- Beast Mode - B.o.B -- Pure fire from B.o.B. The song itself is a bit angry, but the beat is sweet and B.o.B really kills it with the lyrics -- "I could use a wish, Hayley where you at?"
Download - Beast Mode
- Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons -- Okay the single was technically released in December 2009, but the album came out in February so I'm counting it. This song is unbelievable. Sort of a fast, folk-y, indie rock that comes together perfectly. If you love this song as much as you should, check out "The Cave" and "Winter Winds," also from Mumford & Sons' "Sigh No More" album.
- Fuck You - Cee-lo Green -- Probably the single catchiest song I've ever heard. If you haven't heard it yet, don't even bother searching on youtube and just download it, I can almost guarantee you'll like it.
- The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco -- I'm a huge Lupe fan, and even though this song probably couldn't stand up to the stuff off his debut album and also sounds made for the radio (which I despise. the radio, not the song), I love it. It's uses the chorus of Modest Mouse's "Float On" for the sample, and Lupe is as solid as ever on the lyrics. The second song is an amazing one featuring John Legend, which makes for a fantastic collaboration.
- Radio - Chris Akinyemi -- Without a doubt the smoothest song of the year. He has a great voice and basically campaigns against the radio (which, if you didn't get before, I hate) and the commercialization of the music industry. Awesome
- Black and Yellow - Wiz Khalifa -- I'm sure you've heard the song, but if you haven't it's great. Not sure how I feel about Wiz in general, but if you're looking for a song to drive around to look no further. Even though it's the anthem of the Steelers now...
- She Go, I Go (feat. Chiddy Bang) - XV -- Great track off of XV's recent mixtape. Not the most inspirational lyrics, but the beat is nasty and it features Chiddy -- what more can you ask?
- The Black 'n Gold (feat. Sam Sparro) - Wale -- Great song using Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold." No relation to Wiz's song. Wale takes an awesome song and makes a perfect rap remix.
- White Sky - Vampire Weekend -- If I could put the whole "Contra" album on here I would. But since that isn't possible, here are a few of my favorites. For some reason I just can't get enough of Vampire Weekend.
Download - Holiday (yes, the one from all of those commercials)
- The Other Side (feat. Cee-lo Green and B.o.B) - Bruno Mars -- Three of the best new artists team up on one song? C'mon. That doesn't seem fair. And the outcome is gold.
- Random Song that Doesn't Fit - Gabriel Stark -- I've never heard of this guy before, but he takes Mraz's "I'm Yours" and turns it into a fantastic rap song. Awesome lyrics too, if you give it a listen make sure you hear what he's saying.
- Take Her Home - Rock City -- Before a month ago, I had no clue who these guys were. But they combine rap, hip-hop, and Caribbean influences to make amazing music. Here are two of my favorite:
- The Way You Are (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - Bruno Mars -- It's very possible a lot of you are sick of this song at this point, but Lupe goes in twice on it and kills it. Again, I have a Fiasco bias, but he makes an overplayed (but still catchy) song something you have to listen to.
- I Ain't Scared - Tayyib Ali -- Awesome lyrics and really smooth beat. His whole mixtape was really good; this one was definitely my favorite, but the second download is an awesome remix of The Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love?".
- All of the Lights - Kanye West -- Kanye's new album was one of the best reviewed albums ever. Surprising, a little, but there are some awesome tracks from it. My favorite without a doubt is this one that features Rihanna
- Trap of Mirrors - The Pass -- Sounds remarkably like Passion Pit, but maybe that's because I don't know many synth-falsetto bands. Any comparison to Passion Pit can't be a bad thing though, right? Amazing song
- G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready It's a New Day) - Asher Roth -- Awesome song with fantastic lyrics from Roth. Uplifting message, uptempo beat. Game over.
- Ready to Go - The Dean's List -- Great song from Boston-based band the Dean's List. Sounds a bit like Chiddy, but background vocals set them apart. They might not be so great in concert, but this song is absolutely awesome.
- You Got It (feat. Wale) - J. Cole -- J. Cole's whole new "Friday Night Lights" mixtape is unreal, so if you don't have it get it right now. This is probably my favorite song of them all. J. Cole always kills it, and Wale is a fantastic feature.
- Club Certified (feat. Akon) - Kylian Mash -- Unbelievably catchy party song. For some reason any song that features Akon seems to get my attention, so here are a few more awesome ones from this year.
Probably missing some great songs from this year, so if you want to let me know I can update the list. Hope everyone had a great year.
