I have to admit that 2012 for me started off below average. None of the music coming out really interested me and it all felt too familiar. That led to weeks and weeks of not listening to any new music. However, lately I’ve been gradually listening to some new artists and some new albums that have finally made me genuinely excited for 2012. Here’s what I think are not only the most outstanding songs so far, but also the artists that display awesome potential:

10. Dub Child by Maya Jane Coles.

Atmospheric perfection.

9. Feel So Close by Calvin Harris.

You can never go wrong with Calvin Harris when it comes to energetic tracks. Not groundbreaking by any means, but for the gym is more than fitting.

8. Off To The Races by Lana Del Rey.

While the negative press for Lana Del Rey has stopped for a bit, she is still the subject of much debate and joke. Putting all that aside and focusing on her music, I am of the opinion that she is actually really great. Her songs might not be original on the lyrics department, but her sound feels fresh and in terms of pop most of her songs scream top 10 hit. This one is particular is catchy to the max and is a great example of the notion that catchy doesn’t necessarily mean awful.

7. Homewrecker by Marina and the Diamonds.

One of the things I’m really liking about Marina and the Diamonds’ Electra Heart is how the album’s sound is much more concise and how the themes seem to be more connected than in her debut album. Homewrecker showcases those two things and as well the powerful, beautiful and haunting vocals Marina and the Diamonds has.

6. Punching In A Dream by The Naked and Famous.

Think of The Naked and Famous as a combination of The Joy Formidable, Wolf Gang with a bit of Society thrown in for good effect. If that doesn’t get you excited then I can’t help you.

5. Big Mouth by Santigold.

I have mixed feeling towards Santigold. Some songs I love while others I straight-up loathe, but much to my surprise all the songs in Master of My Make Believe belong to the former. It has taken a few listen for them to grow on me, but once they did I could not stop listening. Big Mouth is a brilliant album closer as it perfectly gathers all the greatness heard in the preceding songs to create a bombastically awesome culmination.

4. Put Up Your Hands by AlunaGeorge.

I only started listening to this song a couple of hours ago and it has been on repeat ever since. Lead vocalist of AlunaGeorge is absolutely brilliant, sweet and intoxicating. This is one of those perfect songs to put in a good mood.

3. Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus) (feat. Doldrums) by Grimes.

I found out pretty quickly that what I thought to be the best aspects of Grimes, other people viewed them as flaws. I still don’t understand how someone can listen to Grimes, especially this song and not be instantly taken away by the liveability, sweetness and mesmerizing quality of Grimes.

2. Lay My Head Down by Band of Skulls.

Band of Skulls’ Sweet & Sour was the first album of 2012 that immediately fell in love with and after multiple almost obsessive listenings I still cannot get enough of it. I love the blend of female and male vocals in this song. They elevate not only the already beautiful lyrics but add layers of sincerity and vulnerability that is as breathtaking as it is memorable.

1. Lady by The Chromatics.

Kill For Love is in my opinion the best album of 2012 so far and while I could spend pages  gushing all the praise and amazingness that this compilations of songs yield, let me just say you need to yourself a favour an download the whole thing now. Lady is an outstandingly brilliant electronic track that will wedge into your psyche from the first listen, but what’s more surprising is the fact that almost all of the other songs in the album do the same. It’s a well-balanced album with traces of the sounds that were left out of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive.

And that’s it! Hopefully you haven’t heard most of these songs. Either way, here is the link to download the entire list.

Enjoy!