Best Songs of 2011
1. “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” - Lupe Fiasco (3-7-2011]. A boomin’ collaborative pop-dance track with MDMA from Lupe’s latest album.
2. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People [1-18-2011]. Groovy lo-fi by newly-formed alt-indie quartet out of L.A. off smokin’ self-titled debut EP.
3. “Boom” – Snoop Dogg featuring T-Pain [3-8-2011}. With a 70’s disco remix floating the background, Snoop lays out slick raps while T-Pain provides the dance-floor-worthy hook.
4. “Rumour Has It” – Adele [2-22-2011]. Smoky, soulful vocals and catchy beats combine in this second track off Adele’s second album.
5. “Price Tag” – Jessie J [2-1-2011]. Emerging pop rocker from London is voted Winner of Critics Choice for 2011 Brits and lays out this sassy duet version with B.o.B.
6. “Moneygrabber” – Fitz and The Tantrums [1-5-2010] Brewing up a retro-soul, Motown sound by new septet discovered at South by Southwest.
7. “Old Man” – RedLight King (4-12-2011). Using Neil Young’s actual refrain, this emerging white-boy hip-hop group reworks the 70’s rock classic with its own lyrics and vibe.
8. “Someone to Love Me” – Mary J. Blige [3-29-2011]. An earthier, more primal sound from the R & B soulstress who hosts a line up of collaborating hip-hoppers on this track– including a gritty cameo from Lil Wayne.
9. “Just for Show” – Atmosphere [4-12-2011]. Narrative raps from latest album by indie hip hop group from Minneapolis led by Slug (aka Sean Daly).
10. “California Sunrise” – Dirty Gold [1-18-2011]. Easy alt-hippy-surfer rock track by emerging young band out of San Diego.
11. “In the Dark” – Dev [4-26-2011]. Pop dance track by emerging American electro-pop, “Like a G6” chick from forthcoming debut album.
12. “Night Out” – Martin Solveig (6-9-2011). House pop by French DJ with pulsing electro backbeat is the lead track off forthcoming album
13. “Jazzmataz” – Jay Electronica (to be released) A hip-hop collage of preaching, hip hop , loose bass background and soulful female trio combine for a tribute to Guru.
14. “Never Forget You” – Lupe Fiasco with John Legend [3-7-2011]. Signature, super-phresh hip-hop loaded with smart & aware lyrics off latest collaborative album.
15. “That Good” – Snoop Dogg featuring Wiz Khalifa [1-18-2011]. From the upcoming “High School” movie project, this hip-hop track has an old-school Cali feeling in praise of a “sack of dank.”
16. “The Race” – Wiz Khalifa [3-8-2011]. Groovy, gritty hip-hop beats by the rising rapper out of Pittsburgh.
17. “I Need Air” – Magnetic Man featuring Angela Hunte [4-12-2011]. Pop dance elctronica by collaborative British dubstep producers and DJ’s.
18. “Lights” – Ellie Goulding [3-8-2011]. British vocalist balances electro-pop and indie folk off debut album.
19. “My Name is Trouble” – Keren Ann [3-22-2011]. Easy pop track featuring flowing female vocals against good groovin’ backdrop by Israeli-born performer.
20. “Till I’m Gone” – Tinie Tempah [5-17-2011]. Smash single off London hip-hopper’s debut album lays out cockney accent over pop R&B beats.
21. “Fast Lane” – Bad Meets Evil [5-3-2011]. The first single – a mic-ninja-rap attack -- from newly revived duo among Motor City pals.
22. “Eyes Be Closed” – Washed Out [leaked 5-2-2011]. From forthcoming debut sub-pop full-length album, a shimmering trippy groove jam .
23. “Big Jet Plane” – Angus & Julia Stone [4-4-2011}. Easy, intimate folk music by Australian siblings from Sidney.
24. “Lotus Flower” – Radiohead [2-18-2011]. Beloved art rock band lays out mellow, trippy grooves on this nuggest from latest album.
25. “Damn These Vampires” – The Mountain Goats [3-29-2011]. Expressive indie folk rock led by John Darnielle who’s been making Cali grooves out of Claremont for over 20 years.
26. “Circuital’ – My Morning Jacket [5-31-2011]. With sharp segues between heady pop and rock jam, this track is at once toe-tapping and listenable – all as done by Kentucky’s answer to Wilco.
27. “4evermore” – Anthony David featuring Algebra and Phonte [3-22-2011]. Smooth R&B and hip-hop collaboration lead by Anthony David, R&B groovster out of Savannah, Georgia.
28. “Knock Knock” – Mac Miller [2-11-11]. “White Boy Awesome” hip-hopper out of Pittsburgh, PA, lays out first hit single loaded with retro upbeat-backbeats.
29. “Rad Pitt” – Egyptian Hip Hop [2-1-2011]. With British Invasion appeal and notable lead vocals, these boys from Manchester lay out a good alt-vibe.
30. “Dear Professor” – The Deans List [2-25-2011]. Pop and R&B combine for this re-mix cocktail with new lyrics and a fresh vibe.
31. “There’s a Limit to Your Love” – James Blake [2-7-2011]. Innovative, spacey, electronica cover of alt-original by Feist off self-titled debut album.
32. “Retrosuperfuture” – Rick Ross featuring Wiz Khalifa [to be released]. A funky, rougher-rap duet extolling the virtue of staying high off latest album by Miami MC.
33. “Sick of You” – Cake [1-11-2011]. Sayin’ is straight a la ageless alternative rock with phat rips, horns and swinging grooves by hip, SoCal stalwart
34. “Fire in Your Eyes” – B. Taylor featuring Pauley Perrette [5-3-2011]. Duet R&B and hip-hop with uplifiting, go-get ‘em lyrics, one in s string of recently released singles.
35. “Call It What You Want” – Foster the People [5-23-2011]. A group grope track that gets its groove on off smokin’ debut album by indie pop rock band out of L.A.
36. “Kill It” – The Cinema [5-17-2011]. Among several other pop single releases by emerging, upbeat indie alt-rock band.
37. “Mr. Saxobeat” – Alexandra Stan [2-24-2011]. Pop dance track for the Euro-club scene by Romanian born singer-song-writer.
38. “Twisted’ – Gorilla Zoe feat. Lil Jon [6-14-2011]. Rapper out of ATL collaborates on this boomin’ new hip-hop club track that’s sure to get rollies shakin’ in the air like you just don’t care.
39. “Killin’ the Vibe” – Ducktails [1-18-2011]. Laid back and upfront lyrics backed by strings and percussions by prolific side project band engineered by Matthew Mondanile of the alt-indie band, Real Estate.
40. “Hauntin’ Me” – Keep Shelly in Athens [1-21-2011]. Grecian duo lays out experimental and atmospheric electro-pop lounge-sound track.
41. “Back Seat” – New Boyz feat. The Cataracts [2-15-2011]. Pop synth dance track by druo who met before high school in L.A. that looks to get it on in the back seat with The Cataracts adding a sensual refrain.
42. “Credit Card Babie$” – MEN [1-28-2011]. Part of the bath-house micro-genre, this slighty-spazzy electro-pop track uses wash-your-mouth-out lyrics to play on contemporary sex and begetting.
43. “Far Away” – Marsha Ambrosius [3-1-2011]. Singer, songwriter and producer previously found success with R&B act Floetry, ventures out on her own with this new single from her debut album.
44. “Sick, Sick, Sick” - Bayside (2-22-2011). Fiesty alt-rocker by moody, guitar-driven emo band out of Long Island.
45. “Buss It Wide Open” – Lil Kee (single) [2-15-2011]. Unedited, naughty hip-hop by emerging rapper born in Providence and raised in Tampa.
46. “Up Up Up” – Givers [4-26-2011]. Upbeat, la-la alt-rock track is debut single from new band out of Lafayette, Louisiana.
47. “What the Hell” – Avril Lavigne [3-4-2011]. Shameless, gum-smacking girl-pop grounded in retro dance beats.
48. “Novacane” – Frank Ocean [mixtape, 5-2011]. Loaded with F-bombs and newly signed with Lupe is a new sound some dub “psychedelic R&B” with gritty, groovin’ lyrics and a laid back vibe.
49. “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” – NOAH AND THE WHALE [1-23-2011]. A late find for Roll, this is the latest Disney-like, feel-good easy rock track by London-based pop group.
50. “Lose It” – Austra [5-24-2011]. Indie group based in Toronot features female vocals over cascading back beat off debut album.
51. “Gucci Gucci” -- Kreayshawn – [6/14/2011]. “Bad bitch,” Up-to-know good girl hip-hopper releases her debut single along with already notorious video.
52. “Must be the One” – She Wants Revenge [5-23-2011]. Formed in L.A. in 2003, this Depeche Mode-like band lays out a bangin’ alt track on forthcoming album.
53. “Street” – Jamie Woon [4-18-2011]. Another late find by Roll is an Easy listening lead pop track from latest album by London, England, native.
54. “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” – Panic! At the Disco [2-1-2011]. Stadium-ready fist-pumper by suburban Las Vegas teens cum national emo pop stars.
55. “Kaputt” – Destroyer [1-25-2011]. Dan Bejar has contributed to The New Pornographers over the years, but Destroyer is his solo project out of Vancouver, B.C., and this track is smooth-flowing indie rock.
56. “Neu Chicago” – Clive Tanaka Y Su Orquesta [1-11-11]. An upbeat, genre-bending track by Japanese musical artist that sounds like steel drums underwater with a happy chorus singing a positive refrain.
57. “Go Outside” – Cults [2-22-2011]. A brief, retro number with youthful choral vocals combine to establish new twee-pop single by emerging alt-band.
58. “Of Monsters and Men” – Little Talks [2-22-2011]. Emerging band out of Iceland lays out upbeat, self-released track complete with eager vocals and horns.
59. “Without You” – Rainbow Arabia [2-28-2011]. Mixing tribal beats, electro sounds and Middle Eastern instrumentation, this husband-wife duo emerges from the L.A. dance-punk scene.
60. “Civilian” – Wye Oak [3-8-2011]. Pretty female vocals layered over a rock backdrop in lead single by Baltimore-based indie rock duo.
61. “Drug” – White Denim [4-5-2011]. This emerging indie band out of Austin, TX, lays out a nostalgic classic jam on this trippy rocker.
62. “Marathon” – Tennis [1-11-11]. Pixie voice and retro background combine for delightful and light track by indie pop (who are married!) out of Denver.
63. “Truth” -- Alexander [3-1-2011]. Mellow, textured indie track off debut album by Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe fame.
64. “Shot Yourself in the Foot” – Skream & Example [1-5-2011]. A British Duo who met at a rave on a beach in Miami lays out manageable dubstep.
65. “Still Sound” – Toro y Moi [1-25-2011]. Chill indie-electronic grooves from Columbia, South Carolina.
66. “Safari Disco Club” – Yelle [1-5-2011]. Snappy club electronica lead track from forthcoming same-titled CD by bright, colorful French pop singer.
