Mixtape // Top 10 Songs of 2012

As 2012 comes to a close, I thought I'd share with you my top 10 songs of the year. I am a self-confessed music-a-holic and love nothing more than sharing what I've been listening to.

10. Esmerelda - Ben Howard

I discovered Ben Howard this year and instantly fell in love with his voice. Esmerelda the first single off his 2012 EP Burgh Island. The song is very raw and not overproduced and I love it for that. It's a little bit dark too and always reminds me of an emotional video montage scene in a movie.

9. Once In A Lifetime - Landon Austin

Landon Austin is one of my favourite Youtube obsessions who writes his own songs as well as performing some amazing covers. Once In A Lifetime is the third (I think) single off his upcoming album, which I hope comes out soon. It's beautifully written and once again raw and not overproduced. The lyrics are every girl's dream.

8. State Of Dreaming - Marina And The Diamonds

Marina burst back onto the music scene with her new look and newer polished sound this year with her second album Electra Heart. It was very difficult for me to choose which song I wanted to feature off the album but I ended up going with my favourite song rather than the songs everyone else knows. The State Of Dreaming really sums up Electra Heart for me and the idea of exploring your own archetypes, which is the base theme for the album.

7. Elephant - Tame Impala

I was lucky enough to see Tame Impala live for free this year and they absolutely blew me away. I couldn't make a top 10 songs list and not throw in some of my favourite Australian melodies of 2012. Tame Impala really encaptures what the Australian music scene is all about for me, great music keeping in fit with what's marketable but at the same time, being a bit different. Elephant is the first single off their second album Lonerism.

6. Come Into My Head - Kimbra

Kimbra has got to be one of my favourite break-out artists of the past year or so. You probably know her from Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know, but that was just her being tame. I absolutely love her quirky style both in her fashion and music. Come Into My Head is a great dance track with a healthy dose of horns and brass, something I like in my music. Kimbra is destined for great things.

5. Gold On The Ceiling - The Black Keys

There's not much I can say about this song other than I think it's one of the best of 2012. It reminds me a lot of what I grew up listening to from my dad's CD collection. To me it's very 70s rock inspired with a strong guitar riff and catchy vocals.

4. Never Let Me Go - Florence & The Machine

I was lucky enough to see this song performed live 3 times this year and every time it's absolutely awe-inspiring. I saw Florence in a very intimate television gig and we were within about 5 or 6 metres from her. When she starts to sing you just can't look away and the music and lyrics completely engulf you, it's like time itself stops. If you think I'm being a bit melodramatic here, it's probably because you've never seen her live.

3. My Blood - Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding returned this year with her second album Halcyon. Halcyon is a lot darker than her first album Lights and you can definitely hear a slight Skrillex (her current BF) influence in some of the songs even if the whole album is still her own. My Blood is my favourite song off the album and I've had it on repeat for several months. Once again, this feels like video montage material.

2. Trembling Hands - The Temper Trap

The Temper Trap are easily one of the best bands to come out of Australia this century. They are as good live as they are recorded. Trembling Hands is a single off their self titled second album that just makes you want to sing as loud as your lungs will allow. This song has huge potential to win this years Triple J Hottest 100.

1. Ride - Lana Del Rey

I've never hidden my love for Lana and her brilliance was only cemented in my mind when I saw her live earlier this year. No critic can tell me she isn't talented because I know they're just trying to stir up trouble or they haven't seen her live. Every time she brings out a new song it's even better than the last. Whether people like it or not, this song is an anthem for our generation.

So there you have it, my top 10 songs of 2012. Let me know what some of your favourite songs were in the comments. I'm always on the lookout for new music.

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