So I'm going with unranked singles - it's very difficult for me to objectively rank individual songs that I love. With albums being a collection of songs where flaws (or the lack of them) are easier to point out, ranking one above another is a much simpler process.
Here are the first 5 of 50 of my favorite tracks this year:
♪ Grace - Dirty Harry
Grace is one of those retro fetishizing singers that revel in a vintage aesthetic and sound that registers with the GP as “omg real music + talent ” I find that connection ridiculous but Grace isn’t at all responsible for it. Anyway, none of this matters when the music’s this good.
LOOOVE that distorted spoken word chorus + the wailing horn or whatever it is you hear at 00:12 + the loose, jangling beat.
Best part: Don't speak your mind, be a good girl, baby. Momma told me tie my hair back all the way.
♪ Christine and the Queens - No Harm Is Done (feat. Tunji Ige)
Christine and the Queens is a French artist who in 2015 released a self-titled English reissue of her 2014 French debut "Chaleur Humaine". Some songs were translated to English, and a couple of English tracks not on the original release were added to the tracklist.
The nimble verses are structured by a minimalist drum pattern, building up with the introduction of a brooding synth and backing vocals by Tunji Ige. Everything drops down into a gorgeously desolate chorus marked by only keyboard and a bass line. The rap verse towards the end of the track is serviceable; not exactly remarkable but quality enough to keep the song going without any hiccups.
Her slight accent lends her English vocals and phrasing a very appealing quality that I can't quite put into words.
Best part: Oh, mother, I walk like a boy, mad at whoever would step on the game that he just drew.
♪ Alabama Shakes - Don’t Wanna Fight
Yes, the chorus is kiiiiinda flat but who cares, Brittany’s vocal performance here is ****ing wicked. That squeal she lets out at the beginning, wig off.
Best part: Attacking, defending, until there's nothing left worth winning.
♪ Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
Yes, WDYM? is the best song on Purpose, Sorry! If you believe the other singles are superior I would kindly ask to you love yourself.
The tropical SNES-like beat is incredibly addictive, working its way into the deepest recesses of your mind and claiming it for its own. Justin’s whisper vocals tend to be off-putting in excess but are brought to life by the ruminating nature of the track.
Best part: when the beat first drops: “What do you mean? Ohh, ohh, ohh”.
♪ Lim Kim - Awoo
I don’t understand Korean but from what I gather from the subtitles, this song is about a woman’s attempts at courting a (gay??!?!) man, and the frustration she experiences upon realizing her attempts are futile.
Her vocals on this song are so cartoonish - every line is delivered with this weird nasally mewl - yet alluring at the same time.
Best part: the beat made with that persistent, quirky vocal sample.
Amazing list so far! Christine and the Queens, as a whole, is amazing. No Harm is Done is so good. It actually sounds AMAZING in the car I just recently learned.
What Do You Mean is also a 2015 staple and Don't Wanna Fight is my second favorite track from their album. Nice!