Top 10 Songs of 2012

I can't believe it's this time of the year again. 2012 was (is) a great year of music. Many new discoveries, many comebacks and gems from both indie and mainstream acts. It wasn't easy to narrow the best songs into the top 10 and I'm sure you will disagree with some of the choices. Acts such as Crystal Castles, Amanda Palmer, Baroness and Sleigh Bells were close in being on the list. But taste in music is something that is hard to argue on and I hope to see what your favorite songs of this year were! Let me know in the comments below or on the Facebook page. Enjoy.

10. No Doubt - Settle Down

The most anticipated comeback and they do it with style.

9. Paul Banks - The Base

I seem to never get enough of Banks' voice and The Base is truly one of his best songs.




8. Bloc Party - Kettling

How great is it to have this quartet back? Kettling is my favorite tune of their latest album and the energy level in it is amazing.




7. Willis Earl Beal - Evening's Kiss

Evening's Kiss is something that every Elliott Smith fan is able to feel in their bones.




6. Friends - Mind Control

Today's liberals' anthem.




5. Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen

It was either this or Goulding's second single Figure 8. Both are catchy, this is just catchier.




4. Haim- Better Off

Quite a sensation these sisters from LA. I'm betting that their debut will be one of my favorite albums of 2013, maybe even the best.




3. Purity Ring - Fineshrine

I dream to see a Justin Timberlake- liked black and white hip hop choreography video for this song.




2. fun. - We Are Young

Trying to figure out what to say about this song. It's fun to sing along to?




1. Grimes - Oblivion

My favorite song of 2012 was decided an hour ago, when I was compiling this list. I could have chosen any other song from the Visions' album or actually a song from any other artist, who makes more sense. But making sense doesn't matter, when you have a well-crafted electro pop tune. See, even that previous sentence doesn't make sense.




Don't forget to let me know your favorite songs of 2012! Tomorrow the best videos are up!

November's Music Box

November has been exceptionally good. Many female musicians and mainstream pop. Aiming for the Christmas market perhaps?

Haim - Don't Save Me

The second video from the LA sisters. Their debut albums is the one I can't wait to have next year.



Haim - Send Me Down

B-side to Don't Save Me.



Ellie Goulding - Figure 8

Second single from the sophomore. That's 2 out of 2 great pop tunes.



Lana Del Rey - Bel Air

Just as I was thinking what happened to LDR, this video came out. Such a beautiful tune, which I can imagine in Edward Scissorhands.



Ke$ha - Die Young

My friend started to freak out when I told her I really liked this song. It's catchy.



Florence and the Machine - Lover to Lover

This is the second video to the song, which really highlights Florence's amazing voice.


Florence and the Machine: Lover to Lover on Nowness.com.

Zola Jesus - Diamonds

Here's the unique Zola Jesus covering Rihanna.



CSS - I've Seen You Drunk Girl

Brazilian electro rockers poppers bringing it.



Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra - Do It With A Rock Star

Not suitable for children and conservatives.



fiN - Lucky You

Britain's Incubus. I think.



Purity Ring - Lofticries

Not their best song, but worth putting here. Can you figure out the video?



fun. - Sleigh Ride

Ending the list with a Christmas song. I dislike people who dislike Christmas songs. Here's fun.'s version of Sleigh Ride.

Friday Feature: Purity Ring

If I'd have to choose a North American city in which to live in, my choice is more and more pointing to Montreal. Earlier when I featured Grimes, I started to believe an article stating Montreal to be the indie city of North America. Purity Ring is another brilliant proof of that.

Purity Ring consists of Megan James and Corin Roddick, who while touring with their previous band started to experiment their love towards hip hop. There's been quite a debate of what genres and sub-genres the duo represents. Is it dream pop, synth pop, hip hop, witch house (?!) and so on. The band itself describes the music as future pop, so let's just go with that. The coolest thing though is that I keep having Justin Timberlake's My Love video in my head, when listening to their songs.

I actually hope they'd release a black and white video with a lot of hip hop dancing.

The first song I heard was their third single "Obedear". It sounded alright, but when the album came available for streaming (which you can do here) I immediately discovered the wonder and freshness the combination of heavy hip hop bass beats and indie-minded lyrics can bring to the music scene.

More please.