My Favorite Songs of 2011

A mostly retro edition.

Operation -- Yuck

Dinosaur Jr. meets Goo-era Sonic Youth.

Too Much Midi (Please Forgive Me) -- Ford & Lopatin

Sounds like a long-lost a-side from "Purple Rain." Doesn't really start until 1:46 when the guitar kicks in and the synth line brings the funk. Neon and smoky silhouettes. Call me Mr. Clutch...

Midnight City -- M83

One of the best songs of the past several years. The sax solo at the end is icing on the cake. Reminds me (thematically) of the refrain at the end of "Don't Change" by INXS.



The Roller -- Beady Eye

Instant Karma?



Polish Girl -- Neon Indian

Fun play-along: "name that classic video game sound effect."



Tender Mercy -- Au Palais

"Gothic electro", it's called. I agree.



Baby Missiles -- The War on Drugs

Bright, ramshackle, folksy. Springsteen and Dylan.



Sleep Dealer -- Oneohtrix Point Never

A trippy nightmare of '80s commercials samples. Musical spits and sighs.



Locked -- Four Tet

Constructs itself patiently, layer by layer, then quickly dissolves again.

Locked (TEXT011) by Four Tet

Free Agent -- Simian Ghost

Casio keyboard production values, right down to the sticky cassette tape roll.