1. FATHER JOHN MISTY
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings (Sub Pop/Inertia)
The brilliant, unforgettable, epic song of the year is dark, funny and mesmerising, with a swinging beat and a pealing refrain that tears at your head with its spiky, suggestive undertones. Makes my throat feel like it’s closing over just a little bit.
2. THE SHINS
It’s Only Life (Sony)
So subtle, but so life-affirming, It’s Only Life is a gentle arm around the shoulder, with a reassuring melody that speaks straight to the heart and lyrics so sweetly meant they make you want to cry: “I’ve been down the very road you’re walking now/It doesn’t have to be so dark and lonesome.” Word, James Mercer.
3. FRANK OCEAN
Thinkin Bout You
One of the most distinctive, naked, unassuming love songs ever written, Thinkin Bout You is the highlight of Frank Ocean’s brilliant, cerebral, stripped back album.
4. NICKI MINAJ
Starships (Universal)
The chart pop song of the year sees Nicky rocking in some really fucking odd territory. The chorus may start out Ibiza pool party style, dance-lite and catchy, but hold your breath – a monstrous warped beat kicks in to blow the roof off this crazy-ass Minaj party.
5. DIRTY PROJECTORS
Gun Has No Trigger (Domino/EMI)
A familiar but brilliant intensity in the backing harmonies rises to a hysterical peak in the chorus. Meanwhile, David Longstreth does something creepy and sensual with the melody, painting a scene of absurd and fruitless desperation with his singular, soul-shaking voice.
6. M.I.A.
Bad Girls (Universal)
Another chunky, sulky single of taffy stretched beats and lazy, savage rhymes from the pint-sized would-be freedom fighter.
7. THE XX
Angels (Remote Control)
Rony’s rich, aching, understated song is barely dressed, but for the occasional shimmer of cymbals and the faintest whisper of bass and guitar. This is magic.
8. FUN.
Some Nights (Warner)
This very mental mega-pop explosion managed to top We Are Young in ridiculous, body-shaking bombast, channelling the very best of Queen with the stomping beats of Brooklyn indie.
9. JACK WHITE
Love Interruption (Sony)
A stellar acoustic cut from Blunderbuss with unforgettable lyrics: “I want love to roll me over slowly, stick a knife inside me and twist it all around/I want love to grab my fingers gently, slam them in a doorway, rub my face in the ground.”
10. DAMON ALBARN
The Marvelous Dream (EMI)
Awash with poetic visions of Mother England, expressed in the sweetest honey croon and aching melodic drops against a softly strummed acoustic guitar. A haunting mess of abstract ideas, and in Damon’s voice, a bittersweet reminder of something young and beautiful that is lost.
11. FIONA APPLE
Every Single Night (Sony)
Every Single Night starts out harmless enough but then Fiona’s voice begins to tremble and snarl, carefully constrained against music that shudders and fits. Her bristling, anxious energy is unchanged, still youthful, still sexy and as always, a little bit insane.
12. WIZARDS OF TIME
Little’s Jingle (Hidden Shoal)
This squelching, ‘technicolour art-rock’ ditty has a mess of electronic noise in the foreground and a soul-lifting emotional undertone, reminiscent of Animal Collective but rougher and more spacious.
13. EMILY BARKER & THE RED HALO
Fields Of June (Walking Horse)
This song is stunning. English folk punk artist Frank Turner joins Emily for a stormy country duet with all the makings of a classic – mythic lyrics, mournful voices and a slapping rhythm that pushes us forward against the tide of grim heartache.
14. LEONARD COHEN (Warner)
Going Home
Classic Cohen, with cleaner production, rhyming desperate yet graceful words about death and release against slight violin notes and whisper quiet backing vocals.
16. JAI PAUL
Jasmine (XL/Remote Control)
A seductive tremor of Prince-inspired funk by feted London producer Jai Paul. Muddy synth makes you lean in close, jarred Vangelis-style beats keep you on your toes and Jai’s whispered falsetto hooks you in place.
17. ROBERT DELONG
Global Concepts (Liberator)
Robert Delong is a Seattle-born man child who makes music using Wii remotes and Sega Genesis controllers. With these scraps of plastic and metal, plus drum pads, synths and MIDI interfaces, he crafts big, soupy bass beats and warped, spine-scraping accents; hunks of fun time electro to make you stamp your feet, met with epic, heartfelt vocals.
18. PLAN B
Lost My Way (Warner)
Plan B’s latest single is a ferocious mix of seventies soul, UK rap and Rage Against The Machine-style political punk grandstanding. It’s roughly assembled but visceral, the old soul refrain pitch-shifted against a new set of backing vocals, skittering cymbals, DJ Shadow-esque drops of piano and defiant rap that verges on hysteria.
19. LOWER DENS
Brains (Domino/EMI)
Brains is a lush, simmering brew of muted indie rock vocals and chugging glitch, an overwhelming kind of song that drowns you in a sea of sound and tickles you with the detail.
20. SPIRITUALIZED
Hey Jane (Domino/EMI)
Layers of guitar and vocal build confidently until singer Jason Spaceman returns like a distorted, warbling choirmaster, leading the song in clattering rounds to a sweet, carnivalesque peak. Unexpectedly great.
