38 - dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip 'Stunner' (#04)

 

 

Their comeback single after three years apart working on solo material, I was hooked from the first time I heard the first beat. It's a lot more edgy than previous material and is a wonderfully written song about failed relationships. In "It seems the light at the end of the tunnel was a fire" this contains my favourite lyric of the year.

 

Previous entries:

Though Shalt Always Kill (#72, 2007)

You Will See Me (#42, 2013)

 

Edited December 24, 201311 yr by RabbitFurCoat

37 - Jake Bugg 'Broken' (#2)

 

 

It's not been a particularly vintage year for further singles from previous years albums and this is the first of just two occurrences this year. The standout on his debut alng with 'Two Fingers', this shows a different softer side to Jake which is beautiful to hear. It's a shame the singles from album 2 don't come close to matching this quality.

 

Previous entries:

Two Fingers (#25, 2012)

 

36 - Primal Scream '2013' (#01)

 

 

Their first material for a few years was this 9 minute promotional single before 'It's Alright, It's OK' lead the albums release, giving false hope that their new album could match their heyday. Released in the quiet period before the Spring, it reached the top of my personal chart but it's the only number one not to make my end of year top 20.

 

Previous entries:

County Girl (#19, 2006)

It's Alright, It's OK (#89, 2013)

 

35 - Bat for Lashes 'Lilies' (N/A)

 

 

One of the standout tracks from last years second best album, really shows off Natasha at her very best. I'm not sure why I neglected to chart it though...

 

Previous entries:

Prescilla (#77, 2007)

Pearl's Dream (#50, 2009)

Daniel (#04, 2009)

All Your Gold (#45, 2012)

Laura (#02, 2012)

 

34 - Joywave feat. KOPPS 'Tongues' (#04)

 

 

This is the type of song that could annoy people with its hook but I've never grown tired of it, a fantastic little indie pop song. Vocalist reminds me very much of Hot Chip.

 

33 - Klingande 'Jubel' (#13)

 

 

One of the most infectious pop singles of this year, it'll never get boring and the horns throughout are fantastic, differentiating from anything similar.

32 - Keep Shelly In Athens 'Oostende' (#03)

 

 

The most perfect chillout music with such wonderful haunting vocals. The standout on a superb debut album.

Edited December 24, 201311 yr by RabbitFurCoat

31 - Holy Ghost! 'Dumb Disco Ideas' (#03)

 

 

Getting some way into a section which might as well be labelled 'The Best of BJSC and Unknown Pleasures 2013' now. This year has been exceptional for excellent long singles, standing at 8 minutes this splits nicely into two halves, the first incredibly infectious, the second wonderfully poppy.

30 - Cosmo's Midnight feat. Nicole Millar 'Phantasm' (#02)

 

 

Stunningly minimal, one of the best pieces of music to relax to all year, yet also thoroughly challenging making you take notice. Nicole Millar's vocals are superb, and her current single 'Fall' proves she's certainly a vocalist to watch for.

 

 

29 - Josh Record 'Bones' (#02*)

 

 

The last few months of the year have been loaded with great singles from male solo artists that I've thought I'd grow to love but never quite did (Luke Sital-Singh, Joel Baker, Ry X) but 'Bones' is stunning, his previous singles had made no impression at all but this is lovely.

 

28 - Roses Gabor 'Stars' (#03)

 

 

I was hooked as soon as I heard this though it did suffer from overplay a little. It's rare for a 3 minute song to cover so many types of music but it's the type of song that could crossover to pop, r&b and dance fans alike.

 

 

27 - Belanger 'Take Me Home' (#04)

 

https://soundcloud.com/belanger/take-me-home

 

If ever there was a song from this year that really should annoy me but I absolutely love it's probably this with its high pitched vocals, but it's so catchy and tune so good that they just suit the song perfectly.

 

26 - Daughter 'Youth' (#03)

 

 

From a very promising debut album this was the highlight from first listen and should've been a massive hit. Elena Tonra's voice on this is as beautiful as you'll hear all year.

 

25 - Flight Facilities feat. Christine Hoberg 'Clair de Lune' (#02)

 

 

Another long song here, 7 minutes of the most gorgeous laid back music with a perfectly complimentary vocal.

 

 

24 - Postiljonen 'Supreme' (#13)

 

 

More of a grower than something instant, it spent a while in my chart but never made the top 10. It initially sounded like the type of song I'd get bored of quite easily but it only continues to grow, it's hypnotic. And the sax at the end - wow!

 

 

 

23 - Junip 'Line of Fire' (#02)

 

 

The first time I heard this I thought it sounded like Jose Gonzelez of bouncy ball Sony advert fame, and it turned out that it was! Junip, his band, being similar but with the use of far more instrumentation. The less acoustic sound suits his voice so well.

22 - David Bowie 'Love Is Lost' (Hello Steve Reich Remix by James Murphy) (#02)

 

 

I've been completely underwhelmed by everything I've heard from David Bowie this year, though I'm not exactly a particular fan to begin with, but this remix released a couple of months ago is wonderful. It's typical of James Murphy to touch something and turn it to gold but this is easily one of the best remixes I've ever heard. The use of 'Ashes to Ashes' synth to change tempo is inspired.

21 - TCTS '1997' (#04)

 

 

A young London DJ who can certainly go places in future, this and his remix of 'Blind Me' are wonderful, and he's distinctive from other dance music.

20 - John Newman 'Love Me Again' (#03)

 

 

Voicing one of the finest songs of last year, as well as another great single, I eagerly anticipated material from John Newman this year, and whilst most of what I've heard has been disappointing 'Love Me Again' makes it all worthwhile. It shows off his wonderful soulful voice on one of the most joyous and uplifting sounds of the summer. One of the best number one singles in recent times, though not quite the best of this year.

 

Previous entries:

Feel The Love (feat. Rudimental) (#09, 2012)

 

19 - James Blake 'Overgrown' (#01)

 

 

The title track from his second album, this was an immediate standout and worthy of single treatment. It's James Blake at his marvellous best, beautifully stripped back and acoustic.

 

Previous entries:

The Wilhelm Scream (#20, 2011)