My Top albums of 2012

The XX – Coexist

Hands down my favourite and most listened to album of last year.

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/coexist/id555642294

Here are the rest of the albums in no particular order. I’m not in the habit of writing about music I like. Best to just check the records out…I’ve included links to get previews and/or purchase. Some are free downloads from the artists.

At the end of this post are links to some mixes I’ve done that inlcude tracks from these albums and others that did it for me in 2012. I end up finding loads of songs I like where I’ve not had a chance to explore more by the artist or where I have, the album as a whole didn’t work for me.

The rest in no particular:

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

http://cstrecords.com/cst081/

Dead Can Dance – Anastasis

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/anastasis/id538394108

Django Django – S/T

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/14205665/view/

Best Coast – Only place

http://www.bestcoast.us/

Chelsea Wolfe – Unknown rooms: Collection of acoustic songs

http://chelseawolfe.bandcamp.com/album/unknown-rooms-a-collection-of-acoustic-songs

Clam Casino – Instrumental mix tape 2

http://www.thefader.com/2012/06/04/download-clams-casinos-instrumental-mixtape-2/

Crystal Castles – III

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/16407786/view/

Frankie Rose – Interstellar

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/interstellar/id587076352

Ghosts – Night EP

http://ghostsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/night-ep

Grimes – Visions

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/14100058/view/

The Invisible – Rispah

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/rispah-bonus-track-version/id527962348

Janka Nabay & the Bubu gang – En yah sah

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/en-yay-sah/id534129232

The Liminanas – Crystal Anis

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/crystal-anis/id547837357

Make-Overs – Too much IV

http://we-did-this-records.bandcamp.com/album/too-much

Metric – Synthetica

http://ilovemetric.com/store/

Perfume Genius – Put your back N 2 it

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/13800255/view/

Tamaryn – Tender new signs

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/16113637/view/

Soap & Skin – Narrow

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/narrow/id494812131

Sharon Van Etten – Tramp

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/13874348/view/

Peaking Lights – Lucifer

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/lucifer/id516130009

Underground – Various 2CD

Some shameless self promotion…I compiled two CD compilations that were officially released in South Africa in 2012. I’m most proud of Underground as it’s a genuine journey back to Johannesburg’s alternative clubs back in the 80s & 90s with music that influenced my DJing as well as much of what I listen to today (plus it has some artwork). It’s also the unofficial soundtrack to my first comic script BOY WITH THE FILTERS

It can be purchased here or here

70s Kicks – Various 2CD

I compiled this for David Gresham Records in conjunction with Rhino Records (Warner). The idea was to compile a decent 70s compilation that wasn’t disco or commercial pop. Most of the tracks here are floorfillers culled from mine and Charles Leonard’s regular party REFORM Sound System. It can be purchased here

Besides the on-line purchase links provided for the above two compilations, both are stocked by Look & Listen, Musica and some of the indie music stores.

BEST of 2012 MIXES

Here are the links to two of the 2012 Mixes I’ve done so far (one more pure dance mix still outstanding):

Stream the 2012 Comedown Mix at Mixcloud or grab the MP3 here

Stream the 2012 Indie Mix at Mixcloud or grab the MP3 here.

Some tracks from the 2012 list not featured on the above two mixes are featured on a other mixes I did throughout 2012. Check out the other mixes on Mixcloud from 2012.