Early 2012 Favorites

While I’ve spent most of this year cruising bandcamp & mining for gold (that post will be coming soon enough), I can’t neglect some of the more well-established acts that are already causing a stir with early previews from their upcoming 2012 releases. This is mostly because these tracks are all really, really good. Bands like these have achieved the listener’s trust and instead of misappropriating it, they all seem to be capitalizing on what draws their fans into their music.

This is, of course, entirely my opinion. But come on. Just listen to what’s happening in this first track:
 

Shearwater | As You Were

Shearwater are following up 2010’s excellent album The Golden Archipelago with Animal Joy on February 14th, and will be their first record through Sub Pop. All signs so far are pointing toward another substantially solid album from the Austin, TX band. As You Were really hits all the high notes and sets the pace for other releases this year. For another great preview track, check out the previously posted track Breaking The Yearlings.

The Shins | Simple Song

This one may be a bit more polarizing. The Shins have been gone for quite awhile (since 2007’s Wincing The Night Away) and have been subject to some interesting observations re:lead singer James Mercer (see fellow tumblr user Crumbler’s fascinating article Last Shin Standing for more). But when stripped down to it’s basic sound, this does have that ‘classic’ Shins sound, packed new and fresh for 2012. This song has adequately piqued my curiosity for the upcoming full-length Port Of Morrow (March 20th), though it seems like it’s going to have to be stellar to gain widespread critical review.

Porcelain Raft | Unless You Speak From Your Heart

Porcelain Raft is Italian composer/songwriter Mario Remiddi whose side project is now burgeoning into one of the most promising releases of this year. The Hype Machine has an early stream of the album, and I have to say that Put Me To Sleep, Backwords, and the above track are an incredible 1-2-3 punch. There are moments on this album that sound (to me) like certain acts from the 90’s, The Beatles, and like all that’s good about the state of electronic music over the past 5 years. Look for Strange Weekend next week on January 24th.

Lower Dens | Brains

The final band on this list was relatively unknown to me before hearing this song. The slow build is (like the commenter posted on the track above) slightly reminiscent of an LCD Soundsystem jam, but peaks in it’s own distinct style by the track’s end, taking its well-earned time to burst apart at the seams with sound. For a band I didn’t know a whole lot about before, this successfully whets my appetite for their upcoming sophomore album Nootropics April 30th.

I haven’t even mentioned the new First Aid Kit, Chairlift, and other personally exciting acts Free Energy, Dr. Dog, and Fang Island. From the sample of tracks above (which is far from a comprehensive list of things to be excited about) 2012 is setting out to be a great year already. Listen responsibly.