2013: ONES TO WATCH

The music world stops for no man, and as we look back on the last 12 months, we must also look forward to the promise of 2013. Here are just a few acts that have tantalised our ears, promising much for the future.

#1 – WILD SWIM

Wild Swim are an Oxford-based five-piece who have already shown signs of an irresistible sound through the release of debut EP ‘Echo’ in late 2012. The band tip-toe in and out of established genre, carrying sparks of electronica, noughties guitar and prog rock on their heels as they go. Frontman Richard Sansom croons and purrs his way through the tracks in a manner that has earned many comparisons to Wild Beasts’ Hayden Thorpe. A debut LP surely beckons and if it is anywhere near the quality of ‘Echo’, we have reason to be very excited indeed.

http://wildswimmusic.com/

#2 – THE PHYSICS HOUSE BAND

Are you sitting comfortably? Good, because once you’ve sat through all 3 minutes and 4 seconds of ‘Titan’ by The Physics House Band you will be pressed back into your seat, hair dishevelled, eyes wide, ears obliterated. The trio describe themselves as “ambient future-prog” and that’s as close as anyone will get to naming this weird and wonderful creature. The band have been keeping busy throughout 2012, DJ-ing as well as playing shows, and as they make their way onto the radar more music, and with it more exposure, must be on the cards for the coming year.

http://thephysicshouseband.tumblr.com/

#3 – THEME PARK

Theme Park have been making some serious waves already this year, releasing a string of singles and supporting Bloc Party on their UK comeback tour. Tracks such as ‘A Mountain We Love’ and ‘Jamaica’ made for the perfect summer soundtrack, with lilting rhythms and laid-back melodies. Record number one is in the can and details for its release will be revealed in early 2013, and the band look set to earn more and more friends once this record is unleashed.

http://www.themeparkband.com/

And that's it for 2012: hopefully 2013 will see these prophesies come to life along with many other musical discoveries and evolutions. For the mean time, make sure you stick some good records on to see the year out. 

2012: TOP TRACKS

Here are my picks for the top ten tracks of 2012, although it's more of a collection than a chart because I am rather loath to order what are all pretty spectacular offerings. Also provided are the accompanying videos in all their (probably) HD glory, ranging from anarchic newsreaders to bedroom fanatics. 

Inhaler – Foals 

You’re Early – 2:54

Echo – Wild Swim

Higher Ground – TNGHT

Gallop – Tall Ships

Hips and Lips – Maximo Park

Ghosts of Holloway – Lone Wolf

Cough Cough – Everything Everything

Arguing With Thermometers – Enter Shikari

The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES

2012: TOP TEN ALBUMS

By now you’ve probably read a fair few end of year pieces reflecting what has been a particularly fast-moving year musically speaking. I cannot possibly claim to round up everything that went down this year, so instead I here present 2012 through my own narrow lens, starting with a rundown of the year’s top ten albums. 

#10: 2:54 – 2:54

Earthy, murky, relentless.

#9: School Of Seven Bells – Ghostory

Soaring, mellow, intricate.

#8: Enter Shikari – A Flash Flood of Colour

Powerful, thought-provoking, DROPS.

#7: Lucy Rose – Like I Used To

Raw, introspective, BEATS.

#6: Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon

Mature, amorous, triumphant.

#5: Jessie Ware – Devotion

Sultry, old-school, irresistible.

#4: Alt-J – An Awesome Wave

Addictive, ingenious, daring. 

#3: The Killers – Battle Born

Expansive, revitalised, nostalgic.

#2: Lone Wolf – The Lovers

Hazy, DIY, personal.

#1: Muse – The 2^nd Law

Indefatigable, intimate, pompous.