Miike Snow - Animal
I think opinion was pretty polarised on this one, but right here where Animal is coming off the speakers, I'm pretty hooked on this track. Swedish pop at it's best, slick/sleek arrangements by Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg and catchy, fun lyrics by vocalist Andrew Wyatt. While I'm going "bounce, bounce", I'm pretty sure this will get stuck in at least half of the heads that listen to it.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy
This one here is a bit dodgy. No, not the quality but rather whether it actually is a 2009 track. Technically, the album was released in 2008, however, it was re-released in 2009 and also featured a reworked Skeleton Boy. So I figured, what the heck.
”I close my eyes on the dancefloor/forget about you./I lose myself in flashing colors/I’ve got to see it through” Beginning with this, you know this is gonna be a fun ride. There's the bleeps and bops, immensely catchy lyrics in short cuts (why do I sound like I'm repeating what I said for Miike Snow's Animal), electro drum beats, plus such an awesome video which the guys over at current say isn't all too original. Sorry folks, but it sure seems original and interesting to me. Don't stop yourself from filling the air with this light dancey number. Get going!
official ,myspace ,last.fm
St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work
Just hitting the halfway mark of the 3rd minute, Actor Out of Work might seem short, but boy is it brimming with energy and pace. The intense drums and the fuzzy guitaring drives the song, as much as her beautiful vocals - don't the oooh oooh oooh's sound so nice? But what takes the cake is the magnificent orchestration at the end using the horns, drum and guitar. Don't you feel it's almost like taking an awesome ride at the amusement park that ends as soon as it started, and you want to take it again and again? Well, this certainly feels like that, no doubt due to the fast pace of the song.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
White Lies - Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business manages to show McVeigh's extended range of vocals for what I feel is him at his best. The lyrics tell a story, of betrayal and forgiveness, as a woman murders a man (presumably the husband) and he comes back as a ghost to haunt her but realises he's still in love with her. All he wants is to forget that she murdered him, and to be with her again. His voice is powerful and suited to the dark but brilliant lyrics, and unwittingly sends shivers up my spine. I think he'd sound fantastic live.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
White Rabbits - Percussion Gun
Well for those expecting something else, it sounds just like what the title says. First off, you have two people playing the drums (at least in the video), and there's the disturbingly enchanting pounding of the lower octaves of the piano. It's a flurry of activity, fast and furious which stirs up the atmosphere and I wouldn't be surprised finding myself in the 60s Sicily, with two rival mafia gangs having an intense face off.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
One For The Team - Best Supporting Actress
Sweet and melodious acoustic indie pop. It feels so charming and certainly not out of place at a bonfire with a group of friends listening to them playing. Lovely lyrics and vocals, clear strumming of the guitar. It's really no frills, just honest singing and awesome stuff from the rest of the team.
I know I said I would miss you
But now I think i'll make a mess of you
Get this free from their label which was incidentally founded by Ian Anderson, their vocalist.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
Florence + the Machine - Dog Days Are Over
Don't you think Dog Days Are Over has a soul of it's own? It's as if it has wings and would spread them anytime and take off. Her strong vocals resonate as their scale enormous heights. The supporting cast does a brilliant job of supplementing her vocals in this piece, as it takes you through all the cork screws and double cork screws and even the 360s before settling you for a straight (coinciding with the soft lull) before it springs you with yet another trip through those twist and turns. She's really impressive and indeed, this song takes you on a whirlwind ride which is both a delight and joy.
Btw, she's coming here (to Singapore) with The xx. Get your tickets if you haven't!
official ,myspace ,last.fm
The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin
Breathy vocals that permeate the dreamy soundscape which engulfs you while the slow acoustic strums accompany the chorus as this magic slowly unfolds. Eerie and taut while the lyrics reek of despair "Spooning water from the broken vessels/As far as I can see there is no land", it belies the lyrical depth later in "Lords of war just profit from decay/And trade the children's promise for the jingle". Absolute stunner of a track.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
Atlas Sound - Quick Canal (feat. Laetitia Sadier)
Bradford Cox certainly knows his way with music. This song is really wonderful, almost lugubrious. Aurally, it's soothing via the use of the keyboard, and Laetitia certainly has that sort of lush voice which envelops you entirely. A kaleidoscope of sounds, at times foggy, at times hazy, at times lush and full, it fills the space you're in. I really really like this song, and it's highly recommended that you take a listen, and you won't even feel like 8 minutes has passed after listening to the song.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
Headlights - Get Going
Light acoustic strumming of the guitar coupled with wistful vocals, certainly got me going. A tad short for such an awesome track, but still love it all the same.
official ,myspace ,last.fm
And so, this marks the end of a pretty long and fun journey, anyhow here are my 50 favourite tracks for 2009 as a new decade beckons in less than 2 days time. It definitely heralds more good music in the coming year and decade, while the lines of mainstream and indie is looking to be blurred, evidenced by the mainstream movie New Moon (Twilight Saga) with their indie soundtrack. Enjoy.
