Anyway it's Christmas Day today, so happy holidays to all of you! I will be back soon with my list of favourite albums.
1. A Fine Frenzy - "Elements"
"Elements" picks up where One Cell in the Sea left off. In my opinion, this introspective number is the clear standout on Alison Sudol's sophomore effort. A booming bass first sets the tone, and Sudol comes on and weaves her tale of melancholy and heartbreak. The song builds into a crescendo, slowly but surely, and around the 1:50 mark when you are awash with emotion, the floodgates finally give way.
2. Alela Diane - "White As Diamonds"
There is beauty in the sparseness.
Download:
Alela Diane - White As Diamonds [Removed]
3. Animal Collective - "What Would I Want? Sky"
Previously I couldn't comprehend the immense appeal of Animal Collective's "My Girls". And then the unthinkable happened. One fine day, I finally got the song, and it sounded pretty mesmerising indeed! That said, while I will probably never understand the allure of Merriweather Post Pavilion, or the rest of AC's material for that matter, "What Would I Want? Sky" stole my heart. Perhaps it is one of their more accessible songs -- less confounding, more comprehensible, just genuinely delicious indie-pop.
4. Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning"
Alex Turner is as much of a wordsmith as he is a purveyor of relationships, and he displays his mettle on "Crying Lightning", one of the Humbug's most bold tracks with rocking guitars and a wickedly dark theme.
5. Bat for Lashes - "Daniel"
"Daniel" is, at once, both melodic and atmospheric. Coupled with Natasha Khan's lyrical prowess, the song literally engulfs you in its sheer beauty.
6. Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"
Never have I heard anyone sing about the blood bank in such a fascinating manner.
Download:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
7. Camera Obscura - "French Navy"
Tracyanne Campbell and her brethren have crafted an undeniably catchy pop number.
8. Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is The Move"
While the rest of Bitte Orca was just meh for me, "Stillness Is The Move" was a real grower. Combining elements of R&B and African music, the song sounded oddly familiar yet refreshing and unique at the same time.
Download:
Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move [MP3]
9. El Perro Del Mar - "Change of Heart"
Sarah Assbring brings understated chic to "Change of Heart".
Download:
El Perro Del Mar - Change of Heart
10. Ellie Goulding - "Under The Sheets"
"Under The Sheets" is a perfectly fun number to groove to. A great single from one of the most hyped artists of 2009.
Download:
Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets
11. Florence and The Machine - "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)"
Florence Welch shows us why her album is aptly titled Lungs -- this lass has the chops to carry this amazing folk pop song with finesse. When the chorus rolls in, you let loose and do a little shindig.
Watch:
Florence and the Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) [Video]
12. Fol Chen - "Cable TV"
"Cable TV" is delivered in a lo-fi, straightforward manner layered over with handclaps and beats. Interestingly, the end result tantalizes your palate.
Download:
Fol Chen - Cable TV [Removed]
13. Jenny Owen Youngs - "Led to the Sea"
"Led to the Sea" combines melodic guitar-driven pop with a dollop of radio-friendliness.
Download:
Jenny Owen Youngs - Led to the Sea [MP3]
14. Lady Gaga - "Paparazzi"
Lady Gaga exploded into mainstream consciousness this year with her peculiar outfits and some irresistibly addictive songs. "Paparazzi" was one of those tasty and cheeky morsels she dished out. I thought the music video looked like a scene out of some super sleuth movie. If Gaga wanted to announce her arrival with this, well, no doubt the superstar of the new decade has arrived.
15. Little Boots - "Remedy"
In "Remedy", Little Boots aka Victoria Hesketh chirps: "Dancin' is my remedy, remedy, oh", making it hard to resist the urge to get up and boogie. Hesketh is a talented electropop musician in her own right and can give Lady Gaga a run for her money.
16. Metric - "Gimme Sympathy"
Metric has always straddled the fine line between indie and mainstream. "Gimme Sympathy" continues in the same vein, appealing to listeners between both ends of the spectrum. It's intriguing to hear Emily Haines namedrop the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in this song.
17. Miike Snow - "Silvia"
"Animal" seeped into cyberspace earlier this year, but "Silvia" was the one that grabbed my attention. Perhaps I have a thing for tales of love and lost, and "Silvia" pretty much encapsulates these feelings. The song starts off slow and gears up with synths into a full-blown electropop number.
18. Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
Indie songstress Neko Case wowed everybody with "People Got A Lotta Nerve". This immensely likable number mixes melodic pop with alt-country, and its rousing chorus makes for the perfect sing-along song.
Download:
Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve
19. Phoenix - "1901"
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was arguably the breakout album for Parisian rockers Phoenix in 2009. Lead single "1901" was an exuberant, poppy number that impressed common listeners and music critics alike.
Download:
Phoenix - 1901
20. St. Vincent - "The Strangers"
Annie Clark has a charming voice, and she puts it to good use in this gorgeous track.
Download:
St. Vincent - The Strangers [Removed]
21. Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"
Even though Kanye West rained on her parade, there was no stopping Taylor Swift and her runaway hit "You Belong With Me". This infectious pop song is tightly produced without being overly cheesy or childish like some baloney you hear on mainstream radio today.
Watch:
Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me [Video]
22. The Decemberists - "The Rake's Song"
"The Rake's Song" tells of a macabre and twisted story, but in the hands of The Decemberists it becomes a curiously engaging song.
23. The Golden Filter - "Solid Gold"
I must say, "Solid Gold" is pretty solid stuff from New York based electronic duo The Golden Filter.
Download:
The Golden Filter - Solid Gold
24. The xx - "Crystalised"
Minimalist, deceptively simple, yet thoroughly addictive, "Crystalised" is one of the gems off the London quartet's (now three-piece) debut album.
25. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
"Heads Will Roll" is a stellar electrorock track brimming with raw, unbridled emotion.
Honourable Mentions:
Fanfarlo - I’m A Pilot
God Help The Girl - God Help The Girl
Lily Allen - The Fear
Passion Pit - Moth’s Wings [MP3]
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