Ok, I realize this is more information than anyone can absorb in one sitting but a ridiculous amount of good music came out in 2012 and I want to shine whatever small light I can onto these great projects that I didn’t include in my “Best Of” list.
Aesop Rock – Skelethon
Based In: San Francisco
Label: Rhymesayers
Release Date: July 10, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @AesopRockWins
My Favorite Tracks: Zero Dark Thirty, ZZZ Top, Fryerstarter, Ruby ’81, Racing Stripes
Based In: San Francisco
Label: Rhymesayers
Release Date: July 10, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @AesopRockWins
My Favorite Tracks: Zero Dark Thirty, ZZZ Top, Fryerstarter, Ruby ’81, Racing Stripes
Anthony Valadez – Just Visiting
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: June 5, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @anthonyvaladez
My Favorite Tracks: Walking Away, Begins
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: June 5, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @anthonyvaladez
My Favorite Tracks: Walking Away, Begins
Blu & Exile – Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them.
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Dirty Science/Fat Beats
Release Date: September 4, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @HerFavColor & @ExileRadio
My Favorite Tracks: A Man, Maybe One Day, More Out of Life, The Only One
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Dirty Science/Fat Beats
Release Date: September 4, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @HerFavColor & @ExileRadio
My Favorite Tracks: A Man, Maybe One Day, More Out of Life, The Only One
Breezy Lovejoy – O.B.E. Vol. 1
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: June 30, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @BreezyLovejoy
My Favorite Tracks: Sadie, P.Y.P., Paradise, Zoseph
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: June 30, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @BreezyLovejoy
My Favorite Tracks: Sadie, P.Y.P., Paradise, Zoseph
Bright Moments – Natives
Based In: NYC
Label: Luaka Bop
Release Date: February 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Travelers, Traveling Light
Based In: NYC
Label: Luaka Bop
Release Date: February 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Travelers, Traveling Light
Cecilia Stalin – Step Like a Giant
Based In: London
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: January 23, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @cestalin
My Favorite Tracks: Favorite Things, Afro Blue (Roots), So Blue N Green, Quinox, Cinematic Favorite, Favorite Seduction
Based In: London
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: January 23, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @cestalin
My Favorite Tracks: Favorite Things, Afro Blue (Roots), So Blue N Green, Quinox, Cinematic Favorite, Favorite Seduction
Cody ChesnuTT – Landing on a Hundred
Based In: Tallahassee, FL
Label: Vibration Vineyard
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @codychesnuTT
My Favorite Tracks: That’s Still Mama, I’ve Been Life
Based In: Tallahassee, FL
Label: Vibration Vineyard
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @codychesnuTT
My Favorite Tracks: That’s Still Mama, I’ve Been Life
Columbia Nights – Dawn | Dusk
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Recordbreakin
Release Date: May 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @Columbia_Nights
My Favorite Tracks: As You Are, In The Glow
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Recordbreakin
Release Date: May 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @Columbia_Nights
My Favorite Tracks: As You Are, In The Glow
Diggs Duke – Mass Exodus: Volume 2
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 16, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @DiggsDuke
My Favorite Tracks: Well Repel, Duty of Grace
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 16, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @DiggsDuke
My Favorite Tracks: Well Repel, Duty of Grace
DJ Mitsu The Beats – Beat Installments
Based In: Tokyo
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: April 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Slide, Snow Bunny, Cloud 9, Steep
Based In: Tokyo
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: April 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Slide, Snow Bunny, Cloud 9, Steep
Eric Lau – The Mission EP
Based In: London
Label: Kilawatt Music
Release Date: February 3, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @ericlaumusic
My Favorite Tracks: He Said/She Said, Yesterday
Based In: London
Label: Kilawatt Music
Release Date: February 3, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @ericlaumusic
My Favorite Tracks: He Said/She Said, Yesterday
ERIMAJ – Conflict of a Man
Based In: NYC
Label: Don’t Cry
Release Date: August 21, 2012 release
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @_ERIMAJ
My Favorite Tracks: Nothing Like This, Conflict of a Man, Social Life
Based In: NYC
Label: Don’t Cry
Release Date: August 21, 2012 release
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @_ERIMAJ
My Favorite Tracks: Nothing Like This, Conflict of a Man, Social Life
Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Warp
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support
Social: @flyinglotus
My Favorite Tracks: Getting There, All In
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Warp
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support
Social: @flyinglotus
My Favorite Tracks: Getting There, All In
Freddie Joachim – Fiberglass Kisses
Based In: California
Label: Mellow Orange
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @FreddieJoachim
My Favorite Tracks: Keep Lovin’, To Remind Us, Hold You Through The Storm
Based In: California
Label: Mellow Orange
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @FreddieJoachim
My Favorite Tracks: Keep Lovin’, To Remind Us, Hold You Through The Storm
Funkommunity – Chequered Thoughts
Based In: Auckland, New Zealand
Label: Melting Pot Music
Release Date: July 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Make It That Way, Northwest & 4th, The Light
Based In: Auckland, New Zealand
Label: Melting Pot Music
Release Date: July 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Make It That Way, Northwest & 4th, The Light
Gizmo – Red Balloon
Based In: Boston
Label: Revive Music
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Lift Me Up, Red Balloon, Insane
Based In: Boston
Label: Revive Music
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Lift Me Up, Red Balloon, Insane
Grasscut – Unearth
Based In: Brighton, Britain
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: July 13, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @grasscutmusic
My Favorite Tracks: Lights, From Towns And Fields
Based In: Brighton, Britain
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: July 13, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @grasscutmusic
My Favorite Tracks: Lights, From Towns And Fields
Grooveman Spot – Paradox
Based In: Sendai, Japan
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: October 17, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @groovemanspot
My Favorite Tracks: The New Terrain, Take A Stance, Pretending
Based In: Sendai, Japan
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: October 17, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @groovemanspot
My Favorite Tracks: The New Terrain, Take A Stance, Pretending
Insightful – Blossom Beautiful
Based In: San Francisco/San Diego
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 31, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @insightful_ew
My Favorite Tracks: Brace Let, Kuckles, Smoke
Based In: San Francisco/San Diego
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 31, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @insightful_ew
My Favorite Tracks: Brace Let, Kuckles, Smoke
Just a Band – Sorry For The Delay
Based In: Nairobi, Kenya
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 27, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @justaband
My Favorite Tracks: Looking For Home, Probably For Lovers
Based In: Nairobi, Kenya
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 27, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @justaband
My Favorite Tracks: Looking For Home, Probably For Lovers
Kelan Philip Cohran & The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – S/T
Based In: Chicago (?)
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: May 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: HBE Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Spin, Pontiac, Ancestral
Based In: Chicago (?)
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: May 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: HBE Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Spin, Pontiac, Ancestral
Kidsuke (Kidkanevil & Daisuke Tanabe) – Kidsuke
Based In: Tokyo (?)
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: November 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @kidkanevil + @daisuketanabe = @Kidsuke
My Favorite Tracks: MoOoOoOn, Nanotrees (Out In The Woods), The Other Day We Thought Of Our Friends
Based In: Tokyo (?)
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: November 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @kidkanevil + @daisuketanabe = @Kidsuke
My Favorite Tracks: MoOoOoOn, Nanotrees (Out In The Woods), The Other Day We Thought Of Our Friends
Mathias Stubø – S/T
Based In: Norway
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 12, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @proviantaudio
My Favorite Tracks: Knock On My Door, Soon a Brighter Day, Don’t Give Up On Me
Based In: Norway
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 12, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @proviantaudio
My Favorite Tracks: Knock On My Door, Soon a Brighter Day, Don’t Give Up On Me
Moodymann – Why Do U Feel EP
Based In: Detroit
Label: KDJ
Release Date: July 9, 2012
More Info/Support / Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Why Do U Feel, Born 2 Die
Based In: Detroit
Label: KDJ
Release Date: July 9, 2012
More Info/Support / Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Why Do U Feel, Born 2 Die
Oddisee – Odd Renditions
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Oddisee Music
Release Date: May 15, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @oddisee
My Favorite Tracks: Ain’t That Peculiar, The Gold Is Mine
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Oddisee Music
Release Date: May 15, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @oddisee
My Favorite Tracks: Ain’t That Peculiar, The Gold Is Mine
Pomrad – Vlotjes
Based In: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Ooh Wee
Release Date: May 11, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Say What, Dans, Good Night Girl
Based In: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Ooh Wee
Release Date: May 11, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Say What, Dans, Good Night Girl
Roane Namuh & Reva DeVito – Cloudshine
Based In: Portland
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Twitter: @RoaneNamuh & @RevaDeVito
Favorite Tracks: C(h)ampagne, Frozen, Candy, Should Have Known
Based In: Portland
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Twitter: @RoaneNamuh & @RevaDeVito
Favorite Tracks: C(h)ampagne, Frozen, Candy, Should Have Known
Rocket Juice & The Moon – S/T
Based In: Multiple Locations
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: March 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: Lolo, Follow-Fashion, Benko
Based In: Multiple Locations
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: March 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: Lolo, Follow-Fashion, Benko
Shlohmo – Vacation EP
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Friends of Friends Music
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @shlohmo
My Favorite Tracks: The Way U Do, Wen uuu, Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix)
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Friends of Friends Music
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @shlohmo
My Favorite Tracks: The Way U Do, Wen uuu, Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix)
Shortcircles – Shortcircles EP
Based In: Oakland
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @shortcircles
My Favorite Tracks: Fallin’, (pretty much all of them)
Based In: Oakland
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @shortcircles
My Favorite Tracks: Fallin’, (pretty much all of them)
Sola Rosa – Low and Behold, High and Beyond
Based In: New Zealand / Australia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: August 10, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @solarosa
My Favorite Tracks: In My Dreams, Misunderstood, Promise
Based In: New Zealand / Australia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: August 10, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @solarosa
My Favorite Tracks: In My Dreams, Misunderstood, Promise
Sonnymoon – S/T
Based In: (it would seem that they prefer to keep it a secret)
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: May 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Greatness, Nothing Thought, Universal Appeal
Based In: (it would seem that they prefer to keep it a secret)
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: May 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Greatness, Nothing Thought, Universal Appeal
State of Zoe – Mind (Part I) EP
Based In: Tallin, Estonia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: April 19, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @stateofzoe
My Favorite Tracks: My Fortress, Two Ways We Fall
Based In: Tallin, Estonia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: April 19, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @stateofzoe
My Favorite Tracks: My Fortress, Two Ways We Fall
Sy Smith – Fast And Curious
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Psyko
Release Date: March 6, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: The Ooh To My Aah, Messages From The Stars
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Psyko
Release Date: March 6, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: The Ooh To My Aah, Messages From The Stars
Vacationer – Gone
Based In: Philadelphia (?)
Label: Downtown Music
Release Date: March 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Trip, Be With You, Good As New, Everyone Knows
Based In: Philadelphia (?)
Label: Downtown Music
Release Date: March 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Trip, Be With You, Good As New, Everyone Knows
Vanilla – Soft Focus
Based In: United Kingdom
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: Tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: The Winter, Hate To Ask, By, Tomorrow, Used To Be, A Chance
Based In: United Kingdom
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: Tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: The Winter, Hate To Ask, By, Tomorrow, Used To Be, A Chance
Visioneers (Marc Mac Presents) – Hipology
Based In: London
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 8, 2012
More Info/Support | (Not to be confused with the mixtape version on Spotify and Bandcamp)
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Track: Come And Play In The Milky Night
Based In: London
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 8, 2012
More Info/Support | (Not to be confused with the mixtape version on Spotify and Bandcamp)
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Track: Come And Play In The Milky Night