#top10of2012

2012 belonged to No Doubt. I may be a little biased, as I have been their biggest fan since I was about 10 years old (shit, it's been 18 years???) No Doubt celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2012 with the release of their 6th studio album Push & Shove, after an incredible 11 year hiatus. The band never broke up, but rather went their own ways - started families, collaborated with a variety of artists, and not to mention Gwen's successful but short-lived solo career. They have been creating this album on-and-off for a few years, finally seeing the light of day right before my birthday in September (how did I get so many amazing musical gifts for my bday?!?!?). "Settle Down" seemed to pick right up where the band left up on Rock Steady and was a great foreshadow of what to expect with their latest album. Here's to 2013 bringing us all some more great No Doubt tunes and not the beginning of another 11-year drought!

The highlight of my 2012 belonged to meeting George Lewis Jr., otherwise known as Twin Shadow! If it wasn't enough that I was able to see him perform for the first time for my birthday in September, I met him afterwards and I consequently fell in love! Not that I didn't already love him, but this man standing in front of you is truly swoon-worthy! "Five Seconds" was the first single of his 2nd album Confess, which may just earn it's place as my FAVORITE album of the year! 2012 was truly the year of Twin Shadow for me, and I can't see him falling out of my earbuds anytime soon!

Another musical trilogy this year was the crazy adventure of "The Perfect Human" Jean Noel, as told by my favorite American/Swede Miike Snow. This was the first in the trilogy (discounting the teaser video for "Devil's Work") and shows a spaceship of alien twin children abducting and creating what they see as the perfect man. While both sets of trilogy's (Miike Snow and m83) have creepy children in common, Miike Snow takes a more comical route which proves to be incredibly entertaining. Can Jean Noel be another possible Halloween costume? Perhaps.

2011's #1 song kicked off a trilogy of videos from m83 that all led to the release of the third and final installment this past November. This was my personal favorite track off of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, m83's latest double album released late in 2011. The video follows our freakishly gifted "Midnight City" kids to the aftermath of their aftermath. For me, this entire double album could be some sort of trippy full-length movie about these kids. Sort of makes me wonder if this pairs well with a movie a la Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wizard of Oz. Looks like I have a mission for 2013!

We were all teased late in 2011 with "Radioactive," the first single off of Marina's 2nd album Electra Heart released in mid-2012. She followed this up with a string of clips promoting the album, all culminating in the masterpiece we see and hear now! The crazy thing is that this one never made the cut of the initial release of the album in the UK, and ended up being a bonus track on the US version. A bonus track that spread like wildfire and just begged to become a single. And what a video to pair with it! Honestly, I'd expect nothing less from Marina after seeing her live this past summer - this girl can put on a show!

The second single off of No Doubt's self-titled comeback album was quite the epic feat! This schizophrenic baby teamed the band up with Major Lazer, so obviously it must be incredible! Gwen Stefani spits out these lyrics so naturally and is able to match dancehall dude Busy Signal's intensity and flow seamlessly. To me, this song alone literally puts the band in a completely different playing field. I'm shocked that this wasn't the first single - it definitely would have made the statement that No Doubt was back and they weren't fooling around!

At the tail end of 2011, Sleigh Bells teased us with a clip from their follow-up album to their debut, and I was instantly intrigued. I loved them the first time around, but we all know production value increases as a band becomes successful off their debut. Flash-forward a couple months and their first official single dropped with this accompanying video. I think this had everything I love about them - Alexis' soft and dreamy pop voice over Derek's crushing guitars. The two of them wreaking havoc at a local supermarket. Leather, studs, shades, and short shorts??? Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSS!! Top it all off with jumping on a bed with a rifle and I smell a winner! Also, doesn't blonde Alexis sort of remind you of Debbie Harry?? Just a thought...

The biggest buzz in the music industry of 2012 definitely belonged to the one and only Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes. This video was my first introduction to our favorite Canuck, and what an incredible intro this was! How could anyone not fall in love with this young, awkward girl dancing aimlessly at a motocross?? Certainly not me! This was one of those songs that I enjoyed more and more with every listen, and my obsession still continues to grow! She has the perfect voice to accompany her style of dreamy electro-pop. I wouldn't be surprised to find her on every producers "need to work with" list, but hopefully she reserves that right to her BFF Blood Diamonds!