After doing our best of 2011 list, we thought it would be nice to do a huge round-up of all the best free releases from last year. We’ve tried to make the list as eclectic as possible, hopefully with something for everyone. As the bands are so varied I’ve put a “recommended if you like” note under each title to make it easier to find something you might like. A lot of these albums have the option to pay what you want for the download. If you like what you hear then send a few pounds/dollars, I’m sure these bands would appreciate it.
There was a staggering number on the long-list we first compiled, so we’ve split the list up alphabetically. If we’ve missed anything you think deserves a place (by a band that’s name starts with A-D) then let us know! Stay tuned for the rest of the list in the next week or so.
Antiques – JWNS
(RIYL = Indie Rock, Lo-fi, Summertime)
Arrange – Plantation
(RIYL = Bedroom pop, Melancholia, M83)
Bewildered Hallelujah – The Sky Is A Dream Occupied With Birds
(RIYL = Mash Ups, Weird Shit)
Bonjour – Motivational Suicide
(RIYL = Pop Punk, Fun)
Bright Whistles – TWO
(RIYL = Indie Pop)
Caddywhompus – The Weight
(RIYL = Noise pop, Indie Rock)
Cheerleader – Cheerleader
(RIYL = Indie Pop, Lo-fi)
Chris Kiehne – Pray For Daylight
(RIYL = Americana, Folk, Hank Williams, Ghosts)
Chrome Pony – Illegal Smiles
(RIYL = Indie Rock, Garage Punk, Hooks)
Cities Aviv – Digital Lows
(RIYL = Hip Hop, Bedroom Pop)
Clams Casino – Instrumentals
(RIYL = Mixtapes, Electronic)
Coke Weed – Volume One
(RIYL = Folk Rock, Psych Rock, America)
Coma Cinema – Blue Suicide
(RIYL = Bedroom Pop)
David Shane Smith – Shampoo EP
(RIYL = Bedroom Pop, Experimental, Weird Shit)
Death Grips – Exmilitary
(RIYL = Hip Hop, Experimental, Violence)
Dynooo – I Feel Like Playing Sim City Straight From The Floppy And Run A Tornado Over My Perfectly Functioning Town After I Put The Fire Department Way Too Far So They Won’t Be Able To Help My Sim City People.
(RIYL = Oneohtrix Point Never, Loops, Experimental)