As the year winds down, it is time to take stock of everything that has happened over the year. For us here at WSUM, this means looking back through all the music that has happened this year and making lists of our favorites.
To start us off, here are some of our favorite songs from 2014.
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“Coffee” by Sylvan Esso – I remember earlier this year when a friend played me this song and I instantly liked it. Then, the video had about 30,000 views on YouTube and the band from North Carolina was just beginning to gain a good fan-base. A few months later and after several TV performances (the one on Conan was really good) and another of their songs (Hey Mami) featuring on the SONOS commercial, the number of views on that video is now over a million. ‘Coffee' has got people buzzing.
“Vengo” by Ana Tijoux – Vengo is Spanish for ‘I Come' and French-Chilean rapper, Ana Tijoux ticks all the right boxes with this song. It takes you on a journey with a very talented storyteller. (You may need to look up the lyrics to this song as the entirety of it is in Spanish).
“Red Eyes” by The War on Drugs – One of the best songs of the year. from one of the albums of the year, by one of the most brilliant bands. That is all.
“Two Weeks” by FKA Twigs – From being a backup dancer to being one of this year's highly praised newcomers. This song epitomises the airy, futuristic and electronic sounds that have drawn many people to this English singer-songwriter, producer and dancer. This song makes you want to do all sorts of weird things.
“Let My Baby Stay” by Mac Demarco – Demarco's songwriting skills come out on this ballad, which was written for his girlfriend. This one is for all those with the ‘feels' out there. It's all just very smooth.
“L.A. Love” by Fergie – It's been a while, as Britney would like to say. Long awaited by countless fans, Fergie is back on the rise with her second studio album–here's a little taste. Me love you long time, Stacy.
“From Here to the Moon and Back” by Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton – A beautiful country love song by two classic country singers, it's perfect for a first dance at your wedding.
“Head Up High” by Oh Land – If you are from Denmark, you should be proud to come from the same land as Oh Land. While some of her music might not be as groovy as Ke$ha's, her live shows manage to put everyone in a dance trance. Check out this funky tune and make sure to catch her next time she's in town.
“Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” by Run The Jewels – What can be said about RTJ that hasn't been already? Easily one of the best songs on the best album of 2014, I had to pick it. RTJ2 is so stacked with intense – yet enjoyable – songs that I could have made my list the five best songs from the album. This one gets the nod here for the absolutely crushing verse that Zach De La Rocha drops at the end.
“Transgender Dysphoria Blues” by Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues would have been notable for the fact that the band's leader, Laura Jane Grace, wrote the album during and about her transition to living as a woman alone, instead it is also notable for how much ass it kicks. This song gets the album rolling (no pun intended) with some inspired drumming and angry lyrics that make you want to sing along with (just don't do it at work).
“Push (Feeling Good on a Wednesday” by “Lorde”/Randy Marsh (sung by Sia) – South Park has been hit-or-miss from episode to episode in the last few seasons, but this most recent season has seem some truly inspired television. “Push” comes from an episode built around the fact that Spin missed the point of a joke in the preceding episode and South Park felt like mocking them. The result was a great episode about issues in the transgender community and an amazing parody of Lorde.
“Too Many Cooks” by Casper Kelly – Not so much a song as the soundtrack to 2014's most essential viral video, “Too Many Cooks” gets a nod for its ability to lodge itself in your skull. Unlike the sitcom songs that it is parodying, you'll love reliving the viewing experience whenever it pops back up in your brain. Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGrOK8oZG8
“Seasons (Waiting On You)” by Future Islands – Another song that garnered attention because of a video (or televised live performance), Future Islands shot to fame on the back of their David Letterman performance. I almost put Kendrick Lamar's “I” here because of his SNL performance, but as much as I like that track, I can't listen to it back-to-back like I can with “Seasons”. The song is great, the televised performance was amazing, and it is even better seeing them perform it live. Just a great song from a great year in music.
“Maps for the Getaway” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – The closing track of Andrew McMahon's first post-Jack's Mannequin album, the song is a sweeping synth-wave anthem to the highs and lows of being young, poor, and having your entire life ahead of you.
“Like a River Runs” by Blea
chers – A hidden gem within the phenomenal debut from .fun's Jack Antonoff, it is a stirring, synth-guitar-and-drum-driven tribute to his late sister.
“Indebted” by Forever Came Calling – “Indebted” is the lead single from the new album of one of the most underrated bands to come out of the pop-punk scene of today. Its themes focus on loss, rejuvenation, and the perseverance to move on after experiencing a new low in your life.
“Break Your Heart” by The Gaslight Anthem – A touching, tender acoustic guitar ballad, this seemingly simple tune is the most brutal, baring, and honest song that Brian Fallon and company have ever written.
“This Isn't the End” by Owl City – Owl City is the guiltiest of my musical pleasures, but this song deserves to be played over a PSA on MTV and everywhere else young people watch television or listen to music. “This Isn't the End” is a heart-wrenching tale of a young girl who is scarred when her father commits suicide. Adam Young sings about the importance of moving on and never blaming yourself for such a horrific loss, something many bystanders of suicide need to discover.
“Five Hours (Don't Hold Me Back) (feat. DyCy)” by Deorro – This progressive house track was a new take on Deorro's Five Hours. DyCy's voice adds beauty to an uplifting track that was originally released as a banger.
“Break The Fall (Gemini Remix)” by Laura Welsh – Laura Welsh's original version of this song made it to the iTunes single of the week before Gemini got his hands on it. Gemini, known for his melodic dubstep productions, has been consistently remixing tracks featuring female vocalists over the past few years. “Break the Fall” the Gemini Remix features gorgeous vocals and heavy drops.
“Sticky Fingers (feat. Alex Vargas)” by Above & Beyond – Above & Beyond has been a regular feature on DJ Magazine's top 100 DJs since 2008 and is a well-known English electronic music group. The lyrics of “Sticky Fingers” illustrate the lingering effects of past relationships in a new twist on the Above & Beyond brand.
“Maps (Sebastian Wibe Remix)” by Maroon 5 – I'm not usually a fan of rock songs turned into dance tracks, however Sebastian Wibe has pulled it off. Releasing the remix only two months after Maroon 5 released the track, this song is still catching on with the electronic music community as most fusion songs do.
“Outer Space (feat. Genevieve)” by G – Just like the title's allusion, this track produces an out-of-this-world experience. Static ticks and rhythmic half-time bass drops provide a background for Genevieve's R&B-infused, slightly raspy vocals. The lyrics express living in a dream, yet wanting the dream to join with reality.
“Say My Name (feat. Zyra)” by ODESZA – A prominent single off of their album In Return, ODESZA hits you with their driving and addicting electronics, while Zyra's vocals draw you in with her enticing and seductive style. The lyrics tell the story of someone desperately wanting the attention of another, just like the song screams for the attention of your eardrums.
“My Friend Has A Swimming Pool” by MAUSI – Released just before summer got into full swing, this track soon became the season's anthem. The song overflows with energy. Positivity radiates through your body from the fast tempo, commanding vocals, and 80s-esque electronics. The lyrics alone will make you relive summer when they chant about seizing late summer nights, partying with friends, and living life to the fullest.
“Shelter Song” by Temples on Sun Structures
“Three Women” by Jack White on Lazaretto
“Rainy Taxi” by Spoon on They Want My Soul
“Take Me to Church” by Hozier on Hozier
“Luv Hold Me Down” by Drowners on Drowners
Rachael Nachtwey
“Lazaretto” by Jack White – You've got some funk, some strings, a driving guitar and the fantastic Mr. White. What else is there to say?
“Gotta Get Away” by the Black Keys – There's something about a dancey, upbeat tune with not-so-nice lyrics that always makes me smile.
“Too Deep” by The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger – It's as if Sean Lennon turned to Charlotte Kemp Muhl and said, “I'm not exactly sure how this record's gonna turn out but I do know we are going to ROCK the hell out of the opening track.” Right ON.
“Master Pretender” by First Aid Kit – Can we just give a hand to this dude for always enunciating the lyrics so that you can truly breathe in every word? And well… those lyrics! Lovely, honest, always beautiful.
“Ride it Out” by Elijah Wood – Toe tapping folk with simple but beautiful, catchy harmonies.
