In this list, created after lots and lots and lots of contemplation and relistening, I have tried to encompass tracks from throughout the year, from all genres. From Balam Acab to Kanye West, from Gold Panda to The Arcade Fire- I hope this list will be satisfactory for all persona.
It' s actually been very hard settling on who should make it, and if you're wondering why I'm starting at 60 - it's because 2010's music has reflected my tastes so much, and in so many different ways - I couldn't possibly leave some of these beauties out. I'll be posting the choons in chunks of five over the next couple of weeks.....have a listen!
60. New Young Pony Club - Chaos
First up... New Young Pony Club. At the end of last year, NYPC told fans 'The Optimist', the follow-up full-length to their infectious 2007 debut, was to be less 'pop', and instead rather 'sombre', which got us all worried. Fortunately, it turned out that they had, to some extent, lied - what we actually got was another very damn catchy and slick pop album - the highlight being robust lead single 'Chaos'.
59. 2.54 - Creeping
London's 2.54 create simple, awkward music. That little opener probably makes it sound pretty dire- but believe me, this is brrrrrrrrrrrilliant stuff. In 'Creeping' they fuse intricate, distorted riffs with macabre Warpaint-esque harmonies, all under severe lo-fi production, sounding like a British Vivian Girls, or summit of that ilk.
58. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Brooklyn's crit-adored alt-goths The National released 'High Violet', their fifth album, back in May to much acclaim and many sales (it charted at no. 5 - no mean feat for such a group in these tough times)- indeed it was, in some sense, a reward for the former esoteric band and their relentless touring and seemless creation of audacious album after album. Half a year ago now, the first taste of the new material we got was this. Obviously turning it up a notch production-wise, and at last showcasing their ability to write a bloody catchy tune, this is a heart-wrenching anthem whose epic nature will never cease to intrigue and bewilder. In fact, it's the kind of music you can imagine ITV nicking for the intro of a Champion's league game.
57. Twin Sister - All Around and Away We Go
Neo-psychedelic lovelies Twin Sister create music with a definite summer vibe.This tune is from an EP entitled 'Color Your Life', which was released right at the beginning of the year. With the echoed 'ah-ah's, the sensual coos from frontwoman Andrea and the prevalent, swirling synths, this is, from the outset, a tune that you can dance to, immerse yourself in entirely, and then be drawn to listen to it over and over again. Essentially, this is what you would get from a Yes-obsessed Bat for Lashes or Cat Power.
56. Beastie Boys - Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit)
Despite the fact we have to thank Beastie Boys, the original white rap boys, for the later unholy obliteration of popular music by way of influencing a whole host of 'nu-metal' turdwipes, they did indeed, in their time, write some of the best songs of their generation. This year, 'Sabotage', debatably the most superior of the lot, was re-worked by innovative UK remixer Alex Metric, who introduced some extra impounding crescendos and heavier funk guitars to bring it to life, 2010-style - and indeed it now sounds just as refreshing as it did twenty odd years ago.
