Coolest New Artists and Bands of 2012

The coolest new artists and bands of 2012 include those rock, indie rock, country, hip hop and rap musicians who, for whatever reason, made a huge impression of music lovers across the globe. Whether it was a super hot debut album, a live performance at a major music festival or an appearance on a national TV show, each band or artist on this list had a massively successful year. Which artists/bands are the coolest? That's for you to decide with your votes.

Not everyone on this list was actually new in 2012, but each person listed did wind up breaking through in some way. Frank Ocean, for example, actually started out writing for other artists, before releasing his own critically acclaimed album, 'Channel Orange,' in 2012. Father John Misty has actually been recording for many years (with indie rock bands like Fleet Foxes). Austin guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. has long been a local favorite, but he emerged on a national scale with his first big studio album, 'Blak and Blu,' in October of 2012. Indie pop band fun. released it's breakthrough album, 'Some Nights,' in 2011, but the first single, "We Are Young," hit the Billboard 100 number one spot in March of 2012.

Do you know of a cool new 2012 artist and/or band that isn't listed here? By all means, add them. Music lovers everywhere will thank you. And be sure to check out these lists of the best live bands of 2012, the best albums of 2012, the best indie rock albums of 2012 and the best music videos of 2012.