After much, much thought, my favourite songs from this year. I write this with the disclaimer that I've only just had a chance to listen to Lady Gaga's 'Artpop' and while I think it's fantastic and is definitely making my Albums of the Year list, I haven't had enough time to let the songs fully soak through (though I absolutely love Dope and Gypsy). I also have not heard the Beyoncé album yet.
1 - The Lovely Wars - Young Love
I've listened to this so much this year. An excellent pop song. I think Ani has one of the best voices in Pop. We did an interview for godisinthetv earlier this year.
2 - Marcus Reeves - Radio Head
Nothing to do with the band. Another great pop song, perfect really, reminding me of a cross between Lifestyle and The Elevator Drops. The Soft Close-Ups did a gig with Marcus in his Quicksilver persona at the end of September and everybody loved his camp macabre cabaret.
3 - Teeth Of The Sea - Responder
This track is just KILLER. Their 'Master' is my Album of the Year. At one point during the listening party, everyone in the room looked up at the same time, nodding their heads to THE AWESOMENESS.
4 - Rodion G.A. - Alpha Centauri
Wonderful. So glad to have discovered this man's music. My Quietus review says "Chirping space birds herald opener ‘Alpha Centauri’ and it is impossible to deny just how HUGE this is that’s moving into being. A galactic synthesis of opposites, as enchanting twilight and glorious dawn merge into one. Harmonious unity between man and machine, looseness and precision, huge wobbly waves wandering over its robotic pulse, flowing aswirl in a celebratory cosmic dance. The eternal moment mystics speak of. And then, just as smoothly, letting go of even this."
5 - Violet Hours - Your Ghost
Forget what I said in the intro about needing time to digest new music. This song is wonderful, truly beautiful, and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since I heard it last week. A free download so do grab it. Singer Jo Bevan also fronts Desperate Journalist.
6 - Keith TOTP & His Minor UK Celebrity All-Star Backing Band - Lonely This Christmas
Another new one, released last week (free download EP), though I had heard Keith do this live before. Truly the definitive version of the Mud classic. Guest spoken bit by Eddie Argos.
7 - Suede - Barriers
A great song from one of my favourite bands of all-time. This is the one that has stayed with me all year since the release of the new record.
8 - Keith & Aug - This Is The Song (That Would Have Made You A Star)
Another free download from Keith TOTP and myself this time. It might be bad form to put one of your own songs on such a list but I truly love this one. It ROCKS. And that's mostly down to Keith who did the words and made my music into a song (by demanding E be the only chord in it) and the awesomeness of the rhythm section of Eric Donohue and Patrick Ahern. We recorded this during the sessions for The Soft Close-Ups album (out February 2014) and it was a blast to play with those guys.
9 - OMD - Night Café
I just love this song. It's classic OMD and pop perfection.
10 - The Lovely Wars - Let's Blow The Whole Thing Up
The Lovely Wars again. There were a lot of other songs I was considering for this list. But this deserves it. I've listened to LBTWTU a ton this past year and have put it on a few mix cds. I love it. Great energetic pop.
Honourable mentions:
Mikey Georgeson & The Civilised Scene - Candyfloss
Great song and cover art from Mr. Georgeson. Having heard the new album I can safely say it will be one of the best of 2014.
The Secret History - Eleanor (The City & Sea)
Fantastic pop song from an excellent pop record.
OMD - Helen Of Troy
More new classic OMD.
Rihanna - Stay
I hardly ever listen to the radio when I'm on my own but whenever I was driving around with my sister Meg this year and this would often be on. I think it's lovely.
Makthaverskan - Asleep
Gorgeous pop from these Swedes. The album is very good too.
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