Best of 2010: Superlatives Pt. 1

The beginning of our year wrap-up fun!


Best Comedy Album
Bo Burnham
Words, Words, Words



"Oh Bo" - Bo Burnham



Best Cover Song
The Tallest Man on Earth
"Graceland" by Paul Simon
from The Wild Hunt B-side






Best Remixes

Pink Ganter
"So This is Goodbye" Original by William Fitzsimmons
from Derivatives






Best Remix/Cover
A-1 ft. Justice
"Electric Feel" Original by MGMT
from Thrash & Groove






Best EP
Junip
Rope and Summit





Best Collaboration
Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver
"Monster"
from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Sort of New: Sara Bareilles

From her recent album, Kaleidoscope Heart, Sara Bareilles impresses the most with the shortest song on the LP. The minute-long acapella harmony is the perfect example of beauty in simplicity.

"Kaledioscope Heart"

New Song/Video: Adele

I eagerly await Adele's new album, 21 set to drop February 2011. Her newly released single, "Rolling in the Deep," features the same, timeless vocals, jazzy upbeats, clapping (I LOVE clapping) rounded out with soul.

"Rollin' in the Deep" - Adele

New Songs: David Guetta

I've go two scoops of David Guetta deliciousness today for dessert.

Firstly, the master of the beat (don't kill me house die-hards), has teamed up with Taio Cruz to bring you "Little Pretty Girl." It's catchy, and club worthy. That said, I look forward to better stuff from both. Take a listen for yourself:

"Little Pretty Girl" - David Guetta ft. Taio Cruz


In addition, Guetta joined forces with Wynter Gordon again (from One Love's "Toyfriend" and Flo Rida's "Sugar") to record a track in support of the "It Gets Better" Project. Those participating in this campaign generally make YouTube videos urging LGBT youth to look toward the future and see the light at the end of the tunnel. GREAT project, and it's nice to see artists contributing in their own way, too. (BTW, Wynter Gordon has just released a new EP called The First Dance)

"Pride" - David Guetta ft. Wynter Gordon

Up and Coming: Daphne Willis

Daphne Willis' music is optimistic and easy going, but that's not to say that she doesn't display a wide range of emotions. The Chicago-based frontgirl entertains with her bluesy and often twangy guitar but mixes it up with horns, charisma and sometimes the Cookie Monster...



Give her a good listen and then when her LP What to Say is released (sometime soon, hopefully) go out and buy it.



Check out her Twitter for the latest updates.

New Song: William Fitzsimmons (+ Remix)

I always forget that Grey's Anatomy picks really good music. That is, until I "discover" (or rediscover, as I did in this case) a song/artist I love and find out they had songs on the show.

It's really difficult to describe William Fitzsimmons because everything is multifaceted.

His style is similar to Iron and Wine (with the beard) but he's not afraid to mix his mellow folk tunes up with electronic effects. He plays several instruments which he picked up from his blind parents. His soft voice and melodies make it easy to believe his day job as a therapist.

"So This is Goodbye" was released on his most recent album Derivatives (2010). On the same album, Fitzsimmons also included the Pink Ganter remix of the same song. Both are beautiful.

"So This is Goodbye" - William Fitzsimmons


"So This is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix)" - William Fitzsimmons

New Stuff: The Chemical Brothers (and Calvin Harris)

This song has been stuck in my head all day. The Chemical Brothers, one of the original pioneers of dance music (like seriously, up there with Daft Punk), are set to release their seventh studio album, Further next week. "Swoon" is their first single.

To everyone whose having a rough Monday, like me!

"Swoon" - The Chemical Brothers


The Offical Video on YouTube

Annnnd a fitting partner:

"I'm Not Alone" - Calvin Harris

New Music Video: Vampire Weekend

I'm going to be completely upfront with everyone: It's not my favorite music video. It's not even my favorite Vampire Weekend video by far, but it's goofy.

"Holiday" - Vampire Weekend from Contra

Vampire Weekend - New Music - More Music Videos

Even Fresher: Kanye

The first single off of Kanye West's upcoming Good Ass Job features a sample from, of all things, a British prog rock band by the name of King Crimson. He's been off the scene for a little while, but it's the same old Kanye. Lyrics allude to SNL making fun of him (yeah, he's pissed about that), Austin Powers, and of course his own "Power." Oh yeah, by the way, that's the name of the single!

Enjoy

"Power" - Kanye West (Via Nah Right)

Good Ass Job is slated to drop in September.

Minty Fresh: Arcade Fire

Brand spanking new Arcade Fire.

I personally enjoyed "Month of May" more at fist listen, but both are different enough from each other to appreciate the work. The songs are sure to get people excited for Arcade Fire's upcoming album The Suburbs "sometime this summer."

"Month of May" - Arcade Fire


"The Suburbs" - Arcade