Top 5 Tracks of the Year

I heard there was loads of demand for another end of the year list so I decided to throw in my 2 cents! These are not in any order btw as I'm too indecisive.

First up is a track I first heard in May and was gutted to miss their gig at KCLSU. Luckily I got to see them do a brilliant yet very short set at Lovebox and the song went on to become a massive summer anthem (although rather overplayed!)

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks



Next up is another act I saw at Lovebox, who gave a powerful and unforgettable performance...

Lykke Li - Youth Knows No Pain



Now a song that also reminds me of summer and I got to see performed live at Bestival whilst wearing a rather dodgy fancy dress costume but also a lovely mask donated by the band.

SBTRKT (featuring Little Dragon) - Wildfire



This leads on nicely to my next choice, which is a super catchy tune of brilliance. Looking forward to seeing it live at the Forum next year.

Little Dragon - Ritual Union



Finally, I'm going with a track by a band who I saw briefly after they had been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, in a horribly crowded experience in the Psychadelic Worm tent at Bestival. Thankfully, I got to see them properly a couple of weeks later in a much grander setting, The Royal Albert Hall, and they were great! Tempted to go with The Bay, but it's going to be...

Metronomy - The Look



So it seems I favour bands that I have seen at festivals, or remind me of sunnier times, but these are the tracks that I have listened to the most and have made me happiest this year.

Honorable mentions go out to:

Warpaint - Undertow
Woodkid - Iron
Baxter Dury - Leak at the Disco
Real Estate - It's Real
Los Campesinos! - By Your Hand
The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness
Rihanna - S&M
The 2 Bears - Bear Hug
The Naked & Famous - Punching in a Dream
Jamie Woon - Night Air
Alex Clare - Up All Night
Fixers - Another Lost Apache
Cold War Kids - Louder than Ever
Lianne La Havas - Age
CSS - Hits me like a rock
Florence + The Machine - Shake it out
Big Boi - Shutterbugg