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30. 6 Day Riot - Take Me
The single from the Scottish folk band’s latest effort, On This Island, this is a superb piece of song writing. Opening with mesmeric harmonies and building pace with a thumping drum beat and memorable hook, 6 Day Riot’s eclectic collection of instruments complement the vocals perfectly. Expect great things.
29. Tame Impala – Bold Arrow of Time
An opening guitar riff that sounds like Hendrix’s ‘Machine Gun’ on steroids then proceeds with thumping bass and pounding drums to create an old-fashion stomper of a tune. The vocals are drenched in psychedelic echoes and the swirling synth outro means this band wear their influences on their sleeve, but when their song puts such a big smile on your face it’s not hard to see why.
28. The Hundred in the Hands – Pigeons
Lead single of their self-titled debut, ‘Pigeons’ is simple but perfectly formed. Synth-pop backing but with vocals that demonstrate an unusual vulnerability, this song seems to somehow fit almost any mood. Their acoustic version is my favourite (and therefore the best).
27. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Garden
If this isn’t enough to win ‘Best Band Name 2010’ then I seriously don’t know what is. But anyway, entertainingly original beats, an amassed variety of tones (there’s got to be a Gameboy in there somewhere hasn’t there?) orchestrated beneath emotive lyrics; this indefinable brand of electro is one that needs to be heard more on our dancefloors. But just don’t forget the band name. Please? It’ll make me smile.
26. First Aid Kit – Heavy Storm
The Swedish sisters return with their trade-mark harmonies and strong, pure vocals in this relaxed, lullaby-like nostalgic track. Amazingly mature and skilful from the young duo, this is a sentimental song with intensely honest lyrics, the gentle guitar melodies inspiring a wistfulness that makes this a treat to listen to.
25. Iron and Wine - Walking Far From Home
Acting as the face of his EP of the same name, ‘Walking Far From Home’ sees Samuel Beam experiment with his trademark sound more times in one song than you could ever expect from an established artist of such reverence. It’s a track that achieves the considerable feat of sounding both fresh and nostalgic, swinging rhythmic tricks played beneath a wash of Beam’s endearing vocals. You can’t help hoping this is where folk music is headed.
24. Two Door Cinema Club – What You Know
Catchy, energetic and full of life; Two Door Cinema Club are fighting with the Mystery Jets for the indie pop crown. Perfect for bouncing around to, this single is well put together with its bright guitars and simple drum beats. Said to put on an impressive live show, I’d catch these before they get too big.
23. MIA – XXXO
Mocking the MySpace generation, MIA comes up with this well-thought out electro-pop tune. ‘XXXO’ creates a dark dance atmosphere to rival that of previous single ‘Paper Planes’. The song manages to be seductive without being overly sexy. With Maya as her third album, the 35 year old shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
22. Beach House – Zebra
Beach House have the ability to induce an illusory experience with every record they put out, but Teen Dream was a work of true inspiration. The first track of the album, Zebra is a fully enveloping rhapsody of harmony and soft melody. The mesmeric vocals are wonderful throughout the album, but particularly haunting on this track. Zebra is a slice of pure idyllic seclusion. A thing of true beauty.
21. Passion Pit – Dreams
Having dominated the festival scene last summer, Passion Pit take an unusual turn with this Cranberries cover but manage to create something entirely of their own. Echoing vocals can’t take away the brightness of the song and it creates a vivid, intense and uplifting atmosphere for the listener.
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