The Weeknd - "The Morning"
I hope that this is what music sounds like in the future. A beautiful mix of styles and sensibilities; a mixture of smooth and rough. Music is headed in that direction it seems. Anything goes. And few songs have gone as far or as deep as "The Morning", a song that's as much Prince as it is Clapton as it is R. Kelly. It would be a towering achievement for a band at their peak; the fact that it comes from a solitary little-known Montreal musician makes it that much greater. It's a song that's low but it hits all the highs, and if it could be any higher on this list it would be.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Best Songs of 2011: #2
Jay-Z & Kanye West - "Niggas In Paris"
If this isn't what 20 million dollars sounds like, I don't know what does.
If this isn't what 20 million dollars sounds like, I don't know what does.
Best Songs of 2011: #3
Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross - "Ima Boss"
Forget Rick Ross here; this is all about Meek. This is all about new Hip-Hop, really. It's about a guy you've never heard before from a town whose last great rap hope is making Hancock 2. It's about a hard street flow that pops out at instead of lulling you to sleep. It's about this beat, my god this beat, and the hype on hype on hype feeling it gives you. It's all about the dopest banger of Twenty Eleven right here.
Forget Rick Ross here; this is all about Meek. This is all about new Hip-Hop, really. It's about a guy you've never heard before from a town whose last great rap hope is making Hancock 2. It's about a hard street flow that pops out at instead of lulling you to sleep. It's about this beat, my god this beat, and the hype on hype on hype feeling it gives you. It's all about the dopest banger of Twenty Eleven right here.
Best Songs of 2011: #4
Bon Iver - "Holocene"
Since Justin Vernon got his heart broken and recorded an album in his Wisconsin cabin under the name Bon Iver, critics have praised him almost unanimously. His latest album, Bon Iver, is filled with luxurious soundscapes and haunting lyrics, and fully meets its lofty expectations.
Since Justin Vernon got his heart broken and recorded an album in his Wisconsin cabin under the name Bon Iver, critics have praised him almost unanimously. His latest album, Bon Iver, is filled with luxurious soundscapes and haunting lyrics, and fully meets its lofty expectations.
Best Songs of 2011: #5
DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross, & Lil' Wayne - "I'm On One"
Right off the bat you have to accept that this is inherently stupid. We all know DJ Khaled doesn't actually do anything. We all know that Drake played a kid in a wheelchair on a Canadian tv show. We all know that Rick Ross worked as a prison guard and isn't the international cocaine smuggler he'd like you to think he is. But in the fantasy-land that is mainstream Hip-Hop, none of this matters. Cause this shit goes hard.
Right off the bat you have to accept that this is inherently stupid. We all know DJ Khaled doesn't actually do anything. We all know that Drake played a kid in a wheelchair on a Canadian tv show. We all know that Rick Ross worked as a prison guard and isn't the international cocaine smuggler he'd like you to think he is. But in the fantasy-land that is mainstream Hip-Hop, none of this matters. Cause this shit goes hard.
Best Songs of 2011: #6
A$AP Rocky - "Peso"
I'll admit, at first, I didn't really like this A$AP kid. He's from Harlem but he talks about how Trill he is; he doesn't have the most complicated or impressive rhymes. But he does have an amazing collaborator: New Jersey producer Clams Casino. The combination is lethal, and recommended with repetitive listening. This is zone out music at its finest.
I'll admit, at first, I didn't really like this A$AP kid. He's from Harlem but he talks about how Trill he is; he doesn't have the most complicated or impressive rhymes. But he does have an amazing collaborator: New Jersey producer Clams Casino. The combination is lethal, and recommended with repetitive listening. This is zone out music at its finest.
Best Songs of 2011: #7
James Blake - "The Wilhelm Scream"
James Blake has become the face of British electronic music, mostly because he's one of the few artists willing to appear live in interviews and music videos (I'm lookin' at you, Burial). He also has voice, which he uses with great effect on his self-titled LP, and especially well on "The Wilhelm Scream".
James Blake has become the face of British electronic music, mostly because he's one of the few artists willing to appear live in interviews and music videos (I'm lookin' at you, Burial). He also has voice, which he uses with great effect on his self-titled LP, and especially well on "The Wilhelm Scream".
Best Songs of 2011: #8
Kendrick Lamar - "HiiiPower"
The Black Hippy supergroup, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock, have already become the hottest ticket in rap so far in 2012; this is the song that got it all rolling.
The Black Hippy supergroup, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock, have already become the hottest ticket in rap so far in 2012; this is the song that got it all rolling.
Best Songs of 2011: #9
tUnE-yArDs - "Powa"
tUnE-yArDs, like other freak pop flyers Dirty Projectors and The Big Pink, rely on bombastic vocalizations, unique instrumentation, and stadium-sized emotions. "Powa" is not an understatement; this song blasts forth with Styx-quality harmonies.
tUnE-yArDs, like other freak pop flyers Dirty Projectors and The Big Pink, rely on bombastic vocalizations, unique instrumentation, and stadium-sized emotions. "Powa" is not an understatement; this song blasts forth with Styx-quality harmonies.
Best Songs of 2011: #10
Jai Paul - "BTSTU (Edit)"
Here Jai Paul, mysterious British sound wizard, has given us a rare treat: a song both seductive and threatening at the same damn time. Process that, along with your hair.
Here Jai Paul, mysterious British sound wizard, has given us a rare treat: a song both seductive and threatening at the same damn time. Process that, along with your hair.
Best Songs of 2011: #11
The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"
The Keys have been polishing their sound ever since their gritty garage beginnings, but here they merge commercial shine with classic sweat-shack rock n roll. Groove-worthy indeed.
The Keys have been polishing their sound ever since their gritty garage beginnings, but here they merge commercial shine with classic sweat-shack rock n roll. Groove-worthy indeed.
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