This is list is to collate my favourite songs released this year that I just love dearly. It probably seems abit imbalanced, it probably is, I’m doing it in a spur of the moment feeling and am basically compiling the list on gut instinct more than anything. (I’m not including any Girl Talk tracks in this list as basically the album is one continuous stream to be perfectly honest.)
The tracks don’t really correspond wholly with my Album of the Year selections but then again, that is judging an album on a whole basis. SO these tracks are judged individually.
25. Kanye West – Heartless
easily the best song of Kanye’s this year, it is just a brilliant song, ok for his diehard fans the vocoder use takes alot of getting used to, but this song is a triumph I believe. The back beat, the lyrics, the echos, just all of the musical elements with the stellar production makes this song. Don’t knock Mr West just for his change in direction, as someone once said, Innovation is key.
24. Lil Wayne – Mrs Officer
Last Year I knew not who Lil Wayne was, nor was that keen on rap, but my taste has changed alot, this is just a song that struck out at me, yeah it’s crude beyond good measure, but who could complain? Wayne fully utilises the talents of guest Bobby Valentino to craft this song a dual hip hop and r’n'b edge which just works magnificently to boost its mass appeal.
23. Ladyhawke – My Delirium
Ladyhawke isn’t exactly the best musician ever, but she can sure craft some intelligent, outstanding, indie electro-pop. With some great, catchy lyrics, and an little pinch of cynicism, Pip Brown’s pop outfit is at the forefront of the genre, I though Paris Is Burning was good, imagine when I listened to the album to hear this belter.
22. Razorlight – Wire to Wire
I hate Johnny Borrel, on a personal level, of course, but I just can’t liking the music he and bandmates produce. This song is actually fantastic, the slow burning intro and pretty much repeat of the same lyrics make for a good pop song and also produce convincing results that Borrel and co know their way around writing music. Listen and become a believer…
21. Late of the Pier – Space And The Woods
Late of the Pier are fantastical, this song I think sums them up perfectly, the opening beat is just so intense, the lyrics reflect this too, “Suicide is in my blood/it always was” weird or what? But its such a good song that deserves airplay, hey I wouldnt be surprised if they went on to become a bigger band than that most easy of comparisons, Klaxons. As the singer suggests, this is shit hot.
20. Liam Finn – Lead Baloon
Ive only heard this song of Liam Finn’s which is a shame, I still havent got round to getting hold of the album proper. But meanwhile, whet your own Finn appettite with this masterpiece of a hangover song. The music is like a combination of the Dandy Warhols and the Vines and that could only happen in the most auspicious of imaginations. Liam Finn pulls it off amazingly
19. Last Shadow Puppets – Age of the Understatement
who knew this old school colaboratin would work so well? or be so popular, the chemistry is amazing, the voices weave in and out of each other. While Arctic Monkeys still go strong, this easily betters the output of Miles Kane’s regular band The Rascals, their debut single is admittedly unbettered on a solid album and this song totally expresses the amazing working relationship between these two musicians.
18. Lightspeed Champion – Tell Me What It’s Worth
Dev Hynes is probably a guy I’d call a hero, he bears his heart fully in his lyrics, writes about his life in his blog and just reeks of coolness, this song is my personal favourite from his debut, a sweeping beauty of a tune. It deserves acknowledgement this year as just a brilliant song.
17. Cut Copy – Far Away
Ironically, can relate to the story there in the song…anyway, its a brilliant song from these Aussies and it’s electronical sound do really sound amazing. The vocal harmonies too have a nice setup and this song flows and ebbs (or is that the other way round?) brilliantly that I instantly fell in love with it upon first love. Now I even have their album.
16. TV On The Radio – Crying
Heard this very recently, TV on the Radio were alien to me, before I heard their latest album, Dear Science which I will go ahead and say is pretty awesome. This song however struck out on first listen. It’s simplay amazinggggg. It’s funky beat, electricnesss and high pitched singing fuses brilliantly. Oh, my, my, my this is such a winner.
15. Kings of Leon – Closer
The opener from Only By The Night is undoubtedly the best song on the album. Underwhelmingly slow for an opener, it does kick in, honest! It’s the stark difference from their usual fare that makes this song so special and to me stand out above the rest, Caleb’s vocals here are pretty strong here too and incredibly distinctive
14. We Are Scientists – Let’s See It
Easily the best song on the Scientists new album, it opens magnificently, with an opening hook undescribable through written word, the lyrics too are easily relatable for some reason, the guitar work stellar and production overall crafting a spectacular song. This song is probably now my favourite of theirs, even including their fantastic last album, with love and squalor which had some pretty damn amazing songs.
13. Keane – Spiralling
as i wrote this year, keane only get better and better per album. yeah its still samey, but at the end of the day this music had mass appeal and a sense of quality to it. Whatever you say will not disuade me from my love of this band, you need to hear this song and their latest album if you have not already
12. White Lies – Death
what a brilliant single from this band who probably will go on to do very well next year with the release of their debut album. Death is one of those songs with a great chorus and undefiable catchyness, anyone could be drawn in by this, it’s just fantastic. The memorable “fear” line is one of the best piece of lyrics all year.
11. White Denim – Sitting
White Denim are pretty diverse in their songs, Sitting proves it when stood for comparison to tunes like Shake Shake Shake. But this slow burning track is fantastic, it’s little piano ditty and amazing upbeat attitude is something that differentiates it self and extenuates the song fantastically, it builds itself up greatly, and does not let the listener down in my opinion
10. Foals – Red Socks Pugie
Foals made a good album and I saw fit that this album highlight be included, it is one of their slower songs though it also benefits from this tight, tense beat that reverberates around the song in conjunction with Yannis’ floaty singing. It proves itself, the “ah hell no” chorus builds and crescendos with the drums, couple with the repitition of the drum/guitar angles makes for one hell of a song
9. Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor
What more do I need to say about Hot Chip? all around amazing band who prove again they are masters at what they do. This songs is catchy, upbeat, has baffling, homoerotic lyrics and just is brilliant, if you ask me. Vocalist Alexis here just delievers a great performance, his voice just sounds fantastic.
8. Vampire Weekend – I Stand Corrected
Vampire Weekend provided an album full of amazing songs, it was hard to choose one, but I chose this because it just is well, great. The steady speed of the song and voice of Ezra work brilliantly, their uniqueity present throughout the album shines through here, youd be a fool not to have heard this album.
7. Laura Marling – Cross Your Fingers
If she let me, I’d marry Laura Marling, no I’m no stalker. Just a great admirer of her and her work. She is fantastic at writing and performing music, her songs resonate with both maturity and elegance but also there is the lovelyness about her and this song which is untypically a little quicker and up-tempo just proves her brilliance time and time again.
6. Meursault – The Furnace
I love Meursault and particularly the Furnace, this song as I have written makes me pretty much swoon in delight upon listening, their something so original about their “folktronica” or “electro-folk” sound that amazes and baffles me, especially their brilliant use of the banjo. I heartily recomend their debut album Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues
5. Dan Black – Yours
Dan Black, he captivated me upon first hearing, which was his amazing acoustic performance on C4’s Freshly Squeezed, I haven’t found video or audio of that but those who also saw it will admitt its greatness. The song itself is just as fantastic, his use of sample as a backbeat adds and air of originality to his indie-pop ditties, enjoy the video above.
4. Lykke Li – Dance Dance Dance
My favourite of the great Lykke Li album, Youth Novels, its just so lovely. So cute, in a sense but more so beautiful. The elegant voice of Lykke works wonders and captivates me and I’m sure everyother listener. I can’t see how you couldn’t like this, it’s a fantastic song that is utterly charming both in voice and lyrics.
3. Bon Iver – Skinny Love
I feel in love with this Bon Iver song too, a fantastic tune that grabs your attention and wont let go, sure its depressing but it also comes across resilient, this tale of woe is couple by the desire to carry on, the simplistic acoustic stylings don’t sully the effort, more so exemplify it and add to the song. I truly believe that if this song does not affect you, you have no soul.
2. Bloc Party – Halo
I couldn’t not put Bloc Party near the top, and this song in particular with its bombastic opening and sweeping drumming that show off Matt Tong’s talent. Kele’s vocals cut in and with the very complementry guitar/bass efforts build an amazing tune, that is easily the crowning achievement of “Intimacy”.
1. Noah And The Whale – Shape of My Heart
I’ve put this at number 1 for one simple reason, it’s ability to be listened to over and over and over again. Yeah, I just love this song, I could never hate it because it just is soooo, good for lack of a better word. This song has caused me to neglect most of the rest of the Noah and the Whale album because it’s so damn great. It has a charming acoustic quality to it, the opening ukulele is also greatly appreciated.
So there you have it, I hope you’ve enjoyed my little analysis and also can agree on some points, my taste is still quite overtly pop-orientated with the likes of Kanye, Lil Wayne and Ladyhawke but then again pop music can be amazing. A couple are available for download, so enjoy them.
