2012 is shaping up to be an amazing year for music. Here are our album picks for the best music of 2012 so far.

GIVE YOU THE GHOST by Polica
One of my favorite bands of the moment, Polica's (pronounced POE-LEESA) sound has been described as mesmerizing, minimal, dreamy, psychedelic RNB. The Minneapolis-based band started as an experiment between vocalist Channy Leaneagh and Ryan Olson, the founder of indie superband, Gayngs. Channy Leaneagh manipulates her voice through the heavy use of auto-tune while Ryan Olson blends synth-driven tunes with a rhythm and blues vibe. For 2012, Polica is definitely one to watch out for.
The Filter Picks: "The Maker", "Lay Your Cards Out", "Happy Be Fine", "Wandering Star"

VISIONS by Grimes
I first got into Grimes when I got ahold of Darkbloom, her split album with d'Eon. I was instantly hooked. Visons, her third full-length album, catapulted her from relative obscurity to indie superstardom. She opened for Lykke Li in May 2011 and performed in SXSW last spring. Her sound is a blend of synth-pop with a lot digital rendering. Definitely one of my fave albums of the year. It will get you hooked for sure.
The Filter Picks: "Genesis", "Oblivion", "Visiting Statue", "Colour of Moonlight"

fIN by Joh Talabot
The debut album of one of Barcelona's more popular techno DJs is simply flawless. Blending different styles of techno, deep house, and indie-pop, fIN is catchy with a laidback vibe and a hugely distinctive sound. Appealing to both techno heads and psych and synth pop lovers, this album is a definite must-have. The last track, "So Will Be Now" feat. Pional makes it to my best track list of 2012.  With a first album this promising, expect to see more of John Talabot in the near future.
The Filter Picks: "Depak Ine", "Estiu", "When The Past Was Present", "So Will Be Now" feat. Pional

TRAMP by Sharon Van Etten
The third album of the Brooklyn-based singer songwriter debuted at No. 75 on Billboard's Top 200. The tracks are lush, emotional, and incredibly haunting and stunning in its honesty. With guest appearances by a slew of talented indie artists, such as Julianna Barwick and Beirut's Zach Condon, this album should be on your best album list. It sure made ours.
The Filter Picks: "Give Out", "Serpents", "All I Can", "Ask"

PORT OF MORROW by The Shins
Named after the Oregon port authority, Port of Morrow is The Shins' fourth studio album. After taking a five year hiatus from the indie pop band and releasing an album with Danger Mouse under the side project, Broken Bells, frontman James Mercer is finally back to his indie-rock, folk-pop roots. This album evokes the sound that most fans fell in love with, circa Oh, Inverted World. Suffused with catchy melodies and beautifully cryptic lyrics, this album definitely hits the spot.
The Filter Picks: "Simple Song", It's Only Life", "September", "For A Fool"