RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best Songs of 2011

Best Songs of 2011

1. “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.

2. “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.

3. “California Sunrise” – Dirty Gold [1-18-2011]. Easy alt-hippy-surfer rock track by emerging young band out of San Diego.

4. “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.

5. “Moneygrabber” – Fitz and The Tantrums [1-5-2010] Brewing up a retro-soul, Motown sound by new septet discovered at South by Southwest.

6. “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.”

7. “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.

8. “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.

9. “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.

10. “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.

11. “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.

12. “Hauntin’ Me” – Keep Shelly in Athens [1-21-2011]. Grecian duo lays out experimental and atmospheric electro-pop lounge-sound track.

13. “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.

14. “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.

15. “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.

16. “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.

17. “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.

18. “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.

19. “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.

20. “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.

21. “Still Sound” – Toro y Moi [1-25-2011]. Chill indie-electronic grooves from Columbia, South Carolina.

22. “Safari Disco Club” – Yelle [1-5-2011]. Snappy club electronica lead track from forthcoming same-titled CD by bright, colorful French pop singer.