2010 has been great year for music. Okay, 2010 has been a truly awesome year for music. The masses have witnessed a handful of breathtaking albums that fondle ears from start to finish with sounds that break creative boundaries. Even though we’re six months in, it almost seems impossible to pinpoint the best songs of the year so far. But after tearing through mainstream radio and virtually unknown artists, we did it.
The best part is: 2010 isn’t even close to being over.
Here are our picks for the 25 Best Songs of 2010 (so far).
THE NATIONAL – “AFRAID OF EVERYONE”
This number off the Ohio vets’ High Violet paints the town gray and sucks the happiness out of your existence, leaving you wistfully content and delighted in an unusual way.
MASSIVE ATTACK ft. HOPE SANDOVAL – “PARADISE CIRCUS”
Hope Sandoval’s delicate, earthy vocals braced by a signature Massive Attack backbone set the mood for an intimate setting in need of being launched.
COLD WAR KIDS – “AUDIENCE OF ONE”
EPs rarely get love but this number off the Long Beach indie rockers’ release shines with an unusual beat and singer Nathan Willett crooning behind the mic.
BUTCH WALKER – “SHE LIKES HAIR BANDS”
Funny, odd and poppy, the track from the songwriter/producer takes you back to a time where corny lines made music highly entertaining.
HOLLERADO – “JULIETTE”
Need proof Canadian indie rock can wear hipster jeans and be a hippie at heart? Take a listen to this offering from a small-town Ontario outfit.
Toronto is a city that embraces glow sticks not sugar-sweet hooks and Alice Glass’ thrashy wail proves what rules every grim alleyway and warehouse dancefloor.
THE DEAD WEATHER – “NO HORSE”
Dark and bare to the bone like most of the group’s sophomore release, the apparent sexiness and careless rock n’ roll attitude makes it even more intriguing.
Long before Ke$ha and Gaga there was Uffie: an MC with puppy eyes, stellar rhymes and a soul that flirts with both new and old musical tastes.
CIRCA SURVIVE – “FROZEN CREEK”
Anthony Green’s compassionate voice tells a story through troubling lines that touch you on the inside and make you wish you could see the creek itself.
KANYE WEST ft. DWELE – “POWER”
While rap dabbles in auto-tune, Mr. West goes back to school and unleashes a familiar side hip hop misses like a deceased pet goldfish.
The Los Angeles experimental group were born with bewitching, angelic looks and a chemistry that fell from the hands of the rock gods above.
EMPIRES – “DAMN THINGS OVER”
The voice is not quite Vedder and the sound isn’t quite mainstream but it’s an anthem worth singing along to in the rain.
STARS – “FIXED”
Traces of Emily Haines are evident but the new sound and addicting melody are forming a new black sky for the Arts & Crafts group to shine.
GOOD OLD WAR – “THAT’S SOME DREAM”
A simple acoustic riff accompanied by genuine vocals plays pick-me-up for lost souls and those in need of a friend to lean on for warmth.
THE BLED – “SMOKE BREAKS”
Arizona metalcore musicians dust off their shoulders and let loose a violent side that still carries over to the new decade.
GORILLAZ – “MELANCHOLY HILL”
The animated troop extinguish the creepiness and reveal a lovesick mentality more peaceful than looking at clouds transform into bunny rabbits.
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB – “SOMETHING GOOD CAN WORK”
The Irish like to fight, but they’re also fond of winning over a lady’s heart with a pair of Ray-Bans and a youthful voice fit for summer.
The young Canuck rapper’s flow over the theatrical layout is unorthodox but it makes it all the more catchy and helps his testimony as a leader of today’s musical movement.
PHANTOGRAM – “WHEN I’M SMALL”
Gazing at you from underneath the shadows, the New York duo tie urban electronic music with a rugged hip-hop knot you can’t learn in pre-school.
GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS – “TINY LIGHT”
You can call them modern-day Fleetwood Mac, just don’t underestimate the classic rock undertones. And oh yeah, there’s a wicked, mind-blowing solo too.
ENVY ON THE COAST – “THE DEVIL’S TONGUE”
Some folks have an itch for a hazardous riff while others have an itch for Brandon Boyd-esque howls. This has both.
THE BLACK KEYS – “EVERLASTING LIGHT”
The world was in dire need of blues and Dan Auerbach’s soulful voice embraces funk and a need to be heard by a lady who enjoys his affection.
EMINEM ft. RIHANNA – “LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE”
When Slim Shady penned this track, he wasn’t relapsing as his nostalgic side clashes with Rihanna’s innocence and reminisces over unforgettable mistakes.
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE – “MEET ME IN THE BASEMENT”
The indie army quickly swallow what’s left of their Canadian whiskey, grab an instrument and jam with nothing left to lose but precious time until the sun wakes up.
OK GO – “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”
Both versions of the video opened eyes but the track itself celebrates the sounds of music and how they gel to create a fantastic mess.
[Did we miss any of your favourite tracks? Drop a line in the comment section]
cool list. Stars rocks! luv them <3
great list. a lot of the choices are a bit out there, but good music
I agree. I like the new Black Keys CD and “Everlasting Light” is an odd choice
no Vampire Weekend or MGMT?
i’m surprised there’s no mgmt