Tracks of the Year 50-31

Another year, another list. Fired off earlier this year as I soon will be without internet access until January (actually looking forward to it). I thought I'd struggle in putting this together as I've spent a fair amount of time (and money) buying reissues and old records and searching for old obscure shit online. However after thinking about what I've enjoyed this year it soon became easy. As always its a completely personal list, jumping between all sorts. Enjoy.

50. Fritz Kalkbrenner-Ruby Lee (buy)

Ace rework of the Bill Withers track on respected German label, Suol. Like much of their releases it gets people on the floor.

49. Porcelain Raft-Backwords (buy)

All in all, Porcelain Raft's debut album was a pretty good start. 'Backwords' reeks of good old fashioned lo-fi desperation and longing.

48. Tuff City Kids-SFS (buy)

Big booming house with a heavy thud. Bloody relentless shit from Gerd Janson and Phillip Lauer (he will appear on his own later in my top 50). Can always imagine several hundred people going nuts in a sweaty dingy club when it drops.

47.  Rug Dug-Tape 13 (buy)

Late entry into the list is an all North West affair that has only just dropped. Ruf Dug, catalysts behind the ace party that is Wet Play contribute a slice of Chicago tinged deep shit for Deep Space Orchestra's latest Use of Weapons release.

46. Nick Anthony Simoncino-Distant Planet (Larry Heard Remix) (buy)

Simoncino's dedication to analogue synths came in the shape of the cheekily entitled 'The Dream of Amnesia'. It's highlight was a 12 minute killer remix the man behind the original 'Amnesia'; the legend that is Larry Heard.

45. Mount Eerie-Through the Trees pt. 2 (buy)

Phil Elevrum still hasn't come in from the cold. On one of two albums released this year (admittedly I've not heard the second), he continues to showcase music with depth, calm and solitude. On Throught the Trees pt2 he once again speaks of his fondness and his acceptance of his local surroundings, that they are his destiny and the point of which he can view the world from.

44. Seconds-Another Day (Lexx Remix) (buy)

I have featured Lexx here on many occasions for his astute selections, but here he once again demonstrates he is an adept remixer with 'Another Day', a fine cut of Balearic melancholia.

43. Professor Genius-Valley of Paradise (Steve Summers Remix) (buy)

Professor Genius' full length album of label of the moment Long Island Electrical Systems is an ambitious piece of work and not something I've yet put my full attention to. However this remix included in the release is an excellent mid tempo atmospheric jaunt into our senses.

42. Sun Kil Moon-Sunshine in Chicago (buy)

Mark Kozelek takes comfort in the relative discomfort of getting on and points out differences from his audience now to back in the 90s in the delightful 'Sunshine in Chicago'.

41. Jens Lekman-She Doesn't Want To Be With You Anymore (buy)

Jens Lekman once again showcased in 2012 his talent in creating sad tales of people falling in and out of love and getting burnt. Its been told countless times before, but Lekman's songcraft and beautiful voice make them stand out from the rest.

40. Mirrorring-Silent from Above (buy)

An ambient existential ballad from Mirrorring, a combination where a folk musician and a purveyor of drone music collide. Haunting and dark. Perfect for this time of year.

39. Rune Lindbaek-Wonder (buy) 

Ace nordic balearica romantic pop. it was given some proper remix treatment but original wins hands down. This featured promintently on Pavel Plastikk's ' Sea Line' mix. Probably my favourite mix of the year.

38. Colorama-Hapus (buy)

Aficionado Records continue their impressive run with Colorama's Hapus (Happy in Welsh) which reminds me of the best of downtempo 'chillout' music from the late 90s, such as Air, Telepopmusik etc. It pleases me the boys of Afficiondo have finally started a label. I used to go their nights, in all manner of different city centre locations probably near a decade ago. Now growing old gracefully as well as disgracefully.

37. The Walkmen-Heaven (buy)

A stellar return in 2012 with The Walkmen. The title track is a tale of new responsibilities and commitments with a fondness to all that has been before, much like the rest of the album. Positive energy abound. They just get better.

36. Loops of Your Heart-End (buy)

With the internet providing a refuge for the majority and access to the world in the shape of shiny tiny screen, its seems only through music is there the capacity to truly be disconnected from it all, at one with your empty but beautiful surroundings. Like it's the end of everything. This is a mindset I adopt naturally whilst listening to this beautiful piece of music from Loops of Your Heart.

35. Lower Dens-Brains (buy)

Hectic chugging guitar music (with added synths and ambience) that takes the listener all over the shop over its intense 5 minutes or so. The album deserves to be listen to its entirety as it fits neatly together at the same time feeding different emotions throughout, pefectly embodied on 'Brains'.

34. Juju & Jordash-Track David Would Play (buy)

David=David Moufang=Move D. Juju & Jordash's huge 3 LP release has enough variation to satisfy many, but there's certain tracks that get me every time.  'David' builds up with warming synths to create an ambience, a deepness that Move D really captured several years ago. Not sure if it would fit into his recent sets of all sorts (disco, bass, early 90s house.), but he is man a of many talents so I wouldnt bet against it.

33. 1991-Fabric of Space (buy)

One for the nerds as  Swedish mystery man Axel Backman delivers us arresting electronica for a new age. Sounds like what would be in my head during a dream-like apocalyptic state. Experimental excellence, I've been converted; sod house music.

32. Dusky-Henry 85 (buy)

There's plently of young upstarts (or bastards as I like to call them)  about the UK garage/house/bass scene at the moment. Whilst it's not all my taste, I have taken to many of Dusky's tracks, most notably 'Henry 85', probably because it's less about peak time, but more about the build up and viewing it all happening in front of you whilst the kids peak far too bloody soon.

31. Portico Quartet-Steepless (buy)

Album of the year contender. This track tightens around the swirling voice of Swedish vocalist Cornelia before stabbing clicks send its off to sound like a Kieran Hebden vehicle. Which is no bad thing.