SHELL HUNTER'S Best of 2012

Come on Team GB!!!

What can I say? It's been a pretty heavy year for me. With the usual ups and downs during the year came a new more responsible job, I turned 30, learned how to scuba dive and got my first (and last) tattoo! We had the most amazing summer surrounding the Olympics that made me feel patriotic for the first time in my life and the best thing is, I have a year's worth of great music to show for it all. Impossible a feat as it was to whittle it down to my TOP FIVE, here they are! Cue gospel like singing....aw aw awwwwww!

Alt-J - Tessellate

It all started with a low rumble, who was this Alt-J I had heard of but never listened to? I thought the name was gimmicky and they probably wouldn't be that good, but bloody hell how wrong was I?! I gave Tessellate a quick whirl and was instantly hooked, the quirky lyrics, gripping piano chime and little ticks and clicks made it so unique. It was also one of my favourite albums of the year and lo and behold a Mercury Music Album of the Year Winner! You can't say fairer than that, triangles are now my favourite shape!

Ben Howard - The Wolves

Okay, this was probably a re-release but I missed the boat the first time round. Sfw had pointed Ben Howard out before but singer songwriters were not really my bag. This song though, has real significance to me. The beginning of this year was a difficult time in my household and having to prove myself in a new role at work was extremely stressful. I used to hear this on the radio at work and sing a long, instantly feeling transported to somewhere calmer and I thought that the "wolves" referred to in the lyrics were all the things and people trying to get me down. I never get sick of hearing it, oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo!

Dan Croll - From Nowhere

2012 has been a real year of discovering new music and new artists. Reading about Dan Croll's story winning £5000 in a Musicians Songwriting Award competition in Uni and his ambition to use this money to record his debut album really inspired me. Who needs the X-Factor and a free ride? Hard work and great talent goes a long way and this song has got success written all over it. It's got a fantastic feel to it with it's electro sounds and instruments in the right balance for a perfect holiday song. I'll be watching out for more from Dan thats for sure!

Hot Chip - Motion Sickness

My favourite dance geeks were back this year with, for me, a very long awaited album. Although I also love Flutes and Night and Day, Motion Sickness has to be my favourite from it. I remember being so excited about listening to the album In Our Heads and worried that I may be disappointed. As soon as I heard this, which is the first track, I was relieved and instantly smitten! It also reminds me of going to see them at Heaven in London as it was the first track they played. A sighting of 2 of the band members whilst trying to find a pub was a bonus! Any bad memories from previous gigs, truly erased!

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - John Taylor's Month Away

You'll have to excuse the arty video, but at least it adds a little interest to the music! When I first listened to it on Old Pa's choice for Tracks of the Week, I thought, yeah its okay and its got some sea gulls in there. I later listened to our TOTW playlist whilst in my car and it came on again. I was absolutely banjaxed by it. I was hypnotised by the mantra of the 2 chords and gentle voice singing of these poor young sailors who "dream of woman they cannot afford and cannot have". I was literally in tears and find it very difficult not to cry when I hear it. The waves and when it fades away then comes back in is pure genius. A real surprise contender for me but the whole world should hear it.

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