Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Exeter chapter.

Before you proceed onto iTunes, having read all the recommendations in Glamour and Q for up and coming music for 2013, make sure you have these ones on your iPod from 2012!

  1. Mumford and Sons, Babel

 

Okay, I may be biased as they are one of my favourite bands of all time, whether they’ve just released a new album or not, but there’s no denying these four gorgeous talented musicians and singers really wowed the nation with their release of Babel in September 2012. If you’re yet to listen to their marvellous and characteristic new tracks, adding to the compilation from Sigh No More, released in 2009, then check out my HCX album review to convince you, and then get onto iTunes – you won’t regret it.

Favourite track – Ghosts That We Know

 

  1. Emeli Sandé, Our Version of Events

 

Heaven, Sandés solo debut single released in 2011, has been labelled by many music critics as the finest British pop song released in that year. Following this beautiful track, this talented artist released Our Version of Events with Virgin Records in February 2012. Full of power and emotion, Emeli Sandé seems to capture the hearts of listeners almost effortlessly with her polished and graceful voice. A huge 1.4 million copies were sold last year which just shows how loved she is and how powerful her songs are to listen to, whatever your music taste.

Favourite track – Clown

 

  1. Alt-J, An Awesome Wave

 

Released on 28 May 2011, the just up-and-coming band from Leeds released a wonderful compilation of innovative and electrifying music. Including the classic Tessellate, other popular tracks are Breezeblocks, Dissolve Me and Something Good. Considering this alternative, current band spend their time in a Cambridgeshire basement making their own brand of uniquely dubbed “folk-step”, you’d never guess such mellow but base-y tracks could emanate from what one would imagine is quite a dark and dull location.

Favourite track – Tessellate

 

  1. Frank Ocean, Channel Orange

 

I still don’t think this guy gets enough recognition for the works he creates. The oldest, most soulful member of band Odd Future, a singer more than a rapper, outshone his former colleagues with debut album Nostalgia, Ultra and then Channel Orange in 23 July of last year with Mercury Records. But what is different about Channel Orange to the previous album is the maturities we see from Ocean develop through the tracks. As the tracks progress, so does the tempo and mood of the music, starting slowly with Start. Despite his slightly aged inspirations such as Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, every track is innovative, current and ambitious.

Favourite track – Swim Good

 

  1. Rihanna, Unapologetic

 

I’m currently listening to Stay by this mesmerising artist, a stunning track on her newest album Unapologetic. The album seems to circulate around her relationship with Chris Brown, and the hypocrisy of singing her abusive partner’s praises is oddly captivating. I can’t think of one bad song that Rihanna has come out with, and this 7th album delivers to just the same standard as previous ones. Tracks Diamonds and Stay are already in the popular music arena to all fans who haven’t yet listened to the album the whole way through, and may I send a message to those people that they should listen to the rest – you will thank me.

Favourite track – Nobody’s Business

 

So there you have it. A guide from HCX for your New Year music downloading session, before you venture on to listen to all the recommendations for tunes in the headlines in 2013… Until next time!

 

 

Photo credits:-

http://www.bywayofbeauty.com/2012/10/grit-grace-in-mumford-sons-babel.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Version-Events-Emeli-Sand%C3%A9/dp/B005H0YP7W

http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/2012/09/album-review-alt-j-awesome-wave.html

http://www.billboard.com/new-releases/frank-ocean-channel-orange-track-by-track-1007539152.story#/new-releases/frank-ocean-channel-orange-track-by-track-1007539152.story

http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/10/11/rihannas-unapologetic-after-releasing-sexy-album-cover-photo/

http://blog.kexp.org/2012/11/2…

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Georgia is in her third year at Exeter studying English and French Law. Last year she headed the Culture team as Local Culture editor, informing all of our lovely readers about the best events and places to explore in this beautiful city. She may have taken off her cultural clogs, but she is still heavily involved in Her Campus Exeter, leading the team as joint President with Florence Christie this year.When she isn’t slaving away at French law, or updating her Tumblr of pretty pictures stolen from other more committed bloggers, she can be spotted in the Forum sipping a hazlenut latĂ©, whilst feeling guilty for said indulgence and Instagramming pictures of Costa cups. When day turns to night, Monday Arena is generally a favourite haunt or when she is feeling particularly edgy you may find her by the quayside at Cellar Door embracing her inner Cara Delvigne- thougbts of Costa on her mind! Although she never says no to a night in with her girls, watching chick flicks- preferably involving Ed Westwick.At the end of this year,  Georgia will continue to pursue her career as a lawyer, saying goodbye to rainy Britain and Bonjour to très chic France, where she will be completing the final year of her degree. Continuing to follow her mantra of work hard play hard, I wouldn’t be surprised if in in no time this girl could give Legally Blonde Elle Brooks a run for her money.
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar