This is incredible. Eagerly awaiting Visions, which will be released Jan. 31st.
My kind of thang.
New Daze-Cheerleader
Happiest of New Years to everyone! 2011 churned out some pretty excellent music, and it’s been difficult arranging it hierarchically. Below you will find my top 10 favorite albums, songs, and videos of 2011. And for a peek into the future, check out Stereogum’s list of most anticipated albums of 2012 (Animal Collective, Best Coast, Cat Power, Ceremony, Chairlift, Dirty Projectors, Fleetwood Mac, The Magnetic Fields, Nicki Minaj, No Doubt, Oberhofer, Sleigh Bells, The xx etc.).
Top 10 Albums
So many winners. Wish I could have included Memoryhouse, Bon Iver, Youth Lagoon, St. Vincent and many more.
10. Days-Real Estate
I fell in love with “It’s Real” when it was released as a single and the rest of the album just does not disappoint. Modulating from upbeat and cheery to tender and vulnerable, Days exemplifies the versatility of the band.
9. Cape Dory-Tennis
Call it pastiche or whatever you want. Tennis simply sounds good. Cape Dory tells the tale of a magical sailboat journey with short little tunes perfect for some summer sun.
8. Thursday-The Weeknd
Maybe it’s because I listened to Thursday first, but it’s my favorite of the trilogy of free mixtapes released by The Weeknd this year. Head over to his website to download all three.
7. Welcome to Condale-Summer Camp
Male/female duos are my favorite, but Summer Camp in particular wins my adoration. Their debut album ranges from eerie to yearning to plodding to pleading. Each track is perfectly youthful.
6. Blooming Summer-Blue Hawaii
Raphaelle Standell-Preston has one of the most unique and refreshing voices that I have stumbled upon in a long while. Blooming Summer features lush soundscapes of love dreams; wonderfully mystical.
5. Was I the Wave?-Miracle Fortress
Was I the Wave? marks a very prominent departure from Five Roses. And while I loved the debut, this album reaches new places in new ways. Graham Van Pelt is just a tender, but perhaps more confidently and more self-assuredly so.
4. Cults-Cults
I was hooked ever since “Go Outside.” Every track is something a little different, a new flare. Instantly addicting.
3. Wounded Rhymes-Lykke Li
I am convinced that Lykke Li is a genius. Wounded Rhymes is just so so brilliant. The album easily fluctuates from heartbreakers like “I Know Places” to bangers like “Get Some.” Be sure to check out her performances on the moon.
2. Native Speaker-Braids
While I truly loved Raphaelle’s voice in the context of Blue Hawaii, there is something more raw and emotional when she sings with Braids. This album is killer. It soars through the short 50 minutes and by the end you are out of breath yourself. Native Speaker will haunt you like a lucid dream.
1. Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming-M83
I simply cannot get over this album. Anthony Gonzalez creates an unspeakable world of sound. Listening to this album feels like living in a planetarium. One where you can play with the stars and sleep on the moons.
Top 10 Songs
10. Someone Like You-Adele
Let’s be real, Adele is everyone’s favorite crooner. Who else possibly has the vocal chords or heartbreak to push a simple track featuring only piano and melody to Top 40s charts?
9. May I Walk With You?-Star Slinger
This simple track journeys around in my head, keeping me company and thoughtful. Star Slinger had a big year and I’m only more excited to see what he does in 2012.
8. California Sunrise-Dirty Gold
This sandy track greeted me in many mornings of 2011. The calming drum beat and subtle guitar riff paired with the relaxed vocals make a little dream of a tune.
7. Peculiar Paradise-Chairlift
Chairlift are intricately bizarre and this song is no exception. This is the single from their forthcoming album entitled Something, to be released on Jan. 24th.
6. Don’t Move-Phantogram
Phantogram’s EP from 2011, Nightlife, features this single. Constantly throbbing and pulsing, “Don’t Move” is clear and refreshing.
5. Cruel- St. Vincent
Strange Mercy was a great album and “Cruel” was instantly catchy. Annie Clark is such a lady. Seriously.
4. You Know What I Mean-Cults
This track is just so pleading. Madeline’s vocals are at their finest. It simply kills me.
3. Super Bass-Nicki Minaj
While technically released at the end of 2010, “Super Bass” is easily the jam of 2011. Nicki Minaj just owns it. Neat and easy.
2. Belispeak-Purity Ring
2011 held many arguments about which Purity Ring song was indeed the best. While I completely worship anything that the duo creates, I have to give the crown to Belispeak. Grandma, I really have been unruly.
1. Blue Gowns-Blue Hawaii
“Blue Gowns” is summer in a song. I have so many fond memories of singing at the top of my lungs and dancing in my living room to this gem. It builds perfectly and culminates in a top-down, night breeze, freckles on your face, July cruising anthem. Perfection.
My top 10 favorite songs can be downloaded here.
Favorite videos after the jump.
Hey New Year’s babies,
Here is a great way to start 2012. A lovely cover by Memoryhouse. Enjoy!
In light of the new year, Evan and I have decided to record a cover of one of our favorite Zombies songs, “This Will Be Our Year”. Thank you everyone for all your support in 2011, and I hope this song helps motivate you to lose 5 pounds, stop smoking, and watch less reality T.V. (or is that just me?)We’re going to find a more appropriate host to download the .mp3, but for the time being you can grab it HERE!
Hey babies,
The Weeknd is dishing out his newest mixtape, Echoes of Silence. Grab it for free from his website here. Only the best present for the holidays.
Memoryhouse is just killing me constantly. Check out this new song called The Kids Were Wrong off of their forthcoming album entitled The Slideshow Effect. You can download the track for free below. And be sure to check out the band’s blog.
wmcn:
Soar through the melodic ether of reckless abandon. Swim through seas of eternal wanderlust. Transience is a lie. Youth never fades.
Counting down my favorite albums of 2011!
Honorable Mentions:
Lately (Deuxieme)-Memoryhouse from The Years E.P.Seventeen-Youth Lagoon from The…
wmcn:
Soar through the melodic ether of reckless abandon. Swim through seas of eternal wanderlust. Transience is a lie. Youth never fades.
Bombay-El Guincho
Supply & Demand-Amos Lee
Chandeliers-Summer Fiction
Days-The Drums
Alejandro (The Sound of Arrows remix)-Lady Gaga
Flowers…
This is so gut.
Hey kids, here is an 8tracks mix I made for our transition into winter. Get cozy and enjoy.
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