The Best of the Best Music of 2011
by Blanca Mendez
This year in music was the year of “Super Bass,” The Voice, and Watch the Throne, about everyone getting worked up over Odd Future and Lana del Rey and kind of getting over Lady Gaga. Also, Foster the People. They were everywhere. Can you believe I have successfully avoided “Pumped Up Kicks” for this long? And this year, like every year, I tried to listen to All the Music, but ended up mostly listening to All the Pop Music. Here are some memorable moments.
Best Song I Heard All Year
Azealia Banks, “212”
Is it weird to say that I love the close-ups of her mouth? Because I love the close-ups of her mouth.
Best Song I Just Heard Yesterday
It’s a tie!
Nite Jewel, “One Second of Love”
http://soundcloud.com/nite-jewel/one-second-of-love
Nite Jewel is sounding kinda disco diva on this, and I like it.
and
Disclosure, “Tenderly”
Even with the jittery vocals-synth-percussion layers, this song is so smooooth.
Best Strut Song
Dominique Young Unique, “Hype Girl”
Walking to the bus stop in the morning on my way to work, I’m all hyped to make that paper.
Best Sound Effect Lyric in a Song
BOOF BOOF
Best/Sickest Dance Jam
Al Azif feat. Gnucci Banana and Crossfire, “Sick in Head”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQNJj-9497k
I’m getting outta control!!
Best Pitbull Appearance
Shakira feat. Pitbull, “Rabiosa”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdFnKcmOHk
This is also the only Pitbull appearance I’m not mad about.
Best Skins Fanfic Based on Actual Events
Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris, “We Found Love”
HATE U CHRIS BROWN
Best Song I Have Not Stopped Listening To Since I First Heard It
Grimes, “Vanessa”
I first heard this at a SXSW party, and I think it legit put me in a trance that I will never snap out of.
Best Time I Thought Shania Twain Was Back
Lady Gaga, “You and I”
You’re still the one I want for life, Shania!
Best Weird Music
Shabazz Palaces, Black Up
It’s like being in a wide open space in the dark and hearing noises but not knowing where they’re coming from, and instead of being scared you’re really relaxed.
Best Use of the Word “Hairpin”
Miranda Lambert, “Hurts to Think”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH_p3ajtcP8
This is the bonus track on her latest album. There should be a bonus bonus track just about that hairpin.
Best Use of Xylophone
The Suzan, “Home”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lh35pYVxLQ
This song always gives me a sugar high.
Best Piece of Pop Perfection
Icona Pop, “Manners”
I plan to sing this to anyone who ever tries to break up with me.
Best Song That Makes Me Think of Aslan
First Aid Kit, “The Lion’s Roar”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl5FdvRR4pQ
They totally filmed this in Narnia.
Best Album That Made Me Get Over My (Mostly) Unfounded Hatred Toward a Teenager
Selena Gomez & The Scene, When The Sun Goes Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BORtnWlb6nQ
There is only one bad song on this album, which is more than I can say for most albums.
Best Album That Makes Me Wish I Owned A Gun
Pistol Annies, Hell on Heels
It also makes me feel like a bad Texan for not already owning at least two.
Best Album to Fall Asleep To
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Because it’s boring. But also pretty, I guess.
Best Dream Come True Collabo
Rye Rye (feat. Robyn), “Never Will Be Mine”
I almost cried when I found out about this.
Best Spooky Sexy Collabo
CREEP (feat. Nina Sky), “You”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDErC8-MrUw
It’s like The Shining but kinda hot?
Best Song I Don’t Understand All The Words To
Wonder Girls, “Be My Baby”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fy4cqWMhyI
I love how the dance move for “please be my baby” looks like cradling a baby.
Best “Super Bass” Cover
Sophia Grace Brownlee
Princess Sophia knows she’s fly.
Best Cover That’s Better Than The Original
JoJo, “Marvin’s Room”
JoJo murdered that track with just that one line.
Best Rhyming Skillz
Gloria Estefan, “Hotel Nacional”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIfeDNCOrKc
She came up with three different rhymes for “hoochie coochie.”
Best Moombahton Remix of a Gloria Estefan Classic
DJ Javier Estrada, “Conga” Remix
This makes it a slightly less exhausting song to dance to.
Best Mixtape That Was Technically Released in 2010 But Whatevs
M.I.A., Vicki Leekx Mixtape
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLoy_0TYETk
Because it’s about the Internet.
Best GIF From a Music Video
Blanca Méndez loves that song!