As should probably have been expected there was little of no consensus on best songs of the year. Of the 33 songs mentioned only two were repeated; Yeasayer’s ‘O.N.E’ and Tinie Tempah’s ‘Pass Out’. So technically the cheque’s in the post to them. After much deliberation we’ve managed to put this list together and we’re sure you’ll agree that all the song listed are worth having on a playlist.
Rachel Hegarty writes…
Tennis – Marathon
The most deliciously perfect track of 2010 if not ever! There is an amazing contrast between Alainas’ voice and the accompanying organ –we wonder could one exist without the other. Their debut album Cape Dory is out in January, it makes me hope this Christmas business hurries up quick smart so I can get my hands on a copy.
Caribou – Odesa
Even if you haven’t taken to the album (you know who you are!) if this doesn’t hook you at first listen you are not of this world. I challenge you to only listen to this once.
Sleigh Bells – Crown on the Ground
You will always remember the first time you heard this track, Sleigh Bells marry the immaculate and the nitty gritty. Crown on the Ground is the musical equivalent of jumping around a puddle of rain.
Gold Panda – You
You delivers quirky beats and curious chimes, and makes you think there is more to Gold Panda than meets the eye.
Deerhunter – Helicopter
As prolific and enchanting as ever Bradford Cox shows that no matter now famous and applauded you become you will always question your own existence.
Killian Laher writes…
The Twilight Sad – The Wrong Car
An epic from Scottish noisemakers Twilight Sad, the Middle Eastern vibe might point the way to next year’s album?
And So I Watch You From Afar – Straight Through The Sun
If this is anything to go by, the next album from the North’s finest will smash through new boundaries.
The National – Terrible Love
A great way to open the album of the year…
Sun Kil Moon – Australian Winter
Doomy guitar picking. Awesome.
Lloyd Cole – Writer’s Retreat
The catchiest good tune of the year. Bar none.
Kevin Donnellan writes…
Tinie Tempah – Pass Out
A single of the year in the sense that you don’t even have to like the artist, or even the genre, to get sucked in. Also contains arguably the most quoted lyric in the music press this year “I’ve got so many clothes I keep some in my aunt’s house.”
Beach House – Zebra
The most beautifully melancholic song of the year. The slightly daft repetition of ‘black and white horse’ doesn’t stop this being a perfect tune to wallow in.
Kanye West – Runaway
A perfectly rendered lament/owning up to all his faults. Of course it helps that the world and his mother (well maybe not my mother) are fully aware of Kanye West’s faults already. But this song still works perfectly when removed from the soap opera drama.
Yeasayer – O.N.E
The grower of the year and once it took hold it never got old. That sentence was not intended to rhyme.
Mark Ronson ft Q-Tip and MNDR – Bang Bang Bang
The catchiest song of the year, if the rest of Ronson’s latest album had even come close to this it would have been a stonewall classic.
Orlaith Grehan writes…
Yeasayer – O.N.E.
Deerhunter – Helicopter
Danger Mouse and Sparklehouse feat. Julian Casablancas – Little Girl
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Vampire Weekend – White Sky
Eva Hall writes…
Interpol – Lights
Vampire Weekend – Giving up the gun
Foals – Miami
Jamie T – Emily’s Heart
And against my better judgement Mystery Jets song Show me the light
Marcel Kruger writes…
Daft Punk – Derezzed
Jónsi – Boy Lilikoi
Warpaint – Undertow
Johnny Cash – Ain’t No Grave
FM Belfast – Underwear
Lynne Swan writes…
Ellie Goulding – Your Song
Far East Movement – Like A G6
Tinie Tempah – Pass Out
Crystal Castles and Robert Smith – I’m Not In Love
Rhianna and Eminem – Love The Way You Lie
