Best Of 2010 50-47

50) NDF - Since We Last Met

NDF consist of Bruno Pronsato, a mainstay in Berlin’s minimal techno scene, on production duties and  Sergio Giorgini, of D.C. electro duo Benoit & Sergio, handling the absolutely gorgeous vocals.  Released on DFA records, home to LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and Hercules And Love Affair amongst others,  the track is an absolutely beautiful eleven minute epic essentially about getting over a former lover.  At it’s core a simple refrain - “One day I'll see her on the street/ And we'll greet with casualness/ And discuss the flow beneath the bridges/ Since we last met/ And that'll be all."  Like the vocal there is nothing complicated about the production, handclaps, flutes and a simple synth line is all that’s needed to create a hauntingly beautiful dance track, that hints at exciting things to come for this duo.

There is also two Ricardo Villalobos mixes kicking about, that are well worth tracking down.

49) Foals - This Orient

This Orient was the first single released from Foal’s second LP Total Life Forever.  The keyboards that open the track are vaguely similar to a lot of tracks found on first record ‘Antidotes’ as are the drums, but there is something altogether different to the whole complexion of the track compared to anything from that first record.  It feels so much more epic and grand, Yannis’ vocals seem so much more relaxed and at ease, and as he croons “It's your heart that gives me this western feeling” and as the guitars properly kick in one cannot help but feel completely uplifted.  A truly stunning comeback single from Oxford’s finest.

48) Joker  - Tron

Joker is a 20 year old producer from Bristol and with Tron he has created a dance floor anthem in the making.  Although I do like bits and pieces of dubstep I find a lot of it lacks any real funk or groove, for me it is quite often very one dimensional.  This is not a accusation that can be labeled at Tron, it is to put it simply, dubstep you can dance to.  Laced in bass with a simple yet incredibly effective drum beat, it is a great representation of excellent 21^st Century dance music.

47) Sleigh Bells - Tell ‘Em

For those unfamiliar with Sleigh Bells, perhaps turn the volume down slightly before listening to this particular track.  The Brooklyn duo of Derek E. Miller (songwriter, guitarist, producer) and Alexis Krauss (vocalist, lyricist) make an absolute racket.  Signed to M.I.A.’s record label the duo released LP Treats this year to widespread acclaim and this track is the highlight of a magnificent debut album.  To borrow a phrase, the track is not merely a debut single but ‘an assault with a deadly weapon’.  It is loud and incredibly proud of the fact.  A deafening drum beat, claps, snaps, some utterly mad synths, a guitar line and amidst all the noise a female vocal yelling   "All the kids these days/ Do you really wanna be that way?” really what more do you want from a three minute pop song?  Noise-pop perfection.