Instead, we thought we'd share a few of the records we're most looking forward to hearing in 2012, some of which are (relatively, in mp3-age terms) a long time coming. Also, a few of these bands may be new to your ears and eyes, which is always rather fun.

The current landing page on the Local Natives site. Thanks, guys

To start off, we'll get onto one of the more recently announced efforts likely to hit our ears in 2012: a new record from Local Natives. Before you roll your eyes and groan that you never want to hear them played constantly on Spotify adverts again (like they were with debut Gorilla Manor), it's worth hearing us out. Something about a band in which every member can properly sing while holding a song together deserves at least respect if not love. Keep an eye on their site for more news.

Two very different New York acts also have us tickled with anticipation: let us introduce to you Brooklyn's nearly un-Googleable Friends and Harlem's ASAP Rocky. You may already have heard the R'n'B-influenced pop of Friends, courtesy of Radio 1 latching onto their track 'I'm His Girl' a few months ago; if their other singles so far are much to go by this record should be fit to bust with funk-tinged goodness.

ASAP Rocky on the other hand mostly raps about how high he gets, but pulls it off with an eloquence and style aided by Clams Casino's touch on production duties. Notably so far he got a shortlist nod from the BBC's Sound of 2012, dropped a mixtape last Halloween that had hip hop blogs frothing at the mouth and firmly has nothing to do with Aesop Rock. We'd like to hear more from this often harshly honest and unpretentious youngster.

On our fair isle, it'll be interesting to see what Mancunian Double Denim Records signing Stay + (formerly Christian AIDS) pull out of the bag for their first LP. So far their brooding, heavily-distorted yet euphoric electronica has torn up rave dancefloors where most people can't feel their faces; we can't wait to hear what a whole forty minutes of it sounds like.

Indie veterans of Montreal are due to bring out a new record next month too, after about a two year gap since 2010's False Priest - so far its teaser (above) sounds like Kevin Barnes' yelpy vocal thrown through some reverb in one of their most cohesive full-lengths to date. Similarly off-kilter, avant pop trio Islands are meant to be releasing A Sleep & A Forgetting on Valentine's Day this year.

Their piano-backed and experimental pop is due to turn more emotive this time round, with frontman Nick Thorburn switching into more of a soul seacher's mode. The Shins are back this year too after a five-year wait replete with solo projects, record contract terminations and line-up changes.

Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells, shot by Sam Hiscox

Born To Lose by Sleigh Bells

Finally, for all the music blog lovers out there, duos Sleigh Bells and Niki & The Dove (pictured top) should be launching long-players this year. There's no date set for more glacial and tribal pop from the Swedish couple, but Sleigh Bells' distorted noise-rock is back for another round as of February 21st when Reign Of Terror drops on Mom + Pop Records. Looks like it's going to be a strong start to the year for new music obsessives.

Which albums are you excited to hear this year? Let us know