Going through my last.fm stats, I’m kind of startled by just how LONG this year has been. Many songs and albums that I was floored by at the beginning of the year ended up collecting some cobwebs while being buried in my brain and I began to think of them as “so 2010” at some point, which doesn’t really bode well for me speaking positively about them at the end of the year. Still, there were a handful of great songs that came out this year and ended up ear-worming their way into my head to the point of my needing to include them on one of those cliche “end of the year” lists that all of us musically obsessive people like to make, regardless whether anyone else cares. Hey, I care! And here we go:

10. Squarehead - “Fake Blood”

This one is a pretty straight-forward pop song, but the exuberant way the chorus bobs along has made this song one of my mix-tape go-to’s all year.

9. Panda Bear - “Last Night at the Jetty”

I did not lose myself over Panda Bear’s latest LP, but when he released this song as a teaser for what might be awaiting us on Tomboy, I really, really was hopeful about the album and even though the album didn’t live up to this single’s promise, I’m still pretty infatuated with it.

8. Real Estate - “It’s Real”

Pair this with one of the best, feel-good videos that I’ve seen in a long time and it’s really perfect.

7. the War on Drugs - “Brothers”

This song was also on last year’s great Future Weather EP, but it’s inclusion on the full-length Slave Ambient gets it on this list because it’s just that good. Also, pretty sure this song was recorded in Dallas and features some Dallas natives on the track.

6. Kurt Vile - “Baby’s Arms”

Every year needs a new love song. This was it.

5. Future Islands - “The Great Fire”

Is it possible to call a song that clocks in under 4 minutes epic? The inclusion of Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner makes this slow-burner literally simmer through my head with every listen. Maybe I want to call it “epic” because part of me wishes it’d last just a little longer with each listen.

4. Shabazz Palaces -“Swerve..The reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding).”

I’m not going to lie. I’m pretty limited with my knowledge of rap/hip-hop these days, but this song transcends genres.

3. St. Vincent - “Surgeon”

That guitar is bleeding dirty.

2. Lower Dens - “I Get Nervous”

Jana Hunter’s dulcet tones and murmuring guitar makes this LD song my favorite from one of my favorite albums from this year.

1. Cass McCombs - “County Line”

I want to take this song and go on a road trip through the south with it and I want it to hold my hand the whole time while we sing along to the radio with the windows down.

Honorable mention: Carter Tanton - “Murderous Joy”

I only just heard this song a month ago when Tanton opened up for the War on Drugs and Purling Hiss in Dallas, but it made it’s mark. 

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-LL