TOP 10 SONGS OF 2011

10. Love Rance – Beat the Pussy Up

Maybe the most straightforward track of the year. “I Beat the Pussy Up” yells Bay Area rapper Love Rance. I know all us guys thrive to do that, but wouldn’t actually mutter those words to the woman in front of us. I give credit to the brashness and to the superb production. And upon dissecting the lyrics of this track I can’t help but repeat the stand-out line on the version that features YG, “You know I ate the pussy cuz she light skinned.” Both honest and slightly racist.

9. Frank Ocean – Novacaine

No album released, not a household name, no previous hits, yet Frank Ocean had everyone singing Novacaaaane this summer. With the rise of this track, Goblin‘s release, OFWGKTA running shit, and Frankie’s collaboration with Beyonce and The Throne guys, Mr. Ocean is ready to take the reigns as the new R&B posterboy.

8. Drake – Headlines

Everyone, including myself, was quick to jump on Drake for his super-soft release Take Care. And when an artist puts out so much material, and is featured on everyone’s single and mixtape, it’s easy to lump everything together, but “Headlines” is an insightful look into a musician who had an unexpected meteoric rise. Lyrics like “I know I exaggerated things, now I got it like that” puts every Drake lyric into perspective.

7. Lil Wayne – 6 Foot, 7 Foot

It’s easily Weezy’s best song of the year. I was pretty disappointed with the Carter 4 album, after this hard hitting, and unbelievably catchy single hit the airwaves. It samples a song that everyone my age knows from Beetlejuice. How can you not love it?!

6. Motopony – King of Diamonds

Homoerotic lyrics (and music video wardrobe) aside, this was one of the best written songs of the year. My ‘Best Of’ lists sometimes act like an NBA Draft, where potential is a very heavily weighed  factor. We all have our favorites, but there’s something about a newcomer grabbing your attention and emotions.

5. Theophilus  London ft. Sara Quin – Why Even Try

One chill-wave rapper plus one half of my favorite Lesbian guitar playing twin sister duo equals one of the best songs of the year. It’s got a seriously head-nodding inducing beat and the amazing vocals of Sara Quin. The combination is kind of left-field but it’s also right up my alley. Shame on BET and Power 106 for not giving an experimental black artist like Theophilus London ANY play in 2011. Maybe they’ll wise up and diversify in 2012, but probably not.

4. Mr. Little Jeans – The Suburbs (Arcade Fire Cover)

This is probably the best track of the year, there’s only one problem… it came out last year. And was recorded by Arcade Fire. I love, let me repeat that, LOVE Mr. Little Jeans’ version of “The Suburbs”, but I can’t give her all the credit. The song is great because the kids at Arcade Fire wrote her a great song. But her rendition blows their original recording out the water. It’s pretty Little Dragon-esque actually. An instant slow girl classic for me that blends really dope electronic beats with a super dreamy female voice.

3. Jessica Lea Mayfield – Our Hearts Are Wrong

This is an original production to the best of my knowledge. Ohioan Jessica Lea Mayfield released a mind-blowing single that infected me for months. I even played this track during my dance sets. It’s a heartfelt folk ballad, that seems too personal to even listen to. I love this kind of emoting, and her squeaky guitar strums scored my (broken) dreams.

2. SBTRKT ft. Yukimi Nagano – Wildfire

Two words: Yukimi Nagano. The best in the game. Can’t no one touch her, ain’t no one like her. SBTRKT needs to be writing Yukimi all kind of thank you letters for making him relevant. This song just does it for me. Hard hitting production and perfect vocals.

1. Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – Look at Me Now

A phenomenon. There’s a video of a guy freestyling over this beat while making breakfast that has gotten over 16 million views in the past month. My point? Even the spoofs are a hit. We all know this song, every DJ has at least 2 remixes of it. It’s this years Dougie. And its got Yeezy and Busta to boot. The song is so good, no one even talks about CB’s walk off from the Good Morning America set anymore. It also can’t go unsaid that longtime GB favorites Diplo and Afrojack produced this mammoth hit. It’s as much their song as it is Chris Brown’s. Big up to Afrojack for pulling Usher and Paul McCartney at his Coachella set, and for Diplo having his face all over Blackberry’s commercial. It’s y’alls world.

NOTE: To download a song, right-click on it and select “Save As…”

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011

Honorable Mentions: Bjork Biophilia & Drive Original Soundtrack

Bjork could do anything and it would end up in my Top 10. But that’s exactly why I’m leaving it out of my Top 10 this year. There wasn’t anything particularly special about this album. Nor was there anything really breathtaking about Volta (except for the Timbaland produced tracks) or Medulla. I love her voice and because of that I think everything she does is great. The Drive Soundtrack is left out because more than half the album is just a score. If the full album was tracks from the Italians Do It Better mastermind Johnny Jewel, it would easily be in the top 5.

10.  Rihanna – Talk  That Talk

Rihanna is so dope! She’s hot, she can dance, she can sing, and her music is actually good, and she’s just getting started at the tender age of 23. Possessing all those qualities is such a rarity in current pop music. But Rihanna has legitimate roots in Caribbean music (“You Da One”) and R&B, so that may be what separates her from the likes of the Beyonces, Gagas and next ups out there. And unlike Beyonce she isn’t scared to get a little raw and nasty every now and then. She’s not trying to be a Disney Princess, most apparent when you listen to the lyrics on “Cockiness”. She reinvents herself with every album and continues to grow with each release, like the early years of Madonna’s career. And she is definitely not afraid to experiment, as she samples The Xx and works with Calvin Harris. She is the real pop princess.

Rihanna – Cockiness (Love It)

9. Feist – Metals

This was sort of a let down for me. I had very high expectations for Feist’s first new album in more than 4 years, and though it is a great album, it was not what I had in mind. Feist first blew my mind with her electronica-tinged folk rock. But gone is the electronic aspect of her sound, while the folk is turned way up. I’m sure Metals will grow on me, but if I want Julia Stone, I could have just gone and listened to Julia Stone… WHERE IS MY FEIST?

Feist – Graveyard

 

8. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

This one just snuck up on me, and all of America, and I do mean North America. The Weeknd had one of the biggest and most impressive debuts this year. It seemed like he wrote and produced everything himself, maybe in his Mom’s basement a la Cody Chestnutt. Whatever happened, the Weeknd supplied us with enough R&B bravado to make R. Kelly blush.

The Weeknd – High for This

7. My Morning Jacket – Circuital

My Morning Jacket always makes great music. They’re just a large commune of musicians who make music like they eat, sleep, and breathe, effortlessly. MMJ is my friend Kelley’s favorite band, so she has a lot to do with this album making my Top 10 as she has been shoving them down my throat for the past 3 years, but I do happen to love them myself, so it’s a welcomed shove.

My Morning Jacket – The Day is Coming 

6. Blow Your Head Vol. 2: Dave Nada Presents Moombahton 

I have a hard time including things like EPs, Compilations, and Soundtracks in my Top 10, but I couldn’t keep this one out. Usually compilations don’t tell a well thought out story the way a good album does, but this compilation focuses on the central theme of Moombahton, the best new genre to come out of the new decade. Maybe it’s because Moombahton reminds me of Baile Funk, maybe it’s because Mad Decent records is taking advantage of the fact that a good album from one artist is becoming increasingly and incredibly hard to find, but I am really feeling Dave Nada’s creation.

Sandro Silva – Told Ya (DJ Melo Moombahton Edit)

5. Little Dragon – Ritual Union

Little Dragon has benefitted from a steady climb of popularity and musical growth. They continue to evolve and mature their sound from album to album and as long as they have lead singer Yukimi Nagano, I will continue to pay attention, and continue to rep them as the best new band of the last 5 years.

Little Dragon – Ritual Union

4. Miguel Migs – Outside the Skyline

I have had a reborn love of  house music this year. I’m not sure when it started, but there has been a lot of bad house music forced on me this year that it made me rebel and find some good shit. I’ve mostly been digging for 90’s tracks and listening to a lot of Daft Punk mixtapes, but when I found this I knew real house music was still being made. Not only is this some really good, authentic, soulful house music (trance makes my head hurt), but the slew of guest vocalists on this album are very impressive: Evelyn “Champagne” King, Lisa Shaw, Meshelle N’Degeocello, Bebel Gilberto, et. al.

Miguel Migs ft. Lisa Shaw – Breakdown

3. Metronomy – The English Riviera

Metronomy made a big splash with their single “Heartbreaker” a few years ago, and kept me interested with their remix of Kate Nash’s “Foundations”. Now they’ve made me a full blown fan with their newest album The English Riviera, an impressive blend of Nu-Wave, Electro, and indie rock. I might even say it’s the most impressive blend of the genres I’ve heard yet. And if that sentence isn’t impressive, that sound is one of the fastest growing genres out, including the likes of MGMT, Midnight Juggernauts, Junior Boys, Miami Horror, Yeasayer, and about a few dozen other over-blogged groups.  What sets them apart is their heartfelt songwriting infused into songs you can still dance to. And most importantly they made a full length album you don’t have to skip through. The most important thing when I look for my top albums of the year.

Metronomy – She Wants

2. SBTRKT – SBTRKT

The mask sporting SBTRKT was still a relatively unknown producer when he played Coachella earlier this year. Literally, no one really knew his identity. But I was even more out of the loop as I had never heard of the guy. I thought he was just another ‘faceless’ abbreviated blog producer. But like I’ve said before, I pay attention when I hear Yukimi Nagano’s voice, and SBTRKT was smart enough to employ her on the leadoff single “Wildfire”. I listened to the rest of the album to see if this guy was a fluke and after a dozen or so full listens the definitive answer is HE IS NOT. His dubstep-lite electronica and revolving door of pitch-prefect guest vocalists immediately reminded me of Zero 7,one of my long time obsessions.

SBTRKT – Trials of the Past

1. Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch the Throne

Not as good as My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but better than Blueprint 3. These 2 are on the top of the music world right now, selling out arenas on World Tours, headlining Coachella, and being the barometer for which we measure everything Hip-Hop. Their collaboration seemed like a phenomenon, unfathomable yet inevitable. My favorite thing about this album is, it is the first great HIP-HOP album I’ve heard in maybe 3 years. The production is tight, very sample-heavy, something an old-school Hip Hop fan like myself needs. The guest spots are entertaining and impressive, yet not over-bearing (see My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or any Death Row Records album). The biggest problem with current Hip-Hop music is the rapping, lyricists have been on vacation for the past decade. This album doesn’t change much about that, as this may be one of Jay’s worst lyrical efforts (I actually think Kanye murders him on almost every track), but it doesn’t matter. The album is fun, inspired, and a great listen all the way through. No gimmicks. You know except for the big one of putting the two biggest stars in the game together. Can’t wait for that Beiber and Gaga album next year.

Kanye West & Jay-Z – No Church in the Wild

BEST SONGS OF 2011 #11-30

 

**BONUS** Childish Gambino – Heartbeat

I first heard this song a couple weeks ago. I haven’t had enough time to evaluate where this would fit into the ‘best of’ list, or where it will end up in the social zeitgest. But maybe in a few months it will change my life and it will be high on the best of 2012 list. Childish Gambino = Donald Glover aka Troy, the black guy from the underrated and under appreciated NBC sitcom “Community”.

30. Cults – Go Outside

Let me start off by saying I’m pretty sure these first 3 songs (#28-30) came out in 2010, but I think the albums all came out in 2011. It’s grey area, but I think they all made their biggest impressions in 2011. They’re all very similar in style; dreamy, poppy indie rock from young newcomers. They’re all catchy and get more infectious upon more listens. They all also got heavy play in advertisements and mainstreams radio. Cults also released a pretty impressive video with James Franco’s little brother and Julia Robert’s niece Emma.

29. Foster the People – Pumped up Kicks

Another one of those dancey indie pop tracks that blend into each other. Again, I gotta give it props because it was pretty damn infectious. My friend Faith clued me in that this song is apparently about the Columbine shooters, which makes the lyrics “Better run faster than my bullet” make a lot more sense. Proving that all you need is a good melody for a song to be popular.

28. The Naked and Famous – Young Blood

Infectious, poppy, indie. You know the formula by now.

27. Tyler the Creator –  Yonkers

The brash, controversial, and polarizing frontman of Odd Future had a HUGE single for an underground (no more) rapper. His rough lyrics and beefing with Tegan and Sara might have over-shadowed the fact that this is the only radio-friendly song on his whole record. The dude’s got a lot of growing up to do, both mentally and musically, but this was a pretty dope song, and an even more amazing music video.

26. Lana del Rey – Video Games

After a makeover Lana Del Rey was ready to take over the blogosphere. Producing one of the best poolside jams of the year. But all anyone can talk about are her huge silicon lips.

25. New Boyz – Crush on You

It’s hard to tell whether or not the new New Boyz album was a flop or huge success. There definitely wasn’t anything as big as “You’re a Jerk” on it, but they got tons of play on televised sporting events and in general. Most of the album is dismissible, but Crush on You was that sound that I was looking for you. Heavy bassline, minimal production, cool whistling. Solid party rap.

24. Portugal. The Man – Got it All (This Can’t Be Living Now)

I don’t have much to say about this song. I like the dude’s voice, and the chorus even more. The Portland rockers have been around for a few years, but haven’t made me take notice until this song. We’ll see where they take it from here.

23. Clams Casino – She’s Hot

I posted this recently, ranting and raving about this great instrumental from Hip-Hop producer Clams Casino. He often works with Lil B, but I think he shines on his own. There’s an instrumental album out there somewhere. I’ve heard some of his other productions, this track is not a fluke.

22. Carte Blanche ft. Alexis Taylor – With You

Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip adds some great vocals to a great dance track from Riton and the late great DJ Mehdi. This is not a tribute placing. This song was in my constant rotation and was in a mixtape from this year before Mehdi passed. I love Carte Blanche’s sound, and it’s a shame that this act now ceases to exist.

21. My Morning Jacket – Holdin On to Black Metal

My Morning Jacket and Jim James always come correct. I wouldn’t call this indie rock, it’s just good old fashion rock music. A mix of Americana and 6o’s classic rock like Stones or even Beatles. My favorite part is the faux ending at about the 2:45 mark, then it picks back up and keeps rocking.

20. Kreayshawn – Gucci Gucci

One of the biggest hits of the year. And maybe the first big hit from a white female rapper ever. I cant think of another. But if Nicki Minaj didn’t make it so big this year, Kreayshawn would have the genre all to herself.

19. Kanye West & Jay-Z – Otis

One of the biggest, most important tracks of the year. It kind of takes a hit in the rankings because after you listen to The Throne album on repeat for weeks at a time like I did, this song ceases to stand out anymore. But a head-nodding soulful Hip-Hop track. Much like most of the Throne. Oddly enough I heard a lot of white women did not like this song. Go figure.

18. Firefox AK – Boom Boom Boom (Coucheron Remix)

I get sent music all the time from unknown artists, and people ask me all the time if the music I get is any good. Well I think this may be the best track I got sent all year. I fell in love with it glitchy-electro track featuring Firefox AK’s catchy vocals immediately and I haven’t been able to stop playing it ever since. I play it in gigs and for friends, and now its in the ‘best of’ list. Firefox AK is a cute little lady and I know even less about Coucheron, but thank you both for this gem.

17. Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx – Nightcall

The lead-off track to the impressive Drive Soundtrack features two familiar musicians, French electro-producer Kavinsky and CSS frontwoman Lovefoxxx. The two create a moody, cinematic ballad that takes you instantly into a head-nodding frenzy. It’s a perfect track to start off a dancey set, or to just throw on when you’re chilling on the catch in a smoky haze.

16. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If I Had a Gun…

I remember being impressed with the songwriting the first time I heard this song. I was thinking to myself, “this ain’t your average, run-of-the-mill indie rock track.” And I couldn’t have been more righter. The one and only Noel Gallagher, the mind behind the pen of those great Oasis songs, leaves his brother and continues to make great music. Though somehow even sadder than before.

15. Beth Ditto – I Wrote the Book

Gossip lead singer Beth Ditto, journeyed out or her own and released a 4 track EP. The standout track was the dancey “I Wrote the Book”. If you are a fan of Gossip’s work this is a release you can not miss. Everything she touches turns to gold, just checkout her work with Simian Mobile Disco from their last release.

14. Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know

Gotye has apparently been hustling as an underground musician for years, but didn’t get what he deserved until he released this super-infectious track. It’s solid songwriting, good female backup vocals, and nice instrumentation. It shows hard work does payoff. As of today (Dec. 30th) this song has over 30 million plays on Youtube!

13. The Weeknd – What You Need

This song is so good that Drake adopted The Weeknd’s sound for his entire sophomore album. I constantly get asked “who is this” when I play this in a DJ set. Well everyone his name is THE WEEKND. He’s a Canadian soul singer with a sharp tongue and an ear for mysterious, ethereal production. I just heard one of his songs on pop music radio station KIIS FM last week, and with his collaborations with Drake, I feel you will be hearing his name a lot more in the very near future. Like tomorrow.

12. Metronomy – The Bay

Yowsah. I played this in a set, and then a couple weeks later I heard 2manydjs (my favorite DJ group) play this in a set. Need I say more? Dancy, rocking, melodic, fancy.

11. Raziek – Addiction

I lied earlier in the post, and I dont feel like going back to delete it, so I’ll just ratify it hear. THIS SONG, not Firefox AK, was the best unknown track I got sent all year. The guys at Top Billin sent this to me and I have been addicted ever since. This is Raziek’s Moombahton-esque take on R&B crooner Ryan Leslie’s “Addiction”. It’s super impressive, as are most of Raziek’s other productions, but this one hit the head of the heart for me. If this don’t get you dancing, go to Church, cuz you have no soul!

LE CASTLE VANIA @ AVALON

Dylan Eiland, better known as Le Castle Vania, threw down a monstrous set at Avalon Hollywood last CONTROL Friday. Golden Bloggen was there to capture the mayhem, as eager EDM fans danced the night away and posed for pictures. Check out the photo gallery HERE.

Le Castle Vania is originally from Atlanta, but his sound quickly permeated airwaves around the world starting with the summer of 2006. He has been touring ever since. Those craving dirty, distorted indie-electro first quenched their thirst with his remixes of “Come Out” and “Bombs.” You can tell by the look and sound of Eiland that he is heavily influenced by punk culture. He brings an authentic disco-punk vibe which is all his own to the electro scene. Look out for Le Castle Vania to be smashing a d-floor near you!

You can like him and find his tour schedule on Facebook

Like Avalon Hollywood

DJ Falcon & Thomas Bangalter – Together (Le Castle Vania + Computer Club Remix)

GOTYE “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Gotye seemed to come out of nowhere and deliver one of the best tracks of the year. I thought his voice sounded like Sting, while a buddy of mine was reminded of Phil Collins. And trust me, we mean those comparisons to be compliments. Gotye isn’t trying to recreate some nostalgic 80’s soft rock jam, but he does gives us that good old feeling we got from happy pop music that was popular when we were younger. Unpretentious, heartfelt, and well… just ultimately a good song delivered by Gotye. And I must give props to Kimbra, who perfectly delivers the female vocal accompaniment.

Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know (ft. Kimbra)

DJ ASSAULT

DJ Assault is one of the more “popular” architects of ghetto or booty music. The most famous, or infamous, being 2 Live Crew. Booty music is some of my favorite dance music. It blends rough, misogynistic Hip-Hop with heavy dance beats. I don’t think liking this music makes you a misogynist, ironically, booty music is the best music for getting girls dancing (see: Juvenile’s “Back That Ass Up”). What I like most about it, is it’s simplicity. It gets you moving and embraces ideals that I hold dear, like “Ass N Titties” for example. I love both. I tried to explain this phenonemon to my Mom when talking about current rap music. I like Love Rance’s “Beat the Pussy Up” or Ludacris’ lyrics on “Do Something Strange” because I can identify with that, but I have no idea what “Rack City” is, unless it’s a place with a lot of titties. Booty music is also very prominent in Brazil, where they refer to it as Baile Funk, which has become my most recent genre obsession. And if you are looking for other American artists like DJ Assault, I would suggest Justice cohort DJ Funk. Also another great DJ Assault track is “Yo Relatives”, but I think that only exists on vinyl. Now go shake that ass.

DJ Assault – I See Booty

DJ Assault – Ass N’ Titties

MUSIC VIDEO MONDAY – CHEEK “VENUS (DJ GREGORY REMIX)”

If you are a long time follower of this blog, I would first like to thank you, and I would also assume that you are familiar with my obsession of Daft Punk. I don’t think this makes me any different from anyone else under the age of 30 who runs a music blog, but I think my obsession may be just a little deeper than most. Recently I have had Daft Punk’s mixes from the late 90’s on constant rotation in my whip. It might surprise you that Daft Punk aren’t actually the best of DJ’s, but their production and music selection is unmatchable. My favorite DP mix is the 1998 NYE Essential Mix on BBC’s Radio 1. It’s 2 hours of the absolute best 90’s house I’ve ever heard. One of the standout tracks is DJ Gregory’s remix of “Venus” by Cheek. It will have you singing “sunshine people we are” for DAYS! Not only is the song phenomenal, but the video is really cool as well. I’m a sucker for animated videos, and this 98 clip is super dated, but it’s a fun good time.