Matt’s Top Singles of 2009

Here we go with a run down of what was hot this year in music…

10 – Patrick Wolf – Hard Times

Patrick Wolf was not on my radar before I caught his performance at this year’s Great Escape Festival. Hard Times was the 2nd single release from his album ‘The Bachelor’ and makes a statement with lyrics like “mediocrity [is] applauded” and “ignorance is still adored” against a backdrop of rock guitars, celtic strings and electro beats. Wolf is creative, original, musically accomplished and always has something interesting to say.

9 – Frankmusik – Better off as Two

Better off as Two is one of many excellent tunes on Vincent Frank’s debut album ‘Complete Me’. Showcasing his falsetto vocals this also benefits from quirky production and a rousing chorus. He’s also brilliant live and was arguably one of the highlights of Bestival 2009.

8 – Hockey – Song Away

Hailing from Portland Oregon Hockey have been making waves on the festival circuit in Europe throughout the summer and this track is the 3rd release from their debut album ‘’Mind Chaos’’. It might be blatantly commercial but it’s neatly peppered with references to the 80’s and a real toe tapper. I love this band and this track never gets dull.

7 – Butcherd Beats feat. Kelli-Leigh – Without U

Haunting, melancholy featuring neat musical flourishes and top notch production this is my favourite dance track of the year. The vocal from terrific singer/songwriter Kelli-Leigh is subtle but typically commanding. A heartbreak soliloquy that just about anyone can identify with.

6 – Julian Casablancas – 11th Dimension

Ok so this wasn’t officially released as a single in 2009 but it has to be acknowledged simply for being the most pleasant surprise. The Strokes front man has gone all pop with sincerity and total credibility. I love that Casablancas demonstrates that pop is still pop even with a brain and a little rawness.

5 – Florence & The Machine – Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)

One of the biggest success stories of 2009, Florence and her machine had a lot of pre-release hype to live up too. It also seems she’s one of those artists you either love or hate. I’m in the latter camp and having seen her live a number of times in both the UK and US I can honestly say something magical happens when this lady takes to the stage. Not all the material is quite as accomplished but Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) is uplifting and the baleric piano rifts make it bit nostalgic for those of us who enjoyed summers living it up in Ibiza. This track makes me truly happy.

4 – My Tiger My Timing – I Am The Sound

The best new band of 2009, in our opinion, MTMT hail from South London and create some of the most effervescent, intelligent, catchy, meaningful pop music around. “I Am The Sound” was the band’s 2nd single release of the year (we also raved about their hit “This Is Not The Fire“) and is produced by Andy Spence of New Young Pony Club. The chemistry between the members is abundantly clear in their live performance and the records personal, accessible and smart. 2010 should be the year of the tiger.

3 – Lady GaGa – Bad Romance

I take my hat off to any mainstream pop star willing to release a track and video so bat shit crazy its literally critic proof. The video is extraordinary, the song a total floor filler and it confirms that no one other artist made more of an impact in 2009 than GaGa.

2 – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Lisztomania

If you want to listen the best song about a 19th century classical composer ever than Lisztomania is for you. This quite brilliant French band reference the inner turmoil of Franz List as symbol of creative conflct with exciting, exuberant guitar pop. The album is also the best of the year.

1 – Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind

A poetic love letter to the city that never sleeps, this amazing track confirms Jay Z’s status as the King of New York and quite possibly the world. The production is a seamless blend of the classic and the contemporary while Alicia Key’s contribution rounds out what is simply the best song of 2009.

Matt Williams

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Tags: 2009, alicia keys, butcherd beats, charts, florence & the machine, frankmusik, hockey, jay-z, julian casablancas, lady gaga, My Tiger My Timing, Patrick Wolf, Phoenix

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Matt Williams, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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