söndag 17 Jan 2010, 11:38

For the last few years, I have amused myself by compiling a list of my favourite tracks of the year, but with the distinction that they are not necessarily tracks released during the year, but rather tracks that I happened to discover during the year.

Without further ado, here goes the 2009 version.

1. Raiders of the Lost ARP - Azymuth (2008)
There's not much to it, definitely not a boundary-pushing groundbreaking sort of thing, but everything about it just sits right, and I absolutely love it. Heavily indebted to Detroit, with a rock solid 4/4 groove propelling everything forward and a plaintive, emotional chord progression taking it to the next level.

2. Hardfloor - The Trill Acid Theme (E.R.P. Remix) (2008)
3. Hardfloor - The Life We Choose (E.R.P. Remix) (2008)
Just like last year, E.R.P. features heavily in the top 20. These two remixes he did for Hardfloor vastly outshine the originals, and should be seen as unique productions in their own right. Slick and streamlined science fiction missiles, everything about these is perfectly nailed down and utterly devastating; the ultimate dystopian electro symphonies.

4. Appaloosa - The Day (We Fell in Love) (2008)
A love it or hate it track, I utterly fell in love with it in early 09. The music is electropop with a lo-fi, home-recorded feel to it, but what really sets it apart is the adorably melancholic and not quite in tune vocals of singer Anne-Laure Keib.

5. House of House - Rushing to Paradise (Walkin' These Streets) (2009)
A loving homage to late 80s New York house, brimming with soulfulness, which sounds very refreshing and out-of-trend in a 2009 which still hasn't quite shaken off the tedious minimalism of the last few years. At 13 minutes, it is a real epic. It doesn't quite get going until 6 minutes in, but when it does it takes off sensationally.

6. E.R.P. - Sensory Process (2009)
The A-side of a vinyl release on Semantica limited to 100 copies, this is a yet another example of how on form Gerard Hanson is. Wait for 1:00 for a lesson in detuned saw usage.

7. Guy Gerber - Timing (2009)
Reminiscent of a Border Community release, with its somewhat prog housey production, but I'm head over heels with the exquisitely mournful main hook which first makes an appearance at 3:49.

8. Moderat - Rusty Nails (2009)
Moderat's Moderat is a definite contender for album of the year and this is the standout track. At times the vocals are veering dangerously close to whiny Radiohead territory but despite this, the whole manages to come out wonderfully sublime.

9. Desire - If I Can't Hold You (2009)
Desire is Johnny Jewel from Glass Candy's side project, and while the album was a bit hit and miss, this slow motion neo disco tale of heartbreak and sleeplessness is classic pop miserablism. Beautiful.

10. Culoe de Song - The Bright Forest (2009)
An unusual track from this South African producer. It starts off as a fairly pedestrian deep house track with some tribal elements and not much happens until 4:26 when a deeply haunting and insanely epic string arrangement lifts it right up to heaven.

11. Lykke Li - Breaking It Up (Familjen Remix) (2009)
Familjen delivering the pop perfection once again. Insanely catchy, and with the most joyous use of the 303 ever at 0:53. The original doesn't stand a chance.

12. Luomo - Love You All (2008)
The only Luomo track to rival the sublime Tessio, this has a similar feel of sophisticated, gorgeously uplifting sadness. Fantastic strings.

13. College feat. Electric Youth - She Never Came Back (Russ Chimes Remix) (2008)
I've just realised it's quite a poppy chart this year. This is a shimmering, sassy number not a million miles from Saint Etienne at their best. And the bassline is total dynamite.

14. Barbara Morgenstern - Come to Berlin (Telefon Tel Aviv Mix) (2008)
Another remix that trumps the original, which in this case is downright unappealing. TTA revamp it completely and add plenty of those lovely shimmering layers of synth on the verge of distortion that permeate their latest album.

15. 52nd Street - Can't Afford (1984)
An fantastic example of 80s groove/boogie/disco whatever you want to call it, that has New York written all over it. Surprisingly enough it turns out to be from Manchester and released on Factory Records.

16. Bogdan Irkük a.k.a. Bulgari - Everything is Changing (2008)
Bogdan Irkük is a true master of the neo disco style with his lovingly crafted productions, this one being the cream of the crop with lush shimmering strings, a wistful vocoder and rock solid bass keeping it all in check.

17. Telefon Tel Aviv - The Birds (2009)
It's entirely possible that this tune should have ended up either higher or lower, as I only just discovered it and thus am not sure how it will mature over time. At the moment, it feels like it probably belongs higher up the list, as it consists of the same irresistibly juicy innards as their Morgenstern remix. Gorgeous.

18. Appaloosa - Intimate (2008)
More nice and fuzzy, bittersweet melanchopop from Appaloosa.

19. Dosem - Beach Kisses (Rework) (2008)
I have this as an MP3 tagged as just “Rework” but judging by a few comments on Discogs, it might actually be by Joris Voorn. Which explains a lot. It has one of those sublimely emotive reverb-drenched main hooks which totally does it for me.

20. Donna Summer - Now I Need You (1977)
A Moroder-produced Donna Summer track that had escaped my attention until this year. The chorus has the most insane chord progression I've ever heard. Joyously satisfying.

21. Familjen - Det lilla livet (2007)
22. Hadamard - Spiritualisation of Cruelty (2007)
23. Gold Blood - She Doesn't Learn (2009)
24. Friday Bridge - This case is closed (Johan Agebjörn Remix) (2009)
25. Kings of the Universe - Acid Love (?)
26. Spectrasoul - Alibi (Break Remix) (2009)
27. E.R.P. - Lodestone (2009)
28. Sally Shapiro - Let It Show (2009)
29. Appaloosa - Patchwork (Demo) (2008)
30. Mobius Band - The Loving Sounds Of Static (Junior Boys Remix) (2006)
31. Hadamard - I Want To Know (2007)
32. Asobi Seksu - Me & Mary (2009)
33. Gold Blood - Another World (2009)
34. Abakus - Future Melt (2009)
35. Alisha - Baby Talk (1985)
36. Morgan Geist - 24K (2001)
37. Friendly Fires feat. Au Revoir Simone - Paris (Aeroplane Remix) (2008)
38. Annie - Anthonio (Vaughn E Remix) (2009)
39. Gold Blood - On The Run (2009)
40. Pink Rhythm - Melodies Of Love (1985)
41. Can - Future Days (Carl Craig Blade Runner Mix) (1997)
42. Klaus Schulze - Velvet Voyage (1977)
43. Koxo - Step By Step (1982)
44. Moreno - I Want To Be Your Love Today (1986)
45. Manfred Mann - Just For Me (1968)
46. Gatekeeper - Optimus Maximus (2009)
47. Kaos - Definition Of Love (1989)
48. Ada feat. Raz Ohara - Lovestoned (2009)
49. Dupont - Unknown Airspace (2004)
50. Rude 66 - Fishbait (2008)
51. Real to Reel - Love Me Like This (Floating Points Remix) (2009)
52. The Naked Hearts - Only For You (Home Video Remix) (2009)
53. Rude 66 - No One Had A Clue (2008)
54. Gavin Russom - The Fusion Point (?)
55. Keen K & Dorian E - Lost But Not Found (2007)
56. Ronnie Dyson - All Over Your Face (1983)
57. David Joseph - You Can't Hide (Your Love From Me) (1983)
58. Moderat - Seamonkey (2009)
59. Bogdan Irkük a.k.a. Bulgari - Space Reflecting On The Bosporos (2008)
60. $tinkworx - Coelacanth (2008)
61. Motiivi:Tuntematon - 1939 (2005)
62. Sally Shapiro - Miracle (2009)
63. The Supremes - Let Yourself Go (1976)
64. Spewis - First and Last (2009)
65. Mount Kimbie - Maybes (2009)
66. Hieroglyphic Being - A Time Warp Synthesizer (2006)
67. Mathew Jonson - When Love Feels Like Crying (2009)
68. Motiivi:Tuntematon - I Don't Feel Good (When You're Not Around) (2007)
69. Sally Shapiro - Looking At The Stars (2009)
70. Morgan Geist - The Shore (2008)
71. Bat For Lashes - Daniel (2009)
72. Gold Blood - Well City (2009)
73. Box Codax - Missed Her Kiss (2006)
74. Brassica - Ballo Dei Morti (2009)
75. The Juan Maclean - Happy House (2008)
76. Datassette - Weather Conditions (2009)
77. Beni - My Love Sees You (Classixx Remix) (2009)
78. Memory Cassette - Asleep At A Party (2009)
79. Melody Boy 2000 - Monotone Fantastique (Monotone Mix) (1994)
80. Aeroplane - Caramellas (2007)
81. Hud Mo - Ooops! (2008)
82. Larry Young's Fuel - Turn Off The Lights (1975)
83. Rude 66 - Walked The Line (2008)
84. Lime - You're My Magician (1981)
85. J.M. Silk - Shadows Of Your Love (Ben Liebrand Minimix) (1986)
86. Erstlaub - Broadcasting on Ghost Frequencies (Part 1) (2009)
87. Meek Rabbit - Sweetheart in England (1984)
88. Kettel - Palle's Popsong (2008)
89. Lazer Crystal - Love Rhombus (Instrumental) (?)
90. Kemal - Mutationz (Part 3) (2001)
91. Svreca - Eye (Hadamard Remix) (2009)
92. Kettel - The Wombat (2008)
93. Depeche Mode - Peace (2009)
94. Deadmau5 & Kaskade - I Remember (2008)
95. DJ Guy - Freak It All Night (2009)
96. Saint Etienne - Method Of Modern Love (Cola Boy Mix) (2009)
97. Ndesh - Jetdaisuke FTW!!! (2009)
98. Cestrian - Mentor (2007)
99. Kris Menace presents Fred Falke - Fairlight (2006)
100. Xeno and Oaklander - Cold Forever (2007)