Best Songs of 2012: Father John Misty - "Hollywood Cemetery Forever"

Best Songs of 2012

Hollywood Cemetery Forever // Father John Misty

Joshua Tillman, previously of 'the drummer from Fleet Foxes' fame, finally broke out after seven years of releasing records under his own name as well as the moniker Father John Misty. Although Fear Fun doesn't take many chances, Father John covers a wide spectrum of influences and condenses them into folksy, pop-friendly tracks. "Hollywood Cemetery Forever" is the one that really stands out; a simple open hi-hat beat in 4/4 languidly carries a twangy minor chord progression while Tillman delivers some strong, infectious lines. The video featuring Aubrey Plaza is one of the best of the year as well. 

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Best Songs of 2012: The Evens - "Wanted Criminals"

Best Songs of 2012

Wanted Criminals // The Evens

Fugazi has been on hiatus for nearly a decade but that hasn't stopped Ian MacKaye from working on other projects. The Evens, a duo consisting of Ian and his partner Amy Farina in a set up nearly identical to the White Stripes, have been recording since even before Fugazi's hiatus, but The Odds is their best collection of songs yet. "Wanted Criminals" is the highlight, a song fueled by MacKaye's signature left-leaning lyricism and a Fugazi-esque culminating breakdown. The Odds might never make us forget how amazing this was, but as MacKaye eclipses age 50 he's proven he and Amy Farina can still innovate the post-punk circuit. 

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Best Songs of 2012: Nas - "Loco-Motive"

Best Songs of 2012

Loco-Motive // Nas

"This for my trapped in the 90's n*ggas."

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Best Songs of 2012: Maritime - "Peopling of London"

Best Songs of 2012

Peopling of London // Maritime

Davey von Bohlen has been writing songs for 15 years. "Peopling of London" proves he can still write a perfect piece of pop rock when he puts his mind to it. 

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Maritime - “Peopling of London”

The Promise Ring reunion was phenomenal last night, and in listening to a lot of Promise Ring and Davey von Bohlen side projects over the past few weeks I completely forgot Davey’s current band, released an album this year. It’s a solid if unspectacular record but “The Peopling of London” is up there with some of the best von Bohlen tracks.

Best Songs of 2012: Kendrick Lamar - "The Art of Peer Pressure"

Best Songs of 2012

The Art of Peer Pressure // Kendrick Lamar

If there's one song that best sums up good kid, m.A.A.d city  it's "The Art of Peer Pressure." The autobiographical story of a night spent riding around town and wreaking havoc with his buddies, Lamar concedes he is a "sober soul" and a pacifist at heart but when he's rolling with his crew, peer pressure becomes a more powerful force than his moral fortitude. The subject matter is universal and the story is told brilliantly, full of intro and outro "skits" and a humorous cliffhanger. The beat provided by Tabu is one of the album's best and Kendrick's flow is reminiscent of Andre 3000, possibly lending credence to the idea that the title, "The Art of Peer Pressure," is giving props to Outkast's "Da Art of Storytellin'."

"The Art of Peer Pressure" is one of the best songs on the best album of the year. 

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Best Songs of 2012: Grizzly Bear - "Yet Again"

Best Songs of 2012

Yet Again // Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear return from a three year hiatus with a collection of songs darker than anything they've recorded yet. With its rich, sustained guitar chords, Droste's skillful vocals and a unique outro, "Yet Again" is Shields' best track, and one of the best of the year.

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Best Songs of 2012: Japandroids - "The House That Heaven Built"

If this isn't one of the most life-affirming songs you've ever heard, well then I don't know what's wrong with you. 

Best Songs of 2012 rolling list

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