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Thursday 19 February 2015

Worst To Best: David Bowie

Worst To Best: David Bowie

When it comes to the tale of Bowie and me, I was not as fortunate as many of you reading this would have been. My exposure to the man's genius did not come by means of parental figurines—on the contrary, I was actively warned against it. For during my younger days of consuming as many classic musicians as I could stomach, I announced my interest in this enigmatic Bowie-being to my mother, and got shot down. "Please don't listen to him," she requested. "He's weird. He's like the Marilyn Manson of my day."

As if that would discourage me. Because I knew there had to be something to this guy. How else did I recognise his name without having heard any of his music, hmmm? Hence why I embarked on my lone mission of Bowieducation with a fierce catlike curiosity, no safety belt or nothing, and am happy to report the undertaking was an impeccable success (as this blog demonstrates). The meaning of life became apparent as the divine spirit grew within my core, the expansion proving Bowie as the Greatest Rock God to have ever walked the Earth, more than Jesus maybe even. Forget Lennon or Elvis or Berry or any other holy name you can throw at me; Bowie is better, and I won't hear any different, nanana not listening. Perhaps he was never the most proficient lyricist or guitarist or even songwriter, but he is the irrefutable master of versatility, forever reinventing every aspect of his character like some Messiah transforming to serve one colossal sentence over the course of four decades. And he did it to save us. Make no mistake, we would all be dead without him. We owe him our everything. All hail the saviour David Bowie, amen.

So to honour this creature's contribution to musical progression, I finally took it upon myself to write this long overdue sermon of worship, by revisiting every single Bowie album and then ordering them from what I consider to be the worst to the best, as if I have ever earned the right to do so. I am not worthy of the assignment. Nobody is. However, by the Lord's forgiveness, I did try my hardest to provide justice to a figure who doesn't need it, and am satisfied enough to present this gift to everyone, my little part in preaching the good word. Here is the Worst to Best of David Bowie according to me, and it goes like this:


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 29. Pin Ups

29. Pin Ups (1973)

Glam Pop Rock
Spotify


Released during an almost unstoppable run of classics, this hiccup is generally cited as one of David's weaker efforts, yet is hardly ever treated as his worst. However, I have my reasons, and I can explain them to you as straightforward as this: Bowie has written some of the greatest original songs in the history of all time, and as a result, his perpetually bothersome compulsion to scatter cover songs amongst his otherwise secure catalogue has always appeared pointless to me—and Pin Ups is a full fucking album of them. Sure, the project's fuel of love and fun does not go unnoticed and is not without integrity, but I still cannot escape the disappointment where these nostalgic interpretations are nothing more than a pothole interrupting a perfect flow of masterpieces, trying too hard to rock hard and probably a sign that Bowie was overworking himself during this immensely creative period. And so as much as I enjoy it for what it is, I wholeheartedly consider this as Bowie's most unnecessary offering, and honestly see no great reason for it to exist. Sorry.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 28. Labyrinth

28. Labyrinth (Soundtrack, 1986)

New Wave Pop Rock
Spotify


Most 80s kids will look upon this album with great fondness, for reasons almost exclusively associated to the adorable film itself. And while the movie dropped dead centre in what is inarguably accepted as Bowie's most cringeworthy period, his acting performance as Jareth the Goblin King was perfect, disturbing our childhood dreams for many nights to follow. Which is why, on some sentimental level, the soundtrack does have its place, perhaps not as a singular unit or even in Bowie's catalogue whatsoever, but rather as a release very dependent on the film, working as a team to truly expose the magic. But upon listening to the album by itself all these years later, I found it to have dated worse than any other feature from the man's career, roughly as excruciatingly cheesy as his hairdo would suggest and devoid of all the silver balls we had come to expect. Simply put, it does not work alone whatsoever, and without the cuteness of Henson's puppetry, is utterly forgettable and probably safer that way.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 27. Never Let Me Down

27. Never Let Me Down (1987)

Pop Rock
Spotify


I am not the first to point out the ironic joke in this album's title, but here we go again anyway: Never Let Me Down let absolutely everybody down, including Bowie himself, so much so that the majority of similar Worst to Best lists casually drown this release as low as it can possibly go, hopefully out of sight completely. It's the archetype casualty from the Let's Dance effect (Bowie's self-proclaimed "Phil Collins" era), where our hero had lost all motivation for innovation, rather now catering for his newfound influx of mainstream audiences, desperately shoving out anything he thought would hit without applying any effort, and this is what that sounds like: an over-processed synthetic sloppy mess constituting of feeble ideas which lead to nowhere. Luckily, his name alone sold the album well, but the critics had never witnessed a David Bowie flop so hard, and my heart breaks from sadness whilst watching this hopelessly lost man fumble through the creative mess he had become. That said, the reputation is (a little) worse than the product, and a part of me wishes he'd give this one another go. I love everything he does, really.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 26. Tonight

26. Tonight (1984)

New Wave Dance-Pop Rock
Spotify


As the equally repulsive partner of Never Let Me Down, the review for either of these atrocities could be practically interchangeable. The hype sets the bar so low that you might be pleasantly surprised by its varied jammy mix of reggae meets pop meets latin meets ska. You might even appreciate the relaxed tone of someone who sounds like they've pretty much lost all the spirit of what made them a musician in the first place. Hell, you could even possibly consider it a very admirable record, as it contains so many Iggy Pop covers that various listeners have theorised it to be a charity gift of royalty payments to Iggy himself, due to his nasty habit of snorting all his earnings away. But more than likely, you'll agree with everyone else, and call Tonight one of the most worn out, clichéd, boring, and rushed releases from a man who was struggling to be something he wasn't for all the wrong reasons, occasionally almost getting there, more frequently completely missing it, and sometimes sounding very, very bad.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 25. Tin Machine

25. Tin Machine (1989)

Alternative Hard Rock
Spotify


As if the previous entries weren't enough evidence, the 80s were a troubled time for Bowie's creativity, which is why as a concept, I really appreciate Tin Machine. It was his respectful endeavour at getting back on track by forming a no-frills back-to-basics straight-up plain old aggressive rock band—a calculated clean break from his own name in order to jump start the musical motor which had spluttered and died during the decade. And if we take it on this raw basis, it did exactly what it was designed to do, proving itself as one decent landmark to pinpoint where his career began to regenerate itself and slowly climb into more respectable regions of satisfaction. However, the presentation is still generally considered a misfire which reeked of midlife crisis, hardly denting the charts and a strong example of where Bowie's finger was no longer on the pulse of progression but rather a lone fingernail clawing at the trends in some desperate attempt to save face. But even if it is (nearly) as bad as everyone says, I refuse to exclusively incriminate David for the wobble and much prefer to blame his band members instead, because I am bias and Bowie is my Dad.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 24. Young Americans

24. Young Americans (1975)

Blue Eyed Soul Pop Rock
Spotify


Bowie's catalogue is famous for its endless ch-ch-changes (sorry), but very few can boast an extreme stylistic reinvention to the degree of Young Americans. After snorting far too much white cocaine, Bowie suddenly thought he was a black man, shed his British heritage and went charging full force into U.S. of A. with one intention: to finally break that country's market. And, surprisingly enough, he pretty much achieved it too, pushing his vocal boundaries so far outward that he genuinely competed with the soul charts of the time, entering the US top 10, as well as hitting #1 on the singles charts with Fame (a feat which had nothing to do with the John Lennon guest slot, I'm sure). And this is great, except for on a personal level, where something doesn't quite sit right with me and this record. It's a bit too out of place in context with his career, simultaneously as underrated as it's overrated, and gives me visions of the colour beige until I feel nauseous. So while I respect the live quality performance and the various Beatle references, I guess Bowie is simply too Caucasian for this type of style.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 23. Tin Machine II

23. Tin Machine II (1991)

Pop Rock

If you are part of the army who found themselves underwhelmed by Tin Machine's debut, then you may (like most) consider this sequel to be an even worse experience. Perhaps hindsight has been a little kinder to the project as a whole, but at the time, people weren't comfortable with the band, and this album in particular rejected their status beyond the lowest expectations, more than likely due to the group's bravery in pushing things a little further into the experimental zone; a more free, more indulgent, and perhaps more annoying territory, which is putting it politely. However, even if it lacked any evidence of inspiration whatsoever, I personally prefer it to the original, without any idea as to why. Might it have something to do with the penises on the cover? Whatever. The point is that, regardless of my slightly above average appreciation, this release is still an embarrassing brick in the worst era Bowie has ever built, and while I don't dissect the offering as viciously as everyone else has and instead appreciate the improvement on almost all of his work a decade earlier, I am also more than happy to pretend it doesn't exist and move on with my own life.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 22. David Bowie

22. David Bowie (1967)

Psychedelic Pop
Spotify


Of all the Bowie albums, I regard his debut as the most unfairly disregarded. It was as if critics patted it on the head, pinched its cheeks like a child, and then condescendingly sent it along its way. And, all things considered, it's not difficult to understand why. For this self-titled record is a very simple affair, as immature as it is amateur, cheeky and quirky and comedic without even expecting anyone to take it the least bit seriously—which is why nobody did. But if you dig past the quaint cuteness of its slightly mad folky yolk, you should find yourself gently cradling a fragile little egg, shoved to cracking-point with an excess of exciting ideas, aching to hatch the genius we all know from only a few years later. Listening to it now, the future all seems so obvious, and I like to pretend I always knew he was going to be a superstar despite my birth taking place nearly two decades after the fact. Regardless, everyone can agree that he was merely finding his niche at this point, and while this wasn't exactly it, we all have to start somewhere. And you fucking wish you started here.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 21. Black Tie White Noise

21. Black Tie White Noise (1993)

Art Pop
Spotify


So after releasing a strew of subpar material, getting remarried, and then dealing with the suicide of his half-brother, Bowie utilised his newfound personal side to rekindle his love for the arty slice of music, coming out with his best album in 10 years without that being a particularly impressive feat. It amalgamated his past with a smooth, almost dancey R&B pop-soul crossover, his embracement of modern production quickly hailed as a return to form ("finally, a real Bowie album again!") resulting in one wholly mature offering in which he accepted his age and grew comfortable within his legacy. However, none of this particularly worked in its favour, a now dated sound from the mouth of a tired man no longer in the hip circle—an improvement by all means, but ultimately just another disappointment, if we are being honest with ourselves. That said, I treat Black Tie White Noise as a transitional album, a point where Bowie remembered where the goalpost was and had refocused his sights on the money-shot, without being entirely sure on how to get there just yet. And so in that regard, at very least this album proved that the old fella had some spark in his diluted eyeball still.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 20. Space Oddity

20. Space Oddity (originally titled David Bowie, 1969)

Pop Rock
Spotify


Much like most, the title track from Bowie's sophomore was my gateway drug, and as a result, this whole album has a very special place in my solar system. I mean, of course it wasn't quite where Bowie belonged, but it was a fuckload closer than his debut, exfoliating the comedic novelty factors and instead focusing on space travel and other such alien themes, which urgently hinted at the weirdness to come whilst unfairly crashing on any commercial level. Admittedly, at times it is a little boring, a little too "of its time" rather than ahead, and a little too similar to other artists available around the same period, but this album is the sound of David Bowie learning, as well as pretty much the last time we ever hear David Bowie learning. As this was the final release before his calls to extraterrestrial planets were answered, and then they planted that little microchip in his head which gave him the otherworldly knowledge, as we've all already read about.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 19. The Buddha of Suburbia

19. The Buddha of Suburbia (Soundtrack, 1993)

Experimental Electronic
Spotify


Forget Black Tie White Noise, because this is the true 90s Bowie comeback album, scraping his previous path of greatness with a massively erratic fusion of atmospheric electronics and avant-garde jazz, running all over the place as still one completely lost entity but looking very stylish while it did so. Unfortunately, the issue comes where nobody even noticed its risky maneuvering, many Bowie fans hardly aware of its existence, undoubtably the most overlooked album in his entire catalogue purely due to the 'soundtrack' label which suffocated its merit to death. But I am here to inform you that while it is dizzyingly inconsistent and a bit too noisy for the sake of it, this record feels like the deformed aborted quintuplet from the Berlin Trilogy, back to the experimental and weird Bowie which set the new stage for when our God became God all over again. And it excites me.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 18. The Man Who Sold the World

18. The Man Who Sold the World (1970)

Glam Rock
Spotify


Oh, so you guys remember David? David Bowie? Yeah, he's quite different now. He's on this whole glammy androgynous trip, definitely coming out of his shell, and to be honest, I quite like it. Actually, I really like it, for it was with The Man Who Sold the World that our protagonist found his edge, not only in regards to his bizarre appearance, but also from the hardest, most rocking album he'd produced until this point, and still one of his heaviest offerings to date. His fresh inspiration is not exactly certain, but there is a chance he was losing his mind a bit between the recent death of his father and newly schizophrenic diagnosis of his half-brother, but either way, it worked. Because this record is not only cited as a pioneering influence on the goth culture and the glam scene, but is also all too often rightfully considered Bowie's first true great record. That said, it is still a little "safe" within its oddness for me—a very middle-of-the-road type Bowie which never quite strayed out into the danger zone—but it was getting alarmingly close. And, as we all know, from this point onward music would never be the same again.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 17. Hours...

17. 'Hours...' (1999)

Alternative Rock
Spotify


Opinion on Bowie's twenty-first solo album has been folded down the middle. The opposition called it a boring hole of bland emptiness, accusing it of lacking any edge or quirk, one long underwhelming conventional yawn which made the listener as tired as David sounded. On the other hand, those who made peace with the moody offering welcomed this new restrained, relaxed side of the man, using it like a melodic pillow to delicately dream into space and connect to the murky tranquility of exhaustion, which the album artwork so aptly depicted. And I can appreciate both sides of this argument. However, what so many have failed to acknowledge was how important this easy-listening album was in the greater scheme of the Bowiverse. After finding his footing in the mid-90s and frantically shooting his experimentally panicked jizz all over the show, the calm cleanliness of 'Hours...' was imperative, representing the turning point where Bowie reflected upon himself and no longer found any reasons to bust blood vessels in order to reprove his worth. Rather, he let go, chilled out, and without this well deserved breather, the fantastic collection which followed would have never existed in quite the same way. At least give it some love for that reason.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 16. Let's Dance

16. Let's Dance (1983)

Dance Pop Rock
Spotify


You gotta hand it to Bowie. When he said he wanted a hit, he got a hit, Let's Dance still standing as his best-selling album to date. And it is unquestionably worthy of the success, another fine example of the giant reinventions only this artist could accomplish so well, popping his pompous pimples and instead donning a fake suit stitched from jumbled colours and formulaic disco dance moves, punctuated by one wholesome smile of sneaky sex appeal. However, the quick stick nature of the most commercial Bowie incarnation came with its own hidden demons, and his sudden new fanbase robbed him of the secluded alienation he'd worked so hard to develop, now finally achieving the ever elusive mainstream audience he'd been longing for, yet more uncomfortable than he'd ever been. “It fucked with my integrity,” he later confessed, forcing his palm to cater for this hungry pack of chart junkies, this album single handedly toppling his following releases for many years to come. Still, it's a great record, and if nothing else, one very interesting inclusion for these very same reasons.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 15. The Next Day

15. The Next Day (2013)

Art Rock
Spotify


I, like everyone, nearly suffered a heart attack thanks to this album. The first Bowie in 10 years?? And it's this fucking good!?! Impossible!!! But, no, as with most things Bowie, everything was possible no matter how unusual, and The Next Day was born, a surprisingly aggressive, highly-energetic record amidst heavy health rumours surrounding a substantially older man. What's more, it was a proper classic sounding Bowie, complete with all the nostalgic strangeness and crafty intelligence learned from the past, yet without repeating any formulas, aware of the risks but completely confident in its ability to maintain modern relevance, which naturally shook every music critic to their solar plexus. And nobody—nobody!—could be disappointed with a comeback like that. However, once the initial romantic period wore off, I did start to feel a little despondent about this release. I was more than satisfied, sure, but a little underwhelmed. At times, the album burst open with the creative complexities I had been praying for since I was a child, but at other times, it fell a little dull, uninteresting, and even cringeworthy. Perhaps the comeback-awe had outweighed the actual substance? Just a tad? Maybe? But then again, what does it matter? Bowie was alive, such a relief, and if this is the last thing he ever does, so be it. I'll gratefully accept.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 14. Toy

14. Toy (unreleased 2001; leaked 2011)

Pop Rock

Have you heard this? Have you heard of it? There is a good chance you haven't, because it was tragically never officially released, and for the love of Bowie, I cannot fathom why. For starters, it's a fascinating concept: primarily a compilation record, of sorts, featuring re-recordings of David's earliest songs, the old Bowie re-imagined by the new Bowie, some tracks dating as far back as 1964, these ancient tunes freshly polished until they applied just fine to the right now. And it's such a pleasure to hear these forgotten subdued melodies which musically echo the love of recent fathership whilst preserving the more rockier ideals which were lacking from, say, the preceding overly-mellow Hours, as if gazing in admiration towards one's own past without jeopardising the toughness of wisdom. But, unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. Due to some label issues, the effort was shelved whilst the ever productive Bowie ran along unfazed, onto the next project, where some of the Toy originals did eventually find their adoptive home (this record often fairly dubbed as Baby Heathen, bless). They should still release it though. I want real artwork.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 13. Heroes

13. "Heroes" (1977)

Experimental Art Rock
Spotify


And here it is: by far the biggest, most recognisable Bowie album that everyone else seems to adore so much more than I do. But before you swear at my inferior tastebuds, please do allow me to emphasise how far down I am willing to bow to this record, completely submissive to its almighty presence. For you must understand, everything surrounding the Berlin Trilogy era is my favourite favourite Bowie work, and I deeply appreciate this dank atmosphere breeding within the absolute thick of this designated time period. The romantic improvisation with Eno is the type of collaborative mysticism I wake up sticky for. The somber Kraftwerk salute does not go unacknowledged. The droney power. The casual inventiveness. These are the things that make Heroes the unadulterated timeless landmark it deserves to be praised for, and I would never dare to confront this. But ... there is just something about it. Something ... mechanical, almost. Soulless. Cold. Emotionless. Meaningless. And while I am sure this was always the intention, it slightly slips through my fingers, and I curse my damn clumsy self rather than accuse Bowie of anything. I don't know why, but I just don't love you like everyone else does. And I am so, so sorry.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 12. Reality

12. Reality (2003)

Alternative Pop Rock
Spotify


Despite working as what anyone would assume to be David's final album ever (until The Next Day disproved this 10 fucking years later), Reality has gone on to be relatively forgotten. The reason for this is easy to deduce: there was simply nothing WOW about this record (except for perhaps the production which is so clear that, at times, it even outshines the artist himself). My take on this result, is that it seems like not many understand Bowie when he isn't wearing his pretentious coat, and this record is as naked and pretensionless as the man gets, working like an acquaintance rather than a best friend, introverted and consumed by its own mortality without any regard to bystanders. But if you reciprocate the respectful love beyond any judgement, it will gladly welcome you into its circle with a genuine warmth, far too sure of itself to alter its natural demeanor on account of your opinions, but willing to share the joke of life with you if you're open to a dabble of euphoric intimacy. And when something vibrates on a level as light as this (without a doubt, the lightest release on this list), it's a mournful mystery as to how anyone could turn their back on an artwork so ageless.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 11. Diamond Dogs

11. Diamond Dogs (1974)

Glam Art Pop Rock
Spotify


Originally conceived as a theatrical musical based around George Orwell's classic novel 1984, the ambitious Diamond Dogs was ultimately denied the rights for such a project, yet the scent of this nightmarishly paranoid concept remained alive and unwell within this album's execution. What's more, this offering also marked the final moment before Bowie jumped the glam ship he'd built once and for all, letting it sink from the excessive weight of copycats while he swam towards more uncharted shores. And it's just as well, really. For even though this release is right up there as one of his highest regarded albums of the whole lot, it was surely his messiest from the glammy pallet, favouring riff-heavy punk-trash ideals and grittier production over the pedantically polished compositions that had come before—by all means, not a bad thing, a welcome rugged change if anything, but definitely an indication that the drugs were restless and craved something new. So whether these reasons, or my discomfort with the dystopian themes, or my opinion that the Halloween Jack character was yet another poor man's Ziggy, this album has never quite stuck with me in the same way as it has everyone else. But I am thankful for the passion all the same.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 10. Outside

10. Outside (1995)

Industrial Art Rock
Spotify


Finally reunited with Eno, and shit got weird again. Telling the obscure barely-linear narrative of a futuristic Art Murder movement where the death of a 14-year-old girl is being investigated, you do not get a Bowie record as indulgent as this one. Originally set to be the first of a five-part series salvaged from a 35 hour improvisational jam session, this textured fuckery is so densely layered with ugly doom that it bloats to a size much bigger than itself, fearful for its own life as it threatens to burst sludge all over the crime scene. Which, as you can imagine, is a tough act to swallow; an exercise in creative freedom yet overwhelming the listener with claustrophobia, the very epitome of Bowiexperimental which improves per each exposure and has not dated in the slightest. So if you like your Bowie poppy, move along as fast as you can. And if you like your Bowie arty, this is the best place to fully challenge that statement. But whatever your taste, Outside is without a doubt the most ambitious, most alienating, and most monstrous project the man has ever done.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 09. Heathen

09. Heathen (2002)

Alternative Art Rock
Spotify


As far as latter day albums go, Heathen is more often than not hailed as a return to form—a comeback album, if you will—where Bowie plays the role of Bowie for a change, giving fans of any part of his spectrum something they could enjoy. And I have no problem with this, as I personally consider Heathen to be David's first real BANG album since the very early 80s, consistently imaginative and effortlessly coherent, may contain traces of grunge. Of course, there is that pesky urge to get all critical and tease this approach for its simplicity and digestibility, but the voice of a child within me shouts with an even louder fondness, thrilled by the instantaneous stick of these playtime nursery-rhymes which are as harmless as they are joyous as they are comforting. Mr Bowie is having fun again, you guys! And it shows! Gosh, who knew that risk-free could sound so good?


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 08. Lodger

08. Lodger (1979)

Art Rock
Spotify


When the Berlin Trilogy came to an end with this album, the public was not impressed. Everyone took it in turns to degrade the work as "weak" and "scattered", some even accusing Bowie of being "out-Bowied" by his new wave children such as Gary Numan or probably some other people. Of course, hindsight has since come along and pointed its wonky finger at those antagonists, saying something like "you're all idiots", because Lodger is one of the artist's greatest achievements to date. While it wasn't as unconventional and experimental as the two previous Berlins, it was still a really fucking demented journey in its own right, and only unsubstantial in the argument against its rapid running time. But even this factor could be seen as an advantage, as we found no waffling here. It was a straight-to-the-point record; a quirky, more earthly "world" vibe; an awkward muddy mix of strange textures and genre-bending darings: all of which have considerably won every critic over in recent years, yet is still shamefully undervalued. Oh, so wait, you're saying Bowie was ahead of his time again? Yeah, big surprise.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 07. Earthling

07. Earthling (1997)

Alternative Dance Rock
Spotify


I will be the first to admit that Earthling is far from perfect. Hell, at times it is even less perfect than many of those below it on this very list. Because nobody is trying to deny that Bowie has never sounded so desperate to be relevant, as he bursts into the party a few years too late and frantically busts out high-speed drum 'n' bass dance moves at risk of popping his hip out in front of the company half his age. Which is why it's best not to take any of this seriously, but rather to appreciate the style-collision as a piss-take on the genre itself, if you want my advice. Of course, the charts naturally had no idea what to do with a release this mental and kinda just left it there, but critics were knocked over by this new dynamically aggressive Bowie, and adored the project no matter how cluttered or ludicrous it may have been. As for me personally, well, I consider it to be one of the most fun and exhilarating records of David's career, partially for what it sounds like, but even more so for what it was trying to do, hence why I publicly claim this to be his most underrated offering by miles.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 06. Aladdin Sane

06. Aladdin Sane (1973)

Glam Art Pop Rock
Spotify


Comparisons to the preceding Ziggy Stardust are unfair but unavoidable, and so I will honour the custom by telling you why Aladdin Sane has always lived in the former's shadow. It's because it was basically the same thing ("Ziggy goes to America," the man in charge once put it), except less conceptual, less character dependent, and a victim to the pressure of Bowie's newfound superstardom—his very first record as a full fledged rockstar. But while the rushed effort has often been accused of having "more style than substance", it really is nearly as good as Bowie's magnum opus, and for reasons of differences rather than similarities. For starters, it's more enthusiastic than its bigger brother; a tougher, more fiery counterpart which blazes with additional sexual freedom and critical urgency. For the main course, it's properly insane (A Lad Insane, geddit?), not like that cooky gnome shit from before, but legitimately schizo without even trying, as if David's recent fame had begun to pick at the seams and he was laughing all the way. But finally, for desert, when you are faced with a creative streak to the quality of David Bowie in 70s, you shouldn't be making demanding comparisons in the first place, but rather shoving your fist into your gaping mouth and thanking your lucky starmen that such art even fucking exists.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 05. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

05. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)

Glam Pop Rock
Spotify


And then we have this. The big one. The masterpiece. The David Bowie classic. The almost cliché go-to example when debating the artist's strongest work. So much so, that I don't feel too much of a need to bang on about it because you've probably heard it all a thousand times before. That said, I love talking, so watch me go: Ziggy Stardust tells the vague concept about some cosmic alien prophet arriving to save our Earth, which is on the verge of an apocalyptic doom. He preaches his message via the rock 'n' roll medium, and as a result, naturally falls into the pit of drugs and groupies such a profession would entail, ultimately destroying and killing himself by his own consumption, the idol failing miserably at his mission. With such deep social commentary run by the best fictional character in musical history, the magic truly lies in the music itself which could be called the blueprint for all of punk rock, one so consistently and untouchably solid that it's no surprise "Ziggy" is pretty much synonymous with "Bowie" as a household name. Every best-of list ever written agrees that this is one of the greatest albums of all time for a reason, and I do too, for the same reason.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 04. Hunky Dory

04. Hunky Dory (1971)

Glam Pop Art Rock
Spotify


While any similarly respectable list would include this lighter classic in the highest of regards, it holds an extra special position in my own personal Bowie heart, as it proved to be the first of his full albums to really make sense to me, gently breaking my tongue into the excessive obsession we see overly-developed today. Succeeding as David's original masterpiece, Hunky Dory is as optimistic and as cheerful as the title would suggest, a more conventional contribution without endangering any inventiveness, every verse designed to tease and function as pillars to lift the never-failing choruses high above their heads, soaring into a gush of worship, sometimes even for Bowie's own personal heroes (such as Dylan, Warhol, or Reed). For these reasons, I have no apprehension in placing the album on this tremendous pedestal, as it taught me what the man was capable of without depending on experimental peculiarities, and will always be the record I suggest to curious listeners as the best release to ease themselves into the otherwise enormously daunting catalogue from the man.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 03. Station to Station

03. Station to Station (1976)

Art Rock
Spotify


Drugs have always played an integral role in rock 'n' roll development, and no other Bowie record stands as true to this ethic as Station to Station. Living exclusively on a diet of milk, red peppers, and cocaine, David has often stated that he remembers nothing from this recording, as he had all but lost himself in his new character The Thin White Duke, who had possessed the man thanks to his demanding film performance as the alien from The Man Who Fell to Earth. Due to this transformation, Bowie had become haunted by topics such as religious mythology, the occult, and Nazi brainwashing, subsequently exposing this record as nothing less than a cry for help from an artist who was detaching from his core personality one line at a time. But, damn, what a great sounding breakdown it was. And while some songs may outshine others, it still presents itself as a twisted best-of compilation of new experimental material, a groovy post-punkish trauma which apprehensively set the pace for the Berlin era, and even as a single unit, is so fucking mental that I cry tears of astonishment on weaker days. Furthermore, its unique performance has never been accurately mimicked to any satisfying degree by Bowie's musical students, which cannot be said for any other album in his entire catalogue. Because no one would even dare to try make something like this.


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 02. Low

02. Low (1977)

Experimental Art Rock
Spotify


Much like the succeeding Heroes, the original member of the Bowie/Eno Berlin Trilogy was essentially two completely separate albums on one record, working as a single unified arty atmosphere whilst remaining two utterly incomparable entities. The first was the more hyper, happier side of the project: almost incomplete fragments of ideas which never fully realise themselves as true songs, yet still playfully shimmer within their nintendo madness, featuring one the freshest drum sounds in all of music, period. The second was the more ambient, ominous side of the project: almost exclusively instrumental, lengthy compositions which pushed the boundaries of pop ethics to such adventurous regions that it's no surprise this release overwhelmed initial listeners to keep their money in their pockets. But like all great Bowies, Low has grown exponentially in critics' eyes over time, and the eclectic mix of joyous bounces meeting somber drownings is often considered one of the (if not, the) greatest David Bowie in existence—more than likely owed to how many modern day artists have completely stolen the style, whether they are aware of it or not. Simply put, it's perfect, and is always a tenacious contender for my all time favourite favourite favourite. If only it wasn't for...


The Top 50 Albums of 2014: 01. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

01. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)

Art Pop Rock
Spotify


There are hundreds of reasons as to why I consider this to be Bowie's climax, but what it comes down to is that this beast marked the end of the greatest, most inventive creative streak in the history of popular music. In the 70s, Bowie had proven that he was not one of us humans by morphing into various eerie characters who pioneered genres without dwelling on them, forever reshaping every aspect of his art whilst ricocheting his demented influence into the skulls of any oblivious spectators. However, with Scary Monsters, it was as if Bowie had paused to offload a summary of everything he'd learned from the past decade (and, as you may know, he learned a lot) and then aggressively fisted all the ugly theatrics and vigorous rock principles into one violently peculiar package. And this was no accident. The nightmare energy of this record was a methodical development, no time for improvisation or experimental risks, rather a purposeful calculation designed to be as witty as it was scary, as charming as it was evil, and as sexual as it was rapey. As a result, this is the most consistent and balanced Bowie I have ever met, as well as unarguably his final masterpiece, so much so that every decent release since has automatically been slapped with the "Best Album Since Scary Monsters!" sticker, a curse the man will never, ever be liberated from. And that's ok with me.

Read This Next Maybe

Dear David Bowie
Dear David Bowie

Wednesday 28 January 2015

The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far (2010 - 2014)

in 140 Characters or Less!


Click above to listen to (almost) all of these songs in
one Spotify or Grooveshark playlist

The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 100. TNGHT - Higher Ground (Hudson Mohawke x Lunice)

100. TNGHT - Higher Ground
(Hudson Mohawke x Lunice) (2012)

Trap
Might just be me, but that bass drops my eyeballs into an empty determination, my only goal to fight someone. Slowly. Violently. Cheerfully.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 99. Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger

99. Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger
[feat. Christina Aguilera] (2011)

Dance-Pop
It's rare that a song forces out every cheap trick in the dance-pop book yet manages to pull it off so perfectly. Naughty!


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 98. Jay Z - BBC

98. Jay Z - BBC [feat. Nas, Pharrell Williams, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz] (2013)

East Coast Hip Hop
Surprising when this many egos (Jay, Nas, Pharrell, Beyonce, Timberlake, Timbaland) doesn't fall into a flexing max. It's about having fun.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 97. Gogo Penguin - One Percent

97. Gogo Penguin - One Percent (2014)

Nu Jazz
A relaxed piano spiced with frantic bass lines and all-over-the-place drumming is why this slow orgasm deserves loads more attention. Yay!



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 96. Sam Smith - Money On My Mind

96. Sam Smith - Money On My Mind (2014)

UK Garage Pop
Bit repetitive, but that chorus though? And that voice? And that semi-fresh subject matter? And that production? Thems for reals, yo.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 98. Jay Z - BBC

95. Battles - Ice Cream [feat. Matias Aguayo] (2011)

Progressive Math Pop Rock
Like the title would suggest, this delightfully colourful summer jam is best enjoyed by the kid in you.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 94. The Lonely Island - Threw It On The Ground

94. The Lonely Island - Threw It On The Ground (2011)

Comedy Rap
Is this just a hilarious gangster parody? Or is there a real life lesson in here? Whatever, I'M AN ADULT.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 93. M83 - Midnight City

93. M83 - Midnight City (2011)

Synthpop
Childlike but not naive, this commercial gold is one of the biggest indie songs of the decade, and the opening deserves this mention alone.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 92. Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe

92. Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (2012)

West Coast Hip Hop
From the most important hip hop album of the decade, it's that fade-in/fade-out boy/girl delivery which really mellows me.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 91. Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes

91. Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes (2010)

Electropop
Plastic as fuck with no shame, this clever pop song adapts itself perfectly to the surreal world Gorillaz built all by themselves.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 90. Major Lazer - Jah No Partial

90. Major Lazer - Jah No Partial
[feat. Flux Pavillion] (2012)

Brostep Ragga
The ideal meeting point between iree ragganess and filthy dubstep, that drop is a no-fucking-joke style of party.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 89. Say Anything - Hebrews

89. Say Anything - Hebrews (2014)

Alternative Rock/Chamber Pop
Far from a great song and part of a genre I usually despise, I simply cannot deny this hook as one of my utmost favourites of the decade.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 88. The Go! Team - T.O.R.N.A.D.O.

88. The Go! Team - T.O.R.N.A.D.O. (2011)

Indietronica
Comes out punching with in-your-face energy, ferociously pumped full of candy-hype and quirky madness, abandoning you in no time at all.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 87. Casualties of Cool - Daddy

87. Casualties of Cool - Daddy (2014)

Country Rock
The versatile Townsend meets the alluring vocals of Dorval, and then a strange country ambience arrives which hypnotises me. It's spooky.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 86. Rudimental - Feel the Love

86. Rudimental - Feel The Love
[feat. John Newman] (2012)

Drum and Bass
Overplayed to the point of nausea, but this was such a hot dance floor banger that I yearn for summer again, and definitely feel the love.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 85. Honeyblood - Super Rat

85. Honeyblood - Super Rat (2014)

Indie Pop
A cute break-up song at heart, this repulsed message for an ex-lover comes across loud and clear. And I relate. I will hate you forever.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 84. Oh Land - Flags

84. Oh Land - Flags (2014)

Indie Pop
Like an under-appreciated national anthem which jerks all over the world, one of the best hooks of the decade goes HOWWW HEYA HEYA HEYA!



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 83. Jens Lekman - Become Someone Else's

83. Jens Lekman - Become Someone Else's (2012)

Chamber Pop
On this list for lyrical value above all else, here is a different sort of love song which makes me smile while I pain on the inside.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 82. Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna

82. Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna (2012)

Electropop
Holding up a bubble-wrapped mirror to manufactured pop music, you might get lost in the dance without realising she's insulting your ego.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 81. Animal Collective - Today’s Supernatural

81. Animal Collective - Today’s Supernatural (2012)

Neo-Psychedelia
The line "erratic seesaw" sums this song up perfectly; a colourful carnival warpedness melting like a messy acid trip gone horribly wrong.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 80. Beyoncé - Countdown

80. Beyoncé - Countdown (2011)

Contemporary R&B
Beyoncé does pop differently, point proven with this fast-paced party song which is as fun as it is overwhelmed by sexual attitude.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 79. Noisia - Split The Atom

79. Noisia - Split The Atom (2010)

Drum and Bass
Fight or fuck to it, this is produced for radio without losing any edge, hinting at something nasty without granting you the satisfaction.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 78. La Roux - Sexotheque

78. La Roux - Sexotheque (2014)

Synthpop
A song about some dude cheating on his girlie, this is a sad topic surrounded by deliciously warm feels, featuring her greatest hook yet.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 77. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop

77. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop (2012)

Pop Rap
Who writes a song about a thrift shop? And who could predict said topic would smash the charts and win so many awards? Macklemore, I guess.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 76. Eddie Vedder - Sleeping by Myself

76. Eddie Vedder - Sleeping By Myself (2011)

Contemporary Folk
Pure ukulele and less than two minutes long, I first heard this song during my own severe heartbreak, and its relevancy destroyed me.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 75. Violent Soho - Covered in Chrome

75. Violent Soho - Covered In Chrome (2013)

Post-Grunge
In an era where grungyrock is endangered, this simple yet effective loud/soft dynamic is skater fuel at its best. And that chorus? Yeah.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 74. Eliza Doolittle - Mr Medicine

74. Eliza Doolittle - Mr Medicine (2011)

Sunshine Pop
Everything you want pop music to be: instantaneously catchy, lyrically relatable, clever rhyme schemes, and cute as fuck. Happiness is...



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 73. The National - Conversation 16

73. The National - Conversation 16 (2010)

Chamber Rock
As miserable and melodramatic as only The National know how, except I think this song is about zombies. One of the best bands in the world.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 72. The Grand Spectacular - Being a Dickhead's Cool

72. The Grand Spectacular - Being A Dickhead's Cool (2010)

Novelty
Picking apart the hipster culture with better quotes than your average day on Twitter, this is the E8 anthem, and I heard it before you.
The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 71. Eminem - Rap God

71. Eminem - Rap God (2013)

Pop Rap
Eminem sucks dick now, but when a single enters the Guinness World Records for the most words ever (1,560), you've got to show some respect.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 70. D'Angelo - Sugah Daddy

70. D'Angelo - Sugah Daddy (2014)

Neo-Soul
Funk pitter-pattered with Prince love, this is music to get up to, get on with, and get it on to. Sex music, is what I am saying.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 69. Altar of Plagues - Burnt Year

69. Altar of Plagues - Burnt Year (2013)

Atmospheric Black Metal
This song is trapped in trouble and ill-health, desperately screaming for help, more scared than you are. The darkest point on this list.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 68. Kreayshawn - Go Hard (La.La.La)

68. Kreayshawn - Go Hard (La.La.La) (2012)

Pop Rap
Risky entry: Most people will hate this, which only makes me love it more. Go on and have a guilt-free dance, darling. Nobody is watching.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 67. Here We Go Magic - Over the Ocean

67. Here We Go Magic - Over The Ocean (2012)

Indie Rock
When the Radiohead producer produces you, you sound like Radiohead. Soothing. Reflective. Slow. Touching. Reluctant. Over the ocean indeed.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 66. Janelle Monae - Wondaland

66. Janelle Monáe - Wondaland (2010)

Contemporary R&B, Art Pop
If Alice in Wonderland was a flirtatious robot who cleansed her naughtiness by attending church once a week, this would be the theme song.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 65. Perfume Genius - Hood

65. Perfume Genius - Hood (2012)

Chamber Art Pop
It hits with genuine poignancy like an intimate confession; a quick break-up right to the heart; a gentle build-up which fucks you to tears.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 64. Gang Gang Dance - Glass Jar

64. Gang Gang Dance - Glass Jar (2011)

Neo-Psychedelia
It takes over six minutes to get anywhere, but when it does, it slaps you with exciting flavours from all around the world—even from space!



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 63. Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That)

63. Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That) (2011)

Pop
There's only one time and place for this song: the weekend. Feel free, celebrate your weekly survival, and get proper drunk while you do so.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 62. Run the Jewels - Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)

62. Run The Jewels - Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck) [feat. Zack De La Rocha] (2014)

Hardcore Hip Hop
The most impressive factor here is how much the duo manage to outshine Zack, with an assault so hardcore you feel it in your nasal bridge.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 61. Pharrell Williams - Happy

61. Pharrell Williams - Happy (2013)

Pop Soul
The hint is in the title. Clap that shit out just to annoy depressed people, and all hail the king of modern day music relevancy.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 60. Foster The People - Houdini

60. Foster The People - Houdini (2011)

Indie Pop
Overwhelmed by the instant summer stick and overflowed by sounds which aren't immediately apparent, never has an MGMT rip sounded this good.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 59. A$AP Rocky - Fashion Killa

59. A$AP Rocky - Fashion Killa (2013)

East Coast Cloud Rap
With as much style as the name suggests and polished to perfection, I'll admit that the vocal manipulation technique is my achilles heel.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 58. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

58. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop (2013)

Electropop
Rebellious teenage anthem! Take drugs! Fuck people! Do whatever you like! It's Miley's house! You go girl! You slut the fuck out of Disney!



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 57. DJ Fresh - Gold Dust

57. DJ Fresh - Gold Dust [feat. Ce'Cile) (2010)

Drum and Bass
There's an iree party going on outside and it's not gonna wait for you, dude. Hurry up and grab your fun sneakers, let's go have a dance.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 56. Kanye West - Black Skinhead

56. Kanye West - Black Skinhead (2013)

Hardcore Industrial Hip Hop
Marilyn Manson with more racial tension. Even these terrible lyrics couldn't prevent the vicious turn where Kanye got scary.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 55. SBTRKT - Wildfire

55. SBTRKT - Wildfire [feat. Little Dragon] (2011)

Future Garage
The pinnacle of downtempo future garage happens when you add Little Dragon's sensual vocals to the already well-blended SBTRKT smoothie.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 54. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

54. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe (2011)

Teen Pop
Perfectly crafted to the point of presenting the hookiest pink fluff of the decade. And I would call you most definitely, Carly.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 53. alt-J - Fitzpleasure

53. alt-J - Fitzpleasure (2012)

Indietronica Art Pop
Inspired by a fictional broom rape while music quirks out of nowhere, this song likes to takes things away, but then gives back even more.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 52. Daft Punk - Get Lucky

52. Daft Punk - Get Lucky
[feat. Pharrell Williams] (2013)

Nu-Disco
Broke a bunch of records, packed out dance floors everywhere, is arguably the biggest 2010s track, and makes me feel optimistic all at once.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 51. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Jubilee Street

51. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Jubilee Street (2013)

Chamber Art Rock
Growing old in style, this one continuous build-up of seductive energy erupts all over your prophets. Close your eyes and look at me now.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 50. Plan B - Ill Manors

50. Plan B - Ill Manors (2012)

UK Hip Hop
Are you fed up with being poor in the first world? Is your chav mentality frustrated in anger? Then fuck shit up, bruv.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 49. PSY - Gangnam Style

49. PSY - Gangnam Style (2012)

K-Pop
Say what you will, but this list would not be complete without the most viewed Youtube video in history. It's in a league of its own.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 48. When Saints Go Machine - Add Ends

48. When Saints Go Machine - Add Ends (2011)

Synthpop
Is this the freedom of dying after a life of struggle? Or the euphoria of standing up for the first time from a death bed? Either/or, I cry.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 47. Behemoth - O Father O Satan O Sun!

47. Behemoth - O Father O Satan O Sun! (2014)

Death Metal
Satan is coming like a freight train and you better get on your knees and praise His name or He's going to rip the flesh off of your body.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 46. Azealia Banks - Nude Beach a Go-Go

46. Azealia Banks - Nude Beach A Go-Go (2014)

Surf Rock
This sucker punch of fun must be really embarrassing for Ariel Pink. The best song he ever wrote isn't even performed by him. Ouch.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 45. Beyoncé - XO

45. Beyoncé - XO (2013)

Contemporary R&B
Arguably the easiest stick from one of the decade's most essential albums, this song encourages, inspires, and fills the crowd with love.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 44. Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom

44. Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom (2012)

Hip House
This angry-catchy pop-culture attack may not be everyone's cup of rooibos, but it's mine, and nothing tastes like it. Nobody can argue that.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 43. Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage

43. Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage (2012)

Death Metal
No frills, no jokes, no gimmicks, no fucking around—this is modern metal at its utmost passionate and intimidating. It's very heavy.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 42. Frank Turner - Tell Tale Signs

42. Frank Turner - Tell Tale Signs (2013)

Folk Rock
Songs don't have to be cryptic. Sometimes it's just a dude being human and confiding in you. Which results in the best lyrics on this list.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 41. Anamanaguchi - Meow

41. Anamanaguchi - Meow (2013)

Chiptune
8bit madness with hyper nintendoenergy, this is chiptune with the highest possible crack volume, surprisingly created by real instruments.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 40. Daughn Gibson - Tiffany Lou

40. Daughn Gibson - Tiffany Lou (2012)

Indietronica
Manly baritone vocals over oddly stuttering voice manipulation leads to be one of the most delightful (and memorable) songs of the decade.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 39. Todd Terje - Svensk Sas

39. Todd Terje - Svensk Sas (2014)

Nu-Disco
Frantic! Smile! Joy! Goofy! Optimistic! Laugh! Dance! Pink! Weirdness! Happiness! Reasonless! Playful! Lunatic! Oh, is it over already?



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 38. Jon Hopkins - Open Eye Signal

38. Jon Hopkins - Open Eye Signal (2013)

Microhouse IDM
Hypnotically druggy yet intelligently dancey. Layered to extreme depths without clutter. 8 minutes long yet too short. The electronic king.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 37. Jai Paul - Jasmine

37. Jai Paul - Jasmine (2013)

Alternative R&B
A bedroom recording made from whispery falsettos and bass molestation, this is about as contemporary and mysterious as R&B can get.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 36. clipping - guns.up

36. clipping - guns.up (2013)

Industrial Hip Hop
Keyword: abrasive. And yet with all the beatless harshness and unpredictable violence, this is still the most commercial track on the album.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 35. Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk

35. Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk
[feat. Bruno Mars] (2014)

Synth Funk
Arguably the best thing either Ronson or Mars have touched, and if this is what the radio has been playing recently, then play on Mr Radio.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 34. Pusha T - Numbers On The Boards

34. Pusha T - Numbers on the Boards (2013)

Gangsta Rap
Arrogant without losing its cool, this trademark Kanye production is probably the best hip hop beat of the 2010s.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 33. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines

33. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines
[feat. Pharrell Williams, T.I.] (2013)

Pop Soul
Don't hate! It's overplayed for a reason and the sales don't lie, so even the feminists might as well have a bit of a dance.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 32. Kanye West - POWER

32. Kanye West - POWER (2010)

Pop Rap
Utilising King Crimson's adrenaline and laughing while he bites you, Kanye is one of the few forerunners of the decade with this much power.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 31. Massive Attack - Paradise Circus

31. Massive Attack - Paradise Circus (2010)

Trip Hop
Combining their minimal darkness with Mazzy Star's dreams, this is the last great song they did while we watched them fall down.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 30. Kitty - Ay Shawty 3.0

30. Kitty - Ay Shawty 3.0 [feat. Lakutis] (2013)

Cloud Rap
How often does an artist write a song where she pursues a man only to get rejected? Although, I am bias, because I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU KITTY.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 29. Bon Iver - Perth

29. Bon Iver - Perth (2011)

Indie Folk
When it's cold in wartime, use this to warm you. It marches with so much emotion that I often consider it the most epic song I've heard.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 28. Die Antwoord - Fok Julle Naaiers

28. Die Antwoord - Fok Julle Naaiers (2012)

Hardcore Hip Hop
Let's visit the Cape Flats. Spit blood to let me know when you're ready to fight. All hail the great white ninja.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 27. James Blake - Limit To Your Love

27. James Blake - Limit To Your Love (2010)

Art Pop Dubstep
This changed everything. Minimal took on a new meaning. It was the future without being bothered. Feist must have wobbled in her panties.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 26. Aphex Twin - minipops 67

26. Aphex Twin - minipops 67 [120.2] (2014)

IDM
That signature Aphex sound which no one else can reproduce, and probably the most focused thing he's ever done. Bow down to the master.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 25. The Chariot - Cheek

25. The Chariot - Cheek. (2012)

Metalcore
This song is essentially a speech by Charlie Chaplin at his utmost motivational, provoking goosebumps and tears every time. Life changing.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 24. Kate Tempest - Marshall Law

24. Kate Tempest - Marshall Law (2014)

UK Hip Hop
A heavy but not overly dramatic scene, this beat fucking floors me and her lyrical delivery is flawless. Underrated to a disgusting degree.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 23. Santigold - Disparate Youth

23. Santigold - Disparate Youth (2012)

Alternative Dance
Erupting with cultural flavour and sweet without sugar-coating, this inspired single is the perfect representation of the talent herself.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 22. Radiohead - The Daily Mail

22. Radiohead - The Daily Mail (2011)

Art Rock
One long build-up and some of the best Yorke vocals in years, it's funny when the greatest King of Limbs song wasn't even on King of Limbs.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 21. Frank Ocean - Thinkin About You

21. Frank Ocean - Thinkin About You (2012)

Contemporary R&B
Smothered by adolescent innocence and completely gimmick free, this proves that you need nothing but beautiful falsettos to carry a song.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 20. Death Grips - System Blower

20. Death Grips - System Blower (2012)

Industrial Hip Hop
System blower is right, as that drop is intensity to the max—the blueprint for that overly harsh rap which has become so popular these days.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 19. Modeselektor - Pretentious Friends

19. Modeselektor - Pretentious Friends
[feat. Busdriver] (2011)

IDM Hip Hop
A faultless IDM/hip hop hybrid with hilarious lyrics and an absurd personality, once again Busdriver nailing yet another perfect guest slot.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 18. La Dispute - I See Everything

18. La Dispute - I See Everything (2011)

Post-Hardcore
Telling the story of a seven-year-old lost to cancer, these monotone shouts illustrate this struggle with the most dire lyrics on this list.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 17. Pepe Deluxé - A Night and a Day

17. Pepe Deluxé - A Night And A Day (2012)

Alternative Dance
Blasting an explosive gun in a Tarantino comic book set in an outer space western, this hyper smile covers everything unlike anything else.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 16. Susanne Sundfør - White Foxes

16. Susanne Sundfør - White Foxes (2012)

Art Pop
A lost isolation orchestrated to perfection, with an unforgettable immediate euphoric depression which is as chilling as the name suggests.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 15. Tame Impala - Elephant

15. Tame Impala - Elephant (2012)

Psychedelic Rock
An unpredictably surrealistic offering complete with blusier time signatures and synthier psychedelia. John Lennon would probably approve.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 14. Noisia - Machine Gun [16bit Remix]

14. Noisia - Machine Gun [16bit Remix] (2010)

Electro House
Decidedly more heart-attack than the original, this remix is a machine gun exactly, where the bullets tear your skin off into a wet mess.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 13. Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High) [Hippie Sabotage Remix]

13. Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High)
[Hippie Sabotage Remix] (2014)

Chillstep
Take drugs to numb the sadness and dance your heartbreak away. Close your eyes and don't look at life. We've all been there.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 12. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains

12. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II
(Mountains Beyond Mountains) (2010)

Indie Rock
The epitome of what Arcade Fire do with a slice of Blondie, this song is more poppy than arty, crafted by magic and filled with wonder.


The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 11. Neko Case - Nearly Midnight, Honolulu

11. Neko Case - Nearly Midnight, Honolulu (2013)

Alternative A Capella
An a capella about a neglected child, this unpretentious abuse is so dark and emotional that I ache at how unknown it is.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 10. Pogo - Joburg Jam

10. Pogo - Joburg Jam (2011)

Plunderphonics
Cut-up incomprehensible vocals kissed with sunshine from the dirty African streets, it's a black and white mash which brings me back home.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 09. Lorde - Royals

09. Lorde - Royals (2013)

Indie Pop
A sexy voice beyond her years which came out of nowhere and spat one of the most original pop hooks from the future. Ya ya ya.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 08. Andy Stott - Violence

08. Andy Stott - Violence (2014)

UK Bass
A cautious murder executed quietly in the darkness, this song pulsates the apocalypse in your head while you know there is nowhere to hide.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 07. M.I.A. - Bring the Noize

07. M.I.A. - Bring the Noize (2013)

UK Hip Hop
A colourfully chaotic mess of percussion assaults, this may be a fun and quirky ride, but is one very unfriendly filthy helping of M.I.A.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 06. The Knife - Full of Fire

06. The Knife - Full Of Fire (2013)

Industrial Techno
Cute insects anxiously annoy you then die in your ears, pushing all boundaries outwards. A 9 minute single is how many fucks The Knife give.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 05. Sia - Chandelier

05. Sia - Chandelier (2014)

Electropop
An instant stick of soaring power, this is easily the greatest straight-up pop song of the decade (and perhaps even further back).



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 04. Jason Isbell - Elephant

04. Jason Isbell - Elephant (2013)

Americana
One vulnerably honest song about cancer, this will choke you up to the point of nausea and is unchallenged as the saddest song on this list.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 03. Lana Del Rey - West Coast

03. Lana Del Rey - West Coast (2013)

Art Pop
Dripping with indifferent seduction like some romantic death, this colourless pop-free sedation is the best thing she's ever done.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 02. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers

02. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers (2011)

Hardcore Hip Hop
Tyler's erratic quality peaked with this viral neurosis which essentially built 14 artists' careers, yet is more hardcore than any of them.



The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far: 01. Azealia Banks - 212

01. Azealia Banks - 212 [feat. Lazy Jay] (2011)

Hip House
Like three energetic songs in one, nothing can touch this effortless banger with its vulgar cuteness and excessive attitude. The '10s best.





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