Drumroll please, we are now at the top 10 of 2010!
10. Crookers — Remedy (ft. Miike Snow)
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)
9. Ceo – Come With Me
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.
8. Hot Chip – I Feel Better
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:
7. Flight Facilities — Crave You (ft. Giselle)
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)
6. Adrian Lux — Teenage Crime
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.
5. Jai Paul — BTSTU
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.
4. LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
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
3. Caribou – Odessa
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.
2. Trentemøller — Even Though You’re With Another Girl (ft. Josephine Philip)
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)
1. Mark Ronson — Bang Bang Bang (ft. MNDR & Q-Tip)
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