Another year, another list…..
2011 was a good year for music!
Here are my favorite ten songs of the past twelve months.
10. “Craft Brewed” (ft. Silent Knight) – J57
Another year, another list almost done! The last and (in my opinion) best 10 songs of 2011. Here it goes. The ten-spot goes to the song “Craft Brewed” by J57, who is a relative newcomer to hip-hop (I saw his name attached to several projects this year). The drums on here are just amazing. This is one of those jams that when I hear it, the volume gets a cranking. It just sounds so danceable and bouncy. I have yet to hear this in a club setting, but I imagine it’ll work like magic.
The song isn’t that old (released around November I think), it was part of a Brown Bag AllStars compilation I found on the net. The production on “Craft Brewed” immediately made J57 a candidate for my ‘ones to watch in 2012’ list. The beat is hard-hitting! One of the hardest I’ve heard all year round. Looking forward to hearing more, and Silent Knight did an his thing on this beat. His flow and voice matched quite nicely.
9. “Thuggin” – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
The marriage of Freddie Gibbs’ impeccable flow and Madlib’ strangely hypnotic production is one that is blessed beyond belief. This short EP proves that; so much so that the full-length album, which is in the works according to Stones Throw, jumped to the very top of my most anticipated list for 2012.
We’ve already passed Freddie once in my list, so this little thing of beauty is his second entry for 2011. And I’m hoping to be hearing a whole lot more from this ferociously fierce emcee. Madlib needs no introduction. His name can almost always be found in any best of list; it’s practically synonyms with quality. Although the high output does tend to fuck up his garbage vs. quality ratio, but considering the gems this man has produced I’d say the scale is still tipped in his favor.
The beat for “Thuggin” is one of the best I’ve heard all year. It’s got this crazy sitar sounding melody line that is just so fucking addictive. And then having Freddie come in and finish the thing of with his undeniable flow. Well, that’s just perfection right there!
8. “Yonkers” – Tyler The Creator
The brilliance of the track “Yonkers” is undeniable. It’s minimalist rap at its very best. Tyler’s blasphemous monologue plays like very dark poetry against a horror movie backdrop. Who would have ever thought that a song like this would be an ideal party anthem? I’m serious! This song is guaranteed to get the party jumping.
Over the course of the past 12 month I’ve witnessed it on several occasions. Whether it be at the North Sea Jazz festival, where Flying Lotus played the shit out of that track, or during an Odd Future concert; bodies are bound to shake, bounce, twist and do several other moves you taught were unimaginable in combination with this song.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject; that Queens Day concert the Odd Future boys and girl gave at the Paradiso in Amsterdam was total bananas. I have never experienced anything like it. People were jumping off the balcony for Christ sakes. It was AWESOME!
“Yonkers” is a unique song. It’s just too bad the rest of that Tyler the Creator album was complete and utter garbage. There are moments of brilliance (especially where Tyler’s lyricism is concerned), but overall it was a complete mess.
7. “Surph” – Rustie
I wasn’t immediately convinced by Rustie’s debut. My first listen even resulted in me turning off ‘that racket’. “Glass Swords” can come across as an intensely chaotic mess. That’s how I first felt about that album. The throwing together of different genres, combined with the huge amount of electronic noises was quite overwhelming.
It wasn’t until I heard the songs separate from one another that I started to appreciate what Rustie did here. I particularly love the more 2-step oriented stuff on here. “Surph” being the prime example! The built-up here is excellent. That moment when the vocals go from distorted to cristal clear is breathtaking (2:38). I remember jumping out of my seat the first time I heard that bit. The excitement was fucking tangible.
Once you find your footing in “Glass Swords” certain patterns will start to emerge and you’ll see that the chaos you heard before is actually quite organized. Impressive stuff!
6. “Mega….” – Willie Evans Jr.
“Introducing” by Willie Evans Jr. is a must-listen for any self-respecting hip hop head. Willie Evans Jr. is someone I’ve been a fan of since the day he release that “Communication” LP through the Rawkus 50 project (about three years ago now). And while I had high expectations for “Introducing”, I never expected this. It’s fantastic! Without a doubt one of the best LP’s to come out this year.
Willie’s MF DOOM like flow and exquisite beat selection are just two of the many things this emcee and this project have going for it. There’s also Willie’s skilful wordplay and relatable subject matter. But the thing he does most effectively is avoiding the pitfall of trying to be someone he’s not. The humor, the stories, and the tone all feel genuine; making this a feast to listen to. The blend of ol’ skool and new skool elements seem s to work perfectly here.
I fell in love with “Mega” for the very first moment that vocal sample touched my eardrum. This right here is hip-hop! Let’s hope Willie Evans Jr. gets signed to a label like Stones Throw; this man deserves a bigger following.
5. “The Vent” – Big K.R.I.T.
I had heard several songs from Big K.R.I.T. over the past two years, but none of them really peaked my interest. His Southern accent might have even put me off a bit. But when I listened to his “Returnof4eva” mixtape at the start of 2011, I was hooked. Usually the first thing that grabs me with any new album is the production. But that wasn’t the case here. From the very first bar, I found myself hanging on every rhyme. This especially goes for the more introspective songs (and “Returnof4eva” has quite a few of those).
“The Vent” represents more than just some heartfelt bars over a minimal beat. It’s the type of song that sets you apart from other rappers. The one track that makes you stand out in a scene run over with mediocrity, that’s what “The Vent” is for Big K.R.I.T.. The production is okay, but ultimately unimportant. Big K.R.I.T. could have done this song in spoken word and it would still have the same impact (and maybe even more).
The lyrics are what make this song. And instead of explaining their beauty I’d rather you’d listen to the song and take it all in, verse for verse.
Verse 3
If you feel how I feel then I rap some more
How can the Devil take my brother if he’s close to me
When he was everything I wasn’t but I hoped to be
I get a little honest, and I ask my self
If the time come will you save me if I ask for help
Send my mind on a journey to the outermost
To document what it had seen, and Cc: me the notes
And ask Kurt Cobain why, cause I need to know
He stopped when he had such a long way to go
I saw love in the eyes of a perfect stranger
She overlooked my caring heart in search of a gangsta
Will we ever be together? Only time will tell
She called my phone and talk to me as her eye would swelled
I put my problems in box beside my tightest rhymes
Under lock and key, buried deep off in my mind
And when it gets too full, and I can’t close the lid
I spaz on my family and my closest friends
Trade my materials for a piece of mind
I’m so close to Heaven, Hell I just need some time
Who cares about life, and the highs and lows
Maybe I should write another song about pimps and hoes
Cars and clothes, Idol Gods, Golden Cabs, Louie Scarfs
I do this for the love, and it’s free of charge
I don’t need jail to be behind bars
This is purely art, in my Grandma’s household this was surely taught
Don’t be naive, yea these time’s is hard. In the midst of all the glamor, hope you find god
I never wished to be the burden bearer
But souls need saving and it’s now or never
Shock value is all they wanna see
It’s us against them, and it’s just you and me
Try to take heed what I say in my songs
Forgive me if I ever ever steered you wrong
Most people stop for signs, but I’ve driven through it
If it don’t touch my soul, then I can’t listen to it
The radio don’t play the shit I used to love
Or maybe I’m just growing up
I never seen a star on a red rug
If I wanna see a stars I just look above
To the Heavens
4. “The Morning” & “Initiation” – The Weeknd
I’m cheating a bit here, but I simply could not choose. So I decided not to choose! Both “The Morning” and “Initiation” deserve to be mentioned in any list where the year’s best are compiled. So I did just that. Both tracks are great, but they do evoke different feelings/emotions. “Initiation” has a really dark tone but still maintains a sense of sensuality, while “The Morning” is more laidback and hazy.
The Weeknd’s whole subdued, atmospheric soundscape really won me over this year. It’s has this smooth, sensual and even contemplative nature, making it easy accessible and suitable in any situation. But ultimately this remains the perfect baby-making soundtrack.
It’s no surprise then that The Weeknd has gathered such a massive following in such a short time-span. While the other two projects (Thursday & Echoes Of Silence) didn’t quite match the level of smoldering sexyness as House Of Balloons, they did show some interesting progression in this man’s work. I for one am looking forward to the first major label studio release by R&B’s savior aka The Weeknd.
3. “Magic” (ft. Chords) – Looptroop Rockers
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Looptroop. They have been kind of hit-or-miss these days. I’m not being negative about the group or their music; it’s just that some of their ideas and experiments just don’t mesh well together. Often resulting in an admirable attempt, but never quite hitting the target.
With this song however they hit their mark! It is one of the few songs this year that actually got year-round playtime from me; whether it be in the car, at home or at work. That song got more than enough airtime. And every second, minute, hour was deserved.
Usually it’s producer Embee that takes the spotlight in this group, but here it’s Promoe’s heartfelt honesty and lyrical ability.
2. “Tell Me A Tale” – Michael Kiwanuka
I am not a fan of Adele! I think she’s a good songwriter, but I find her lacking in almost every other department (especially character). Now I’m not saying she makes bad music, it’s just not for me. But I’m glad she’s around, cause it’s because of her that I found out about Kiwanuka.
After an onslaught of British soul singers (Duffy, Amy, Adele) these past few years it’s refreshing to finally hear a young male artist take that genre by storm. His music has an authentically vintage soul sound, just like the other artists I’ve named. But Michael Kiwanuka doesn’t do what his predecessors have done. He doesn’t try to be hip. His music doesn’t need that, and neither does he. So what we get here is a rich sound that goes back several decades, which hasn’t been updated or manipulated. The only additive provided by Michael Kiwanuka are the beautiful lyrics, and let’s be honest, there’s not much need for anything else.
“The title track is absolute ear-candy for anyone yearning for the sound of 1960s American jazz-tinted soul. Wonderful brass instrumentation and string overlays give the track a very uplifting jazz feel. This all sets the foundations for a voice that yields both desperation and cool acceptance in equal measures; lyrics simple yet effective as well as deeply immersive.” — excerpt from virgin.com
Mark my words; Michael Kiwanuka is going to be big!
1. “The Wilhelm Scream” – James Blake
And my pick for best song of the year 2011 is “The Wilhelm Scream” by James Blake. His debut album introduced the world to two things: 1. James Blake’s hauntingly beautiful falsetto; 2. a refined understanding of the subtlety of electronic music. Even months after its initial release I find myself going back to this particular song; this song is actually quite simple in its production as well as the song writing. Maybe that’s the key to its devastating beauty; there’s no bullshit to sort through. It’s just words brought to life through sound.
Now listening to this song at home or through your headphones is quite the journey, but to really get the full experience I’d advise you to go see James Blake perform live. I attended his performance at the North Sea Jazz festival. We were coming from Raphael Saadiq and James Blake was already 10 minutes into his set. When we finally got there all the seats were filled. I managed to find a spot on the left side of the room and planted my ass on the floor. So there I was, laying on the floor (which a whole lot of people were doing), with my eyes closed, and then this song came on in waves over the sound system. I could literally feel my body trembling from the overwhelming bass. One of the best concert moments I’ve had in recent history, and a truly deserved number one spot for “The Wilhelm Scream” by James Blake.
Download Link: The Soundtrack of 2011 Part 10, 10-1
THE END
I always enjoy a bit of feedback, so if anyone has any thoughts about my favorite 10 songs of the year or the rest of my top 100 please let me know by leaving a comment. I’m also very interested in what people have been listening to in 2011. So feel free to share your favorite tracks of the year.
