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Gigwise's Top 50 Albums of 2012

LIST SUMMARY

VIEW ORIGINAL LIST

List Rating: 75

Based on 524 album ratings

Genre Breakdown:

Indie Rock (7), Indie Pop (7), Electronic (5), Experimental (3), Hip Hop (3), Electropop (2), Rock (2), Psychedelic (1), Psychedelic Pop (1), Folk (1), R&B (1), Alternative Rock (1), Soul (1), Shoegaze (1), Post-Rock (1), Dubstep (1), Singer-Songwriter (1), Blues Rock (1), Garage Rock (1), Psychedelic Rock (1), Jazz (1), New Wave (1), Indie Folk (1)

1. Twin Shadow - Confess

Twin Shadow - Confess

Released: Jul 10th, 2012
Genre: New Wave

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

78

Based on
30 ratings

2. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

MUST HEAR

Released: Jul 17th, 2012
Genre: R&B

CRITIC SCORE

92

Based on
20 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
125 ratings

3. ∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave

∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave

Released: May 28th, 2012
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

67

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
84 ratings

4. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

Released: Apr 10th, 2012
Genre: Blues Rock

CRITIC SCORE

72

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

75

Based on
21 ratings

5. Sigur Rós - Valtari

Sigur Rós - Valtari

Released: May 28th, 2012
Genre: Post-Rock

CRITIC SCORE

76

Based on
17 reviews

USER SCORE

72

Based on
21 ratings

6. Best Coast - The Only Place

Best Coast - The Only Place

Released: May 15th, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

63

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

67

Based on
14 ratings

7. The Skints - Part & Parcel

The Skints - Part & Parcel

Released: Mar 12th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

NR

USER SCORE

NR

8. The xx - Coexist

The xx - Coexist

Released: Sep 11th, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

78

Based on
18 reviews

USER SCORE

74

Based on
57 ratings

9. Japandroids - Celebration Rock

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

MUST HEAR

Released: Jun 5th, 2012
Genre: Garage Rock

CRITIC SCORE

84

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
59 ratings

10. The Vaccines - The Vaccines Come of Age

The Vaccines - The Vaccines Come of Age

Released: Sep 4th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

59

Based on
9 reviews

USER SCORE

70

Based on
13 ratings

11. Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Released: Feb 21st, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
33 ratings

12. Django Django - Django Django

Django Django - Django Django

Released: Jan 30th, 2012
Genre: Psychedelic

CRITIC SCORE

79

Based on
9 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
41 ratings

13. Of Monsters and Men - My Head Is an Animal

Of Monsters and Men - My Head Is an Animal

Released: Apr 3rd, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

77

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

73

Based on
14 ratings

14. Field Music - Plumb

Field Music - Plumb

Released: Feb 14th, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

76

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

69

Based on
9 ratings

15. G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer

G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer

Released: Sep 18th, 2012
Genre: Hip Hop

CRITIC SCORE

65

Based on
12 reviews

USER SCORE

71

Based on
12 ratings

16. Cave Painting - Votive Life

Cave Painting - Votive Life

Released: Sep 24th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

75

Based on
1 review

USER SCORE

NR

17. Toy - Toy

Toy - Toy

Released: Sep 10th, 2012
Genre: Shoegaze

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
9 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
19 ratings

18. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

Released: May 15th, 2012
Genre: Hip Hop

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
14 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
34 ratings

19. Grimes - Visions

Grimes - Visions

MUST HEAR

Released: Feb 21st, 2012
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
17 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
80 ratings

20. Passion Pit - Gossamer

Passion Pit - Gossamer

Released: Jul 24th, 2012
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

78

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

75

Based on
36 ratings

21. Tame Impala - Lonerism

Tame Impala - Lonerism

MUST HEAR

Released: Oct 9th, 2012
Genre: Psychedelic Rock

CRITIC SCORE

87

Based on
17 reviews

USER SCORE

87

Based on
123 ratings

22. Muse - The 2nd Law

Muse - The 2nd Law

Released: Oct 2nd, 2012
Genre: Alternative Rock

CRITIC SCORE

48

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

58

Based on
23 ratings

23. The Maccabees - Given to the Wild

The Maccabees - Given to the Wild

Released: Jan 6th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

65

Based on
7 reviews

USER SCORE

78

Based on
18 ratings

24. Bright Light Bright Light - Make Me Believe in Hope

Bright Light Bright Light - Make Me Believe in Hope

Released: Jun 4th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

75

Based on
3 reviews

USER SCORE

NR

25. Purity Ring - Shrines

Purity Ring - Shrines

MUST HEAR

Released: Jul 24th, 2012
Genre: Experimental

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
18 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
53 ratings

26. Submotion Orchestra - Fragments

Submotion Orchestra - Fragments

Released: Oct 8th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

50

Based on
1 review

USER SCORE

NR

27. Oberhofer - Time Capsules II

Oberhofer - Time Capsules II

Released: Mar 26th, 2012
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

68

Based on
10 reviews

USER SCORE

71

Based on
1 rating

28. Death Grips - The Money Store

Death Grips - The Money Store

Released: Apr 24th, 2012
Genre: Hip Hop

CRITIC SCORE

85

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
57 ratings

29. Cooly G - Playin' Me

Cooly G - Playin' Me

Released: Jul 24th, 2012
Genre: Dubstep

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
8 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
5 ratings

30. Tribes - Baby

Tribes - Baby

Released: Jan 16th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

63

Based on
5 reviews

USER SCORE

68

Based on
6 ratings

31. Jessie Ware - Devotion

Jessie Ware - Devotion

Released: Aug 20th, 2012
Genre: Soul

CRITIC SCORE

84

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
29 ratings

32. Kindness - World, You Need A Change Of Mind

Kindness - World, You Need A Change Of Mind

Released: Mar 20th, 2012
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

64

Based on
8 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
7 ratings

33. Grizzly Bear - Shields

Grizzly Bear - Shields

MUST HEAR

Released: Sep 18th, 2012
Genre: Indie Folk

CRITIC SCORE

87

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

84

Based on
123 ratings

34. The Shins - Port of Morrow

The Shins - Port of Morrow

Released: Mar 20th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

70

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

71

Based on
30 ratings

35. TNGHT - TNGHT

TNGHT - TNGHT

Released: Jul 24th, 2012
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

82

Based on
7 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
22 ratings

36. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes

Released: Aug 21st, 2012
Genre: Psychedelic Pop

CRITIC SCORE

74

Based on
18 reviews

USER SCORE

80

Based on
30 ratings

37. The Cribs - In the Belly of the Brazen Bull

The Cribs - In the Belly of the Brazen Bull

Released: May 7th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

70

Based on
11 reviews

USER SCORE

69

Based on
5 ratings

38. Darren Hayman - Lido

Darren Hayman - Lido

Released: Aug 27th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
1 review

USER SCORE

NR

39. Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe

Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe

Released: May 1st, 2012
Genre: Electropop

CRITIC SCORE

69

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

76

Based on
14 ratings

40. Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Released: Oct 9th, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

68

Based on
6 reviews

USER SCORE

76

Based on
10 ratings

41. Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg

Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg

Released: Oct 15th, 2012
Genre: Singer-Songwriter

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
4 reviews

USER SCORE

81

Based on
10 ratings

42. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Released: Jan 31st, 2012
Genre: Indie Pop

CRITIC SCORE

57

Based on
16 reviews

USER SCORE

69

Based on
39 ratings

43. Portico Quartet - Portico Quartet

Portico Quartet - Portico Quartet

Released: Nov 13th, 2012
Genre: Jazz

CRITIC SCORE

80

Based on
2 reviews

USER SCORE

82

Based on
4 ratings

44. Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory

Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory

MUST HEAR

Released: Jan 24th, 2012
Genre: Indie Rock

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
63 ratings

45. Mumford & Sons - Babel

Mumford & Sons - Babel

Released: Sep 25th, 2012
Genre: Folk

CRITIC SCORE

52

Based on
12 reviews

USER SCORE

61

Based on
33 ratings

46. The Orb - The Orbserver In The Star House

The Orb - The Orbserver In The Star House

Released: Aug 28th, 2012

CRITIC SCORE

65

Based on
6 reviews

USER SCORE

NR

47. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

Released: Mar 5th, 2012
Genre: Rock

CRITIC SCORE

74

Based on
13 reviews

USER SCORE

64

Based on
19 ratings

48. Clams Casino - Instrumental 2

Clams Casino - Instrumental 2

Released: Jun 4th, 2012
Genre: Electronic

CRITIC SCORE

81

Based on
6 reviews

USER SCORE

79

Based on
10 ratings

49. Miike Snow - Happy to You

Miike Snow - Happy to You

Released: Mar 27th, 2012
Genre: Electropop

CRITIC SCORE

65

Based on
7 reviews

USER SCORE

73

Based on
9 ratings

50. Jack White - Blunderbuss

Jack White - Blunderbuss

Released: Apr 24th, 2012
Genre: Rock

CRITIC SCORE

78

Based on
15 reviews

USER SCORE

77

Based on
34 ratings

Recommend:

Original Source: http://www.gigwise.com/news/78337/albums-of-the-year-our-ten-top-picks-of-2012

MORE 2012 YEAR END LISTS:

American Songwriter

Beats Per Minute

Cokemachineglow

Consequence of Sound

Gorilla vs. Bear

Pretty Much Amazing

Under the Radar

Check out our 2012 Year End Summary.

COMMENTS

2012 YEAR END SUMMARY

2012 YEAR END LISTS

American Songwriter

Beats Per Minute

Cokemachineglow

Consequence of Sound

Gorilla vs. Bear

Pretty Much Amazing

Under the Radar

TOP RATED FOR 2012

Album of The Year

Beats Per Minute

Consequence of Sound

Drowned in Sound

Under The Radar

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May 22

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May 21

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Listen: Smith Westerns - "3am Spiritual"

May 20

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Listen: Daughn Gibson - "You Don't Fade"

May 20

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May 19

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NEW MUSIC RELEASES

84 Trouble Will Find Me by The National

83 Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

80 Impersonator by Majical Cloudz

74 Drifters/Love Is The Devil by Dirty Beaches

74 Behind the Green Door by Laurel Halo

73 It's Up To Emma by Scout Niblett

71 Dreams in the Rat House by Shannon and The Clams

70 Above the City by Club 8

70 I'm Leaving by Is Tropical

64 EP #1 by SQÜRL

50 Love Lust Faith + Dreams by 30 Seconds To Mars

50 Wish To Scream by Tribes

40 Excuse My French by French Montana

NR Jackleg Devotional To The Heart by The Baptist Generals

NR Betty Rubble: The Unitiation by Mykki Blanco

RECENT BEST MUSIC

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Laura Marling - Once I Was an Eagle

Mikal Cronin - MCII

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BEST ALBUMS OF 2012 BY GENRE

Alternative Rock

Experimental Rock

Progressive Rock

Psychedelic Rock

Singer-Songwriter