Okay so I may have not finished the actual list last year due to scheduling conflicts etc etc. (absinthe), but I started early with this one, so fingers crossed and I may get the top ten to you before Father Christmas arrives.
Below are the top ten from the unfinished 2011 list.
1. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
2. Kendrick Lamar – Section. 80
3. Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation
4. Jackmaster – Fabriclive. 57
5. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
6. Danny Brown – XXX
7. Cults – Cults
8. Sbtrkt – SBTRKT
9. Wild Beasts – Smother
10. Tyler, the Creator – Goblin
Now onto this years list. And don’t worry Lana Del Rey is not top..
I will put a download link to any free to download mixtapes. You will also be able to play my favourite track from each album.
30. Clams Casino – Instrumental Mixtape 2
Clams Casino is one of the secrets behind ASAP Rocky’s success, he produced some of his best tracks on the brilliant Live. Love. ASAP. Along with instrumentals from this and for Lil B, Mac Miller and The Weeknd, Clams has created a collection of great sounds that stand alone sometimes better than when a voice is thrown over the top.
You can download it for free here.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/17979598″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
29. Symmetry – Themes for an Imaginary Film
Symmetry is side project from the highly talented Johnny Jewel from ‘Chromatics’ and founder of record label ‘Italians Do It Better’. Johnny was approached, before Cliff Martinez was chosen, to create the brilliant soundtrack for the fantastic art-house flick ‘Drive’, however he was dropped for fear that he may have been too in-experienced.
The mesmerising 2 hour “Themes For an Imaginary Film” proves he is anything but. Taking themes from his early work with Chromatics and the whole 80s ital disco sound, and combining it with the soundtrack/driving idea instigated by the Drive soundtrack opportunity, Johnny has created something that takes you on a journey and lets you create an imaginary, at times heart racing story. Stream the whole album below.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/30916587″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
28. TNGHT – TNGHT EP
Kindjacket spotted Lunice dancing in his gucci sweatshirt back in 2011. He has now teamed up with Glasgow producer Hudson Mohawke to form TNGHT. At just under 20 minutes the EP is a refreshing blast of glistening beats and hard hitting bass-lines.
27. John Talabot – Fin
John Talabot is a Barcelona based electronic producer. His debut album Fin is a stunning journey, with stellar production and an irresistible sound.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/35201249″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
26. Burial – Kindred EP
Although he’s yet to release an LP since the masterpiece ‘Untrue’, the enigmatic Burial decided to wow us with this Half an hour long EP. On this effort Burial has managed to shift his sound, yes there is still some surface noise, but the sound is lot a harder hitting with heavier beats and stronger themes of house and techno especially on the track ‘Ashtray Wasp’. Keep your eyes peeled for his new single.
25. Perfume Genius – Put Your Back N 2 it
Perfume Genius’ second album is a beautiful yet haunting affair. Discussing themes of drug abuse, molestation and ones struggle for acceptance. It is one of 2012’s most moving albums; the powerful songs combined with Perfume Genius’ quivering voice (which sounds like its on the brink of tears) create something that is beyond words. Music is at its most potent when it can elicit emotions and ‘Put Your Back N 2 it’ does just that.
24. BADBADNOTGOOD – BBNG 2
After coming 41st in Kindjacket’s list from 2011, BADBADNOTGOOD have made considerable improvements. On BBNG2 their sound is much better produced, you can really hear them slapping da bass, and they have covered a much better selection of songs and even come up with some original stuff. Highlights include covers of ‘Earl’ by ‘Earl Sweatshirt’ and ‘CMYK’ by “James Blake’. You download the whole album for free here.
23. Jessie Ware – Devotion
Jessie first appeared when she featured on SBTRKT’s debut album last year. She has grown in confidence since then and has gone on to release ‘Devotion’, arguably the best pop record of 2012. Fuck Rihanna. If you want soaring vocals and sweet production from a UK artist, this is perfect for you.
22. Beach House – Bloom
Not as good as their stunning 201o release ‘Teen Dream’, ‘Bloom’ brings back the same formula that worked then and it works now, the soothing female vocals and dreamy guitars, drift in and out of your ear to create an irresistible listen.
21. Wild Nothing – Nocturne
Dream Pop. I am honestly struggling to come up with more words other than, I like the way this album makes my ears feel.
