Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #1 Lana Del Rey- ‘Video Games’

Lana Del Rey, who describes herself as a “gansta Nancy Sinatra,” is our most covetable find of the year. She released her single ‘Video Games’ in October of this year, which instantly shot up the charts. Now we see this vixen pictured everywhere, and her debut album doesn’t even drop until 2012!

‘Video Games’ rewrites the singer/song-writer formula. Lana layers her lush alto voice over softly piano chords. Nothing new there, but when she adds in harp, orchestral accompaniment, and samples vintage video clips. Mainstream music doesn’t sound quite the same after Lana’s had her say. What’s more is the patience of ‘Video Games.’ There’s no swelling climax, no bridge, no resolution, it simply ends on the chorus, how very stylish of her. Lana Del Rey, here’s to you. You deserve one hell of a toast this New Year’s Eve.

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #2 Radiohead- ‘Lotus Flower’

There’s no fan quite like a Radiohead fan. And these days it seems harder and harder to find someone who isn’t a Radiohead fan. With their iconic techno-amplified sounds that gently distort Yorke’s languid lyrics, we can’t help but love whatever Radiohead puts out. ‘Lotus Flower’ is a song about the end of relationship, but Yorke breathes new life into this age old topic with metaphorically driven lyrics and a liaise fair attitude toward the world. Throw in the fine-tuned beats and great scratches of ‘Lotus Flower,’ and you have success.

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #3 Bon Iver- ‘Holocene’

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like Bon Iver. We all instantly fell in love with the man when he released his first album, For Emma, Forever Ago, we ate up Bloodbank, and now we’ve been gushing over his latest album Bon Iver so much that Pitchfork named it the album of 2011. ‘Holocene’ is one, among many gems, of the album. The dreamy amplified vocals of Justin Vernon, the humble philosophical musings, the flushing drum track, the fluttering horns: ladies and gentlemen, I give you Noise Toyz #3 pick of 2011.

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #4 The Strokes- ‘Under The Cover of Darkness’

It’s been over a decade since The Strokes first dazzled us with their indie rock stylings. ‘Under the Cover of Darkness’ from their latest album Angeles (and the first thing we’ve heard from them in five years!) doesn’t disappoint. Not much has changed since we’ve last heard them, Angeles gives us the sound we’re used to from The Strokes, but that’s just fine. Sometimes it’s just plain refreshing to have that sturdy indie rock sound that isn’t trying to push the boundaries and ‘grow’ or ‘mature’ with each new album, but continues to make music within the formula they know works for them. Add in the fact that ‘Under the Cover of Darkness’ is so frickin’ catchy that we can’t stop playing it over and over again, and you’ve got yourself our #4 pick of 2011. 

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #5 tUnE-YarDs- ‘Bizness’

Merrill Garbus’ brain child tUnE-YarDs has stunned us. This art-rock diva, with her primal-like howl in sustained vocal tones, is like no one else you’ve ever heard, but is pushing through into the mainstream with her rampant popularity this 2011. ‘Business’ is full of poppy drum loops and what sounds like xylophone sampling over characteristically unique vocals. Merill’s sound has the free playfulness of a child, though lyrically has the complicated tenderness of failing love that belongs in adulthood. Perhaps that’s why no one seems to be able to get enough of her, she speaks about what’s relevant to us, but knows how to keep the mood light and fun. 

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #6 James Blake- ‘Wilhelm Scream’

The Brits are taking over. If they keep turning out music like this, I say let ‘em. James Blake, our #6 pick of 2011, dropped his debut album this year, was nominated for the Mercury Music prize and was announced runner-up in BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll. His single ‘The Wilhelm Scream’ alone is rave worthy, this song will absolutely ravish you. Blake’s beautifully delicate voice floats above smooth electro-pop as he croons about disillusionment in both love and life. As we reach the culminating end the sound gets jumbled with random droplets of electronic sounds and….we can’t help but press repeat.

 

Noise Toyz best songs of 2011 #7 Wild Beasts- ‘Balance’

Wild Beast, another covetable band from the U.K., is putting out some unique noise. Over their latest album Smother they say,”It’s about saying, are you going to come in and listen or not? Because if you’re not, we’re not going to accommodate you, to let you be part of and involved in this intimacy.” Well, that may sound a bit abrasive, but that’s just why we like them, they’re not willing to give us something we’ve already heard and know we like. ‘Albatross’ is magic: vocalized vibrato, floating melodies from a soft piano, quiet patters of drums, and silky ribbons of guitar. Intrigued? Give ‘em a try.