And to wrap up 2012, here’s a rundown of the top 20 albums and EPs that left an impression on me this year. Gonna keep this one short.

20. JAPONESQUE – Koda Kumi
Suggested tracks: “KO-SO-KO-SO,” “Interlude ~JAPONESQUE~”

19. BLOCKBUSTER – Block B
“Movie’s Over,” “Mental Breaker“

18. NEW BREED – Jay Park
“Know Your Name,” “Clap (feat. Tiger JK & Tasha)“

17. ALIVE – Big Bang
“Blue,” “Bad Boy“

16. ULALA SENSATION PART 1 – Ulala Session
“Urbanic (울랄라 Prologue),” “울랄라“

15. RED – Taylor Swift
“The Last Time,” “I Almost Do,” “Everything Has Changed“

14. MAMA – EXO
“너의 세상으로 (ANGEL),” “What is Love“

13. BUSKER BUSKER 1집 – Busker Busker
“첫사랑,” “외로움증폭장치,” “향수“

12. WONDER PARTY – Wonder Girls
“Girlfriend,” “Like This“

11. MIRYO AKA JOHONEY – Miryo
“DIRTY,” “사랑해 사랑해,” “Leggo“

10. TWINKLE – SNSD-TTS
“OMG,” “Library,” “Checkmate“

9. PRIMARY AND THE MESSENGERS – Primary
“멀어,” “LOVE“

8. PSY 6, PART ONE – Psy
“청개구리,” “77학개론“

7. IGNITION – B1A4
“This Time is Over,” “돌만 있으면“

6. SLIP AWAY – Nell
“Go,” “Standing in the Rain,” “Hopeless Valentine“

5. GRAVITY – Lecrae
“Mayday,” “Tell the World,” “Higher“

4. CHANNEL ORANGE – Frank Ocean
“Sierra Leone,” “Monks,” “Bad Religion“

3. BEAUTIFUL DAY – Urban Zakapa
“Beautiful Day,” “Let It Rain,” “Just the Two of Us“

2. ARE YOU HANDSOME? – Handsome People
“Shall We Dance,” “Hands Up People,” “I Wanna Be,”

1. BACK TO WONDERLAND – Khalil Fong
“I Want You Back,” “千紙鶴,” “BB88“

//

Honorable Mentions:

TIME AND PLACE – The Park: Parker is an amazing musician and she just released this album several weeks ago. Believe me when I say I’ve been waiting for this album for years. Putting aside the fact that I know the artist behind the mic, this album features some great work, and her lyrics are always stunning.
“You, Unknown,” “Make Me Wonder,” “Killer“

DESTINATION: BEAUTIFUL – Mae: I’ve been meaning to look into this band for quite some time but didn’t get the chance until this summer. They haven’t produced any new music since 2010 and Destination: Beautiful dates back to 2003, but I love this album nonetheless.
“This Time is the Last Time,” “Sun,” “Skyline Drive“

1000 YEARS, ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE – SHINee: I really, really loved both songs on this single; it’s probably my favorite thing SHINee has ever released. SHINee has been doing more and more “grown-up” material…which is a given considering that they’re, well, growing up, but it’s still kind of jarring every time I hear them adopt a newer, more mature sound. “1000 Years” to SHINee is what “Day Moon” is to DBSK, and I have equal affection for both.
“1000年、ずっとそばにいて…,” “君がいる世界“

FEVER’S END – Tablo: Even after a full year, this album still manages to open up old wounds every time I listen to it, only to heal them back up again in the most beautiful way imaginable. This is an album that I will likely cherish for the rest of my life.
“집,” “고마운 숨,” “유통기한“