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10. Hot Chip – Alley Cats
Keeping to the catchy electro-pop theme they started with their three previous albums, this song takes a more mellow approach. The laid back feel is completed with smooth, rich vocals and tingling guitars to create a record perfect for those lazy summer afternoons.
9. Everything Everything – MY KZ, UR BF
Eccentric rock/pop Manchester ensemble, Everything Everything exploded onto the UK music scene all guns blazing earlier this year with debut single ‘Schoolin’’, rapidly followed by ‘My Kz, Ur Bf’. An unconventional catchy pop tune with unusual beats, entertainingly original lyrics and some fantastic falsetto vocals, this is one worthy of the number nine slot. Expect great things.
8. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
When the epic-indie septet returned earlier this year with their third studio album The Suburbs they finally seemed to grab the world’s attention; good then that the title track acts as a perfect advocate of the fine balance the Montreal outfit manage to expertly strike between youthful debonair and sweeping magnificence. Opening like a mainstream Beck number, this is a track that grows into something more majestic across its five-minute lifetime.
7. The Villagers – Becoming a Jackal
Delicate and fragile lyrical finesse make ‘Becoming a Jackal’ a peaceful, beautiful listen. With the album of the same name shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Music Award, singer/song writer Conor J. O’Brien is pinned to be big for 2011. And it’s hardly surprising if this majestic single is anything to go by.
6. Laura Marling – Devil’s Spoke
With folk guitars and poetic lyrics, Marling has sky rocketed to fame this year with album I Speak Because I Can being nominated for the Mercury Music Award. This single manages to remain lively and bright, without losing the gentle tones of Marling’s melodic lyrics and has meant many an indie boy has a place for her in his heart.
5. The National – England
With the perfect build up of piano, strings and bass, this song is a wonderful take on England, complete with the use of typically English horns. The back drop is complimented beautifully with Matt Berninger’s baritone vocals and as the song builds to a hypnotising climax it keeps the listener gripper to its very end.
4. Foals – Spanish Sahara
An exceptionally slow build up makes the climax of this song even more worth the wait. Yannis Philippakis’ heart-wrenching vocals create a more mature sound to this single than anything from previous album, Antidotes. Lending itself perfectly to their live shows, the band has energy like nothing else; and it stems purely from doing what they love.
3. Four Tet – Love Cry
Incorporating many different elements of music from house to jazz, solo artist Kieran Hebden creates an atmospheric take on dance music. His abstract approach led him to number one in The Yorker’s albums of 2010 and this single is a prime example of his work. At nine minutes long it exhibits all of Hebden’s talents in a mellow, captivating way.
2. Kanye West – Runaway
A single piano key gets this moving masterpiece off to a gentle start. The whole album demands listening to and this song is pure and appealing to all those that listen. I hate to big up West’s ego, as it’s already big enough, but I can’t deny the fact that this song makes me tingle every time I hear it.
1. Sleepy Sun - Marina
Prepare to be overwhelmed by sheer musical satisfaction. Perfectly balanced between discordant guitars and beautiful vocal harmonies, ‘Marina’ is one that should be heard with speakers on full volume. The charm of the lyrics (‘wake me on the softer side of heaven...’) and stunning climax makes this song one that won’t be forgotten in a long time. My favourite of 2010. Like it. Like it a lot.
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