50. Emil And Friends - Short Order Cooks
This electro pop group out of Massachusetts creates electro pop that is dreamy as it is bumping, use distorted melodies, funky beats .....essentially causing an overall happy feeling. Stoked for a debut album.
Download: Emil And Friends - Short Order Cooks
49. CocoRosie - Lemonade
Sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady are known for experimenting with different genres, on Grey Oceans standout "Lemonade" they craft a ballad that is endearing as it is sinister, one moment beckoning you in, the other calling you out. Beautiful tune, wicked electronica meets piano chords backdrop, but their contrasting vocals are really what makes it on this one.
48. Tanlines - Real Life
Tanlines released their first EP this year, Settings, that merged tropical with jungle backed with an electro pop twist. "Real Life" is the fan favourite, a club banger that's meant to be enjoyed on the beach.
47. Beach House - Silver Soul
2010 was a big year for Beach House. With their third album, Teen Dream, they appealed to a much broader audience and were well received for their melodically induced dream pop. With songs like "Silver Soul" they were bound to have crafted one of the most marvellous records of the year, particularly due to Victoria Legrand's poignant vocals.
46. Matthew Dear - Slowdance
Matthew Dear makes that peculiar brand of electronic music, the one that makes you want to dance, but you can't, merging the sounds of Bowie and Joy Division with his marque of progressive synth pop. "Slowdance" is the most upbeat on the dark opus that is Black City, a stellar composition by a very talented producer.
45. Here We Go Magic - Casual
Here We Go Magic are at first a hard band to get into, quite psychedelic, but also have a knack for creating layers upon layers of distorted melodies. On "Casual," appearing on their second LP in two years, Luke Temple's melancholic singing backed with relentless drumming and guitar strings, keyboards and psychedelia....... it's quite a treat.
44. Gucci Mane - Lemonade
Despite how many of you out there hate Gucci Mane, you can't resist the fact that "Lemonade" was one of the grimiest, funnest rap anthems of the summer. Backed with piano chords and Southern swagga, and ample references to "lemon," "Lemonade" is assuredly his finest work to date.
43. Diamond Rings - Wait And See
Toronto native and awesomely flamboyant John O'Regan has a baritone falsetto as distinct as Matt Berninger. Under the moniker Diamond Rings, he's created a sincere and provocative record with his debut, Special Affections. "Wait And See" seems to be the most compelling but all of them eventually grow on you.
42. Booka Shade - Teenage Spaceman
German DJs Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger have seemingly perfected their craft on More!, particularly due to songs as bumping as "Teenage Spaceman." The track is made for the dancefloor but still gradually builds throughout, becoming louder and as hands in the air flaying as possible. Pleasure to see these guys live, big tune.
41. Sufjan Stevens - I Walked
Who wasn't excited to hear new music from renown Indie King Sufjan Stevens? With a record as exploratory as The Age Of Adz, Sufjan creates like a conductor with a baton, steering electronic synth pop with full orchestras and drumkits. "I Walked" is one of his most beautiful ballads, an inner, poignant tale from one of the most prolific American storytellers of our time.
40. Girls - Substance
It seems whatever Christoper Owens hasn't got over whatever he was singing about on last year's marvellous Album; on Broken Dreams Club his voice is just as aching, his tales just as depressing, but the music more forward and polished than before. "Substance" is another song of his losses, one that amplifies the drug discourse, but also reminds you of how painfully human he is.
39. Twista - The Heat feat. Raekwon
"The Heat" is one of the dirtiest tunes of the year, Twista's rhymes are as ferocious as possible, sounding more mature and collected than ever before. Sickest line is "Write an autograph for you as if you were a fan of mine/Cause i got you tripping off of the way my Grandma rhyme." Raekwon makes a dope appearance as well, adding some serious Wu-Tang credibility on the beat.
38. The Roots - Right On feat. Joanna Newsom and STS
Now this is seriously a match made in Heaven. Joanna Newsom's beautifully distinct voice backed with instrumentals from The Roots??? Nuff Said.
37. Best Coast - Crazy For You
Bethany Cosentino has gained a name for herself in 2010, known by everyone as an avid pot smoker, poor in relationships, and with her cohorts in Best Coast creating some of the most likeable surf pop California has to offer. "Crazy For You" sums it up pretty well: "And even though you are my guy/I always freak when I get high/I'm always crazy when I miss you/I'm always lazy when I miss you."
36. Drake - Up All Night feat Nicki Minaj
On "Up All Night" Toronto native Drake raps in his signatory style on a beat fronted by Boi-1da (also from Toronto). After hearing Nicki Minaj's verse, it becomes clear that it's a shame she even sings at all. With the addition of Kanye'w "Monster," Nicki has earned the merits of a respectable rapper. On "Up All Night," with phrases like "Which bitch you know made a million on a mixtape?" and "Fuck I look like ho? I look like yes and you look like no" she's as nasty as Lil Kim or Missy Elliot back in the day.
35. MGMT - Congratulation
On Congratulations, MGMT made music they wanted to make, rather than making a sequel to 2008's highly successful Oracular Spectacular. With "Congratulation" the use of steel drums and acoustic guitars, backed with Andrew VanWyngarden's nonchalant vocalization, is as equally likeable. With Congratulations, they make an album attributed to their influences, building on psychedelic tunes like "The Handshake." I think it was a wise decision, and the result is blatant on "Congratulation."
34. Big Boi - Shine Blockas feat. Gucci Mane
On the long awaited release of Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, it's true what all the reviewers say: this record could have dropped thirty years from now or five years ago, it's truly too much in a genre of its own to know. "Shine Blockas" is the most enjoyable of the lot, and an exemplary indication of the album's funky and oldschool influences.
33. Panda Bear - Last Night At The Jetty
As always, Noah Lennox offers a beautiful marriage of his own vocals backed with some weird but highly addictive background. With this year's release of four separate 7"s on four separate labels, in anticipation for next year's Tomboy LP, Lennox has fashioned some hard hitting beats with songs like "Slow Motion" and "Last Night At The Jetty." The latter is the most haunting and exhilarating.
32. Kid Cudi - GHOST!
On the dark and disturbed Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr Rager, Scott Mescudi a.k.a. Kid Cudi provides an account of the drug abuse, the celebrityhood, the media portrayal. "GHOST!" is an uplifting and evocative story from Cudi's life; musically, his classic crooning and the
31. Woods - Suffering Season
Woods create that singular brand of psychedelic folk rock that sounds like Neil Young's forgotten bedroom lo-fi project. "Suffering Season," off this year's Echo Lake, is an endearing ballad, one that grows on you fast.
30. Deerhunter - He Would Have Laughed
"He Would Have Laughed" is to 2010 what Grizzly Bear's "While You Wait For The Others" was to last year: a monumental, layered masterpiece that grows in beauty and texture. Deerhunter's poignant collection of heartfelt stories on Halcyon Digest are moving to say the least, this tribute to the late Jay Reatard is no exception. Bradford Cox sounds especially sincere during the climactic surge near the end. Riveting.
29. Apples In Stereo - Dance Floor
Fun indie pop ensemble Apples In Stereo returned this year with a sci-fi themed adventure in Travellers In Space And Time that is sure to intrigue any fan. "Dance Floor" is assuredly the most enjoyable, one of the brightest pop gems of the year, and the video happens to feature Elijah Wood.
28. Gold Panda - Same Dream China
East London producer Gold Panda has garnered quite the following since he first came out with "Quitter's Raga" last year; with Lucky Shiner, he fashions nostalgia with a fancy beatmaking machine, using only recycled samples influenced by exotic cultures. On "Same Dream China" there are all sorts of South Asian sounds apparent, fused with a dance infectious backdrop. Best new DJ of the year.
27. No Age - Glitter
With their second proper LP, this year's Everything In Between, L.A. noise pop punks No Age have created the most appealing brand of pop, hidden underneath layers upon layers of noise and distortion. "Glitter" could be radio gold, but the spunky duo remain raw and noble to their roots, kudos.
26. James Blake - CMYK
James Blake was the talk of the town this year. Releasing three separate EP's that all sounded more or less nothing alike, Blake displayed his multi-talented abilities as a producer. On "CMYK" Blake uses r&b samples in a dreamy, synth riddled affair.
25. Aeroplane - We Can't Fly
Aeroplane had a successful year before the duo of Belgian DJs split up (Vito De Luca will continue using the moniker solo). "We Can't Fly" is a declaration to their promise, though the rest of their debut LP was nowhere as splendid. Merging disco, tropical, and funk, "We Can't Fly" displays some of the finest electro pop we've heard this year.
24. Local Natives - Eyes Wide (Fool's Gold Remix)
This is the dopest remix of the year. Done by Fool's Gold very own Lewis Pesacov, and featuring some unorthodox rhymes from unknown slinger Aristotle Pop A Bottle, "Eyes Wide" uses all of the gorgeous melodies from the original and elaborates with this bass explosive, Southern swagga filled beat. Local Natives have never sounded this loud. Stellar.
23. The Radio Dept. - Heaven's On Fire
Dream pop/shoegaze aficionados The Radio Dept are the most underrated Swedish pop group in existence. With their third album (Clinging To A Scheme) in eight years, the group has redefined their sound; with "Heaven's On Fire" they craft a radio friendly synth pop gem that is also socially conscious.
22. Yeasayer - ONE
Though Odd Blood didn't turn out to be one of the finer records 2010 had to offer, "ONE" was undoubtedly set to be one of the year's best songs. With a contagious dance friendly melody and using African and psychedelic influences similar to their first record, the New York outfit created an unlikely pop gem with "ONE," and the video is equally badass.
21. Tame Impala - Solitude Is Bliss
"Solitude Is Bliss" captures your interest from the very start: trippy guitar riffs, mad drum patterns and Kevin Parker's hazy vocals. The Australian trio creates a vintage brand of psych rock that is familiar and pleasant to the ears on Innerspeaker, and "Solitude Is Bliss" captures that in its entirety.
20. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
New York trio The National are known to make a more mature, more reserved marque of music. On High Violet, perhaps their best record to date, they write poignant love ballads and extend a large instrumental grandeur; merged with Matt Berninger's skillfull baritone, it's one heck of a masterpiece. Every track is beautiful, but "Bloodbuzz Ohio" seems to be the standout.
19. Das Racist - Rappin 2 U
Das Racist have emerged as the South Park of the rap world this year, creating music that is funny and enjoyable while still instilling an unmistakable message of social commentary. With the release of two dope mixtapes, the trio have already worked with acts Boi-1da, Chairlift, Keepaway and El-P. On "Rappin 2 U," producer by Sha-Leik The Engineer samples a beat from an Anime soundtrack that is fucken awesome. Check these guys out, for real.
18. Chiddy Bang - Opposite Of Adults
For a duo that haven't even dropped a proper LP yet, they've created quite the media frenzy. Sampling beats from indie acts like Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit, Hot Chip, honestly the list goes on and on, Chidera Anamege and Noah Beresin a.k.a Xaphoon Jones are paving the way for a new era in hip hop. They have a knack for creating synth pop, dance friendly beats that are grimy and fun, "Opposite Of Adults," (found on The Swelly Express and The Preview EP) sampling MGMT's "Kids," is a clear affirmation of that.
17. Twin Shadow - At My Heels
Once you listen to Twin Shadow's debut, Forget, it'll be on replay on your ipod for days. New Yorker George Lewis Jr. uses disco, dream pop and strong doses of new wave to create a startlingly impressive debut record. "At My Heels" is riveting, upbeat .....some seriously moving shit.....you'll be singing along before you know it.
16. Dom - Living In America
On "Living In America," Massachusetts synth pop/rock trio Dom sing about the pleasures and pains of American society, mentioning babes on the beach and bums in the city. It's a provocative track that stands out due to its political connotations but also its synth boisterous backdrop and distorted effects. Explosive tune.
15. Robyn - Dancing On My Own
It was a big year for Swedish pop diva Robyn, who returned to the radio forum since she rocked the charts with 1995's "Show Me Love." Though the songstress has been creating her distinctive electro/rap through her own label, Konichiwa Records, this year's Body Talk series kept her in the spotlight the entire year. Since "Dancing On My Own" dropped in April it was an international sensation, garnering the respect Robyn so justly deserves. Like all of Robyn's tunes, it showcases her unconditional swagger and respect for herself.
14. Surfer Blood - Swim
"Swim" is huge, monumental really. Florida rockers Surfer Blood's fan base exploded when the track was released in anticipation for this year's Astro Coast, showing off the band's formidable knack for loud aggressive rock backed with subtle, soft melodies. The various influences present are obvious, and it's even better live.
13. Caribou - Odessa
Canadian mathematician/composer Dan Snaith explores the outer waters of progressive electronica with his most recent LP, this year's Swim. The prolific songwriter maintains his experimental motif but fused with electronics and synths; on "Odessa" he creates a mind boggling world of sinister beats that is ripe for the dancefloor.
12. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
"Sprawl II" is truly an Arcade Fire song that is unlike any other, truly Regine Chassagne's vocal masterpiece. Set on a compelling disco frenzied backdrop with lyrics pertaining to the confines of suburban life that is this year's The Suburbs, "Sprawl II" shows the Montreal ensemble at its most innovative, and most electronically influenced.
11. Harlem - Someday Soon
Hailing from Austin, Matador Records' very own Harlem dropped a very impressive sophomore effort with this year's Hippies. The entire album is bad ass, full of rowdy balls to the wall drumming and rapid guitar riffs but also some soulful ballads, kinda reminds you of Kings Of Leon back in the good old days. "Someday Soon" is an indie pop gem, cherish it.
10. Sufjan Stevens - Impossible Soul
Only Indie King Sufjan Stevens composes a 25 minute long opus as a closer to his most original recording to date, and performs it live. On the multi-layered "Impossible Soul" Sufjan's poignant vocals recall a sincere tale of his own personal transgressions. He sings in heavy auto-tune, plays with noisy guitar solos, enlists full Sufjan choirs, and keeps you enthralled for the entire electronic opus that is "Impossible Soul."
9. Beach House - Walk In A Park
On "Walk In A Park," Beach House perfect the art of dream pop, creating an ethereal, climactic ballad that surges and embraces you. Victoria Legrand is absolutely perfect.
8. Tennis - South Carolina
Tennis is a delightful married couple out of Denver that create fifties like doo-wop with vintage keyboards and hints of lo-fi. The duo wrote the songs on Baltimore EP and the South Carolina 7" after buying a sailboat and travelling across the States without any prior experience. "South Carolina" is a wonderful representation of Alaina Moore's affectionate vocals, be on the lookout for their debut early 2011.
7. Kanye West - So Appalled feat. Cyhi The Prince, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beats, The RZA
2010 will undoubtedly go down as the year of Kanye. The amount of music he came out with (most of which was released for free) was mostly associated with the preservation of hip hop; rather than making r&b jams and short radio-friend pop songs, Kanye spent the year crafting lengthy rap tunes that focused on the lyrics more than anything else. "So Appalled" is a grimy lyrical masterpiece, showcasing stellar verses and sick lyrics from every rapper involved.
6. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round N Round
Freak Folk and avant-garde hero Ariel Pink stepped into the studio with his Haunted Graffiti band for the first time in his career, the result being the critically acclaimed Before Today. On "Round N Round" the hints of lo-fi and nostalgia are still heavily apparent, the 60s psychedelic and soul influences are quite palpable as well. It really feels more from that era than ours, which what makes it so authentic, and so unique.
5. Ducktails - Art Vandelay
In the end, "Art Vandelay" was one of my most beloved songs of the year, the one that always found its way into my head, the song I always ended up singing when I was plastered. Written and sang by Real Estate's Matt Mondanile, under the moniker Ducktails, "Art Vandelay" is a wonderful acoustic jam, plain and simple. The Seinfeld reference is obviously awesome. Real Estate did their own version, available at Daytrotter, but it's just not as raw, not as fuzzy and unpolished.
4. Deerhunter - Helicopter
Bradford Cox's poignant "Helicopter" is based on Dennis Cooper's story of a Russian teenage male who becomes a prostitute and eventually dies by being thrown from a helicopter. It is probably the most touching among the other personal recounts available on Halcyon Digest, musically it's dreamy spaciness and Cox's frail falsetto makes it truly remarkable.
3. LCD Soundsystem - All I Want
James Murphy claimed that his esteemed project LCD Soundsystem was done after he released this year's This Is Happening. Here, he perfects the art of dance music meets punk, a one man show that meticulously plans every sound, every ominous beat, every lyric. On "All I Want" Murphy's heartfelt vocals: "All i want is your pain, all I want are your pities" moves quietly in conjunction with the loud percussion and electronic explorations. Truly a riveting masterpiece by one of the decade's finer electronic composers.
2. The Morning Benders - Excuses
"Excuses" is worthy of comparisons to The Beach Boys, a certain 50s doo-wop meets 60s surf rock tinged with indie folk pop. It's easily the standout from this year's Big Echo, due to frankly to its instrumental grandeur and a riveting build-up that includes some uplifting verses from frontman Chris Chu.
1. Wild Nothing - Live In Dreams
2010 was a big year for dream pop and an even bigger year for 80s throwbacks, several artists shaping nostalgia with help from their beloved musical influences. With Gemini, singer/songwriter Jack Tatum has shaped a beautiful record, his first under the moniker Wild Nothing, recapturing the 80s, an ode to emotionally precarious musicians from that era. Opener "Live In Dreams" encapsulates it perfectly: hazy guitar pop melodies, a dreamy ambience that forms so delicately and Tatum's provocative lyrics: "Our lips won't last forever, that's exactly why, Id' rather live in dreams, and I'd rather die."
