RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best New Songs of 2011

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

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. “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.

8. “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.

9. “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.

10. “Rumour Has It” – Adele [2-22-2011]. Smoky, soulful vocals and catchy beats combine in this second track off Adele’s second album.

11. “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.”

12. “The Race” – Wiz Khalifa [3-8-2011]. Groovy, gritty hip-hop beats by the rising rapper out of Pittsburgh.

13. “Lights” – Ellie Goulding [3-8-2011]. British vocalist balances electro-pop and indie folk off debut album.

14. “My Name is Trouble” – Keren Ann [3-22-2011]. Easy pop track featuring flowing female vocals against good groovin’ backdrop by Israeli-born performer.

15. “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.

16. “Big Jet Plane” – Angus & Julia Stone [4-4-2011}. Easy, intimate folk music by Australian siblings from Sidney.

17. “Lotus Flower” – Radiohead [2-18-2011]. Beloved art rock band lays out mellow, trippy grooves on this nuggest from latest album.

18. “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.

19. “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.

20. “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.

21. “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.

22. “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.

23. “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.

24. “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.

25. “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.

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

27. “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.

28. “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.

29. “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.

30. “Sick, Sick, Sick” - Bayside (2-22-2011). Fiesty alt-rocker by moody, guitar-driven emo band out of Long Island.

31. “Buss It Wide Open” – Lil Kee (single) [2-15-2011]. Unedited, naughty hip-hop by emerging rapper born in Providence and raised in Tampa.

32. “Chains” – Kenna [3-8-2011]. Electronica alternative track by Ehtiopian-born, innovative R&B collaborator.

33. “What the Hell” – Avril Lavigne [3-4-2011]. Shameless, gum-smacking girl-pop grounded in retro dance beats.

34. “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.

35. “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.

36. “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.

37. “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.

38. “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.

39. “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.

40. “Civilian” – Wye Oak [3-8-2011]. Pretty female vocals layered over a rock backdrop in lead single by Baltimore-based indie rock duo.

41. “Drug” – White Denim [4-5-2011]. This emerging indie band out of Austin, TX, lays out a nostalgic classic jam on this trippy rocker.

42. “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.

43. “Truth” -- Alexander [3-1-2011]. Mellow, textured indie track off debut album by Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe fame.

44. “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.

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

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