I haven’t had much time to blog about music this year, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make as much time as I could to listen to it and seek out the latest and greatest. 2009 was a great year for music, with Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective battling for the top spot on indie lists whilst musicians like Bat For Lashes, Phoenix, Fever Ray, Passion Pit and many more filled our mindscapes with new sounds and our dance floors with new beats. I still don’t have much time to share all the music I loved from this year, but I had to make a top ten list to celebrate the end of another music-filled year.

Like last year, I decided to create a top ten list of songs you may not have heard. As such, I’ve removed a few of my favorite singles from the year (songs like ‘Listzomania’ by Phoenix, ‘One Wing’ by Wilco, ‘To Kingdom Come’ by Passion Pit, and ‘Hell’ by Tegan & Sara) because these songs and artists have already received widespread attention. If you haven’t heard them, check them out! This list is for obscurities (as judged by me) and maybe, just maybe, you’ll discover a new favorite of your own. I hope you enjoy them!

Honorable Mentions-
“Friends” by Deastro
“Sour Milk/Salt Water” by Port O’ Brien
“Falling Stars” by Sarah Siskind
“November Was White, December Was Grey” by Say Hi

10. “Shadows” by Au Revoir Simone- Just a smooth and beautiful song. From ‘Still Night, Still Light’.

9.

“Black Crow” by Division Day- I had to choose one Division Day song, and it was a run-off between this and ‘Devil Light’. They were basically tied, but I went with this one because of its ascendant melancholy. Check them both out here. From 'Visitation'.

8.

“Like A Diamond” by Glass Ghost- This is technically the demo for a song that came out this year, but I love the completely honest, mumbling, and immediate feeling of the demo so much more than the final product. Final version is from ‘Idol Omen’.

7.

“The Trouble With Flying” by Orba Squara- What a great song. It’s so cute but it still has a laid-back, new-folk groove. From ‘The Trouble With Flying’.

6.

“Wide-Eyed, Legless” by Laura Veirs- This song sparks something deep down inside that is difficult to even describe. There is darkness and beauty here, covetous lyrics and an almost demonic little glimmer lurking inside. Suffice it to say I played this song almost fifty times in a row the first time I heard it, just trying to grasp that spark. If only it was longer! From ‘July Flame’.

5.

“Gimme Sympathy” by Metric- My favorite song to sing along with from 2009! Not really obscure, per say, but still it deserves just as much attention as 'Help I'm Alive'. From ‘Fantasies’.

4.

“Little Bird Courage” by Old Canes- I posted about this song earlier in the year, shortly after discovering it for the first time. I still adore it just as much, and no song on this list can compare when it comes to making you feel like you have a friend at your side who will always believe in you. Nor can any other song give you the same confidence in your step. From ‘Feral Harmonic’.

3.

“Cosmic Love” by Florence & The Machine- Admittedly Florence & The Machine did receive plenty of attention this year, but this song is so world-changing for me that I could not leave it off. Besides, it fell into the shadow of another song from ‘Lungs’, “Kiss With A Fist”, and I had to try and pull it out. ‘Lungs’ is an all-around excellent album though, so give it a listen if you haven’t yet.

2.

“Get Older” by Dan Deacon- This song is pure anticipation. Every time I hear it I love it more. It may be a bit of an acquired taste though… I can see how it could come off as annoying, even headache inducing. But if you really listen to the layers and revel in the insanity of the build-up and release it becomes so much more than noise. From ‘Bromst’.

1.

“Quiet Little Voices” by We Were Promised Jetpacks- Here it is, the song of the year! One does not have to define the greatness of this song; it speaks for itself. To you I bow! From ‘These Four Walls’.

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Have a wonderful new year!

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