1) “channel ORANGE” by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean is one of those rare artists that comes across the music scene with nothing to hide. After releasing a “Letter to his Fans” detailing his bisexuality, fans were pleased to see somebody in the limelight with such a real and comfortable sense of who he was. Shortly after this letter was exposed, Frank Ocean introduced what I think to be the best album of the year.

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2) “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” by Kendrick Lamar

Just as Frank, Kendrick Lamar gives fans what almost feels like a too personal view into his life with this album dropped on October 23, 2012. On top of lyrics detailing his hometown settings, he even adorns his album with rugged Polaroids of family and friends and voice mails from his mom that reminds me much of my antics in high school. The ability to connect to fans makes this album special and one I keep coming back to.

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3) “Reloaded” by Roc Marciano

Roc Marciano brings us music and hip hop lovers a more traditional and unfortunately reminiscent hip hop album. His beats aren’t all about the bass and getting it in with this girl or that girl on any given night. He gives real lyrics. Something that I thought was dead, Roc is a true story-teller.

Favorite song: “Flash Gordon” by Roc Marciano

4) “Attack on Memory” by Cloud Nothings

When the first single “No Future/No Past” came out for this album it gave fans a very weak first impression for the album. The production mixed with the tone was like mixing oil and water. Nothing blended well, and I was hesitant to even listen to the rest. Luckily, I decided to give it a shot. This album will be one teenagers can think back on for years and reunite in the mosh pit.

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5) “Swing Lo Magellan” by Dirty Projectors

Although band leader Dave Longstreth sometimes severe tone and strange approach to guitar can turn some off, the Dirty Projectors are enjoyable with this album. His lyrics finally seem more direct and something that listeners can not only understand but relate to. Just don’t try to internalize them too much, it’s far too difficult.

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6) “Devotion” by Jessie Ware

This British songstress has perfected the art of mixing sultry vocals and more dance/techno beats. With this debut album, her voice was what won me over. Growing up in the “Britney Spears/NSYNC” era, where vocals were constantly washed out by beats, I have learned to appreciate talent where it lies. And this is it folks, she’s the real deal.

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7) “Blue Chips” by Action Bronson

Hounded for sounding much like Ghostface Killah, with little fault of his own, Action Bronson immediately debunks this in the first line off his new album that dropped on March 12, 2012: “Don’t ever say my f***** music sound like Ghost s***.” With punch lines like these and a solid mix of funk and soul, this chef turned rapper from Queens brings us back the golden-age of NYC underground.

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8) “Pluto 3D” by Future

With a blend of practiced to perfection autotune, entertainment and lyrics satisfying thirsty fans “Pluto 3D” makes me roll my eyes at Jay Z’s “Death to Autotune”. This is one album I can truly say the autotune is one of the best aspects displayed. Future really stuck with his best musical features and brought me an album that I can bump in my car and not pay any mind to those staring at me while at a red light.

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9) “Sun” by Cat Power

Connection with fans and the world outside the music realm has really been a focus that many artists and new albums have harnessed in 2012. She doesn’t claim any song as her own but one in which the public does. Chan Marshall, leading vocalist, begs that nobody see her different from anybody else in this album. With this vision of unity, she ironically separates herself from the rest of the albums that have been introduced.

Favorite song: “Cherokee” by Cat Power

10) “Master of My Make Believe” by Santigold

Maybe I was late on the bandwagon with this one but Santigold was unfamiliar to me until this past summer. Although I’d heard her (real name Santi White) featured on many songs, I never had experienced her as an artist in her own realm. I first heard her talent when “The Keepers”, off her new album, came to my attention. I was not the only one to be gushing over this song, it seemed that the rest of the world was exploding with Santigold madness.

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11) “Celebration Rock” by Japandroids

This album really ties me back to my rock roots that I was more connected with about four years ago. The instrumental quality in this new album by the Japandrios that dropped on May 29, 2012 makes me want to jump out of my seat and conquer the world. Their music really taps into listener’s senses and stirs emotions.

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12) “Kaleidoscope Dream” by Miguel

Since his “Sure Things” debut in 2010 I was left wanting more from Miguel immediately. However, I wasn’t aware that he was going through a major identity crisis in the industry as he floated from producer to producer. Finally, Miguel must have realized that self-production delivered raw emotion from him as a lyricist. His modesty is his shining quality in “Kaleidoscope Dream”.

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13) “The Haunted Man” by Bat for Lashes

Natasha Khan has always been one with the tendency to be rather dramatic and this album only showcases that further. Before even taking a listen to what the album has to offer, listeners become focused on the stripped down (and I mean literally) cover art. Natasha stands before us completely nude and hints toward what sound Khan is about to give us.

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14) “Da Mind of Traxman” by Traxman

I would never put my neck out there far enough to say that I really ENJOY dance music. I can dabble in a little dubstep/electronic here and there but it’s one of those movements that I’ve never really began to catch on to. But mix a good beat with some good hip hop, I might make an exception. Traxman, a Chicago native and pioneer of ghetto house music, serves fans like myself exactly what they were hoping to hear.

Favorite song: “Going Wild” by Traxman ft. Rashad & AG

15) “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do” by Fiona Apple

I don’t know if Frank Ocean and Fiona Apple spoke before beginning work on their new albums, but both came out with letters shortly before releasing their new music. Fiona wrote to a letter to a gay fan that surfaced online. In it she writes: “A person who loves is a righteous person, and if someone has the ability and desire to show love to another– to someone willing to receive it, then for goodness’ sake, let them do it.” This message was sincere and personal – it was hand written on lined paper. With this letter and new album, Fiona cuts through all the bullshit and shows us that honesty never goes out of style.

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