Leona O'Hanlon

R U mine - Arctic Monkeys

Can I say a song has sex appeal? If so then this is it. Edgy, raw and down right dirty! Leaves me wanting more......



It's Time - Imagine Dragons

This song inspires me-the lyrics have so much meaning and relevance in my life. It's a beautiful song. This band are one of the best around at the moment and don't get the coverage they deserve.

It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger, but then,
I'll admit, I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am?

Cisa Batista

Imagine Fado, Rock, South America, Africa and Westerns all in the same bowl (gotta love the similarities between music and cuisine...)! That's Dead Combo and their last album released in the end of 2011 but definitely a must listen through this year now that they are starting their tour, it's made in Portugal! ;)

Scarlet Bowdit (Litteken)

I thought it would be near impossible to pick only two songs to represent 2012 so far and decided to go with my first instinct. After a quick consultation with my trusty Last.fm though, I discovered these are actually my 2 most played anyway! Not so tough after all...

Purity Ring - Fineshrine

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/45677714]

The third single from the debut album 'Shrines' was officially released last month but has been doing the blog rounds for a while now. At first listen the track is upbeat with a haunting melody but on closer inspection, the lyrics are the Purity Ring we're used to; weird and just a little gruesome!

I'm seriously looking forward to seeing these guys in November.




Daughter - Youth

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/44774110]

Yes, I know it's actually from 2011 but this little gem has seen a lot of my 2012. This track is beautiful. From it's simple beginning it builds and builds until I feel like the knot in my stomach can't take much more, then it breaks and the focus is back on the heart wrenching lyrics and the delicate, dreamy vocal.

If you haven't already, check out their EP 'The Wild Youth', you won't be disappointed.

Kookie Hax

Graveyard Train - One Foot in the Grave [Hollow, 2012]

Melbourne-based Graveyard Train surprised a little with their new album. This song, in particular, is a big step from the more sombre, folk-influenced male choral/ratting chains of their previous...all the better as far as I'm concerned!

Trash Deluxe

MARIA & THE MIRRORS - Gemini: Enjoy My Life

The first time I heard this it felt like being sucked out of a plane with a pair of carnival speakers strapped to my head- you really do need the vinyl instead of crappy computer speakers, for the stomach-punching bass, tho. One of the best things to come out of London in ages, and the label, Exotic Pylon, hosts a weekly radio show on the underfunded Resonance FM - sadly, a real minority when it comes to UK radio now.

Lucy (Lucretia1995)

Miserylab - Children of the Poor

Catchy, dancy, political - what more does anyone need? The last two years of 'austerity' in an incendiary mix of drums, bass and the the sublime voice of Mr King. The best, end of ;)

Moby Tenenbaum

It’s hard to believe that the two principal members of New York-based band Alberta Cross are a Swede and a Brit, because the sound of their recently released sophomore album is so distinctly heartland America. This majestic anthem of a song, 'Magnolia', provides a great example. It starts out sounding like a mid-tempo blend of southern rock and canyon rock and then segues powerfully into quasi-Gospel call-and-response -- brilliant, brilliant songwriting. Every time I hear this song, it sends shivers up my spine.



At a time when my musical preferences are definitely skewing toward noise bands and psychedelia, it seems strange that my two favorite songs of 2012 so far are both American anthems. My second pick is 'You As You Were', by Austin-based Shearwater, which has built a reputation on lovely, quiet, shimmering tunes. Their most recent album, 'Animal Noise', which came out early this year, was a big departure from their usual serene ways, rocking much harder than their previous work. This track, which is from it, feels like an exuberant sprint toward salvation, building to higher and then higher levels before it crosses the finish line a true world champion.