Most Played Songs of 2012 // The Top 10

While most people focus on their favourite tracks of the year, I am willing to admit that sometimes the "best" songs of the year aren't the ones I repeat over and over on my playlist. So, I'm coming clean and presenting you with the Top 10 songs that I played most often in 2012.

I'm sure there are a few you'll enjoy...

10. The Young Professionals – Video Games


It's no secret that Lana Del Rey annoys me, but it's more her smokey vocal delivery than anything else that I dislike. Proof comes in the Young Professionals' cover of Video Games, which reworks the overdramatic track into an electronic pop song that builds its foundation on pizazz. If you couldn't stand Del Rey's version, you'll probbaly take a shine to a different take that doesn't feel like it's trying so hard.


9. Karmin – Brokenhearted

There are few YouTube senstaions that catch my ear, and Karmin has left me with mixed feelings overall. They're just too cutesy and I don't buy their romantic relationship. Whatever the case, the first time I heart Brokenhearted I was sold. It was pure radio pop at its best -- catchy, peppy, danceable and a real celebration.


8. Solange – Losing You
While her sister garners all the attention, I have to say Solange fascinates more far more. She's been battered by the labels and emerged with this new indie image that's probably less honest that I'd like to hope. Losing You is the first single she released and it screams from the rooftops even though it's downbeat. Solange has left and impression and I think she'll be leaving her mark in the coming years.


7. Katy Perry – Wide Awake

Yeesh, did I really like this song that much? Wide Awake is certainly one of Perry's best singles, but it still stings to see her rank so high. If only I could believe that her vocal abilities actually live up to the studio version of this song. The songwriting actually helps this track overcome some of the obstacles.


6. Icona Pop – Good for You

These two young ladies are going to be huge, but it probably won't be the track Good For You that takes them there. Instead, I'm sure people will be screaming "I Love It" from the top of their lungs in a few months, it's already a hit in Europe. Good For You is another track from Icona Pop's debut EP, and this one channels Ace of Base, scratch that, it practically mimics them. It works.

5. St. Lucia – All Eyes on You

Few artists have shaken my world as strongly with an EP as St. Lucia did earlier this year. It was pure, enthusiastic, and had both knowledge of past pop music history but also an entirely different spin on the sound. Jean-Philip Grobler is a vocal powerhouse, and he will be recognized whenever this band releases their debut album. For now, consider St. Lucia bubbling under the surface.

4. Hoodie Allen – No Faith in Brooklyn (feat. Jhameel)
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While Hoodie Allen hasn't received all of the credit he deserves, this rapper soared into the Billboard Top 10 earlier this year without a label release. That's exceptional in itself, but it certainly was helped by a quality album that included such tracks as this one, No Faith in Brooklyn, a great hip-hop song laced with soothing vocals by another indie singer, Jahmeel. This should've been a hit single, but without a label that's an entirely different feat to achieve. Baby steps...

3. Tooji – Stay

Eurovision guarantees a few guilty pleasures every year, and Tooji exemplifies that to some astronomical degree. He's corny, he's a little sloppy but he's got charm. Unfortunately that charm started to wear thin in the weeks leading up to Eurovision finals, so his performance managed to rank as one of the lowest of the competition. It's a shame, especially because I have to explain why he's so high on my most-played list.

2. Nick Curly – Underground (Dennis Ferrer Remix)

Simply club perfection. I've seen people who never heard this song just tear it up in a club. The beat is infection and the genius that Ferrer brings to the table is astounding, especially because the original Nick Curly track is quite dull.

1. HAERTS – Wings

A late entry on this year's release schedule, the relatively mysterious Haerts quickly rocketed to the top of my most-played tracks with this hauntingly beautiful track. Wings captures harmony in a bottle and creates this heightned emotional intensity laced with an 80s vibe that manages to feel fresh and unique, rather than an imitation. You can literally feel the beat of passion here.


Start at the very beginning of the list with #11-#20 of the Most Played Songs of 2012.

Club Song of the Day // Infinity Ink - Infinity

Party season is officially over in Ibiza and with it I've decided to recap some of my favourite songs that kept the clubs pumping all summer. I'm going to pick two this year -- one I will post today and the other tomorrow.

Here is my second favourite track of the summer, a wildly dark and different song from UK DJs Infinity Ink, a song that channels a few quirks of '90s house tracks (random rappper for 15 seconds, anyone?), but maintains the attitude of a sexy house track that works best at 4 a.m.

 

Song of the Day // Tristan Pettyman - My Oh My

A couple months ago I posted a video of Tristan Prettyman singing a song from her upcoming album called Marry You. It was a gut wrenching performance that a lot of you responded to strongly.

Well, that track isn't the first single (no surprise) and the album isn't out yet -- but the upbeat first single is, and its very summery and catchy. Here is My Oh My -- it's a little bit country a little bit pop'n'roll. Hope it perks up your day.

 

 

Song of the Day // Elton John vs Pnau - Sad

If you believe the story, Elton John stumbled across Pnau's music back in 2008 and fell in love with the sounds of the Australian electronic producers. He ultimately signed them to his label, and helped pave the way for a ...

side-project from one of the two members, called Empire of the Sun.

After a world tour with Empire, the producers settled down with John to create their latest album, as well as another album for John that took samples of his mostly lesser known songs and turned them into new tracks. The result is Good Morning to the Night, a project that has shot up the UK charts this week and is likely to take the #1 spot.

Sad is the first single, and the music video is an absolute visual treat.

Club Song of the Day // Florence & The Machine - Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris Extended Remix)

The downside of Song of the Day is that there are just too many songs and not enough days! This has been on my playlist for weeks, but I haven't shared it here yet.

I'm not a huge fan of Florence + the Machine's music, and I've certainly favoured remixes of their tracks over the originals. Spectrum is a perfect example: a relatively dull and pretentous original track (don't hit me!) that's amped up a new level of dramatics with the hands of Calvin Harris. Pure dance magic!

Song of the Day // Graffiti6 - Free

Graffiti6's track Free has been floating around the Internet for months, once being a free song of the week on iTunes, but it was more of a grower for me than an instant hit.

So, I present it to you today in case you haven't heard it before. The duo is comprised of British producer TommyD, who is best known for the guy who made Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy (I'm not kidding!) and singer Jamie Scott. Free is a soulful throwback track that'll reel you in over time.

Eurovision 2012 // My Top Picks - The Top 5

It all comes down to this -- my Top 5 choices for this year's Eurovision contest which comes to its epic finale on Saturday May 26 in Baku, Azerbaijan. If you missed my picks for the bottom half of the Top 10 then head over to the first post.

The top picks I chose are, I think, diverse, interesting, creative and all worthy of attention.

May the best one win!

5. Anggun - Echo (You and I)


France's entry from Anggun was another prequalifier which makes it difficult to gauge how well she will do at the finals. She's a veteran of the music industry having spent the past 25 years as a charting performer, and she has the chops to impress, while the quality of the song also gives her the potential to rank high. In interviews she expressed her disappointment with the rehearsals, so perhaps she'll step up her performance on game night.




4. Soluna Samay - Should've Known Better


As I've said previously, Soluna's entry for Denmark is probably the best song from this year's competition. I could see it being a hit on North American radio stations, and it reminds me of the Lilith Fair era of music that defined the late '90s. Unfortunately, her stage presence is a little underwhelming and it'll cost her a top position. Really, the main problem is that this song doesn't deserve to be in Eurovision. To put it lightly, it's better than this contest. Eurovision is more about being showy and over the top to a perfection, if not just plain silly. Soluna has a competent track that isn't improved by her silly military uniform.


3. Tooji - Stay


A couple months ago I was rooting for Tooji to take the top prize. The song was shut out of Sweden and wound up migrating over to represent Norway. In its infancy, Stay was an energetic, pulsing club track that Tooji took to the stage with wide-eyed wonder and a surprising amount of precision. When he performed it again earlier this week at the semi-finals his vocals were flat, he looked like he'd overpracticed and the whole performance had lost its spark. I wish he was still my number one pick, but he's slid, and slid fast.


2. Roman Lob - Standing Still



This isn't one of my favourite songs in the competition, but it gets a higher rank because I understand just how strong the entry is, and that its exactly the kind of song that could sneak a win. Roman Lob is cute, he has a presence and the track goes down smooth. Standing Still is the kind of song that would have a home on American Idol or any other singing contest show. All of these factors could play into him scoring high or taking the top spot for Germany. Unfortunately it's a little hard to say in advance because he was another prequalifier so we haven't seen his full live performance.




1. Loreen - Euphoria


Sweden has a stunning opportunity to come out as the winner with this powerful track from Loreen who showed real potential early in the game, but has emerged as a force to be reckoned with this past week in the semifinals. The dance track could've been written for Celine Dion if she went the direction of dance diva, but Loreen owns it quite well with a geisha-inspired dance sequence. If she can flutter around, lessen that slurred speech and keep a tune, I think she'll take this one home.

So what do you think? What are your Top 5 picks?

Don't forget to log onto the Eurovision website at 3 p.m. EST (9 p.m. CET) on Saturday to stream the show live. And have fun!

Eurovision 2012 // My Top Picks

I swear I haven't been neglecting you all intentionally, but things have been busy and honestly much of my music-related time has been spent scouring the contestants for this year's Eurovision contest which comes to its epic finale on Saturday May 26 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

While the contest is widely considered a joke when it comes to quality, and is best known for birthing the career of ABBA, I think recent years have displayed some real talent. While the contest is still a guilty pleasure of mine, in the pop world it needs a little more respect. If anything, it's pure fun.

So here it is, my Top 10 picks for the contest this year. It's not necessarily what I think will win, but it's a combination of my opinion on the songs, performances, and realism on whether they could actually win or not. For example, I love Soluna Samay's song and think it's probably the best of this year, but her life performance is incredibly dull, which is why she ranks so low.

Even if you don't follow Eurovision and could care less, consider these 10 cheesy pop tracks that you could add to your guilty pleasure list, or listen to once and forget about forever. Whichever you choose, I will definitely be on the Eurovision website at 3 p.m. EST (9 p.m. CET) streaming the show live.


The Top 10

10. Gréta Salóme & Jónsi - Never Forget


For what Iceland's entry lacks in song quality (it's pretty standard and sort of dull), it makes up for in a whalloping, dramatic live performance. It's just a shame that the passion and talent they have on stage couldn't be used for a more winning song, but the way they rock the violin mid-song gives them some extra credit.

9. Nina Zilli - L'Amore È Femmina (Out Of Love)


Italy chose a sizzling throwback to the '60s for its entry and while the track is quite good it was also a pre-qualifier which means we've seen very little of Nina performing it live. That makes it hard to decide how good the live show really will be on Saturday night. The rehersal footage isn't bad though...




8. Ivi Adamou - La La Love


I've really had trouble getting past the live performance of Ivi Adamou's La La Love, an otherwise fun dance track. There's something about her presence that seems sloppy and silly, and it really hurts her chances. The only thing I can compare it to is a teenage girl in high school performing in her school play, half trying to be "showy" and half in love with her own show. It doesn't work very well, and Cyprus should've seen this early on when they chose her as the performer, whittling down three of her songs to this one. The only factor ranking this song so high is its enthusiasm.

7. Gaitana - Be My Guest


If Gaitana could just rein it in a bit then the entry for Ukraine would be higher in my books, but judging by the way she sang at the Thursday semi-final she can't help but belt it out at a nauseating level. Earlier in the contest she performed the celebratory song without straining so much, but perhaps she was just too excited? Either way, she's no Whitney or Aretha so bring it down a bit.

6. Jedward - Waterline


As much as Jedward gets on my nerves these twins have ambition, and they came back to Eurovision this year with a weaker song (they competed last year with the song Lipstick), but a performance that's full of surprises and really delivers. It starts with their costumes, which look like what would happen if He-Man and She-Ra had gay twin babies, but it builds with the "waterline" and a big wet finale. These guys really want to win, and their efforts are on full display.

Continue onto my Top 5 picks for this year...

Club Song of the Day // Otto Knows - Million Voices

Sweden has been unstoppable in club music for the past year, and Otto Knows is riding along in the pack with Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Axwell, Dada Life, Adrian Lux -- oh the list just goes on. In fact, here's the list that goes on and on...

Million Voices operates on a tribal beat has exploded onto the club scene over the past two months. The structure is simple, but it builds and builds to a point where you won't be able to resist the joy it's releasing into the atmosphere.

You'll see what I mean.

Song of the Day // Tooji - Stay

Mark your calendars because Eurovision is just around the corner (finals are May 26), which means all of the countries are running their winning performers through all the steps in search of the next great Euro popstar (read: cheese star).

While many Europeans groan at the cornball live performances, cliche-ridden lyrics and overall embarssing songs that tend to come out of Eurovision, there's no denying that every once in awhile a gem of the sugary pop genre emerges.

This year my vote goes to Tooji who is representing Norway with the song Stay. He is a social worker by day and a rising star by night.

Tooji worked with the producers who created Sweden's track last year, Eric Saade's Popular, which placed third in the 2011 competition.

I really like the confidence that this song carries. It's sure to make it far, if not win. I've linked the original track below, as well as the live performance from the Norwegian finals where he won.