Before you proceed onto iTunes, having read all the recommendations in Glamour and Q for up and coming music for 2013, make sure you have these ones on your iPod from 2012!
- Mumford and Sons, Babel
Okay, I may be biased as they are one of my favourite bands of all time, whether they’ve just released a new album or not, but there’s no denying these four gorgeous talented musicians and singers really wowed the nation with their release of Babel in September 2012. If you’re yet to listen to their marvellous and characteristic new tracks, adding to the compilation from Sigh No More, released in 2009, then check out my HCX album review to convince you, and then get onto iTunes – you won’t regret it.
Favourite track – Ghosts That We Know
- Emeli Sandé, Our Version of Events
Heaven, Sandés solo debut single released in 2011, has been labelled by many music critics as the finest British pop song released in that year. Following this beautiful track, this talented artist released Our Version of Events with Virgin Records in February 2012. Full of power and emotion, Emeli Sandé seems to capture the hearts of listeners almost effortlessly with her polished and graceful voice. A huge 1.4 million copies were sold last year which just shows how loved she is and how powerful her songs are to listen to, whatever your music taste.
Favourite track – Clown
- Alt-J, An Awesome Wave
Released on 28 May 2011, the just up-and-coming band from Leeds released a wonderful compilation of innovative and electrifying music. Including the classic Tessellate, other popular tracks are Breezeblocks, Dissolve Me and Something Good. Considering this alternative, current band spend their time in a Cambridgeshire basement making their own brand of uniquely dubbed “folk-step”, you’d never guess such mellow but base-y tracks could emanate from what one would imagine is quite a dark and dull location.
Favourite track – Tessellate
- Frank Ocean, Channel Orange
I still don’t think this guy gets enough recognition for the works he creates. The oldest, most soulful member of band Odd Future, a singer more than a rapper, outshone his former colleagues with debut album Nostalgia, Ultra and then Channel Orange in 23 July of last year with Mercury Records. But what is different about Channel Orange to the previous album is the maturities we see from Ocean develop through the tracks. As the tracks progress, so does the tempo and mood of the music, starting slowly with Start. Despite his slightly aged inspirations such as Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, every track is innovative, current and ambitious.
Favourite track – Swim Good
- Rihanna, Unapologetic
I’m currently listening to Stay by this mesmerising artist, a stunning track on her newest album Unapologetic. The album seems to circulate around her relationship with Chris Brown, and the hypocrisy of singing her abusive partner’s praises is oddly captivating. I can’t think of one bad song that Rihanna has come out with, and this 7th album delivers to just the same standard as previous ones. Tracks Diamonds and Stay are already in the popular music arena to all fans who haven’t yet listened to the album the whole way through, and may I send a message to those people that they should listen to the rest – you will thank me.
Favourite track – Nobody’s Business
So there you have it. A guide from HCX for your New Year music downloading session, before you venture on to listen to all the recommendations for tunes in the headlines in 2013… Until next time!
Photo credits:-
http://www.bywayofbeauty.com/2012/10/grit-grace-in-mumford-sons-babel.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Version-Events-Emeli-Sand%C3%A9/dp/B005H0YP7W
http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/2012/09/album-review-alt-j-awesome-wave.html
http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/10/11/rihannas-unapologetic-after-releasing-sexy-album-cover-photo/