Tracks of the Year 30-11

More tracks, little time to reel em off. Enjoy. Once again, click on the track name to listen\preview.

30. Psychologist-Comes in Waves (buy)

Whilst James Blake hit the headlines and the critics, a small undercurrent of similar artists treaded a similar artistic path. Psychologist released various tracks, but hit a sombre note with 'Comes in Waves' and a video featuring a man going through pregnancy.

29. Daphni-Ye Ye (buy)

Probably 'bangoh' of the year (as certain people would put it) from a very unlikely source. Relentless stuff from Dan Snaith aka Caribou.

28. Motor City Drum Ensemble-L.O.V.E.\Basement L.O.V.E.(buy)

MCDE's DJ Kicks was one of the mixes of the year, wearing his influences on his sleeve and showing him digging deep into his crate. L.O.V.E. was his best tune since the Raw hits. The basement dub featured on the vinyl release was a beauty too that I could not leave out.

27. The Field-Then It's White (buy)

Return to form is not the way I'd explain enjoying the latest The Field album. I just forgot all about listening to the last one. This is such a lovely listen.

26. Yuck-Get Away (buy)

Ever after hearing their EP 'Rubber' I was looking forward to any full length Yuck would throw up (excuse the awlful pun). Their self-titled release was an assured listen, full of 3 or 4 minute scuzzy pop tracks that Sebadoh would be proud of. Opener 'Get Away' had this nailed down to a tee.

25. Love Unlimited Vibes 3-A1 (buy)

Mysterious re-edits are about as original as a club night advising to purchase tickets in advance as 'this will sell out'. However Love Unlimited series threw up some belters, including this SBTRKT edit. The B side even gave us a superb Grace Jones cover to boot.

24. David Bazan-Don't Change (buy)

Another Bazan album dropped and I knew what to expect. Full of the harmony and pain that it often seems only David can deliver. Don't Change really delivered a cracking storyline of a man focused on changing his life for the better, but unable to deliver the promise to himself, and asking the question is change always better?

23. Session Victim-Good Intentions (buy)

An anthem for an entire weekend in mid-Wales in July. Session Victim have bubbled under the surface before but with 'Good Intentions' released on their vinyl only label Retreat, they have begun their ascent to heady festival heights.

22. Beach Fossils-What A Pleasure (buy)

Captured Tracks is a label that can do no wrong at the moment. Whilst one may argue that the majority of the sounds is limiting, it makes up for in quality. Beach Fossils followed the same shoegazy, 80s lite-pop path with their 'What a Pleasure' EP.

21. Larry Tiger-Eagle (buy)

When edits are good. Larry Tiger's edit of Clyde Brown's 'Your wish is my command' was a high point of their RA podcast at the end of last year and it quickly secured a release at the start of 2011. About 1% of edits are good, and this is it.

20. Other Lives-Tamer Animals (buy)

Sounding like Midlake if they had not gone all 1960s British Folk, The Other Lives' track 'Tamer Animals' talked fondly but wearily of the world against the backdrop of shimmer of soaring piano notes.

19. The Tortoise-Last Night (Genius of Time Remix) (buy)

Two of the best new house artists of 2011 combined to great affect here. The subtle remix from Genius of Time is a gem and thanks to a juno fuck up I have two copies!

18. Move D-Your Personal Healer (buy)

David Moufang continued his ascent this year with consistently great releases. Uzuri released some great stuff in 2011(such as the Pittsburgh Authority EP) and 'Your Personal Healer' with it's Hydraulic Guitar by Juju and shimmering keys by the man himself was it's standout.

17. The Drums-Days (buy)

Another killer doom-pop track by the Drums. New album was full of them, some with extra added whining.

16. Mark E-Call Me (buy)

Mark E's launch into original productions away from edits interested many, however 'Call Me' with it's Diana sample kindly advising that she is available whenever stole the limelight away from 'Stone Breaker'. This was a bit of a shame as it contained some really good tracks.

15. Pure X-Voices (buy)

Lo-fi sounds of 1990s may hold a heavy burden on Pure X but that doesn't mean the music isn't good. 'Voices' is lo-fi, scuzzy and warm at heart. 

14. Junior Boys-You'll Improve Me (buy)

Nevermind the Caribou remix or the proposed KDJ re-edit, the original Junior Boys's 'You'll Improve Me' was a highlight of their 4th long player, one which contained many (especially the mighty Banana Ripple). Electronic pop music at it's strongest.

13. Four Tet-Pyramid (buy)

Kieran Hebden's Fabric mix got a lot of people talking and typing (including me) and included some great new music as well as a shit load of old. Pyramid is his strongest dancefloor orientated track to date.

12. Low-Nothing But Heart (buy)

When I saw Low live earlier this year, they opened with this. The crunchy opening guitar almost made my ears bleed. The beauty that followed it is capable of healing any wound.

11. Craft Spells-The Fog Rose High (buy)

More Captured Tracks pop music, showcasing early New Order-Power Corruption and Lies era influences on it's sleeve. Even the artwork is familiar. Close your eyes and it's 1984.