Best Songs of 2011 (#10 – #6)
10. Gotye Ft. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know
Gotye described the song as “a curated reflection of multiple past relationships“, but revealed the chorus was directly related to one ex-girlfriend. “It wasn’t a nasty break-up, but it was messy in the sense that we hurt each other more than we needed to because it wasn’t a clean break… We both realized we had to move on and we haven’t seen each other since.” Walk Off the Earth’s cover of Somebody that I Used to Know is one of the most popular covers ever featured on Youtube.
9. Clams Casino – I’m God
This track is simply mind-blowing, easily one of the best in 2011. Originally an instrumental for a Lil B track, this inevitably has its roots in hip hop. However, a ghostly Imogen Heap sample ensures this isn’t a standard affair, and the sample moves the track in line with some of the moodier dubstep tracks.
8. Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire ft. Despot, Das Racist, Danny Brown, EL-P – The Last Huzzah
Aside from its gloriously absurd video, the triumph of “Huzzah” is that the track fulfills all the requirements for an excellent posse cut. The rappers go hard as hell (save for Das Racist, who make up for it by being funny) and second, they’re all themselves — rappers with big personalities getting fucked up together and having fun.
7. J. Cole – Workout
All eyes were on J. Cole after his underground buzz earned him a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, but he proved that he works well under pressure. He assured fans that he wouldn’t be flipping his style but he needed at least a few radio records to expand his reach. ‘Work Out,’ was the first single off his debut album, which later topped the Billboard charts, so it looks like his “workout” plan paid off.
6. The Skints – On a Mission (Katy B Cover)
East London ska-dubsters The Skints take on Katy B’s “Katy on a Mission” and expertly execute a smooth, blissed, dubstyle reggae version of the original pop track.
Click on Page 3 to finish the countdown with ASAP Rocky, Childish Gambino, and SBTRKT
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