We’re just over halfway through 2012 and there’s been loads of great music released so far. Since I love lists, here are 10 of my favorites from the first half of 2012 (in alphabetical order). It’s worth noting that both Asian Man Records and Tiny Engines both have multiple records on this list.
Best Practices – The EP LP (Tiny Engines)
This is quick-paced angular and buoyantly fervent melodic punk topped with shouted vocals. It’s infectious!
Ceremony – Zoo (Matador)
If Joy Division came back in 2012 as a hardcore band, they’d sound exactly like this record.
Classics of Love – Classics of Love (Asian Man)
Straight ahead punk from Jesse Michaels that doesn’t sound all to far removed from his former band, Operation Ivy.
Dikembe – Broad Shoulders (Tiny Engines)
This albums won’t be officially released until August, but hey… this is some playfully choppy nu-emo with 100% less references to the Bulls than their EP.
Hot Water Music – Exister (Rise)
It’s Hot Water Music, duh! Read more…
Joyce Manor – Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired (Asian Man)
Short and sweet, I think these guys are just fucking with us. Read more…
Mixtapes – Even On The Worst Nights (No Sleep)
It might just be pop-punk, but it’s the best sort of pop-punk. Read more…
Red Collar – Welcome Home (Tiny Engines)
An unpretentious blue-collar rust belt rock record that’s as honest as a firm handshake. Read more…
The Sidekicks – Awkward Breeds (Red Scare)
This album trumped all others released that week in February with a raw sound that folded shades of Weezer and Uncle Tupelo in with what you would have already expected from the Sidekicks.
White Lung – Sorry (Deranged)
Furious and snarlingly melodic punk rock from Vancouver, CA that straddles the line between frantic old-school hardcore and bouncy garage rock.
Pleasantly surprised to see Ceremony on this list. Verse just released a new record and I think it’s already on my list. Im also loving the new joie de vivre. Haven’t listened to a lot of new records though, I’ll check a lot of these out.