2012: 8 Bands to Watch

Allo Darlin'
Allo Darlin’ / photo by David Greenwald

Without using the word “best,” here are eight bands, all new (or maybe new to you?), worth keeping an eye on this year. Mostly indie-pop, because that’s mostly what I like. Release dates if they exist. What are you excited about this year? Let me know in the comments or @daverawkblog.

Michael Kiwanuka: The UK singer’s getting an inordinate amount of hype for sounding like a Platonic ideal Starbucks CD rack option, but if people are ready to get this excited about gorgeously executed acoustic guitars and soulful vocals, I can’t say I’m complaining. Home Again, his debut album, is due in late March and the single of the same name is out now.

Home Again by MichaelKiwanuka

Standard Fare: The UK emo rock act’s sophomore album, Out of Town, Out of Sight, is very nearly as great as 2010’s The Noyelle Beat, which was very nearly as great as it gets. It’s out digitally now.

Standard Fare “Darth Vader” by Thee SPC

Seeker Lover Keeper: The Aussie songwriter supergroup’s best of ’11 debut album is finally getting a U.S. release. And hopefully a tour? It’s due Jan. 17 on Spunk Records.

“Even Though I’m a Woman”: mp3

Hospitality: The Merge band’s debut is already the front-runner for indie-pop album of the year. Reminds me of 2010’s glorious Mighty Clouds LP. It’s due Jan. 31 on, yes, Merge.

Hospitality – Betty Wang by MergeRecords

The Rosie Taylor Project: The UK twee act — another in the endless slog, yes — are set to offer an ashen-faced, sad-eyed take on acoustic pop with Twin Beds. Single “The Last Happy Writer” sounds anything but, evincing a dry sobriety worthy of Ned Collette or Mojave 3. It’s due February 13 on Odd Box.

Gentleman Jesse and His Men: If their train-engine live show (read: incendiary) and Twitter rumors are to be believed, the lo-fi titans’ March-due album should mark their full transformation in early ’70s Elvis Costello/kings of my heart.

“All I Need Tonight (is You)” (a GJ oldie)

Allo Darlin’: Yes, another UK twee act, another highly anticipated record. This time, it’s a sophomore one, Europe, due April 3 on the venerable Slumberland. Indie-pop worlds collide! Expect Go-Betweens guitars and a sense of humor, which is a sentence applicable to a good half of this list.

Allo Darlin’ – Capricornia by Slumberland Records

Projectionists: The Pipettes’ RiotBecki returns with a long-overdue EP of ecstatic guitar pop. She is, you guessed it, from the UK.

12 more confirmed/rumored releases I’m excited about:

Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) – Clear Heart Full Eyes (Jan. 24/Vagrant)
John K. Samson (The Weakerthans) – Provincial (Jan. 24/Anti-)
Two of our best lyricists go head-to-head to kick the year off. Where you at, Darnielle?

Nada SurfThe Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (Jan. 24/Barsuk)
of Montreal Paralytic Stalks (Feb. 7/Polyvinyl)
MemoryhouseThe Slideshow Effect (Feb. 21/Sub Pop)
Andrew BirdBreak It Yourself (March 6/Mom + Pop)
High Highs – debut album
Dirty Projectors
Jens Lekman
Paramore
Fiona Apple
The Long Winters/The Wrens (now in an unofficial race to see who can put out the album last)

There’s a full list of potentially Rawkblog/your ears-worthy releases on the ongoing 2012 Album Release Calendar. It’s updated weekly. To get my picks for the best new albums (and their classic parents) streaming directly into your inbox each week, you might sign up for my digital record club, Mercury Music. It’s fun!