Top 10 Albums of 2012

Well, the world didn't end, so I guess I need to get my year-end list up. Like in previous years, I aim to make this list a mix of what I enjoyed and spun the most as well as what also was good, technically-speaking, in my opinion. I think people often put far too much weight behind what a year-end list contains, as if what's listed at #5 or #1 is the God's honest truth. If you thought Carly Rae Jepsen's album was the best album of the year, right on. For as much as music writers critique the year's various releases, it really comes down to a matter of opinion -- though I'll admit there are some things out there that are just legitimately bad, and you know what I mean.

2012 was a year of changes for me, and, therefore, for Mixtape Muse, as well. I'd be lying to you if I said I heard all of the year's buzzed about releases -- let alone a bulk of them. But of the ones I did have the pleasure of hearing, this is what I dug the most.

REVIEW: Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

If you've spent a year on this fine planet of ours, you've undoubtedly observed the changing of the seasons – or even the daily exchange of sun for moon and moon for sun. There's something inexplicably beautiful about the subtleties that characterize these transitions: the way the leaves begin to turn color at the introduction of cold or the way the sun sets not against a blue canvas but rather one decorated with a multitude of brilliant orange, pink, and blue hues. It’s all organic, a series of natural events that mark the passage of time. But that doesn’t change the fact that the sight, or the feeling, of such things is rather surreal.

DOWNLOAD: The 'III' Mixtape

Well, that didn't take long. Due way back in April of this year, our third, free, mixtape is finally available for download right now. The last two have, more or less, had themes, but III is more of a general collection of tracks that have caught my ear over the past few months. Some you may have heard a few of these songs on the site over that time, while other songs are making their debut on the site. Like the past two mixtapes, my hope is that III introduces you to a new favorite artist/band and gives these talented folks even just a little bit more exposure. Sorry it took so long! Download and enjoy. Cheers, friends.

LISTEN: Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

Once upon a time, this guy in the UK e-mailed about some Canadian band with a simple name. That band was Bravestation. As I do with submissions, I did my best to take a second to check them out. Fast forward two years, and I'm still keeping tabs on Bravestation's progression. Why? Well, while you can pick out their influences (e.g. Foals, Wild Beasts, etc.), they're one of the few acts I've had the pleasure of covering who are trying to distinguish themselves, always pushing forward to a new direction. And what's more impressive, they've managed to maintain their identity along this sonic evolution, experimenting just enough to challenge expectations and the boundaries of their prior output. They're some friendly Canadians, but also uniquely gifted musicians. A formal review is on the way, just as soon as I dig myself out of this mess I call an inbox.

Bravestation's debut LP, Giants & Dreamers, is out tomorrow. Hear the whole thing below. Someone (I apologize as I forget who you are!) brought up Peter Gabriel when describing Bravestation's current sound. I'd add to that and say Giants & Dreamers sounds like Peter Gabriel conducting a Foals and Wild Beasts collaboration: it's the sound of post-punk's adventurous edge and dream pop's aural hypnosis.

PREMIERE: "Signs of the Civilized" from the New Bravestation Album

Ever since I heard the first song off of Bravestation's 2010 EP, I've been a fan. Following a productive and successful 2011 that included their first tour of the UK, the Toronto band is gearing up to release their debut LP. The as-yet-untitled album is, in my estimation, going to be one of the year's best releases, and today Mixtape Muse has the honor of sharing "Signs of the Civilized," a brand new song from the album. When I first wrote about Bravestation, I said there was something clearly unique about their sound, and, as you'll soon hear, their new material proves that these four gentlemen are intent on crafting something that skirts the lines of proper classification.

WATCH: Bravestation Release "Beyond the Scenes" Documentary

Toronto indie pop/new wave/afropop band Bravestation have had quite a year, beginning with the release of last year's fantastic 2010 EP and ending with their first trip overseas on a May 2011 tour of the UK. The year is documented in this self-produced mini-documentary -- inside the recording studio to filming a music video to tearing a hole in the roof of their tour van. With everything they've been up to, it's all the more exciting to see where the guys head next, not to mention what they do next. They're currently working on their debut LP which I feel will probably be one of my favorite releases of the year -- assuming it does see release this year. Watch the documentary below as well as the music video for EP track "White Wolves."

FINALLY...The "What's Your Muse?" 2010 Mixtape

Last year, we introduced a new feature called "What's Your Muse?" where we ask a band or artist to select a song that means a lot, or the most, to them. Then, we ask them to record a short video of themselves explaining why they chose the song. You can view all the submissions here.

It goes without saying, but this post is quite overdue. As we continue our search for our first submission of 2011, please enjoy this mixtape. I wish we could provide a download of this mix, but that would be illegal and not something we can afford to do here. If you do happen to have these songs, then enjoy them in this order! Otherwise, I hope the two formats provided below will be acceptable. Hit play and let it run while you do your homework, take a run with your laptop, prepare the big presentation for that really important four o'clock meeting, play with K'Nex, or enjoy it in any other possible scenario in which you'd like to listen to music. The tracklist is structured chronologically according to when we received/posted the submissions. Enjoy!

WHAT'S YOUR MUSE? Bravestation

It's time for another edition of "What's Your Muse?"

The concept is simple: We ask a band/artist to choose a song that means a lot/the most to them. Then, they record and send us a video of themselves describing why they chose the song. Think of it like a collaborative video mixtape project.

In this edition, we hear from Bravestation.

By Mike Dunn

Toronto's Bravestation dance around genre classification by incorporating a eclectic mix of styles, from new wave to post-punk to indie pop. Although having only formed a few short years ago, Bravestation have already created a sound that distinguishes them from their contemporaries. On the first Mixtape Muse Podcast, I said that they were ambitious, sounding natural but also futuristic, in a way. They've been featured on the site a few times before, so it's safe to say that I think they're something special -- let alone nice dudes. It only made sense, then, to ask the band if they'd be interested in submitting to "What's Your Muse?"

Their choice isn't all that surprising and makes absolute sense when you consider the direction they've taken with their sound. The band behind Bravestation's chosen song dodged genre classification, as well, for their adventurous songwriting and sound and is, understandably, a band that has been a big influence on Bravestation. Like Cheyenne Marie Mize, Archeology, and Sea of Bees before them, the band went the distance and covered the song they chose for "What's Your Muse?" (they even went ahead and recorded a studio version of the song). In the video, Bravestation provides a little window into their world with a montage of band photos and video as their cover plays in the background. Connect the dots after the jump.

LISTEN: The Very First Mixtape Muse Podcast

Below, you can check out the very first Mixtape Muse podcast. Feel free to download it and share it with your friends. Background info, or a preface, for this podcast can be found at the start of the podcast, so I won't waste your time by typing a bunch of words here. In regards to my production and editing, it's not the best -- hell, you can ever hear a motorcycle/car go by in the distance if you listen closely -- but it's raw and honest. If you dig it, share it!

LISTEN: Bravestation - Ambition Shown Through Infectious Songs

Bravestation - "Clocks & Spears"


Bravestation - "Colour Us With Youth"


Bravestation's sound is something of an exercise in ambition. Sitar, post rock-style guitar, synthesizer, tribal grooves -- nothing is off limits, which is an affirmation of the band's willingness to experiment with its music. Whether it's new wave, post punk, or art punk, the band displays their aptitude for seamlessly joining different styles into one agreeable mix, sounding like a cross between Wolf Parade, Yeasayer, and Talking Heads. The band tackles multiple genres without ever coming across as if they're attempting to emulate one particular band or sound. With infectious grooves and melodies like these, it's hard to understand why Bravestation hasn't received more attention. They're definitely a band to watch with fun and progressive songs like "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth".

BUY: "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth" are from the 2010 EP. Pick it up at iTunes.
DOWNLOAD: Grab free MP3s for "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth" here.

Bravestation @ Bandcamp
Bravestation @ Facebook
Bravestation @ MySpace
Bravestation @ Twitter