日志

1) Empire of the Sun – Without You

A stone-wall classic. In recent years, there haven't been many songs that have evoked the sound of the 80s with such modesty and confidence. But this commonplace connection with the New Romantic era isn't the only aspect that justifies a number one spot; the music is rich in every one of these emotions: heartache, requited love, apprehension, regret, obsession, jealousy, selfishness, and self-pity. It only takes a second of the music, and you're drawn into a wistfully contemplative reflection. The chorus is the heart of the song, as Steele belts out with full emotion and honesty: "I get the feeling when we're apart / I get the teaching that I can't be without you". The song is essentially about love, and could easily be imagined at the end of a wedding disco as the chills are felt through the kindred spirits, or the broken-hearted. 80s throwbacks aren't uncommon in music today, but this feels like more of a synth pop song for the 'teens' (2010-20), than a Spandau Ballet ripoff, but it shouldn't be discouraged for drawing comparisons to their seminal track, True.

2) Animal Collective – Also Frightened

The transition of one decade into another is best captured in this song. It was hard to pick one track from the brilliant Merriweather Post Pavilion. AC are casually known for their talents in sound craftsmenship, but for me, Also Frightened is a model for modern pop music composition that recognises the trio as talented songwriters, and pushing boundaries of pop hooks and sonic aesthetics. Homages to Beatles and Beach Boys are humble and effective. The dense textures, complex rhythms and eastern harmonies combined with the effervescent blend of Avey Tare and Panda Bear's vocals are a tour-de-force. The lyrics could be interpreted as the fears of growing up, or general anxieties of modern society as another decade of uncertain future beckons.

3) Asobi Seksu – Me & Mary

Daydreamy pop from the New York shoegazers. Brings back the memories of being a 16 year old girl.

4) Dirty Projectors – Useful Chamber

Adventurous, stylish and sophisticated avant rock peppered with intricate melodies and a militaristic beat that tepidly undulates beneath the woozy synth waves. The chorus packs a punch that is full of power and urgency, and everything is going swimmingly until halfway through, when the music suffers a coma, and morphs into a mind-melting wail from the angels. It's unexpected but utterly brilliant - I've never heard anything like it.

5) OOIOO – Hewa Hewa

Don't be afraid to let loose the chimpanzanee inside you.

6) St. Vincent – The Party

The coda is the the most beautiful and soul-stirring thing I've heard all year.

7) The Twilight Sad – Reflection Of The Television

I was impressed by their first album, and this song takes off from where they left off. Moody atmosphere and gnarly guitars, but what brings it all together is Graham's strong Scottish tones that bleeds honesty and desolation. There is beauty in the lyrics, despite the lack of: "There's people downstairs / I'm more than a fighter", shows the internal struggle with confidence and self-esteem.

8) PJ Harvey & John Parish – A Woman A Man Walked By

PJ Harvey at her most frank and vulnerable is usually her best. The composition is brave and it's a brutal execution from Parish. Great combo.

9) Major Lazer – Pod de floor

Brings back memories of Bonde do Role's 2007 debut with it's brazilian-esque electronica and old school beats. Exciting and catchy.

10) The Horrors – I Only Think of You

Droning guitars and Badwan's moody vocals provide the depth and exuberence in this towering song. Production is well handled by Portishead's Geoff Barrow and musical influences are unmistakably clear but well channelled for this NME-birthed group.

11) Wild Beasts – All The King’s Men

12) Blue Roses – Greatest Thoughts

13) Taken By Trees – Watch The Waves

14) Mos Def – Quiet Dog Bite Hard

15) JJ – From Africa To Malaga

16) Grizzly Bear – I Live With You

17) Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer

18) Sonic Youth – Antenna

19) Julie Doiron – Consolation Prize

20) Phoenix - Rome


21-50

21) Reigns – Mab Crease
22) The Mountain Goats – Romans 10:9
23) Wavves – No Hope Kids
24) Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo
25) Hudson Mohawke – Allhot
26) Animal Collective – My Girls
27) Jay-Z – Empire State of Mind
28) Shitao - We
29) Bibio – Fire Ant
30) HEALTH – Die Slow
31) Kings of Convenience – Riot On An Empty Street
32) Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader
33) Susumu Yokota – Meltwater
34) Gary War – Anhedonic Man
35) The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother
36) Mr Oizo – Steroids
37) The Invisible – London Girl
38) casiotone – White Jetta
39) Timbre – Lay Down In The Tall Grass
40) The National – So Far Around The Bend
41) Sally Shapiro – Dying in Africa
42) Sufjan Stevens – Impossible Soul
43) Atlas Sound – Quick Canal
44) Telefon Tel Aviv – Helen of Troy
45) Lykke Li – Possibility
46) BURIAL/FOUR TET – wolf cub
47) Sparklehorse + Fennesz – goodnight sweetheart
48) Atlas Sound – Walkabout
49) Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
50) DM Stith – Braid Of Voices

51-100

51) Bat for Lashes – Daniel
52) The xx – Crystalised
53) Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky
54) Black Moth Super Rainbow – Twin Of Myself
55) No Age – Genie
56) Empire of the Sun – We Are The People
57) WHY? – The Blackest Purse
58) Thee Oh Sees – She Said To Me
59) Clark – The Magnet Mine
60) Crippled Black Phoenix – Time of ye life
61) Andrew Weatherall – Selective Walking
62) The Papercuts – Jet Plane
63) YACHT – The Afterlife
64) Seeland – Captured
65) Boys Noize – Transmission
66) The Wooden Birds – Sugar
67) David Sylvian – Random Acts of Senseless Violence
68) Mt. Eerie – Through The Trees
69) Johann Johannsson – Theme
70) Yo La Tengo – Avalon or Someone Very Similar
71) Richard Youngs – Like A Sailor
72) Au Revoir Simone – Shadows
73) Espers – Caroline
74) Humcrush – Steam
75) The Horrors – Scarlet Fields
76) Andrew Weatherall – Privately Electrified
77) Thom Yorke – All For The Best
78) Broadcast – Ritual/Looking In
79) Nite Jewel – Falling Far
80) Black Moth Super Rainbow – Gold Splatter
81) Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
82) Au – Ida Walked Away
83) HEALTH – Death +
84) Bell Orchestre – Air Lines, Land Lines
85) The Twilight Sad – That Room
86) Nosaj Thing – Fog
87) Populous – Zodiac
88) Sonic Youth – Anti-Orgasm
89) Telefon Tel Aviv – The Birds
90) Bibio – The Palm Of Your Wave
91) Micachu – Vulture
92) Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Joy Maker Machinery
93) Evangelista – Iris Didn't Spell
94) Os Mutantes – Neurociencia Do Amor
95) Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard – Bugs & Flowers
96) Jon Brion – Little Person
97) Clark – Future Daniel
98) Tadeo – Virgo
99) Shugo Tokumaru – Rum Hee
100) Broadcast - In Here the World Begins