"Best of" lists help us make sense of the mountains and mountains of music piled on top of us year after year. These songs, compiled together by the music staff here at WSN, are a cross-section of a year filled with contradictions: the xx-sampling rap music, poppy indie music and (at least) one Yellowcard song that was actually pretty good. If you haven't checked out these bands or these songs, maybe you should; they're this year's best lifelines into new musical worlds.
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"Otis" by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Easily the second-best Kanye West/Otis Reding collaboration, "Otis" is a rare pop song that exudes actual joy, rather than just a punch-drunk party high. The excellent production reduces Reding's appeal to his purest, most gut-pleasing elements — a choppy guitar line and a few yells — and Jay-Z and Kanye play off each other like two old pros.
— Charles Mahoney
"Brown Haired Daughter" by Old 97's
This track has everything that makes an Old 97's song so great: the sharp lyrics, the rumbling guitar and the wonderful harmonies of Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond.
— Josh Johnson
"Sing For Me" by Yellowcard
"Sing For Me" takes the violin Yellowcard is known for and weaves it through a story about lead singer Ryan Key's late aunt. It is a beautifully sad and poignant song about one woman's ability to inspire strength and hope in those around her.
— Rebecca Kovach
"Marvin's Room" by Drake
Drake had everyone thinking about "those times we used to have" on "Marvin's Room." Who hasn't drunk-dialed an ex with this song in the background?
— Justin Block
"Terra Incognita" by Atlas Sound
A total departure from Atlas Sound's gritty, loop-centric style, "Terra Incognita" simultaneously feels incredibly isolated and yet massively expansive. Bradford Cox's vulnerable voice complements a lonely acoustic guitar, creating a totally enthralling and otherworldly experience.
— Daniel Fuchs
"Puzzle Pieces" by Saint Motel
This song by San Francisco-native Saint Motel is the kind of indie pop that mixes just enough indie with just enough pop.
— Brian Capuder
"Midnight City" by M83
This electro-synth pop band has graced 2011 with this dreamy, uplifting track. Listen for it, and you'll start hearing it everywhere, from HBO shows to Victoria's Secret commercials.
— Gloria Lee
"Polish Girl" by Neon Indian
With its sleepy, nostalgic vocals, the melodic, electronic beats of this song leave listeners with a feeling of complete satisfaction and relaxation.
— Matthew Levine
"When Will You Go" by The Dodos
Every time I listen to this song, I get completely lost in it. There's this amazing moment of culminating energy in the final verse that really strikes a chord within me and will keep speaking for years to come.
— Gabi Jensen
"Ungirthed" by Purity Ring
Succinct and kooky, "Ungirthed" is music from Toronto that you wish would go on and on all day long.
— Parker Bruce
