5 of the Best: 2012

As a final note on last year I've decided to throw together what I think were 5 of the best songs released. 2012 was indeed a rich musical year and I believe you'll see that reflected here - or you'll see how truly weak I am for a hook that stays in your head.

Gotye ft. Kimbra - Somebody that I Used to Know: Elegantly simple, stupidly catchy and sung with a passionate vocal timbre unheard since Sting was screaming that he was "so lonely", this song was probably the song of 2012 in terms of impact. It was also nice to see a well constructed pop song at the top of the charts for once. I wonder if Gotye will just be a one hit wonder though...

Grizzly Bear - Yet Again: This is probably my personal favourite of 2012. Wonderfully reverb-affected guitar tones, simply hit, full barre chords with a divinely stylised pop vocal melody - for me this is the best track off of Shields, which is no mean feat as it is a fine album.


Grizzly Bear - Yet Again

Grimes - Oblivion: Grimes's blend of breathy, high-pitched vocals vs. simple beats and synth works to such effect that it would not be over zealous to compare her to Hounds of Love era Kate Bush. Beautiful art pop and this song maybe best showcases her talents.

Plan B - Ill Manors: Ben Drew's polemical breakdown does more to address the state of the nation and the snobbery of the right wing media in modern day Britain in around four minutes than any pathetic governmental olive branches could. Leaving the Coalition with yet more questions to answer, the song is an aggro-filled whirlwind of 'chip-on-the-shoulder' outrage. Mainstream British hip-hop would be in a horrible state without him.


Plan B - Ill Manors

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe: I probably shouldn't admit this, but I do like this song. Or, rather, it's not that I particularly like it, but that I can seemingly never get it out of my bloody head! Therefore it's earned its inclusion.

Glasto Round Up

After digesting some of the great performances from the weekend's festivities at Glastonbury I have to say it looked like a great festival.

Colplay's Saturday night headlining set was dazzling. An array of multicolour lighting and lazers illuminated an electrifying performance and Chris Martin's high octane energy was the stuff of a proper rock star.


Coldplay - Viva la Vida @ Glasto 2011

U2 were very good also. As they should be. A crowd that size is their forte and it showed. Just very comfortable and good.

Plan B put in a great shift, playing the whole Strickland Banks record. His voice and his band sounded great and the big man took it all in his stride.

Morrissey as I've already discussed was good. Kool and the Gang surprised me, really fun performance and their new, young singer handled the crowd extremely well.


Beyonce in all her glory

Finally, Beyonce, well... she was pretty good. I'm not her biggest fan anyway (Rihanna does it more for me in the solo female R&B category) and generally her songs get a little on my tits, but she did what she had to: entertained. At points I found the crowd-inclusive parts slightly nauseating, but nevertheless, she was good.

Coldplay were the big winners in my eyes, though. Well done boys.


Coldplay perform new song Every Teardrop is a Waterfall @ Glasto 2011