Albums of 2012

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1. 1
   BloomBeach House

   Bloom

   Beach House · 2012 · Alternative & Indie

   A lush, immersive dream-pop peak of widescreen beauty. Hypnotic and beloved. Their finest.

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2. 2
   The Money StoreDeath Grips

   The Money Store

   Death Grips · 2012 · Hip-Hop

   A violent, exhilarating collision of punk, noise and rap that influenced a wave of experimental music. Abrasive and thrilling. A cult landmark.

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3. 3
   Koi No YokanDeftones

   Koi No Yokan

   Deftones · 2012 · Metal

   An atmospheric, dynamic late peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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4. 4
   The Lion's RoarFirst Aid Kit

   The Lion's Roar

   First Aid Kit · 2012 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A harmony-rich folk peak of Swedish-Americana beauty. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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5. 5
   Until the Quiet ComesFlying Lotus

   Until the Quiet Comes

   Flying Lotus · 2012 · Electronic

   A dreamy, immersive beat-scene peak. Inventive and acclaimed. A high point.

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6. 6
   Channel OrangeFrank Ocean

   Channel Orange

   Frank Ocean · 2012 · Soul & R&B

   A widescreen breakthrough of narrative R&B, from the sprawling 'Pyramids' to the tender 'Thinkin Bout You'. Warm, literate and assured. The album that made him a star.

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7. 7
   Blak and BluGary Clark Jr.

   Blak and Blu

   Gary Clark Jr. · 2012 · Blues

   A modern blues-rock breakthrough blending soul, hip-hop and guitar fire. Bold and acclaimed. A contemporary highlight.

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8. 8
   L'Enfant SauvageGojira

   L'Enfant Sauvage

   Gojira · 2012 · Metal

   A focused, crushing progressive-death peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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9. 9
   ShieldsGrizzly Bear

   Shields

   Grizzly Bear · 2012 · Alternative & Indie

   A dense, intricate indie peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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10. 10
    De Vermis MysteriisHigh on Fire

    De Vermis Mysteriis

    High on Fire · 2012 · Metal

    A blistering, riff-driven metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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11. 11
    good kid, m.A.A.d cityKendrick Lamar

    good kid, m.A.A.d city

    Kendrick Lamar · 2012 · Hip-Hop

    A self-described 'short film' about growing up in Compton, structured as a cohesive narrative with cinematic detail. Dense, melodic and replayable, it confirmed Kendrick as the leading rapper of his generation. A modern classic.

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12. 12
    R.A.P. MusicKiller Mike

    R.A.P. Music

    Killer Mike · 2012 · Hip-Hop

    A furious, El-P-produced peak of political fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A creative high.

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13. 13
    Born to DieLana Del Rey

    Born to Die

    Lana Del Rey · 2012 · Pop

    A cinematic, melancholic pop debut of vintage glamour. Lush and beloved. Her breakthrough.

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14. 14
    KolossMeshuggah

    Koloss

    Meshuggah · 2012 · Metal

    A monolithic, groove-heavy djent peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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15. 15
    Kaleidoscope DreamMiguel

    Kaleidoscope Dream

    Miguel · 2012 · Soul & R&B

    A sleek, psychedelic R&B record of real songcraft and sensuality. Smooth and adventurous. A modern soul high point.

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16. 16
    BabelMumford & Sons

    Babel

    Mumford & Sons · 2012 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A bigger, anthemic follow-up that swept the Grammys. Rousing and huge. A commercial peak.

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17. 17
    Sorrow and ExtinctionPallbearer

    Sorrow and Extinction

    Pallbearer · 2012 · Metal

    A melodic, mournful doom-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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18. 18
    Black RadioRobert Glasper

    Black Radio

    Robert Glasper · 2012 · Jazz

    A genre-melting fusion of jazz, hip-hop, soul and R&B with star guests. Influential and warm. The bridge between jazz and modern Black music.

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19. 19
    LonerismTame Impala

    Lonerism

    Tame Impala · 2012 · Alternative & Indie

    Woozy, psychedelic pop built almost entirely by Kevin Parker, dense and dreamlike. Inventive and warm. A modern psych landmark.

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20. 20
    RedTaylor Swift

    Red

    Taylor Swift · 2012 · Pop

    A sprawling, genre-blurring bridge from country to pop, home to 'All Too Well'. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.

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21. 21
    The LumineersThe Lumineers

    The Lumineers

    The Lumineers · 2012 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, stomp-along folk-pop debut, home to 'Ho Hey'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.

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22. 22
    An Awesome Wavealt-J

    An Awesome Wave

    alt-J · 2012 · Alternative & Indie

    A quirky, intricate indie debut of folk, electronics and odd harmony. Distinctive and acclaimed. A Mercury-winning breakout.

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