favorite tunes of 2011, part 2: those songs i could never get out of my head, but in this case, that’s a good thing
There are some songs I played on repeat that gave me goosebumps. These tracks were winners in their own way, yet the albums, EPs, and mixtapes they were on didn’t give me quite the same bite as the ten I listed in my last post.
I danced to them at parties, sang them to aloud in the shower, recommended them to friends, and stumbled upon them through Spotify, We Are Hunted, NPR Music, and word-of-mouth.
Without further ado, in no particular order, here are my twenty-something favorite stand alone tracks. And for your listening pleasure, click on the hyperlinks to hear the song.
St. Vincent // Surgeon
Annie Clark found inspiration in Marilyn Monroe’s diary in order to craft the chorus (“Best finest surgeon, come cut me open”). But what truly hooked me in was how the synth swells about two-thirds of the way through to induce the feeling closely related to the lyrics:a state of panic.
Lia Ices // Daphne
As the swooning vocals intertwine with twangy and classical-sounding strings, the sound of a throbbing, thunderous piano comes through about halfway in to change the mood from lilting to ominous.
The Weeknd // Life of the Party
The slinky, murky, and devious beat matches the lyrics so well. It follows my motto for 2012: take chances, make mistakes, get messy.
Chris Brown // Look at Me Now (featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Wayne)
If it weren’t for Karmin’s cover and Busta’s “OMG I understood maybe five words he said, but he still killed it” verse, I may have overlooked this one.
J. Cole // Who Dat Pt. 2 (featuring SD and Childish Gambino)
One of my new favorite hip-hop artists collaborates with another one of my new favorite hip-hop artists for what acts more like a cypher than a track with proper song construction. That’s a win-win-win situation.
The Strokes // Under Cover of Darkness
While they traveled down the electronica route for their latest album, this track speeds down a familiar Strokes road: slurred, catchy lyrics, well-timed hooks, and that garage rock-inspired sound.
Beyoncé // Countdown
An infectious beat, strong vocals, and genuine message that relationships take work — how can you not like this track? Not to mention the music video is simple yet stunning at the same time.
The Black Keys // Hell of a Season
Patrick Carney, the rhythm half of this blues/soul/however you want to categorize them group, recently stated that he “sucks at the drums.” Hell, that’s why I love this song — he pounds the kit in a way that’s more evident than any other track on El Camino.
Theophilus London // Why Even Try (featuring Sara Quinn)
Even if you’re not a fan of Tegan and Sara, the synthesized 80s touch will reel you in.
Thrice // Promises
Few artists can tap into the human psyche without seeming too earnest or negative while coming across with an end product so electric and powerful.
Mastodon // Black Tongue
Just because a metal band forgoes the concept album for a new release doesn’t mean the songs should lose energy, brute force, or brashness. Trust me, they don’t, and this track proves it.
Chiddy Bang // Ray Charles
This hip-hop are just blowin’ up, and rightfully so. Not too many people can pull off humorous tribute to one of the greatest musicians that ever lived — especially because he was, you know, blind.
Pusha T // Touch It (featuring Kanye West)
With a helping hand from ‘Ye, one-half of Clipse craft clever lines about, well, something sexual. Think N.E.R.D.’s “Brain” but at a much slower termpo.
The Head and the Heart // Coeur D’Alene
Many of my favorite tunes this year work like two-part stories with a twist — there’s always something there to keep you on your feet. This is no exception: one minute, it’s a somber tale of missing a loved one, the next, a bar room stomper about throwing your inhibitions to the wind.
Childish Gambino // Freaks and Geeks
Donald Glover proves he can spit rhyme after quip after punchline with impressive flow. Take note of the chorus-less song structure and the anthemic use of horns.
Jay-Z & Kanye West // Ni**as in Paris
Every time I hear the opening clip ( “We’re gonna skate to one song and one song only.” ), I get so amped. How can you go wrong with a Will Ferrell quote? There’s really nothing but references to pricey material possessions, but sometimes, you need to crank it to eleven and just, as they say, “ball so hard.” And for a year inundated with dubstep, it was great to hear Jay & ‘Ye weave in the electronic music craze without going overboard.
The Knux // Run (featuring Kid Cudi)
An ode to a actress who only knows how to live life in one speed: fast forward.
Washed Out // Amor Fati
Ernest Greene’s lo-fi project somehow transcends time, place, and feeling — when you listen, you’re in a particular state of mind. After a grueling, sweaty bike ride home this summer, I sat on my bed, put on stereo headphones, closed my eyes, and became entranced by his music. All my initial reactions to Washed Out — the lo-fi production quality, the inability to make out lyrics, the endless hipster buzz — sailed right out the window.
Atmosphere // She’s Enough
It’s a bit disheartening when a hip-hop song about a positive give-and-take relationship between a man and a woman seems like an epiphany or an anomaly. Yet when it’s done — and done well — all you can do is bop your head along to the beat and smile. Thank God for artists like Atmosphere.
Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi (featuring Jack White) // Two Against One
You don’t have to know much about Spaghetti Westerns to know that Jack White has the ability to put the Midas touch on even dark, brooding tunes.
Lucy Rose // Scar
Move over Kate Nash — there’s a new young, cute, redhead opining about relationships through song. Except she’s a bit more laid back and delicate.
Mogwai // White Noise
A slow, steady instrumental build morphs into an uplifting soundscape, then calmly rest like the remnants of a wave returning to the ocean.
For those of you who took the time to read even one review: thank you from the bottom of my heart.
St. Vincent // Surgeon
Annie Clark found inspiration in Marilyn Monroe’s diary in order to craft the chorus (“Best finest surgeon, come cut me open”). But what truly hooked me in was how the synth swells about two-thirds of the way through to induce the feeling closely related to the lyrics:a state of panic.
Lia Ices // Daphne
As the swooning vocals intertwine with twangy and classical-sounding strings, the sound of a throbbing, thunderous piano comes through about halfway in to change the mood from lilting to ominous.
The Weeknd // Life of the Party
The slinky, murky, and devious beat matches the lyrics so well. It follows my motto for 2012: take chances, make mistakes, get messy.
Chris Brown // Look at Me Now (featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Wayne)
If it weren’t for Karmin’s cover and Busta’s “OMG I understood maybe five words he said, but he still killed it” verse, I may have overlooked this one.
J. Cole // Who Dat Pt. 2 (featuring SD and Childish Gambino)
One of my new favorite hip-hop artists collaborates with another one of my new favorite hip-hop artists for what acts more like a cypher than a track with proper song construction. That’s a win-win-win situation.
The Strokes // Under Cover of Darkness
While they traveled down the electronica route for their latest album, this track speeds down a familiar Strokes road: slurred, catchy lyrics, well-timed hooks, and that garage rock-inspired sound.
Beyoncé // Countdown
An infectious beat, strong vocals, and genuine message that relationships take work — how can you not like this track? Not to mention the music video is simple yet stunning at the same time.
The Black Keys // Hell of a Season
Patrick Carney, the rhythm half of this blues/soul/however you want to categorize them group, recently stated that he “sucks at the drums.” Hell, that’s why I love this song — he pounds the kit in a way that’s more evident than any other track on El Camino.
Theophilus London // Why Even Try (featuring Sara Quinn)
Even if you’re not a fan of Tegan and Sara, the synthesized 80s touch will reel you in.
Thrice // Promises
Few artists can tap into the human psyche without seeming too earnest or negative while coming across with an end product so electric and powerful.
Mastodon // Black Tongue
Just because a metal band forgoes the concept album for a new release doesn’t mean the songs should lose energy, brute force, or brashness. Trust me, they don’t, and this track proves it.
Chiddy Bang // Ray Charles
This hip-hop are just blowin’ up, and rightfully so. Not too many people can pull off humorous tribute to one of the greatest musicians that ever lived — especially because he was, you know, blind.
Pusha T // Touch It (featuring Kanye West)
With a helping hand from ‘Ye, one-half of Clipse craft clever lines about, well, something sexual. Think N.E.R.D.’s “Brain” but at a much slower termpo.
The Head and the Heart // Coeur D’Alene
Many of my favorite tunes this year work like two-part stories with a twist — there’s always something there to keep you on your feet. This is no exception: one minute, it’s a somber tale of missing a loved one, the next, a bar room stomper about throwing your inhibitions to the wind.
Childish Gambino // Freaks and Geeks
Donald Glover proves he can spit rhyme after quip after punchline with impressive flow. Take note of the chorus-less song structure and the anthemic use of horns.
Jay-Z & Kanye West // Ni**as in Paris
Every time I hear the opening clip ( “We’re gonna skate to one song and one song only.” ), I get so amped. How can you go wrong with a Will Ferrell quote? There’s really nothing but references to pricey material possessions, but sometimes, you need to crank it to eleven and just, as they say, “ball so hard.” And for a year inundated with dubstep, it was great to hear Jay & ‘Ye weave in the electronic music craze without going overboard.
The Knux // Run (featuring Kid Cudi)
An ode to a actress who only knows how to live life in one speed: fast forward.
Washed Out // Amor Fati
Ernest Greene’s lo-fi project somehow transcends time, place, and feeling — when you listen, you’re in a particular state of mind. After a grueling, sweaty bike ride home this summer, I sat on my bed, put on stereo headphones, closed my eyes, and became entranced by his music. All my initial reactions to Washed Out — the lo-fi production quality, the inability to make out lyrics, the endless hipster buzz — sailed right out the window.
Atmosphere // She’s Enough
It’s a bit disheartening when a hip-hop song about a positive give-and-take relationship between a man and a woman seems like an epiphany or an anomaly. Yet when it’s done — and done well — all you can do is bop your head along to the beat and smile. Thank God for artists like Atmosphere.
Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi (featuring Jack White) // Two Against One
You don’t have to know much about Spaghetti Westerns to know that Jack White has the ability to put the Midas touch on even dark, brooding tunes.
Lucy Rose // Scar
Move over Kate Nash — there’s a new young, cute, redhead opining about relationships through song. Except she’s a bit more laid back and delicate.
Mogwai // White Noise
A slow, steady instrumental build morphs into an uplifting soundscape, then calmly rest like the remnants of a wave returning to the ocean.
For those of you who took the time to read even one review: thank you from the bottom of my heart.
