Music has gotten me through 2012 and it’s only fitting that I share with you some of my favorite track of the year and why I liked them so much. 

“On the Sea” Beach House - This is the most nostalgic song of the year for me, and one of the most beautiful. Victoria Lagrand and Alex Scully kill it on Bloom. They’ve continued to make some really special music here. 

“Red Balloon” Azure Ray - I didn’t expect to learn that Azure Ray bandmates Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink are from my home state of Alabama, but that just makes me appreciate their music even more. “Red Balloon” is a stand out track on their latest EP. 

“I’m Not Talking” A.C. Newman - One of my favorite indie bands of all time is lead by A.C. Newman. He does such a great job harmonizing with female vocalists and this song is a shining example of that. 

“I’ll Hold Your Head” Shelby Lynn - Ms Lynn is probably one of the most famous contemporary musicians to come out of Alabama, and for good reason. She’s a poet and an incredibly storyteller. This is one of my favorite songs of the year. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT. 

“Lights Explode” Sander Bohlke - My cousin introduced me to Sanders, a talented vocalist from the Mississippi Delta. His songs are haunting, mysterious, and his voice just soars. Lights Explode is just one of several stand out songs on his lastest album Ghost Boy. 

“Neither Here Nor There” Lost in the Trees - Ari Picker, the lead singer of Lost in the Trees, wrote this album to honor is mother who committed suicide. It’s a sad album, but the instrumentation, choir boy vocals, and lyrics are so rich and haunting that it’s a must listen. 

“Proof of Something” Jim Guthrie - This is the first track in the mix that comes from a soundtrack. Jim Guthrie scored Indie Game: The Movie, a documentary about indie video game developers. The movie was good, but the soundtrack was great! 

“Motion Sickness” Hot Chip - This the dance track of the year. Bam! 

“Affection” Crystal Castles - “Catch a moth, hold it in my hand, crush it casually” What?! Crazy lyrics. Crazy vocals. I like it. 

“Leonard” Sharon Van Etten - Sharon Van Etten is probably my favorite musical discovery of the last few years. I just love her style. This track features Zach Condon of Beirut. Listen and love. 

“Bright Flashes” Danielle Ate the Sandwich - Although she got her start on Youtube, she deserves some mad respect. This young lady and her ukulele are a match made in heaven.  I love her lyrical style. She’s grown into a phenomenal musician. 

“Blue” First Aid Kit - One of the best performances I’ve seen that is not St. Vincent came from First Aid Kit when they covered Patti Smith in front of thousands…. including Patti Smith. Oh, and they also brought her to tears? Killer. 

“Once There Was a Hushpuppy” Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlen - The second soundtrack featured on this list comes from Beast of the Southern Wild. I hope it gets nominated for an academy award. IT WILL WIN.