Albums of 2012 // 10-1

And there was only ever going to be one winner for me in 2012. How To Dress Well's record stands apart, taking R&B into divine new places, and for that 'Total Loss' sits proudly at the summit of an incredible top 10.

10. Japandroids - 'Celebration Rock'



9. Grimes - 'Visions'



8. Perfume Genius - 'Put Your Back N 2 It'



7. Frank Ocean - 'channel ORANGE'



6. Death Grips - 'The Money Store'



5. Sharon Van Etten - 'Tramp'



4. Kindness - 'World, You Need A Change Of Mind'



3. Liars - 'WIXIW'





2. Jack White - 'Blunderbuss'





1. How To Dress Well - 'Total Loss'





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Field Day 2012 playlist

Despite the inevitable rain, toilet queues and frustrating clashes, Field Day 2012 promises to be the best yet. Besides, you wouldn't get clash-fury if the line-up wasn't as top draw as it is this year. Although choosing between Grimes, Chairlift and Metronomy among others at about 7 is going to be mind-meltingly impossible. Perhaps this Field Day timeline playlist below will help you make that call.



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Arbutus Records

Prompted by the semi-religious experience of seeing Canada's foremost alt-rockers Arcade Fire at the O2 temple this week, No Action set out to discover where the new wave of Canadian music was brewing.

Step forward Outremont, Quebec's Arbutus Records. Spawned from the now-defunct Montreal art collective Lab Synthese, its raison d'etre is to showcase the DIY musical talents nurtured there and offer a home to the weird and wonderful Quebec pop community. Here's a sample from but three of said talents.

Grimes - a debut EP good enough for GvsB's top 30 says it all for the year Caroline Boucher, aka Grimes, has had. Geidi Primes is a record full of unexpected joys, a study in understatement and psychedelic samples, followed up by a second record, Halfaxa, of ethereal wonder.
Grimes - Rosa by Arbutus Records

Silly Kissers - If you thought that Kisses made the best electro pop record of the year with a snogging related band name, you'd be wrong. It was, infact, Silly Kissers. Precious Necklace is but seven songs long, but each is brimming with playful John Hughes film score synths and playground love lyrics.


Silly Kissers - Treat Me Like You Do by Arbutus Records

Sean Nicholas Savage - If Sean Nicholas Savage had room for more middle names they'd be Pop Troubador. Stripped to its bare bones without excess or distraction, Savage's infectious, melodies and lyrical flair are bonafide genius. Warning: If you listen to the video below, from Savage's Mututal Feelings of Respect and Admiration LP, you will be singing it all day.


Sean Nicholas Savage - Disco Dancing by Arbutus Records