This infectious tune from the Swedish trio quickly pervaded the digital blogosphere and musical world this year, a massive accomplishment for "three people just messing about", says lead singer Andrew Wyatt. It even garnered a few notable remixes from the likes of Peter, Bjorn and John and Mark Ronson (I would recommend the Treasure Fingers version).
With a bouncy beat and a catchy, introspective lyrics, Miike Snow's track can become an essential part of any playlist. Being my go-to track for this past summer, it has cracked into my 10 of the year.
Photo By: http://www.allthatmusic.com/
The Dessner brothers produced the indie-licious Dark Was the Night compilation and in that, they also contributed a gem of their own. Lead singer Matt Berninger's deep baritone adds romantic sophistication to the flow of this track. The backing strings and the springtime-y flutes are the key players, and the fully familiar metropolitan feel of the National's music illustrates a scene of running through the concrete jungle with flowers bursting from the sidewalks.
Photo By: Dead_bird @ last.fm
There's no avoiding this track after hearing it once, because the combination of the Malawian dance beats and the cool Afro-pop voices of Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig and lead singer Esau Mwamwaya give a new dimension to our world of club bangers and reggae jams.
I'd personally like to reward anyone who comes up with a sweet new dance of Thriller-esque proportions that will get all of the world hooked.
DON'T SKIM OVER THIS.
Danke.
I promise that this is not just a shout out to this Bay Area(!) band that has stormed the indie world with their own brand of psych-folk in the last 2 years. Their sound is simply magic because both founding members came from completely different musical backgrounds: lead singer/guitarist Meric Long had training in West African Ewe drumming and drummer Logan Kroeber had much experience in metal bands. In mashing the two together, they made sparks with the simple setup of a drumkit and an acoustic guitar.
It's so autumnal, just go lay and watch the leaves fall, you'll understand.
Photo by: Unkitsch
What a breakout year it has been for this Boston electronic group. They need not an introduction, but this track is definitely one that channels the energy of their music.
Lead singer Michael Angelakos' falsetto is the element of this band that gives them all their novelty, and their synth work is something to talk about (and dance to). There's no way that you can put this track on and not start tapping your foot, or even getting out of your seat on the subway and putting on a show.
No matter how badly you dance, I think that we can let it slide this time.
Alright allllll riiiiight. I know 500 Days of Summer is an awesome movie with awesome leads (Zooey Deschanel...damn!) and awesome music. But, this song was on my radar long before the trailer was released, December 8th, 2008 at 2:51 pm according to my iTunes. I still rock this song, and I really dig all the attention that this band and the movie is getting.
The Australian band hit it right with this emotionally mindblowing track, with its atmospheric qualities and glowing, shimmering guitars. The lyrics speak of love and youth, my two favorite things, but they strike the right heartstrings (and not the cheesy ones).
Come on, be a romantic, at least for 4 minutes.
Photo by: GPS sur la comète
I can not say enough about this throwback cultish folk tune. It makes me dream of wide plains, riding my horse alongside my Southern gal. The alternating vocals between Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos MAKE this song. Think really retro She & Him, with some mystical robe-wearing members, beards included.
My favorite part is the back-and-forth dialogue between the two vocalists in the middle, because it just gives a old-time romance feel to it that is so satisfying. It's a love song hidden in a carefree folk-jam.
And they're from LA too.
Photo by: Autumn Hruby
Alex Turner's lyrical genius is at the forefront of the army that wages war with your mind in this tune. The story he weaves for the narrator leads the listener through a number of women on different occasions, all who remind him of a certain past lover. At one, he kisses her first, then asks her if he could call her the name of his ex. He is continually turned down, and at one point he croons "And I've asked everyone / I'm beginning to think I imagined you all along", confounding our own thoughts.
Check the video HERE (It's interesting)
I like to think of this track as a story told by Turner, accompanied by a rhythmic section. It isn't one for those looking for a catchy chorus or danceability, but it is such a piece of musical treasure that you shouldn't care.
Even if he does get with his ex-lover's sister at the end, or so he says.
Photo by: live4ever
Everything about this Ealing (West London) band's dark style is reminiscent of Joy Division and contemporaries such as Editors and Interpol, but they have their own brand of "euphoric and uplifting", says lead singer Harry McVeigh.
It has that "big sound", crisp vocals crying out honestly curious words, and a pace that runs ahead, then waits for you. It builds up and climaxes with a measured bang, and the words tell of something that everyone thinks of at one point in their short lives.
Put your headphones on, close your eyes, and listen to this song.
"Yes this fear's got a hold on me."
Photo by: RCRD LBL
For those who also nod instead of shaking hands, I feel you. I've waited for this song since I first heard that Julian Casablancas was doing a solo project, and since I got it, I've played it infinitely many times (it's my ringtone too), just ask my to-be roommate DP. Even though it's not very Strokes-esque like some might expect, it is a beautiful amalgamation of so many skillfully layered musical elements that all the pieces of this song come together so well. The synths, the drums, the keys, the guitars: it's like BAMBAMBAM!
This song is my pick-me-up, day 'n' nite, anywhere.
Listen to the man. He's saying something important.
The vid is pretty sweet also.
Photo by: Culture Bully
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