As in every previous year, I discovered many new bands in various genes; I had my regular "seasonal" inclination to a certain musical style (such as a period of excessive listening to either metal, electronic, classical etc).
However I did have some trends this year:
1. psych/stoner/sludge
2. ambient
3. trip-hop/jazz/electronic
1. For some reason, since late in 2009 and well throughout 2010 (and still now), I've become infatuated with wanting to listen to psychedelic based music, from all kinds and styles, be it ambient, stoner or sludge; rock/metal or electronic based. I've discovered many more bands in these veins this past year and it's a wonderful and continuing trip. A highlight of this would be Samsara Blues Experiment. In any case, I can't seem to get enough of this sound. Just last night I had a ball listening to Spiritual Beggars followed by Mose Giganticus.
2. In the same way as with psych, I had an infatuation with ambient sounds. Here too I discovered so many acts that maneuver and manipulate sounds to create textures, that I started to lose myself in this abundance. Highlights would be Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and their alter ego Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation.
3. In the last few months I started to actively look for bands that mingle jazz elements with trip hop and electronics. One such magnificent finding was Hidden Orchestra and a fellow over at Prog Ears just introduced me to Red Snapper. So this trip is pretty much just starting.
Aside from that I had my usual looking for new bands in prog-rock, electronic, metal and jazz with some very cool findings.