2012 Favorite Songs - Numbers 60-41

Continuing my countdown of 2012 Favorite Songs:

60. Blackbird Blackbird - "Happy With You"



This EP took a long time to grow on me, mainly because it adheres a little to close to the sound perfected by Radio Dept., but somehow it won me over. This song particularly took hold in my playlists, its charm undeniable and the way it just grows and grows into something almost chaotic is breathtaking.

59. Perfume Genius - "17"



One of the bleakest and most haunting tracks on his album Put Your Back N 2 It, and also one of the most gorgeous tracks.

58. Beacon - "Feeling's Gone"



I love how this hushed, minimal track suddenly changes into a blissed out dance track midway through.

57. Passion Pit - "It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy"



One of the weirder songs on their album Gossamer, only because the lyrics paint a bleak relationship picture and then the chorus seems to subvert everything that came before it, while the song hits amazing heights. The contrast between the lyrics and the music is confusing yet intriguing.

56. MS MR - "Bones"



Dark and somber, and one of the most striking singles of the year.

55. Monsta - "Hold On (Skrillex and Nero Remix)"



Although I am not a huge fan of putting remixes in my lists, I do think this is an amazing reworking of the this track, featuring some amazing builds from Nero and Skrillex's fierce drops.

54. The Raveonettes - "Curse The Night"



On the surface this is just a pretty song, but there is something within it that always pulls me deep below into its melancholy depths.

53. Elite Gymnastics - "Life/Trap"



This track found new life in drum and bass for me. I love its undulating flow.

52. Kindness - "House"



There is a melancholy feel to this track, but somehow it ends up rather hopeful at the end with the singer telling his lover "I can't give you all that you need/but I can give you all I can feel."

51. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - "American Dream, Pt. II"



From a muted beginning into a pulsating, throbbing dancefloor banger, this is one of the many fun tracks off this producer's debut album.

50. XXYYXX - "About You"



While he is still trying to figure out his own personal sound, 17 year old producer Marcel Everett comes pretty close to marking out his own territory with this rumbling, avant R&B track, featuring twisted vocal samples over buzzing synths and basslines.

49. Phantom - "Scars"



Slow building and sensual take on R&B and trip-hop from the Finnish duo.

48. Bat For Lashes - "Laura"



While her latest album left me wanting, this standout track is Bat For Lashes to a T, dramatic, soulful, and haunting.

47. The Invisible - "Lifeline"



Atmospheric and poignant song about being the overwhelming nature of life.

46. Man Without Country - "Clipped Wings"



Gorgeous, swirling synth pop.

45. DIIV - "Doused"



From one of the best indie-guitar pop albums of the year, this track is a driving phalanx of ringing, chiming, and oceanic guitars.

44. Eddi Front - "Gigantic"



Stark and minimal, this track equating a dissolving relationship with a divorce, is quietly devastating.

43. Chromatics - "Kill For Love"



Slight robotic and off-kilter, this track has a warm underglow that sweeps over you while the synth strings swell and guitars chime.

42. Young Galaxy - "Youth Is Wasted On The Young"



"I wouldn't mind dying at all/if it weren't for the songs I'd miss." Enough said.

41. Arca - "Self Defense"



Genre twisted bass track from this up and coming producer.