Electronic Pop | House
William has a wonderful soft spoken voice that sits beautifully atop an electronic bed of warm currents produced by Pink Ganter. This remix can be found on his 2010 release, ” Derivatives”.
William Fitzsimmons – So This Is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix)
Drumroll please, we are now at the top 10 of 2010!
Yes, I have a love affair with Miike Snow. For those that remember my 2009 list, I had Miike Snows’ track Cult Logic as my top pick for 2009. So once again Miike Snow is in top 10 list for 2010, however this time joining forces with Crookers. Crookers released their Tons Of Friends LP which saw them joining forces with the likes of Roisin Murphy, Kid Cudi, Soulwax, will.i.am, and others on a massive 22 track album. However, the standout for me was this track.
Crookers — Remedy (ft. Miike Snow)
This was the first single from CEOs’ full length album, “White Magic”. I was so hyped on “White Magic” based on this single. However I was disappointed that the rest of the album didn’t come near the magic of, “Come With Me”. “Come With Me”, is a really well crafted track that makes creative use of a string sample. It’s just the right amount of twist on the sample that makes this track stand out. Ceo is the solo project of Eric Berglund of The Tough Alliance.
From Hot Chip’s 2010 full length release, “One Night Stand”, is a beautiful melancholy piece of music. This track also produced one of my favorite music videos of 2010:
Has that cool deep house flavor but is propelled with Giselle’s sweet vocals. This track is soooo smooth and chilled, it was guaranteed to be in my top 10 this year. This track also sits nicely next to Phonique’s track, “You, That I’m With (Ft. Ian James Whitelaw)”
Flight Facilities — Crave You (ft. Giselle)
Great mix of pop and progressive house that makes for a perfect blend. I like the way Adrian uses the guitar samples in a rather odd fashion but gels so nicely in the arrangement with the vocals.
Yes, this is the track I was tipped off to by Dan Black via his tweet. This is track sounds so fresh, made for the next decade. Jai Paul sets his delicate vocals against a dark throbbing bass, and a diplo-esque beat. Think Burial meets Prince and you’ll be about 90% there.
He signed to XL records at the end of 2010 and his debut album is expected to drop next year.
WARNING: This track starts off really quiet, so hang-in there for about 15 seconds.
The lovely synth drenched “I Can Change” is an ode to all 80’s synth music lovers. If there was one sound that was revisited in last few years in music, it was the sound of all things 80’s. So are we to expect more 90’s type genres making a revisit for the next decade? For example Grunge or better yet, Trip Hop? Mhhh… only time will tell. But one this is for sure, LCD Soundsystem’s album “This is Happening” was a solid release for 2010. By “solid”, I mean you should really go out and get this album.
LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
In effort to make music sound like water, Caribou produced one hell of a track in Odessa. Something so unique and beautiful it took me on a journey the first time I heard it. Somewhat psychedelic in approach, but electronically reverent for 2010.
The Location: A Dark Cabaret
The Story: A vampire who is morning her lost love
The song: Trentemøller’s, “Even Though You’re With Another Girl”
If ever there was a track that conjured up a movie in one’s mind, this is it. So atmospheric, brooding and dark lined with the ting of lost love. This track can be found on Trentemøller’s second full length album entitled, “Into the Great Wide Yonder”. Did I mentioned I love, love, love this track?
Trentemøller — Even Though You’re With Another Girl (ft. Josephine Philip)
Mister Mark Ronson, thank you sir for providing not only my favorite track of 2010 but also producing my favorite video of 2010. MNDR’s vocals on this track took me back to the days of listening to Missing Person’s ”Walking in LA“, but the use of the synth stabs and the vocal stylings of Q-Tip just took it up a couple more notches. Really love how Mark produced the drums on this track by giving it an unconventional drum line in the verses, something you don’t hear everyday.
Mark Ronson Ft Q-Tip / MNDR – Bang Bang Bang
We now continue with the countdown at 17:
Hard edits and a funky house beat go a long way with a brilliant vocalist. For some reason this track has a early Micheal Jackson feel to it. Perhaps it’s that driving kick and snare ala Billie Jean. Whatever the case, I get lost in the groove of this track.
Its funny how a finding a track can change my whole day. It’s like falling in love at first sight. You feel a glow radiate from the center-out and can’t contain the excitement of it all. Such was the case of finding the beautiful heart wrenching track from Bloodgroup. Now technically, this was released in late 2009, but your’s truly didn’t stumble upon it till late 2010, hence the inclusion on this list.
If you like melancholy vocals, minimal electronic elements, and a heartbeat beat, then you are in luck.
Releasing a rather well produce album is Chew Lips at the 15 spot on the list. Up front vocals and fx treated synths lay in store on this track. Semi-rock, semi-pop, but very much melodic electronic pop.
The sweet sound of northern soul married with rock pop sensibility is a win-win in my book. Graffiti6 is a collaboration of music producer Tommy D and singer songwriter Jamie Scott.
Graffiti6 — Stare Into The Sun
After gushing over Discovery last year (Discovery is the side project of Vampire Weekend’s keyboardist/arranger/producer, Rostam Batmanglij, and Ra Ra Riot frontman Wes Miles) it should come as no surprise that I would have a soft spot of this track. On this track Vampire Weekend expands their palette to include more synths and electronic textures, and I just adore Ezra’s vocals. So this is a slam dunk in my book.
What a beautiful and striking voice and well crafted song to boot. The melody on the chorus is just so damn good. If you like Marina & The Diamonds, then is something you don’t want to sleep on. This is just one of three demo’s that make my best of list this year!
Yes, I know I label this list as “Top 25 Electronic Pop Singles of 2010” but this indie pop track couldn’t be denied. Every element is placed in perfect concert in the track. Love the bass and tambourines with the organ stabs, just so delightful. Telekinesis is a Seattle based band and this track was taken from their latest ep on Morr Music called, “Dirty Thing”.
