1. Janelle Monáe – “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Feat. Erykah Badu Part of Monae’s “musical weapons program from the 21st Century,” “Q.U.E.E.N.” stings like a bee. An empowerment dance nugget bouncing on a funk guitar line, shafts and squiggles of ‘80s synthesizer and staccato beats, it’s a declaration of independence underscored by Erykah Badu’s earthy soul witness that “the booty don’t lie.” A chorus of glamazons chants “Am I freak for getting down?” as Monae’s saucily recounts the objectors’ scowls, outlines the issues and bats them away with a flick of her spider leg-length lashes. Four minutes in, the track pulls back, jazz trumpet drifts across the hush and Monae raps with a ferocity that suggests she’s serious. Strings swell, making it an elegant refusal to be shamed. —Holly Gleason 2. Phosphorescent – “Song for Zula” 3. Daft Punk – “Get Lucky” With the fizziness of an Alka-Seltzer hitting water, Daft Punk returned with this slice of straight-up, no apologies dance music circa 1977. Echoes of Studios 54 and faceless disco avatars like Tavares, this silky call of the wild is sheer euphoria with a rubber beat and that insatiable ear worm chorus, “we’re up all night… to get lucky, we’re up all night… to get lucky…” —Holly Gleason 4. Arcade Fire – “Reflektor” Remarkably, “Reflektor” not only lives up to all the carefully orchestrated brouhaha, but actually exceeds it. For a band that defined 2004 and inspired a new chest-thumping emotionalism in indie rock—the tendrils of which can be heard in Coldplay and even Mumford & Sons—Arcade Fire refused to live in that moment and repeat its career-making debut. If Funeral was introverted (it was, after all, inspired by the deaths of family members), then Neon Bible and The Suburbs were markedly the opposite. The band tinkered with that big, booming sound, adding nuance without losing scope. “Reflektor” suggests a culmination of those experiments. Such a mix of high-minded indie and thrusting dance beats could easily have pulled the band out of their comfort zone and sounded silly or awkward, yet “Reflektor” shows just how large Arcade Fire’s comfort zone actually is. It sounds as big and urgent and monumental as “Wake Up” or “Keep the Car Running” or “Ready to Start,” except they’ve found new ways to convey those ideas.—Stephen Deusner 5. Mikal Cronin – “Weight” 6. CHVRCHES – “The Mother We Share” 7. Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow” If country radio balked at the notion of “kiss lots of girls—if that’s something you’re into” and “Roll up a joint—just follow your arrow wherever it points,” Musgraves’ bit o’ sunshine declared country fans are willing to embrace the modern world as it really is. In spite of its exuberance, the slight songwriter nails hypocrisy from both sides (“if you can’t lose the weight, you’re just fat/ but if you lose too much, you’re on crack” and “if you don’t go to church, you’ll go to hell/if you’re the first one on the front row, you’re a self-righteous son of…”) and embraces the notion to live life as you wish, be kind and enjoy the ride. Easily country’s true single of the year. —Holly Gleason 8. Kanye West – “New Slaves” One of the first cuts we gathered from Kanye West’s controversial Yeezus was also one of its most pithy offerings. Setting the stage for the album with bare-bones synth-driven production, Kanye deconstructs modern ownership and the social constructs that bind many to a life defined by consumption, all dressed up with references to Alexander Payne, Hampton houses and Kanye’s run-in with a camera-toting paparazzi. “**** you and your corporation,” indeed.—Tyler Kane 9. Lucius – “Hey Doreen” 10. Okkervil River – “Down Down the Deep River”

This list has some greats that been sadly and mostly overlooked: “Monomania”, “She Will”, “Song for Zula”, “No Destruction”, “Wakin on a Pretty Day”, “Latch”, “Sacrilege”.

The lack of electronic/experimental music is appalling, though. I don't really think the #1 is the best song of the year, but it's a great one so cheers.

Originally posted by Starmie yasss I've been cleanin house to Q.U.E.E.N. for months

1. Janelle Monáe – “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Feat. Erykah Badu

Definitely in my Top 2.