A celebration of my top picks for the best music of 2012.

First up is Thank You Scientist - Maps of Non-Existent Places. I'd never heard of these guys before, and this album just jumped up and smacked me right in the face the first time I heard it. Very high-energy, intricate playing, paired with some great melodies and wonderful melodic singing.

Next is OSI. These guys have never done any wrong, and their fourth album Fire Make Thunder is yet another perfect exercise in blending ambient, atmospheric and heavy guitar work.