Daniel Selwood picks some of the best tracks you (probably) didn’t hear
The biggest-selling tunes of 2010 were by several semi-naked woman, a bunch of unsmiling guys with daft names, some fey wankers with guitars, a ‘70s MOR band and a painter ‘n’ decorator. Most of them were bloody awful. And featured Katy Perry.
Elsewhere, not troubling the top 40, was this lot, who were great:
I Think I Like U 2 – Jamaica
Awesome pop. Great reality-check moment: “She was never pretty, she was only young.”
Let Me Be Your Cigarette – Dax Riggs
There have been unhealthier requests. There have also been worse Stooges-like tunes.
Love Harder – Ali Love
Ali’s got so much love to give. Even his name is Love. That’s how much he means it. Lovely!
King of Spain – Tallest Man on Earth
Dazzling acoustic guitarist has lofty ambition to succeed Juan Carlos I.
Golddust – DJ Fresh
Big Fish. Little Fish. Cardboard Box. All stuffed with shimmering shards.
Sex is Fashion – Curry & Coco
If an issue of Cosmo turned into two overexcited ravers from Shoreditch…
Boyfriend – Best Coast
Modest in scope and ambition, but big on charm.
Love Love Love (Aeroplane Mix) – Low Motion Disco
House track that slaps along nicely and then suddenly starts throwing the punches of a heavyweight anthem.
This Fucking Job – Drive-By Truckers
Being underemployed and having a crap car is a shite state of affairs. This country-rock tune, however, is bitchin’.
Beat Boy – Die Antwoord
Includes a woman with a penis bum-raping a surgeon. There is some clean imagery in this track – but not much.
You’ve Changed – Sia
Catchier than swine flu and considerably more desirable.
Hold On (Sub Focus Remix) – Rusko feat. Amber Coffman
Like a great night out encapsulated: a warm rush followed by shrieking pain in the skull.
My Denial in Argyle – Woodpigeon
The singer has a guilty love who wears Pringles sweaters. The tune is way better than the style.
Hood Pass Intact – Dam Funk feat. MC Eiht
Damn good advice for big-pimpin’ homies who plan to take it back to the ghetto.
Golden Train – Penguin Prison
This lot will be huge in 2011… if, for just a few minutes, the music industry can stop being a fickle bitch with horrible taste.
Sticky Situation – Ortolan
Has anyone in a spot of bother ever before held such a jauntier sing-along? The answer is, no.
Par Avian – FM Belfast
They want a house in the Caribbean. We get a wicked track.
Automatic (Jayou Remix) – Young Fathers
Edinburgh gives us grimy pop. Or poppy grime. Either way, it’s bigger than Arthur’s Seat.
Hug the Harbour – Emma Pollock
“We should have hugged the harbour”: hindsight with great drums.
FM Tan Sexy – El Guincho
Awesome riff. Also, it’s called FM Tan Sexy. What more do you need?