The new year is in full swing and January 2012 is coming to a close. After a bit of a dry spell for new albums, musicians are finally releasing the flood of 2012 LP releases. With new albums recently from artists as diverse as Chairlift, First Aid Kit, Craig Finn, and Nada Surf, it's already turning out to be a good year for new music. Here's a healthy collection of new releases from some old favorites as well as some new artists on the rise. Paul McCartney might have just written the "silly love songs," but there's no denying they were the best silly love songs.


Sharon Van Etten. Tramp -- 2/7

Paul McCartney. Kisses on the Bottom -- 2/7

Leonard Cohen. Old Ideas -- 1/31

Heartless Bastards. Arrow -- 2/14