Here’s a full rundown of the albums that turned heads at Playlist Heights over the last 12 months.
1) Playlist Album Of 2012 - Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again
DELIVERING on the promise that made him the BBC’s Sound Of 2012 at the start of the year, soul man Michael is effortlessly classy.
Sounding wise beyond his years, these late-night grooves were timelessly romantic and mark the start of a major new song writing talent.
Best track: Rest
2) Emeli Sande: Our Version Of Events
THE year’s biggest-selling album and one of the best, Emeli’s version of soul was highly eventful.
From the dubstep-tinged modern classic Heaven to the beautiful Wonder, it summed up why the Aberdonian stole the show at the Olympic Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.
Best track: Next To Me.
3) The Script: #3
FRONTMAN Danny O’Donoghue becoming a judge on The Voice was a risk, but not as bold as his band’s mighty hard-rocking return.
Danny admitted the songs were inspired by a break-up; rarely has heartbreak resulted in more confident and commanding tunes #class.
Best track: Hall Of Fame featuring Will.I.Am
4) Rita Ora: Ora
RITA arrived seemingly from nowhere when RIP hit No 1, but she’d bided her time singing previously with Tinchy Stryder and Craig David before upgrading to Tinie Tempah and Will.I.Am.
The eclectic mix - where her jazz and reggae skills were merged with celebratory pop - left Rita with a truly golden aura. The voice behind the best pop album of 2013.
Best track: Roc The Life
5) Plan B: iLL Manors
FILM soundtracks are rarely worth bothering with, but Ben Drew’s return to rap was typical of his perfectionism.
Even more brutal and brilliant than the film itself, it’s a bleak listen, but worth the effort as he addressed Britain’s problems with an uncompromising vision.
Best track: iLL Manors
6) Jessie Ware: Devotion
HAVING started out singing for underground dubstep acts, the Londoner was inspired to go mainstream by Katy B’s success.
It paid off, with Jessie’s glossy tunes the equal of her idol in taking pop and dance head first into the future and earning her a Mercury Prize nomination.
Best track: Wildest Moments
7) The Vaccines: Come Of Age
LIVING up to their initial hype after a patchy debut, the title was accurate as the rockers beefed up their sound.
They may get heavier as their hair gets longer, but they remembered to pack choruses with a wallop every time.
Best track: Bad Mood
8) Little Mix: DNA
SURPRISINGLY living up to their claim that the album would be worthy of Destiny’s Child, the girls proved that winning The X Factor needn’t be the kiss of death.
Although they took their time releasing it, the goodtime R&B pop meant they got the formula right in the end and they stand every chance of following Perrie’s boyfriend Zayn Malik into One Direction levels of world domination.
Best track: Change Your Life.
9) Lianne La Havas: Is Your Love Big Enough?
THE London soul girl’s songs are certainly big enough, deserving her place on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
Passion dripped from every note, the fiery ballads the perfect response to anyone who’s done Lianne wrong. Ouch.
Best track: Tease Me.
10) Calvin Harris: 18 Months
HE released six singles before the album finally dropped, yet there were plenty more hits in waiting as Calvin revelled in being the man of the moment.
Nobody has dominated the charts more in 2012, and these ridiculously fun floor fillers were a fantastic summary of why the Scot is in command.
Best track: We’ll Be Coming Back featuring Example.
Source: Daily Star / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net
