I like Top 10 of [year] lists but after a while they start to all read the same way, don't they? With minute debates over SHOULD [album] BE BETTER RATED THAN [album b], these end of the year things start to bore me. So, here is a list of the best 10 things my ears heard this year (but not necessarily released this year). Apologies if any links are broken.
Here we go, in no particular order:
jj kills
swedes make a killer mixtape featuring the best beats of 2010 (and before) download here. if you haven't listened to it yet you are missing out.
cults cults
i am still kicking myself for missing them in august. refreshing and fun. were they overplayed in the states? this was just a lovely album. download here.
beirut east harlem
the new beirut album was excellent. but i could listen to this song all day (and i did).
hot chip
hot chip is a band that i have had sitting in my itunes for several years and finally i got around to giving them a proper listen. I was blown away. download: one life stand | made in the dark | the warning
frightened rabbit, the midnight organ fight
this is a serious breakup album, but it is like ear-crack. you've been warned. That said, i don't think they're really big in the us - is this a hidden scottish gem? somebody report back. download here, but I'm serious about the ear-crack thing.
lil wayne feat. drake right above it
i think it is no secret that i love obnoxious hip hop (and socially aware hip hop of course) but this is just a fantastic song. drake's new album is good, but I find he's a much better guest than on his own accord.
nicki minaj pink friday (deluxe edition)
i have gushed about nicki minaj here before (& see above comment about obnoxious hip-hop). every time i listen to this album I find more things to love. Download here.
m83 hurry up, we're dreaming
i could probably talk at length why 'midnight city' is a serious contender for song of the year, but there are so many other wonderful moments happening here. i have a secret theory that anthony gonzales is taking the same beats and reversing them and flipping them over & over and it is STILL nice for a full one-and-a-half hours. download it here
wild flag, wild flag
let us not kid ourselves. i like nearly everything related to riot grrl and especially sleater-kinney. 2 members of sleater kinney + 1 member of helium + 1 member of the minders = a band i will probably like no matter what they created. this album rocked just as hard as i hoped it would. download here
chad valley shell suite
i apparently listened to a lot of electronica this year. this is a lovely little tune that i can't stop loving.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
st vincent cruel / beyonce 4 / cut copy zonoscope / holy ghost! holy ghost! / tune yards whokill* / pj harvey let england shake / the kills blood pressures etc etc.
What were your favorites?
*tuneyards live was easily the best gig i saw this year!
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