As we roll into the summer solstice and prepare to celebrate America’s Birthday, it’s important that we reflect on what musical treasures 2012 has  bestowed upon us in the six months of its existence.

The following is a compilation of tracks we’ve determined to be the cream of the crop from the year thus far. Keeping in mind they’re in no particular order, with exception to THE track of the half year, we hope you enjoy:

Track of the Half Year: Cherub | “Doses and Mimosas”

This notable track from Cherub’s latest release Mom & Dad is essentially impossible to resist. It is unabashedly poppy, yet this somehow makes the tune even more endearing. “Doses and Mimosas” is quintessentially a fun track, and like Cherub, the track does not pretend to be anything other than exactly what it is. The lyrics manage to attain a feeling of outrageousness while simultaneously remaining serious. Its sentiment of capturing the angst of a lover’s forlorn heart coupled with embracing the good times while turning to vices in order to move on, is all too familiar. ~T.Kittle

Gramatik | “Talkbox Intended”

Putting my feelings of this track into words is nearly impossible. Bass & Funk are like air and water to me and this track flexes both with authority, styled with a flavor only Gramatik can produce. ~S.Watson

Delta Spirit | “California”

“All of the feelings that I know you never felt / And all the simple words you never said / I want you to keep them like a secret to yourself / They’re not for me.” While the lyrics may drag you through the dirt, instrumentally, you’ll be flying high. ~A.Smith

Bobby Womack | “Please Forgive My Heart”

Talk about heartache! Bobby Womack’s sheer vocal delivery on this song is more than enough to make you realize this is a man who is on the verge of breaking down. Co-producers Damon Albarn and Richard Russel, may have done an excellent job laying down the musical foundation on this track but Womack is the real star here. With “Please Forgive My Heart”, Womack has introduced his unique blend of rhythm and soul to a whole new generation. ~B.Jones

Shearwater | “Dread Sovereign”

By far the grittiest track on Shearwater’s 2012 release Animal Joy, Jonathan Meiburg’s vocals will undoubtedly garner your full attention.  His voice seems to blend with the surrounding instrumentation, yet powerfully stand alone leaving any listener in a Rock & Roll daze. ~S.Watson

Schoolboy Q | “Hands on the Wheel”

The first great hip hop song of 2012. The hook may sound familiar, because it is. Schoolboy Q took the catchiest piece of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness”, and not only managed to make it into an entire track, but one that easily surpasses the original material. Something about this tune sounded like summer when it was released in February. Now approaching July, the notion of throwing caution to the wayside and embracing recklessness as embodied in the lyrics has only become more poignant. ~T.Kittle

Japandroids | “The House that Heaven Built”

No song released this year has rocked harder than this one. Perfectly capturing the raw youthful energy of those volatile teenage years, “The House That Heaven Built” is a defiant message to all past naysayers who have ever squashed and stomped on one’s future dreams.   Its quite a feat when a song so simple can carry so much weight. Japandroids aren’t winning any awards for technical complexity here but damn do they sure know how to rock. ~B.Jones

Tennis | “Origins”

Indie pop at its finest.  Infectious keys and vocals from Alaina Moore.  Laid back piano key verses, accompanied by an upbeat, guitar driven chorus that has you singing along after one listen. ~A.Smith

Dr. Dog | “How Long Must I Wait”

It’s very possible my affliction for this track stems from its impeccably infectious intro (high-five alliteration). Or it’s possible that I’m a victim of the age-old story of wanting what I cant have since this song failed to make an appearance in their Indianapolis show. Whatever it is, the West Grove, PA group certainly captured some magic with this one. ~S.Watson

Grimes | “Vowels = Space and Time”

One of the few blatantly sentimental tracks out of Grimes, she twists what could be an R&B jam into her weird and punchy tradition. The ambiguous gender identities she wails about only add to the entire ‘Visions’ essence and her persona as an artist. Creating eerie delights is clearly Grimes’ specialty. ~Sony