Into OK, so I said I’d give you a useful party mix, but then at a stroke I’d run all DJs out of a job – anyone read Jack Marley-Payne’s brilliant critique in, ahem, Isis? – and also it didn’t seem conducive to picking the best track, only the most danceable. So instead you get a wonderfully subjective but incredibly high-quality UK top 40 of the year, giving you the best songs to come out this year. I must make it plain that I love ALL of these songs. It’s been a good year.
40 Laura Marling – Tap At My Window She may be annoyingly young, but this is a lilting, seductive melody to dream to
39 Lykke Li – I’m Good I’m Gone Hipster fave; strong Scandi pop
38 Howling Bells – Into The Chaos Widescreen taster for a highly anticipated second album
37 Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul? You are, you visionary if uncharacteristically morose pop gods!
36 Antony & The Johnsons – Crackagen Songwriting hasn’t been this elegant and poignant in 60 years
35 The Mummers – Nightbus A swoonsome ballad from their lush orchestral debut. But no hyperlink going…
34 Hot Chip – One Pure Thought Their genius is to inject real sensitivity into their tunes, like the tremulous poppy that lies behind every shot of heroin…sorry…
33 Amadou & Mariam – Sabali They now have Damon Albarn producing them, which is maybe why this could be a huge alt. disco hit
32 Yeti – Midnight Flight The ex-Libs bassist normally turns out cheery Beatles-lite, but this darkjazzmurdertune about a serial psycho is awesome
31 Natty – Cold Town An excellent year for the reggae upstart, first caught supporting Mr Hudson in Oxford; intelligent lyrics and a banging chorus
There’s the first instalment. Tomorrow; 30-21. Anticipate the choices if you will, offer alternatives, otherwise get on limewire (or itunes if you’re legit) and make with the good music…
