I figured I’d rank/write out the tunes, tracks and songs that are my favourites from this year, 2010. I will not list my own work, but rather the tracks I played the most and the songs I listened to the most throughout the year, no matter the genre. I have probably forgot a lot of them sadly, but see it as a dynamic list, rather than definitive. For the top five ones, I’ll write a motivation for it as well, the other ones aren’t really needed. They’re on the list so…
01. Chymera - Pump [Cocoon Recordings]
This is the tune I played the most, both out and at home, and it’s the defitinion of modern dance music for me. A fusion of atmospheric progressive, techno-ish percussion and a steady build, it’s centered on a lovely, yet simple chordstructure that remains throughout it’s entire length. It never gets boring though, once it has started it never slows down, and that’s what I love about it. It doesn’t have a classic arrangement but rather builds on tension and moving layers, and it’s repetiveness gives for a hypnotic state of mind, something I often find “lost” in dance music today. This is everything I look for in a dance track; brilliant.
02. Caribou - Odessa [City Slang / V2]
I got this suggested to me while in NL for Ferry’s “Once Upon A Night”-tour, and it’s brilliant. I’ve seen many reviewers give rave reviews of the album (’Swim’), but in my opinion this song is really a standout piece (of electronic pop). Groovy, catchy and unorthodox with a good number of influences from classical instruments such as the funky flutesolo.
03. Breakfast - Slow Motion [Flashover Recordings]
I’ve always loved Casey Keyworths input to trance music, ever since we first stalked talking and sharing clips back in our early teens. This is no exception, a “classic” Breakfast tune that alters moods, weighing on it’s atmospheric and melodic approach while never backing down. It’s massive.
04. Luke Abbott - More Room [Border Community]
Part of the now famous Border Community-family led by James Holden, Luke Abbot’s album ‘Holkham Drones‘ might not be, atleast in some instances, my cup of tea. But this is a piece that I love. I first heard it as part of Apparat’s contribution to the DJ KiCKS-series. The BC-attitude comes through with metallic yet dynamic tonal percussions, whilst an analouge synth layer makes sure the setting is just right for a laidback piece of music. It goes well with your “late-night-contemplating-sessions” or early morning coffee, as background music or while trying to work out the different details in the track.
05. Lusine - Two Dots (Original / Nic Fanciulli Mixes) [Ghostly International / Saved Records]
The reason I like the remix is really because it’s, atleast for me, just a EDM-framework to fit the original in to (in style with one of my favourites from last year, “Dosem - Beach Kisses (Joris Voorn Green Mix”). It’s a very soft song, fitting well with the northern hemisphere seasons, the lyrics using methaphors for a triangle drama (atleast that’s my take on it) and yeah…it’s good stuff.
06. Joonas Hahmo - Pizzi (PROFF & Vadim Soloviev Remix) [Hahmo Recordings]
07. Phynn ft. Antonia from Jets Overhead - Hello Love [Black Hole Recordings]
08. Robyn - Hang With Me [Konichiwa Records]
09. Digitalism - Blitz [Kitsuné]
10. Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Original / Axwell & Henrik B Mixes)[Axtone / La Vida Locash]
11. Virtual Vault ft. Orjan - Too Late (Jonas Steur Remix) [Black Hole Recordings]
12. Beach House - Norway [Bella Union]
13. CFCF - Letters Home (Memoryhouse Remix) [Paper Bag Records]
14. Pryda - The End [PRYDA]
15. Jónsi - Hengilás [EMI]
