2011 Songs of the Year: 40-21

Duran duran - Leave a Light On (album radio mix) by diatribein

40. Duran Duran - "Leave a Light On"

Duran Duran came storming back with the unofficial sequel to Rio, this year's All You Need Is Now, and among the many great tracks was this gem, a delicate ballad that draws from and stands alongside "Save A Prayer."



39. Bjork - "Mutual Core"

Biophilia was a mixed success to me. Too many of the tracks were all atmosphere and nothing else, and it only made me long for the days when she had some killer club tracks. With that said, there were several amazing songs on the album, my favorite being this track produced by 16-Bit. Starting off with slow organ drones and her solo voice, it erupts into a frenzy of synths and harsh drum machines, comparing two people coming together like the birth of a planet.



38. Martyn - "We Are You In The Future"

Dutch producer Martyn, who is better known for moody dubstep and techno numbers, throws out this brilliant old school slab of rave techno that just begs to be danced to with abandon.



37. Clams Casino - "Real Shit From A Real Nigga (Lil B)"

Producer Clams Casino has created many backing tracks for a lot of up and coming rappers over the past couple of years, and somehow the music has always outshone the rapping. On his free mixtape, Instrumentals, the tracks work as a series of almost shoegaze IDM. My favorite track was this backing music for Lil' B, featuring dirty hip-hop beats, sparkling waves of synths, and a great sense of atmosphere.



36. Skrillex - "First of the Year"

Skrillex was pretty ubiquitous this year, playing shows for almost every music festival, doing remixes for everyone, and even finding time to produce some of the new Korn album. "First of the Year" is proto-typical Skrillex, pitch shifted vocals, slamming beats, and the bone crushing dubstep bass that is his stock and trade.



35. Lana Del Ray - "Video Games"

With her killer looks and smoky vocals, Lana Del Rey is this year's breakout star. Never better than on this ballad, languidly singing over strings and piano, recounting the tale of love unrequited.



34. The Horrors - "Still Life"

UK goth shogazers The Horrors keep pushing at the boundaries of their sound. While new album Skying is not the revelation that Primary Colours was, there is still plenty of intriguing songs to be heard. "Still Life" is a mid-tempo rocker with psychedelic backwards guitars, shuffling beats, and synths straight out of Breakfast Club-era Simple Minds. It all works sublimely.



33. Sepalcure - "Pencil Pimp"

Infectious slice of 2-step/garage with blasts of analog synths, treated guitars, and chopped up vocal samples.



32. Hercules and Love Affair - "My House"

Although Hercules and Love Affair's second album has sort of lost its initial luster for me, the single "My House" is still a favorite track from this year. Its slinky, house vibe is the epitome of Manhattan cool.



31. Explosions In The Sky - "Let Me Back In"

Sometimes you don't need lyrics to convey a message or meaning. Austin instrumentalists Explosions In The Sky create such an amazing sense of longing and ache to be with someone, that it is palpable. "Let Me Back In" is ten minutes of sheer emotion.



30. Mondkopf - "Day of Anger"

I never get tired of listening to this track. I especially love the tension between the harsh beats and the more delicate piano and ambient undertones.



29. Chad Vangaalen - "Peace On The Rise"

Vangaalen's music can go from raucous and undisciplined, to quiet and contained within seconds. I love him for both, but the quiet moments are where he shines the most. "Peace On The Rise" is a hushed track, built firmly on acoustic and intertwined electric guitars, and Vangaalen's sweet, sad voice. Beauty personified.



28. Arrange - "Veins"

Arrange, the solo project of Malcom Lacey, like Explosions In The Sky, knows how to use music to express emotions. The guitars and synths in this track give this sad, lonely track its purpose and drive. Either the tale of a kid wanting to end the abuse of a parent, or someone haunted by ghosts, this track lingers long in the mind and heart.



27. Young Galaxy - "Cover Your Tracks"

It was almost impossible for me to pick one track from Young Galaxy's fabulous album Shapeshifting. "Cover Your Tracks" held the right amount of drama and perfect interplay between the male and female vocalist.



26. Austra - "The Beat and the Pulse"

For me, this song is all about that throbbing bassline.



25. Sully - "Let You"

Call it 2-step/UK Funky/Garage music, it doesn't matter, this song is a killer bass-heavy track.



24. Hooray For Earth - "Sails"

This song always gets me in a good mood. The steadfast beat and soaring synthesizers have a calming, peaceful effect on me. One of many killer tracks on their brilliant album True Loves.



23. Drake - "Marvin's Room"

The ultimate drunk-dial song. Drake quietly sings over muted beats and atmospheric keyboards, coming across less pathetic and more world-weary and resigned. It is a hauntingly naked and raw song.



22. Jamie Woon - "Lady Luck"

Working with Burial, Jamie Woon's smooth croon is perfectly matched by the 2-Step beats and thumping bass.



21. Burial, Thom Yorke, & Four Tet - "Ego"

The best thing about this track is that it doesn't sound like these three artists laid on top of one another. Truly collaborating, these three have combined their unique talents in a way that works perfectly. The clipped beat, piano/vibe punctuation, and vocal samples all propel the track along with Yorke's stark vocal.