We rate new music, and hopefully help you discover tunes you haven’t heard before. contact: HalfStarForEffort@gmail.com twitter: @HalfStar4Effort http://twitter.com/HalfStar4Effort facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HalfSt​arForEffort spotify: subscribe to our ‘Best of 2012’ playlist - http://open.spotify.com/user/1243243798/playlist/08mlX9B96SvfurW32FhaYPTumblr (3.0; @halfstarforeffort)http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c8854fac1216db964a76f02a52eec695/tumblr_mn1ygswY741qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>*Recommended*</p> <p><a href="http://www.daftpunk.com/" target="_blank">Daft Punk</a> - Random Access Memories</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/random-access-memories/id617154241" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/50825879664http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/50825879664Sun, 19 May 2013 11:46:04 -0400daft punkRAMrandom access memorieselectronic2013best new musicnile rodgersPharell Williamsgiorgio moroderjulian casablancastodd edwards<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4ec1af8a0c01f2d80bd0ecfce484f065/tumblr_mmt4ofwwfj1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fantasia" target="_blank">Fantasia</a> - Side Effects of You</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/side-effects-of-you/id615685399" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/4YN3itoBQC2RuOi0fk8sQt" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/50444728755http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/50444728755Tue, 14 May 2013 17:21:51 -0400fantasiaside effects of youKelly RowlandMissy Elliottbig k.r.i.t.tankr&b2013album<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/739d7e816729d67e45beacce828c2c1b/tumblr_mmhxps5TpG1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.lovaticsspeeduptime.com/" target="_blank">Demi Lovato</a> - Demi</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/demi/id624400060" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49953739349http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49953739349Wed, 08 May 2013 16:17:52 -0400demi lovatodemiheart attackpopdance2013new musicalbumhalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/839253dbb8964acdaf66945b1ff1bb06/tumblr_mmg775JLHP1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://mariahcarey.com/" target="_blank">Mariah Carey featuring Miguel</a> - “#Beautiful”</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-feat.-miguel-single/id644022237?ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49881868720http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49881868720Tue, 07 May 2013 17:47:29 -0400best new musicmariahmariah careymiguel2013beautifulsingler&b<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/c0a9b7688ee9b7acad897bf5ce7e6e16/tumblr_mme1tnvaY51qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>*Recommended*</p> <p><a href="http://www.bettywhothemovement.com/" target="_blank">Betty Who</a> - The Movement</p> <p>( <a href="http://www.bettywhothemovement.com/" target="_blank">download</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/artist/0t3QQl52F463sxGXb1ckhB" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49785834932http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49785834932Mon, 06 May 2013 13:56:11 -0400betty whothe movementfree musicspotifypopdancebest new music2013half star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a0c753e36728dd511d5b4c5239fb6861/tumblr_mmcn1puTdU1qf0xfxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Various Artists - The Great Gatsby (2013 soundtrack)</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-gatsby-music-from-baz/id635515681" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49729318219http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49729318219Sun, 05 May 2013 19:39:25 -0400great gatsbyjay zjay-zbeyonceandre 3000gotyelana del reyjack whiteWill.i.amfergiebryan ferryAmy Winehousecoco o.kanye westfrank oceanthe-dreamsiathe xxneroflorence + the machinesbtrkt<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4e04c9779adfd19e0091a70c5d9c8ecb/tumblr_mmc38z8sBS1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://classixx.la/" target="_blank">Classixx</a> - Hanging Gardens</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hanging-gardens/id628570503" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49695455027http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49695455027Sun, 05 May 2013 12:31:47 -0400classixxhanging gardenshouseelectornicnancy whangactive childsarah chernoffjeppejunior seniorjessie kivel2013albumnew musichalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/d9c3b0e37e097cbc0342e1b0221d19d5/tumblr_mm96etYuRz1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.small-black.com/" target="_blank">Small Black</a> - Limits of Desire</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/limits-of-desire/id615837313" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/artist/1J6xqDysFw6YiQ0vMvIKds" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49561439574http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49561439574Fri, 03 May 2013 22:47:17 -0400small blacklimits of desire2013new musicjagjaguarindiealbummusichalf star for effort<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/a0fe5bd514ded4b6270d04a275208f83/tumblr_mm570wfbH41qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>*Recommended* </p> <p><a href="http://www.thebesnardlakes.com/" target="_blank">The Besnard Lakes</a> - Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/until-in-excess-imperceptible/id601481655" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1DX3QwNyQ1X3fEKkDoU0RP" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49393253440http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49393253440Wed, 01 May 2013 19:10:08 -0400the besnard lakesbesnard lakesbest new music2013albumindiedronespotifyhalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b6ff6d56e375f26471d792af2a918f0a/tumblr_mm1oqt1geo1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.cassiesuper.com/" target="_blank">Cassie</a> - RockaByebaby mixtape</p> <p>( <a href="http://www.sharebeast.com/mzeysvgahqty" target="_blank">download</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49225421831http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49225421831Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:42:29 -0400cassierockabyebabywiz khalifapusha tfrench montanaRick Rossmayback musicjeremihfabolousmeek millToo ShortEster Deanmixtape2013r&bhip hop<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2f80115bcb4092bd68462d8cb7607134/tumblr_mlxmc8ZwMK1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/junipmusic" target="_blank">Junip</a> - Junip</p> <p>( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Junip/dp/B00BQ1DATU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367096331&sr=8-1&keywords=junip" target="_blank">amazon</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/3fRHmRskFx8pTR5E6HnRY9" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49034861951http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/49034861951Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:00:08 -0400junip2013jose gonzalesindiealbumhalf star for effort<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/96c2f376979d277aaa73cf6682f82d59/tumblr_mlv4jpjXWl1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Dan Deacon - Konono Ripoff No. 1 EP</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/konono-ripoff-n-1-ep/id638432137" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0UGxjU9VFn6sCUS9uLkzQq" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48925487977http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48925487977Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:40:00 -0400Dan deaconkononoepelectronicindie2013new musichalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1cde259cbb71d4b73c1b8a96667d9c8f/tumblr_mlv3snF7kd1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bathsmusic" target="_blank">Baths</a> - Obsidian</p> <p>( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Obsidian-Baths/dp/B00BZV1750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366979000&sr=8-1&keywords=baths+obsidian" target="_blank">amazon</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48924898848http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48924898848Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:24:23 -0400bathsobsidianelectronicglitchy2013half star for effortalbumnew music<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4b8bf711377a13598979b8263c896f29/tumblr_mlsibtUhHb1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.kristiniadebarge.com/" target="_blank">Kristinia DeBarge</a> - Young & Restless</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48825668572http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48825668572Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:45:29 -0400kristinia debargeyoung & restlesspop2013albumhalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f3fda373021e81889401732dc95d9f91/tumblr_mlrirnsLQM1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lanadelrey?fref=ts" target="_blank">Lana Del Rey</a> - “Young and Beautiful”</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-gatsby-music-from-baz/id635441020" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1D92WOHWUI2AGQCCdplcXL" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48773327723http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48773327723Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:57:23 -0400lana del reygreat gatsbythe great gatsbyyoung and beautifulsingle2013soundtrack<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/5bd6aa80c3a5fe382cbc293997171d0c/tumblr_mlmyqbkVUV1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/comalounge" target="_blank">COMA</a> - “My Orbit” EP</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-orbit-single/id623993755" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48584173116http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48584173116Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:54:11 -0400comamy orbitelectronictechno2013epremixesdauwdcloudshalf star for effort<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4712a67a6bce6c5eb6e0bbedde537955/tumblr_mlmv70OLeN1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://brian-eno.net/lux/" target="_blank">Brian Eno</a> b/w <a href="http://grizzly-bear.net/" target="_blank">Grizzly Bear</a> - <a href="http://grizzly-bear.net/music/eps/brian-eno-x-nicolas-jaar-x-grizzly-bear/" target="_blank">“Lux” / “Sleeping Ute” (Nicolas Jaar Remixes)</a></p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48577563604http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48577563604Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:37:00 -0400brian enoGrizzly BearNicolas Jaarluxsleeping uteremixesambientindie2013record store day<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0350429b317e222b15da0666f6e5d7c5/tumblr_mlkc5sps1r1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>*Recommended* </p> <p><a href="http://ghostly.com/artists/beacon" target="_blank">Beacon</a> - The Ways We Separate</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-ways-we-separate/id625207729" target="_blank">itunes</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48448407797http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48448407797Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:51:28 -0400ghostlybeaconthe ways we separatebest new musicr&belectronicdowntempo2013albumhalf star for effort<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/57d794dc333a17d1b9da22517221018a/tumblr_mli5z39uFw1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.daftpunk.com/" target="_blank">Daft Punk</a> - “Get Lucky” (Radio Edit)</p> <p>( <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/get-lucky-radio-edit-feat./id636967993" target="_blank">itunes</a> / <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2ePFIvZKMe8zefATp9ofFA" target="_blank">spotify</a> )</p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48352465340http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48352465340Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:42:39 -0400daft punkget lucky2013pharrellnile rodgersdancerandom access memoriesnew musicsingleelectronic<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1e6775a6e9cd015bd6ae52c04165a9ad/tumblr_mlfjltYH8x1qf0xfxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.wearephoenix.com/" target="_blank">Phoenix</a> - <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bankrupt!/id602308131" target="_blank">Bankrupt!</a></p>http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48250300020http://halfstarforeffort.tumblr.com/post/48250300020Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:44:17 -0400phoenixbankrupt2013albummusicindierockpopfrenchhalf star for effort