Top Songs 2012: 11-20

Red - Pop

Blue - Electronic

Green - Alternative

Orange - Hip hop
Pink - R&B

11. Angels - The xx

The xx came out with their second album in 2012, Coexist. While the album as a whole was a disappointment relative to their debut, Angels is an exception. One of my favorite songs to wake up to in 2012, Angels has all the classic xx elements including their minimalist beat and romantically quiet lyrics. 

12. Man on Fire - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Like the xx, Edward Sharpe’s new album was not as good as their debut, but also like the xx, they had an exception. Man on Fire shows a new side of the band. While their previous hits like "Home" sounds like happy love songs, Man of Fire reveals a more personal side to the band. A lonely side that Edward believes can be fixed through dance. I love how this song shows glorifies the idea that dancing can change everything.

13. Jasmine (Demo) - Jai Paul

Only the second song produced by Jai Paul. Remember last year's hit BTSTU? Well he did it again. Jasmine wonderfully combines the classic (can we really call it classic after two songs?) Jai Pail bass thuds with his electronic bridges and falsetto vocals. At this rate, he will have completed his first album in about 8 years.

14. Emmylou - First Aid Kit

This song is an ode to Gram Parson, Emmylou Harris, June Carter, and Johnny Cash. This Swedish folk duo angelically harmonizes this track. If the song wasn't already great enough, the video was filmed in Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, one of my favorite places. It was ridiculous that they played at noon at lolla this year, but they aren't going anywhere. 

15. Adorn - Miguel

This song may sound cheesy on the surface, but all Miguel wants is to show his love and I don't know of many better ways than an R&B track like this. I have to give credit to Christie Capper who showed me this track. Anyways, Miguel pisses off every boyfriend in the world for not being able to show their love as well as him.

16. Belispeak II (feat. Danny Brown) - Purity Ring

This song combines two of my favorite parts of 2012, Danny Brown and Purity Ring. The original Belispeak is already an amazing track, but Danny Brown's rap over the syths brings the song to a new level. 

17. Thinkin Bout You - Frank Ocean

After Novacane, Thinkin Bout You, brought Frank Ocean into the spotlight. Frank sings about "thinking about forever" which must be the anthem for too many high school indie couples. While it may not be as loud or intense as any of his Odd Future counterparts, Thinkin Bout You is definitely more powerful.

18. Constant Conversations - Passion Pit

 Passion Pit came out with the second album in 2012, Gossamer. Constant Conversations sounds different from the rest with its R&B feel, but it very well represents the album as a whole. While the melodies might sound happy and poppy, lead singer Michael Angelakos uses this track to ask forgiveness from a past girlfriend for his drunken mishaps. In my opinion, the most "real" Passion Pit song recorded to date.

19. Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram) - Big Boi

This song has so many amazing features. A$AP starts with an awesome verse, then indie band Phantogram sings a beautiful chorus and then Big Boi continues with a classic Big Boi verse. This compilation really combines many aspects of the music industry including the alt-electro beats of Phantogram and the new vs. older hip hop styles of A$AP and Big Boi.

20. Cherry Blossom - Stumbleine

 Virtually unheard throughout the year, very few electronic tracks this year were able to produce such emotion in a 4 minute track. Stumbleine's blend of deep bass syths with the high falsetto vocals produces a wonderful piece.