Top 5 EP's of 2012!

Okay, I know I did a very similar post on my top 5 albums from 2012, however this year has also seen EP's making an bigger appearance. For bands and artists that are possibly a bit too busy touring, but want to give their music and outlet and keep the nagging fans at bay, EP's are a little teaser for a band's new direction and what to expect from their next full length record. So here it is; my Top 5 EP's of 2012.

1. Ben Howard - Burgh Island EP

Come on, a post like this wouldn't be fit without an appearance from my beloved! I've been a huge fan of Mr Howard since before his debut Every Kingdom was released and along with the rest of the country / world I have fallen completely in love with his smooth vocals that literally make my heart rate beat at an inappropriate level. The Burgh Island EP sees Ben experimenting more with his electric guitar, creating a more haunting and deep vibe throughout. Without sounding to 'emo' stick this on, switch the lights off and lie back on your bed, it's worth it.
Favourite Track: Burgh Island

2. HARBOUR - Morning

I promise I'll stop going on about these guys soon, (I probably won't) but this EP is really, really good. Five tracks, each beautifully crafted with strong lyrical stature and vocal harmonies powerful enough to whip you into an emotional rollercoaster. I recently sent the EP over to a good friend of mine, who messaged me simply saying "it's made me excited about music again", which is just incredible to hear. They're nice lads, who put on a bloody good live performance and are working hard to produce the best music possible. Keep an eye out for these guys in 2013, you won't be disappointed.
Favourite Track: Dear God

3. Alexisonfire - Death Letter EP

The only band ever, of course. 2012 saw us say the real goodbye to a band that soundtracked so many people's lives. I managed to catch them at Brixton Academy for one of their farewell shows and I can safely say no gig has ever made me so emotional. Then this came along, the Death Letter EP, a handful of tracks completely stripped back to piano's and acoustic melodies. Utterly beautiful, it only enhances the question of WHY? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BREAK UP? Though we shall probably never get the chance of hearing or seeing them again, this EP is a magnificent goodbye. Thank you Alexis, thank you.
Favourite Track: Happiness By The Kilowatt 

4. Morain - Are We Lost

Morain are a fairly new discovery of mine, after catching them on tour with HARBOUR, I got home, checked out their music and was very impressed. Plus the EP is free to download, it can't get much better? If you like bands such as Futures, Kids In Glasshouses and Young Kato, these guys will be right up your street. With their upbeat, catchy guitar rhythms, you'll have the tracks bopping around your head for some time. Go on, take a listen, they could be your new favourite band.
Favourite Track: Animals  

5. Young Kato - Self-titled EP

Cheltenham did well in 2012, not only are my favourite boys HARBOUR from there, but so are Young Kato, a group of lads who's average age is 18. Don't be put off by their age though, (or their hair cuts), the music they make is a perfect blend of indie pop-rock. Signed to LAB Records, these young adults are producing music far beyond their age and it looks like they have a strong career ahead of them. Already creating a buzz around themselves and about to set out on a small UK tour, go catch them live and switch this EP on to brighten up your mornings.
Favourite Track: Drink, Dance, Play

There we have it, my top 5 EP's, does anyone else have some suggestions that I may have missed out? Let me know!

Top 5 albums of 2012!

Personally I think 2012 has been an incredible year for music, I've been lucky enough to attend many gigs and festivals to witness some of my favourite bands and artists live and record stores have made a decent amount from me purchasing numerous albums and EP's over the past 12 months. I've discovered so many amazing bands that have quickly skipped into my favourites lists and I'm really quite excited to see what 2013 will have on offer music wise.

It's been really difficult to try and narrow down five albums that I loved this year as there's been so many decent releases, BUT, I think I've got it, I don't think I can really put them in an order though, they're just all too bloody good! I'd love to know who's on your lists so let me know if you think another should have made it to my list!

1. Don Broco - Priorities

I was a little late boarding the Broco train, as so many people I know were banging on about these guys for months, but after finally catching them live at The Great Escape in May, I could see what all the fuss was about and they quickly became a band I adored. From their cheeky dance moves, to the punching guitar chords and quirky lyrics, it's no surprise their debut had such great success, I still play the album in full frequently and thoroughly enjoy flailing my arms around air drumming. 

Favourite Track: Hold On / Priorities 

2. Straight Lines - Freaks Like Us

I'm a big fan of the Welsh music scene, somehow it just seems to produce some of the best musicians I've ever heard and these boys are no different. Tom Jenkins has got a strongly distinctive vocal, which certainly sets them apart from other welshies such as Kids In Glasshouses and Funeral for a Friend, however they deserve just as much success. Freaks Like Us is their second full length and has everything from more pop-rock anthems to the heavy drum patterns in tracks such as Empty Chest. I've been lucky to interview both Tom and James and I can safely say, they're bloody nice chaps as well! 

Favourite Track: So Many Paths

3. ∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave

Now Alt-J are a band that I never really thought I would get in to, however after much praise from a friend of mine I decided to give them a listen and then checked them out at Great Escape and despite having to listen to the first half of the set outside the venue due to the sheer amount of people, I was so unbelievably impressed! Once the album was released I was sold, even the interludes on An Awesome Wave are beautifully crafted, meaning I can listen to it from start to finish without once hovering over the skip button. Utterly fantastic! Plus, it won the Mercury Music Prize this year and you can't really argue against that now can you? 

Favourite Track: Dissolve Me 

4. Mumford And Sons - Babel

This was one of my most anticipated albums of 2012, after listening to their first release to death! I was introduced to Mumford in my first year of university and they've stayed with me ever since, so much so that I now have a lyric of theres firmly inked into my arm. As soon as I hit play and was whipped into the opening and title track, Babel, I fell madly in love. Why can't it be that simple with men huh? As expected with Mumford, each song is magnificently crafted with intertwining instruments and beautifully written lyrics, I now just long for the day I can get my hands on a ticket to see them live! 

Favourite Track: Babel / Ghosts We Knew

5. Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Ellie Goulding's second full length release has been a long time coming, with her first album being released back in 2009 and after a while I was seriously starting to give up hope, as it seemed America was her calling and there were no real signs of music emerging, but alas, I was wrong! For once I am happy to be as well, because this album is well worth the wait. I was concerned, that she would have taken too much of an electronic route, but Halcyon shows that Miss G has stuck to her folk roots, with elegant tracks such as I Know You Care whilst experimenting with more production on tracks such as Figure 8 and I Need Your Love. This album really shows how Ellie has matured with her music and I can't wait to experience it live. Well done lady, well bloody done! 

Favourite Track: My Blood

So that's it! My top 5 albums of 2012! Did any of these make it into yours? Of course though I've enjoyed so many more, so if you didn't like any of the above then maybe try one of these:

Top 5 Albums of 2011:

2011 for me was a very up and down year, but there was one thing for me that stood out over everything else and that was the exceptional music that has treated my ears over the past 12 months. I've been to a number of live shows and purchased various albums both of new artists and old favourites. 2011 was an exciting year music wise, particularly for upcoming artists, so I am most definitely hoping that 2012 will have a whole lot more to offer! For now though these are my top 5 albums of 2011, it was fairly difficult to narrow it down to five, but i am very happy with my choices!

1. Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

Some of you may have read my album review already on this album, so i won't go into too much detail here. However this album has not stopped playing on repeat since it was released back in the beginning of October. I am quite frankly in awe of Ben Howard and his musical abilities, his voice is soulful and unique and his guitar skills are some of the best i've seen in a long time. This album is fantastic from start to finish and i find myself getting completely lost in the music, unaware of anything happening around me (sometimes a problem when i'm walking around in public!) His music makes me lust for the country air or a long car journey to an unknown destination. The album suits any mood, high or low so if you haven't yet heard his music or bought the album, i cannot urge you enough to do so, i guarantee that you won't regret it.

2. MONA - MONA

I first discovered MONA at the beginning of the summer and have loved them since. I saw them live on Halloween and despite spending the evening alone i couldn't have been happier. Infront of me stood a group of very attractive Tennessee men, sweating their way through a rock filled set list. It's becoming difficult these days to find some real, talented rock bands, however MONA have reignited the fire and are making people fall back in love with the old school rock sounds we grew up on. Personal favourites from the album include 'Listen to Your Love', ' Teenager' and 'Shooting the Moon'. Take a listen and i'm quite sure after hearing Nick Brown (lead vocalist) say the word "Babydoll" they will have wormed their way into your music loving hearts.

3. Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgrim

I've been banging on about Charlie Simpson for a while now, he was the influence for one of my first posts on here and has made various appearances on Seaside in the City ever since, but can you blame me? Young Pilgrim was released in August and is still the soundtrack to most of my daily life, after seeing him live in Brighton in October my love for him grew even more as the show was just outstanding. Some of you may have already heard his three singles from Young Pilgrim, 'Down Down Down', 'Parachutes' and 'Cemetery' which would have given you a great taster for the rest of the album. But i must urge you all to get you hands on a copy of this excellent debut record, it's full of brilliantly written songs that a lot of people can relate to, Charlie's choice of instruments are spot on and the whole album has such a great vibe to it.

4. Twin Atlantic - Free

Twin Atlantic, a four man, scottish filled, rock beast. These chaps are well on their way in making themselves known in the alternative scene and i am so excited to see how far they will go in the next year. Free is an album that, from start to finish makes you want to jump around in the air screaming along to their songs. I'm quite sure they'll be playing the festival circuit this summer, so if they're playing one of the one's you will be attending, go see them, you will undoubtedly be impressed with what you see and hear. You'll have a sudden desire to have a scottish accent and if like me and my friends, will go around quoting lines from their songs in the most inappropriate of situations. Sam McTrusty's voice is gritty but powerful and really creates an atmosphere with each song he sings. Together they make up a very exciting new approach to rock music.

5. Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm

I reviewed Ben's album back in the summer on here and i still stand by every word i said. This is a beautiful record that stands out amongst the other choices due to it's style and genre. Each of the tracks on the record are fantastic, Ben has one of those husky, soulful voices that makes you melt a little on the inside and go off into a daydream world. Well, that's what happens to me anyway! Definitely an album to put on when you're having a quiet evening to yourself so you can just lose yourself in his music. He spent most of 2011 touring around Europe and by the looks of things is doing the same for 2012, already he has UK dates set for February and i wouldn't be surprised if he's enlisted for every festival going! Benjamin Francis Leftwich is definitely a name to remember and keep your eyes out for, i predict great things!


So there we have it, my top five albums from 2011, these are just my words though, to really believe what i say you need to go buy each of the records and listen for yourself. Of course there were many other albums that i enjoyed which i feel deserve a mention, so if none of the above tickle your fancy then maybe try out one of the below:

You Me At Six - Sinners Never Sleep
Deaf Havana - Fools and Worthless Liars
Kids In Glasshouses - In Gold Blood
Example - Playing in the Shadows
Ed Sheeran - +
Birdy - Birdy
Dave McPherson - The Hardship Diaries
Friendly Fires - Pala
Jessie J - Who You Are
Lower Than Atlantis - World Record
Rizzle Kicks - Stereo Typical
Rihanna - Talk That Talk
Two Spot Gobi - The Sun Will Rise