#8 - Your Nature - “Cherokee Blood”
Another incredibly young, incredibly mature band, Your Nature’s debut EP would have holes in it were I listening on vinyl. Everything about this song screams authentic rock’n’roll and just feels natural. Can’t. Get. Enough.
#9 - Fever Ray - “Triangle Walks”
I became enamored with this album early in the year and haven’t let go. It’s chilling and haunting, but at the same time incredibly rich and beautiful. It also carries an heir of truly international music — Swedish singer singing in English to European synths marked with Japanese chimes.
#10 - Local Natives - “Sun Hands”
I would say I’m biased as I’m lucky to call these guys friends, but I heard this song before they were my friends and it sold me on the band. Harmonies + crescendos + rolling basslines and drums = WIN! If you get to see these guys live, hang onto your hats for this epic.
#11 - Tune-Yards - “Hatari”
This song wins not only for its catchiness, but also for its unbelievable vocal display (needs to be seen live to truly grasp her power). It is a shining example of Merrill’s ability to fuse pop with some tribal sensibilities that I have no idea where she picked up. If you leave this countdown learning nothing else, learn this: you absolutely positively must see Tune-Yards live if you have the opportunity.
#12 - Harlem Shakes - “Sunlight”
Another track that just flat out feels good. Bask in its glow.
#13 - Islands - “Tender Torture”
I said previously that Islands was impossible to truly love (and also nearly impossible to ignore), but this song gets as close as they come to being soulful. Layering soul on top of their already impeccable pop sensibilities makes for a potent songwriting recipe.
“I’ve seen some great things / but I don’t want to see anything / if I can’t see you”
#14 - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - “Home”
I’ve been fortunate enough to see these guys numerous times live, which is where their magic truly takes hold (the first show I saw was in a small Mexican restaurant in LA where the band took up nearly half the space). This song is their best example of capturing their stage magic, which focuses its energy on the relationship between the two singers, Jade and Alex.
#15 - Surfer Blood - “Swim”
Nearly this entire album would be on this countdown, but unfortunately it doesn’t officially come out til 2010 (this single was released in 2009), so you’ll have to wait til next year or keep listening to our mixtapes :). I’m still blown away at what a mature sound these teenagers are able to pull off.
#16 - Evan Voytas - “Give It Back”
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a happier, more playful sounding song. I mean, come on, half the chorus is laughing! Jeez, how can you not love that? Unless, of course, you don’t like being happy, in which case I feel very sorry for you.
