musically challenged

Despite containing the frankly daft line 'ten toes and ten fingers', Forever I've Known is my favourite song on the album that's featured most prominently so far on my playlist in 2012, The Maccabees' Given to the Wild. A splendid album from a band that have really matured from album to album, they seem to have made a conscious effort to manipulate their music in such a way to make singer Orlando Weeks' voice the focal point whilst actually becoming a more accomplished outfit musically. Their sound is a big change from their debut but a change that I think has paid off.

We are now one and a half months into 2012 and so I got thinking what more have we got to look forward to, in terms of music, for the rest of the year. So here it is. My 10 most anticipated music releases of 2012:



1. Daft Punk - ?!?!?!
I'm starting with one that may or may not happen. Rumours are rife that Daft Punk are working on a new album with both singer-songwriter Paul Williams and American musician Nile Rodgers dropping hints that a collaboration could be on the cards. Whilst admittedly these are two names you wouldn't necessarily expect to see associated with Daft Punk I'm sure fans will be hoping the rumours are true. They haven't released an LP since 2005's Human After All and with a new release comes hopefully a new tour. Fingers crossed.

2. The XX
A band who threatened to be upstaged by their drummer in 2011 are finally releasing the follow-up to their widely-acclaimed debut xx. Will be interesting to see what direction they head in as Jamie xx has gone from strength-to-strength as the music industry's go-to man when in need of a remix (see the superb We're New Here). I also hope they hand out free t-shirts again at gigs as my mum threw away the one I acquired at Leeds 09.

3. The Stone Roses

Sure to be one of the highlights of my summer, I finally get to see the Stone Roses in 2012 having waited my whole life. I have my doubts about whether the new material will be any good let alone relevant but hopefully it will be worth the wait.

4. The Cribs - In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull
Whilst I would never do such a thing as criticize the legend that is Johnny Marr, I thought his brief affair with the Cribs didn't really work. They were a band of brothers (and a forty-eight year old guitarist). Hopefully now Marr's gone the band will go back to their earlier rawer sound which made them so much fun at gigs. 

5. Dirty Projectors
The Brooklyn band's last effort, Bitte Orca, is one of my favourite albums of the past few years. Experimental but with a coherent sound it was released in the same year as Dark was the Night on which they collaborated with David Byrne of Talking Heads. Its great to have them back and I'd love to see them tour the U.K.

6. Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror
"The vocals and melodies have more of a pop and R&B influence…" vocalist Alexis Krauss told NME magazine. The title Reign of Terror doesn't exactly suggest a poppier direction so I've got a feeling the band may have been taking the piss out of the 'journo' here. I'm expecting more 200mph mayhem from the follow up to debut Treats.

7. The National 
Finally getting the recognition they deserve this side of the water The National look set to release album number 6.

8. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid in a Mad City

Creator of undoubtedly one of the best rap albums of 2011, Section.80, this looks set to be his year. Before his first album he claimed that Tupac Shakur came to him in his dreams and told him to "Keep doing what you're doing, don't let my music die". I personally can't wait to hear his next inspiring story.

9. Danny Brown

My favourite rapper around at the moment. Overly boastful but ridiculously funny, Danny Brown is a joy to listen to. Recently toured with G Unit but we'll just pretend that didn't happen.

10. De La Soul - You're Welcome

Another group I seem to have waited an eternity to see live, I was delighted to see they are playing Parklife Weekender this summer. Even more delighted to hear they've got new stuff coming out, which will be the first for 8 years. If you haven't, check them out, I promise you won't be disappointed.

The ones that didn't make the list.. 

For the tenth year in a row we hear Dr. Dre's long awaited Detox is ready for release. I, for one, am not holding my breath. And, to be honest if I Need a Doctor is anything to go by, it seems Dre is losing his touch.
Outkast - much the same as Dr. Dre, we're still waiting. Both Andre 3000 and Big Boi have been involved with their own projects so maybe they've had a moment free to get some shit together. I doubt we'll find out anytime soon, 3000 is as elusive as Osama Bin Laden (was), choosing instead to appear as a cat.

Most artists seem to prefer the element of surprise these days, so don't be surprised if I've missed some bangers off this list. Let's hope there's many surprises in 2012.

Happy Listening.