Best Of 2010 4-1

4) Crystal Castles - Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith)

Not In Love (a cover of Platinum Blonde’s 1983 original) was originally on Crystal Castles second album which was released in early 2010.  The album version was one of the highlights of the record, but this version featuring Robert Smith is a massive improvement on a track that was pretty damn good to begin with.  The distortion and noise that one associates with the band is still here in abundance, just this time with the addition of Smith’s distinctive voice.  In terms of what his vocal brings to the track, as well as offering a nice alternative to Alice Glass’ original vocal take, and having lyrics that are actually decipherable (a rarity among the band’s back catalogue) most importantly it works magnificently well as a contrast to Crystal Castles sound.  They are renowned for making brutal, bleak, noisy and distorted pop music, but in this instance Smith’s vocal gives a new angle which to view the band from, calmer and more nostalgic, it is a very pleasant change and one which I would like to see than band explore further in the future.

3) Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

While admittedly it did take a while, I did grow to love Arcade Fire’s third LP The Suburbs.  While I found some of the tracks perhaps slightly harder to connect with than a lot of the band’s previous output, the first time I heard Sprawl II I instantly fell in love with it.  It was Arcade Fire but at the same time it wasn’t.  While managing to retain, the monumental, thrilling and epic feel of an Arcade Fire track a lot of the glorious, overblown strings traditionally associated with the band had been replaced by electronics.  Pulsing synths, more akin to a modern dance track than your typical Arcade Fire number, co-exist beautifully with Régine Chassagne’s gorgeous and uplifting vocal to produce one of the most engaging songs of the band’s career.

2) Robyn - Hang With Me

I still find it strange that Robyn isn’t one of the biggest pop stars in the world.  Hang With Me highlights my point perfectly.  An earlier acoustic version of the track appeared on Body Talk Part 1 before the track received a makeover for Body Talk Part Two.  Revitalised and rejuvenated with the addition of bubbling synths and energetic bass.  When you combine this with Robyn’s vocals which are as sweet, sugary and addictive as ever you get a rousing, energetic and emotional pop gem.

1) Kanye West (feat Pusha T) - Runaway

“Let's have a toast for the douchebags”

I’ll keep this brief, no song came close.  Runaway is epic, daring, bold and adventurous.  It’s funny and sad, it’s brutally honest and most of all it’s absolutely beautiful.  A complete triumph.  Kanye, I salute you.