Today, we reveal our top ten albums of 2012, which appear below.
Released: July 23
Chart peak: No. 1
We said: "While the lyrical content grows hard on the ears, the music itself is varied enough to keep you listening on. It may be a grim subject, but if anyone's going to talk about it, we're glad it's Plan B."
> Read our review of iLL Manors
Released: October 15
Chart peak: No. 3
We said: "We all know by now that Leona's biggest asset is her ability to melt hearts over a string-led ballad, but on her third album Glassheart it's the pacey numbers full of angst and torment that stand out."
> Read our review of Glassheart
Released: September 24
Chart peak: No. 1
We said: "To say they've evolved would be wrong, but when the chants are as gutsy and inspiring as these, evolution is pointless; those Big Leagues would be mad not to agree."
> Read our review of Babel
Released: May 28
Chart peak: No. 2
We said: "An astonishingly honest album with sumptuous melodies on the ballads that are packed to the brim with old glamour and are unmistakably 'Paloma'.
> Read our review of Fall To Grace
Released: July 16
Chart peak: No. 1
We said: "The result not only succeeds in hauling some of Elton's best back into relevancy, but also works as a spectacular reimagining of those that deserved more first time out."
> Read our review of Good Morning to the Night
Released: January 9
Chart peak: No. 4
We said: "The themes of maturity and lessons learned play a significant role throughout the album; befitting for a band who are showcasing their own evolution and building upon their own history."
> Read our review of Given to the Wild
Released: January 30
Chart peak: No. 1
We said: "Born To Die is probably the most stunningly refreshing album you'll hear all year. We don't care how she got here, but we for one are glad she did."
> Read our review of Born To Die
Released: February 13
Chart peak: No. 1
We said: "Her vocal - while remaining flawless throughout - falls somewhere between the power of Leona Lewis on the piano-led numbers (see 'Hope'), and the sultriness of Beyoncé on R&B-tinged 'Mountains'."
> Read our review of Our Version of Events
Released: July 9
Chart peak: No. 2
We said: "His objects of affection may be as complex as his subtle production values, but it results in an intriguing and invigorating collection from one of the world's brightest new talents."
> Read our review of Channel Orange
Released: August 20
Chart peak: No. 5
We said: "The breathy, small-hours funk of 'Sweet Talk' and punchy beats on 'Swan Song' boast a timeless quality that suggests she's been listening to smooth jazzers Sade and Anita Baker as well as plenty of golden age hip-hop, while 'Still Love Me' wouldn't sound out of place on an Annie Lennox record circa 1985. The result is a smart and sophisticated debut that remains utterly compelling throughout, and serves as a message to guest vocalists everywhere that there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel."
> Read our review of Devotion
Click through our top ten albums of 2012 gallery below:
