50. Doin’ It
Right – Daft Punk / Panda Bear
-In a weak
year for dance and electronic music, Daft Punk shone a light through with their
impressive disco/dance record RAM. This track serves as my favorite cut from
the LP, with its irresistible vocoded hook and vocals from Panda Bear of Animal
Collective fame.
49. If So –
Atlas Genius
-Atlas
Genius put together quite a surprising debut record early this year, filled
with fun and upbeat electro tinged alt rock tracks, with If So being the
biggest standout in my opinion. Big synths and bright vocals make for a great
feel good track.
48. Mirrors
| Justin Timberlake
-One of the
biggest names in pop returned this year, dropping 2 hit or miss records in only
6 months. But “Mirrors” is easily recognizable as the best track from either
LP, with its heartfelt lyrical content, delicate production, and perfectly
pitched vocals. You might want to stick with the radio edit though.
47.
Supersoaker | Kings of Leon
-It’s a
great thing to see the Followill’s back on track and having fun, as showcased
in this summer blast that is “Supersoaker”. Perfect combination of guitars,
bass, and a complete retro rock feel.
46. Simple
Pleasures | Jake Bugg
-Speaking of
retro rock…now we have Jake Bugg. He’s 19, writing his own songs, and making
rock and roll music that has depth to it. Simple Pleasures stands out so much
to me because of it’s relatable and smart lyrics, and it’s wonderful guitar
melodies.
45. Do I
Wanna Know? | Arctic Monkeys
-I’ve got a
shiver down my spine just thinking about this track! That guitar! That bass!
So…dark. Edgy. Sinister. Sexy. Don’t miss this jam from the UK rockers.
44. Ode To
Sleep | Twenty One Pilots
21 Pilots
have established themselves as one of the best new acts out there, with this
cut being living proof. The ability the duo has to seamlessly switch moods back
and forth throughout this track is incredidble. Singing,rapping, whatever you
want,it’s got it.
43. Shadow
Moses | Bring Me The Horizon
-The metalcore
titans opted for a more experimental approach with their new album
Sempiternal,and the results were pretty incredible. I’d never been into this
band up until now, but Shadow Moses combines a little of everything into one.
Harsh and angry screams from Olli Sykes, hard guitars, and a little bit of
electronic flare make for a huge anthemic track.
42.
Spiderhead | Cage The Elephant
-What better
way to lead off an album than with this track, which sees things get much
brighter in a musical sense for this rock band. I’ve got to praise it’s
catchiness and old school flare, and that electronic break that really shifts
gears and helps close out the song.
41. Love and
Drugs | The Maine
-Much of the
Maine’s new album was very forgettable, but Love and Drugs was definitely an
exception. The Maine really have gone for more straight up rock sound as of
late and this is one of the times where it really pays off.
40. I Hope
You Suffer | AFI
-THEY
CHANGED! THEY USED TO BE SO GOOD! Just a few of the comments I heard whenever
AFI dropped “I Hope You Suffer”, the first single from BURIALS. Bands evolve,and
in good ways a lot of the time. Here’s an example. This song is dark, distant,
and angry. Davey’s vocals soar over Jade’s guitar perfectly. Check out the
track if you still haven’t.
39. Up In
The Air | Thirty Seconds To Mars
-It’s hard
to listen to a mediocre album after such a great first single. I’m looking at
you 30 Seconds To Mars. Electronic and rock music mesh together to form this
power blast of a track, that sees lead singer Jared Leto, “up in the air,and
fucked up on life”. If you love the band, this track should at least bring a
smile to your face.
38. Hail To
The King | Avenged Sevenfold
-The modern
metal kings really showed us what they meant by “going for a more guitar driven
sound” on this title track from their new record. Syn and Zacky never fail to
impress me on guitar, and after hearing them perform live, it was a no brainer
for this ending up on my top 50 list.
37. Pompeii
| Bastille
-Pompeii is
one of those tracks that grabs you on the first listen, and doesn’t let go. I
hear this song all the time, and never tire of it. It’s got a big and
adventurous feel to it, and it’s been a great soundtrack to a lot of the things
I’ve done in 2013.
36. Demon
Dance | Surfer Blood
-Even though
this is more of a summer jam for me, I still find enjoyment from it in the
offseason. Surf rock at it’s best, with catchy vocals and breezy guitar work,
and of course, demons dancing.
35. Diane
Young | Vampire Weekend
-Grab the
wheel and keep a holdin it tight, the modern vampires are back in the city.
They rode in on Diane Young, the first single, well the A side single, from
their new LP. It’s quirky, fast paced, and beautiful on the ears. If you’re a
Vampire Weekend fan, what are you waiting for? Hear it now!
34. Smooth
Sailing | Queens of the Stone Age
-QOTSA
really impressed me with their first album in 6 years, with Smooth Sailing
being one of best cuts in my opinion. A choppy intro followed by a sarcastic
and no fucks given groove remain present throughout this track as Josh Homme
declares “I blow my load over the status quo”. Love it’s style, and the guitar
work throughout.
33. The
Light Behind Your Eyes | My Chemical Romance
-(sad face)
This is the last time that MCR will ever appear on a year end list! Noooo! But
who would’ve expected the band to make such an emotional and powerful track,
that really cries for love and the words that long to be said to a loved one.
Simple a beautiful track, that demands to be heard.
32. Purple
Yellow Red & Blue | Portugal The Man
-The Evil
Friends album…well we’ll get to that soon enough. All you need to know for now
is that this a killer cut from the record that shines with lyrics that poke fun
at mainstream celebrities, and keys that shimmer throughout. Can’t forget to
mention that warped guitar solo at the end either.
31. One Way
Trigger | The Strokes
-I was so
caught off guard the first time I played this track, the first promo single
from Comedown Machine. Turned out to be my favorite track on the album. Who would’ve
guessed. Straight out of the mid 80’s, this track sees Julian take on falsetto
vocals over a huge synth loop and a mix of guitar and bass.
30. Royals |
Lorde
-I don’t
think to much needs to be said about this chillwave pop tune. It’s an amazingly
good song written by a teenager from New Zealand that calls herself Lorde and
is smarter than the majority of her fellow stars.
29. Wrong
Side of Heaven | Five Finger Death Punch
-You guys
know I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the albums that FFDP released this year,
but this track is a standout from the first volume. It reminds me a lot “Remember
Everything” from American capitalist, an emotionally vulnerable track once
again with great guitar work, and a nice depth about it.
28. Best Day
of My Life – American Authors
-It’s hard
not to feel like you’re walking on air when listening to this feel good pop
rock song by up and coming band American Authors. I see nothing but success for
these guys in the future, I highly suggest checking out their debut EP.
27. Maybe
Tonight | The Summer Set
-Now HERE is
a motivational song. Maybe TONIGHT we’ll start all over, like it’s the first
day of our lives. The focus of the track is on the here and now, seizing the
moments and never thinking of past failure as a reason to quit. Brian Dales’
voice only gets stronger over the years.
26. Dreaming
| Smallpools
-Another
track from and indie group that you might not know, but might want to. Dreaming
is a synth and guitar powered jam that’s as cool as iced lemonade in the
winter. You’re gonna be singing along and tapping your foot whether you want to
or not.
25. Don’t Blink
| Relient K
-A song with
a good message,that doesn’t force things down your throat. That’s what Relient
K has usually been all about. This track “Don’t Blink” got me incredibly stoked
for the new record, which ultimately just sucked. No other way to put it. But
you’d be a fool not to check out this upbeat pop rock jam if you enjoy this
band’s past work.
24. Revenge
Is A Dish Best Served | Reggie & The Full Effect
-Isn’t
amazing what Kickstarter can do? That’s how Reggie revived this project that
had been dormant for years, and I’m pleasantly surprised with some of the
results. Reggie is having a lot of fun on this track, the lead single from his
comeback record. Hard guitars, mid 2000’s sounding synths, and hilarious lyrics
make for an awesome combo here on this one
23. Still
Into You | Paramore
-This track
probably would have been a lot higher up on my list had I not heard it a
million times on the radio, tv, online, etc. But it’s still a wonderful and
catchy song that’s got some of catchiest guitar riffs of the year. It also
proves that Paramore aren’t going away any time soon.
22.
Hurricane | MS MR
-Talk about
a slow grower. I checked this song out on 3 separate occasions throughout the
year and it wasn’t until the 3rd listen that it really started to
click with me. The track really paints a dark portrait as it speaks of a love
that isn’t understood, or rather someone who doesn’t understand what the other
sees in them.
21. Lion |
Hollywood Undead
-Hollywood
Undead returned in solid form with their new LP Notes From the Underground,
with this hard rock/rap track that really shows desperate emotion as Johnny 3
Tears of the group takes the verses on this passionate track.
20. Rap God
| Eminem
-Eminem
proves that he’s still got it, there’s not much else to say here. Amazing pace,
incredible flow that never drops off, you won’t even notice that this song is 6
minutes long.
19. My Songs
Know What You Did In The Dark | Fall Out Boy
-The
comeback single of the year ladies and gentlemen. This anthem lit it’s way up
the charts and in the hearts of fans. Another one of those tracks that only
Fall Out Boy could make, and one that I never tire of hearing.
18. It’s
About Time | Young The Giant
-Who
would’ve expected this group to come back with such a gritty rock sound? It’s
been over 3 years since the initial release of Young The Giant’s debut self
titled record, and this song hit home with me more and more with repeated
listens. Love the lyrical content and the overall rock vibe of this one.
17. Bitter
Rivals | Sleigh Bells
-Sleigh
Bells are back on track. Noise pop, bright and loud melodies, with hard
guitars. This is everything I could dream to hear from the duo, who turned out
a very impressive album this fall.
16. A
Stillness | The Naked and Famous
-Even though
the New Zealand indie rock group really disappointed me with “In Rolling
Waves”, this track was a huge exception. Led by an acoustic guitar and great
buildup and sense of suspense, this song fires its cannons late, but
powerfully. This track gets HUGE as the synths and guitars swirl into a huge
pile of noise and musical ecstasy.
15. End Of
Me | A Day to Remember
-Talk about
a hard hitter. This song is one that I truly connect with and can easily relate
to. “You know me all too well,and I can’t suppress the memories”. A Day To
Remember always hit the nail on the head, this being my favorite from Common
Courtesy.
14. Tennis
Court | Lorde
-Royals
isn’t your favorite Lorde track?! Oh My GOD Becky,look at his list. Simplistic
production, crafty lyrics, and a big smart ass attitude infiltrate one of the
best tracks of this year.
13. This
Ladder Is Ours | The Joy Formidable
-One of the
first songs that I fell in love with this year. Supercharged guitars power this
cut from the Welsh rockers latest album “Wolfs Law”.
12. Elephant
| Tame Impala
-But Jon,this
song came out in 2012! Awesome! It didn’t hit radio until 2013. Just saying.
This song reminds me a lot of a band I used to follow called Living Things, and
it’s great. Fuzzed out rock and roll with a long and mesmerizing guitar and synth
break.
11.
Sweatpants | Childish Gambino
-It hasn’t
been around long, but this track from Gambino’s “Because the Internet”
immediately clicked with me. Smart lyrics, a beat that immediately catches the
ears, and a fast flow that showcases why Doanld Glover is one of the best in
the game.
10. This Is
Gospel | Panic! At The Disco
-Love at
first sight? Me and This Is Gospel. If you love me,let me go! Brenden Urie
cries over big guitars and punching drums. Easily the best track from Too Weird
To Live Too Rare To Die.
9. My God Is
The Sun | Queens of the Stone Age
-I don’t
understand why a handful of fans were so underwhelmed by this track. I still
rock out to this tune a weekly basis! Huge chorus, amazing guitars, it’s the
best straight up rock song of the year
8. Creep In
A T-Shirt | Portugal The Man
-I’d never
been a huge fan of Portugal the man until this year. The first time listening
to their new record, this track instantly jumped out at me as a winner. I love
the keys, the vocals, and absolutely everything about this track. The whole
album is a winner, but this is one you really shouldn’t miss.
7. Chocolate
| The 1975
-Fun and
catchy British alt rock. Take it all in and enjoy. Good luck getting this one
out of your head, mainly because you won’t want it gone.
6. Let Go | RAC
/ Kele / MDNR
-Alt Nation
surprised me one night with this track. I was riding home with a friend and
couldn’t turn it up loud, but you better believe I made a note in my phone of
the song’s name and artist. Possibly the most simple yet catchy guitar line of
the year, with guest male and female vocals give a really nice perspective to
this track.
5. Shepherd
of Fire | Avenged Sevenfold
-
4. Sweater
Weather | The Neighbourhood
-
3. Counting
Stars | OneRepublic
-
2. Changing
of the Seasons | Two Door Cinema Club
-
1. The
Mother We Share | CHVRCHES
-
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