a good thing!
Alice Russell has to be one of the most CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED modern soul singers around. Although she's been around since the early 2000s and has released a number of solo albums (in addition to myriad features), she has never broken into the mainstream. Though in this case, that's a good thing. While Ms. Russell may not be a household name, any soul music fan that's keen enough to look beyond the media has heard of her. On this album, Alice has teamed up with reknown Tru Thoughts producer, DJ, and musician Quantic and the results are nothing short of exceptional!
Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio
tags: jazz, neo-soul, hip hop, r&b, female vocals Sample song: Cherish The Day (feat. Lalah Hathaway)
While the Robert Glasper Experiment doesn't actually play experimental music, Black Radio is Glasper's attempt to seamlessly fuse jazz with hip hop and neo-soul while remaining true to each individual element. To accomplish this task, Glasper has recruited some of the finest singers and rappers around - including, but not limited to Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway and more. If you ask me, the experiment has been an unparalleled success!
Ruby Throat - O' Doubt O' Stars
tags: folk, acoustic, female vocals Sample song: Arctic Fox
Ruby Throat is the side-project of Queen Adreena vocalist KatieJane Garside. This is their 3rd album, which continues much in the vein of their previous 2 releases. Dark, ethereal folk music with Garside's signature sweet, yet eerie croon.
Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods
tags: indie-rock, alternative, shoegaze Sample song: Mean Spirits
Unfortunately, I've always neglected the Silversun Pickups - writing them off as your typical mainstream rock band before even hearing a note of their music. Thankfully, I stepped down from my delusional "indie high-horse" and decided to give their latest and 3rd album Neck of the Woods a try. Little did I expect I'd be posting this album in my best-of list, but it's simply a great all-around rock record.
SPC ECO - Don't Say EP
tags: shoegaze, eletronic, dream-pop, female vocals Sample song: Break It Out
SPC ECO (pronounced Space Echo) are a Brittish "nu-gaze" band that incorporate elements of dreampop and electronica. In some ways, they remind me of a less experimental 101A. SPC ECO has been fairly prolific in 2012, releasing 2 Eps, a single, and an album, but I consider the Don't Say EP to be the highlight of the bunch.
Submotion Orchestra is a 7-piece collective from the UK with a downtempo sound forged from soul, ambient, electronica, dub, and jazz. Cinematic tone, deep/bass-driven grooves, and great female vocals - this release is perfection.
Although this is her fourth album, Sy Smith has consistently flown under the radar - and for no apparent good reason. The woman is insanely talented - she has a five-octave vocal range and can sing in whistle register, and has always sidestepped convention. In fact, Smith is so cutting-edge for a neo-soul artist, that some music critics are trying to credit her as ushering in a new genre referred to as "Electronic soul" or "Electrosoul". Whatever you want to call it, Sy Smith knows how to make good music. Fast And Curious was produced by the acclaimed Mark de Clive-Lowe, and I couldn't imagine anyone better to help realize Sy's ambitious blend of 80's funk, acid-jazz, house and soul.
Tame Impala - Lonerism
tags: psychedelic rock Sample song: Mind Mischief
Outstanding sophomore album from the Australian psychedelic rock project, Tame Impala - who is actually one man, Kevin Parker - with the other members existing merely to perform the songs he records alone live. Since their debut, Parker has been hailed as John Lennon reincarnated, which, of course, is a favorable comparison. Lonerism has been on almost every best-of list that I've read for 2012, and while I hate to jump on the bandwagon, the album really is just that good!
Major thanks to Jigsaw9 for introducing me to this band! Straightforward DIY punk from Canada. At only 19 minutes long, sorry is a short, but thoroughly intense record!
Wot Gorilla? - Kebnekaise
tags: math-rock, progressive Sample song: Afraid of the Dark
Debut album from England's Wot Gorilla?. Progressive math-rock sprinkled with hints of pop and hardcore elements throughout.
CAT5 got a reaction from D.L.S in CAT5's Personal Best of 2012!