Songs of 2011

If I should describe the pop-year of 2011 in a few words, it would be something like haze, dark beats and synths.

I let my thoughts wonder on dreamy electro music by the likes of M83, Still Corners, Braids and Panda Bear, and I love them for it.

Of course, there are always some non-conformists in pop music (after all, isn't that what drives it?) and so there are in my annual list. Patrick Wolf made my summer soundtrack with the simple, poppy and cheerful song 'The City' for example.

But, on the other side of the spectrum, my interest was also taken by some neo-classical artists this year, with the piano wing as their protagonist. Ólafur Arnalds and Peter Broderick will from now on always be among my Sunday morning records.

And well, this year I tried something different. To make a list of songs instead of albums. Which proved to be a lot harder than expected, as I usually will judge a band or artist after I've heard the full-length album. But this way the ear-catching songs of 2011 (whether the album is great or not), also get their chance to shine.

The last song in the list may be a small surprise in the otherwise mostly indie list. But because this year I frequently visited Rihanna's YouTube channel in between studying, and she always managed to keep me to stick around for a couple of songs, I think she deserves a spot on this list. This pop diva makes some addictive songs.

And by the way, the gender issue that's been haunting my lists in the past, is finally gone. I listened (and appreciated) more female vocalists this year than ever before.

With no further adue, here is my final list:

1. M83 - Midnight City
2. Okkervil River - Your Past Live as a Blast
3. Lykke Li - Get Some
4. Patrick Wolf - The City
5. Wild Beasts - Lion's Share
6. Zola Jesus - Vessel
7. Gang Gang Dance - Mindkilla
8. Lana Del Rey - Video Games
9. Austra - Beat and the Pulse
10. Girls - Vomit
11. Ron Sexsmith - Late Bloomer
12. Rihanna (ft. Calvin Harris) - We Found Love

There are some awesome videos that go along with these songs as well, click around.

In short, the albums I enjoyed most last year, in no particular order:

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
Okkervil River - I Am Very Far
Wild Beasts - Smother
Daniel Luppi & Danger Mouse - Rome
Radiohead - The King of Limbs

And some honorable mentions should go out to the likes of Panda Bear, Chad VanGaalen, Braids, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, BOY, Alamo Race Track and Ólafur Arnalds.