Ok, let’s get the stats and disclaimers out of the way: I downloaded, listened to and rated 8107 songs that came out in 2012. That’s more than double last year (3601). But, even combined with the (probably 5000) songs I streamed online and didn’t download – it’s only a small fraction of what was released, so this list should really be called The Best Albums That Happened to Cross My Path in 2012.

I’m pretty sure I can’t sustain that 225% growth rate but I’ll be happy to use it as the reason why I had to double the length of my Best Albums list this year.

A couple of notes
-Links in “My Favorite Tracks” go to Spotify. If you don’t already have it, you’ll need to download the Spotify App/Program to hear those songs with Spotify.
-The small album covers are linked to larger versions.
-Most of these artists are independent so if you love the music, please support them (by buying show tickets, merchandise…or the music) if/when you can!

1. The Invisible – Rispah
Based In: London
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: June 8, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @TheInvisible3
My Favorite Tracks: Wings, The Stain, Surrender, The Great Wound

2. Zaki Ibrahim – Every Opposite
Based In: Johannesburg
Label: Motif
Release Date: June 19, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Draw The Line, Something In The Water, Black And Grey

3. Oddisee – People Hear What They See
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Mello Music Group
Release Date: June 5, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @ODDISEE
My Favorite Tracks: The Need Superficial, Let It Go, Thinking Maybes, You Know Who You Are

4. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Aftermath/Interscope
Release Date: October 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @kendricklamar
My Favorite Tracks: Sing About Me, The Art Of Peer Pressure, Sherane A.K.A. Master Splinter’s Daughter, Real

5. Lianne La Havas – Is Your Love Big Enough?
Based In: London
Label: Nonesuch
Release Date: August 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Don’t Wake Me Up, They Could Be Wrong, Au Cinema

6. KRTS – The Dread of an Unknown Evil
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: December 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @KrtsBrooklyn
My Favorite Tracks: Was She Worth It, Your Eyes, Something New

7. Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio
Based In: NYC
Label: Blue Note
Release Date: February 28, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Why Do We Try, Cherish The Day, Move Love, Letter To Hermione

8. Part-Time Heroes – Lightfalls
Based In: London
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Release Date: March 12, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Leaving, Words

9. Joy Denalane – Maureen
Based In: Germany
Label: Nesola GmbH/Four Music
Release Date: April 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @joydenalane
My Favorite Tracks: Roses, Steppin’ Up, No More

10. Positive Flow – Flow Lines
Based In: UK
Label: Flow Lines
Release Date: November 19, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: My Prediction, Universal Truth, Hold On, Do What I Do

11. fLako – Eclosure EP
Based In: London
Label: Five Easy Pieces
Release Date: November 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Bandcamp
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Lions Mane, Mating Dance, Honey Drips

12. Kylie Auldist – Still Life
Based In: Melbourne
Label: Tru Thoughts
Release Date: October 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: All in You, Still Life, Changes

13. Hiatus Kaiyote – Tawk Tomahawk
Based In: Melbourne, Australia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: April 1, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: The World It Soflty Lulls, Malika, Mobius Streak

14. Union – Analogtronics
Based In: Paris
Label: Fat Beats
Release Date: January 31, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Blue Wave, Mystery Part 1, Baby Mama

15. S3 (Miles Bonny & Brenk Sinatra) – Supa Soul Sh*t
Based In: Kansas City & Vienna
Label: Melting Pot Music
Release Date: October 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Chakal, All I Know, Movin On, Stars Shine

16. Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Based In: London
Label: Cherrytree/Interscope
Release Date: May 1, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Tell Me A Tale, Worry Walks Beside Me

17. Submotion Orchestra – Fragments
Based In: Leeds, UK
Label: Exceptional Records
Release Date: September 21, 2012
More Info/Support
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Sleepwalker, Intro, Blindspot

18. Me’Shell Ndegéocello – Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication To Nina Simone
Based In: NY (?)
Label: Naïve
Release Date: October 9, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: See Line Woman, Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Suzanne, Feelin’ Good

19. Weedy of 40 Winks – Retrospect Suite
Based In: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: December 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Warmuils, The Blue, Dream About

20. Lee Fields & The Expressions – Faithful Man
Based In: Brooklyn (?)
Label: Truth & Soul
Release Date: March 13, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: I Still Got It, Who Do You Love