Sean’s Top 10s of 2011

Most of 2011 for me was spent in Berlin, where I focused more on my introverted self, homing in on my love for darker, sadder, more serious sounds.  Not all of it was that serious in tone, my great friend Christo  allowed for the both of us to get up and dance around our flat in our underwear (I really like to emphasize this), make amazing breakfast goods, and prance around the streets of Berlin.  Upon my arrival back home to Boston, a strong sense of displacement took over me, wanting to feel back “at home” but also missing everything in Berlin.  This mixed with my love for walking, soon empowered me for a good emotional song to power walk to around the city to.  Electronic beats soon took over as a precedence to getting through the day, and overpowered any form of sadness or loneliness that I initially had.  Combining all these intense emotions as well as life changing experiences, 2011 so far has been one of the most beneficial moments in my life, altering the way I look at the world as a whole, how I view relationships, and foremost, my passion and love for music.  I hope this top 10 reflects this, and maybe some of these songs and albums have made your own personal top 10.  Music here was mostly compiled  by Last FM  play counts, and then influenced by over all preference.

Top 10 of 2011

Song of the Year

1. Young Galaxy – We Have Everything
2. Britta Persson – Toast to M
3. William Fitzsimmons – Fade and Then Return
4. The Sound of Arrows – Magic
5. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
6. Vanbot – Lost Without You
7. Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend
8. Nicki Minaj – Super Bass
9. Kimbra – Cameo Lover
10. Rihanna – We Found Love (Featuring Calving Harris)

Honorable Mentions
Austra – Lose It
Ellie Goulding – Lights
Beth Ditto – Open Heart Surgery

Album of the Year

1. William Fitzsimmons – Gold In The Shadow
2. Young Galaxy – Shapeshifting
3. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
4. The Sound of Arrows – Voyage
5. Kimbra – Vows
6. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
7. Rihanna – Talk That Talk
8. Britta Persson – Current Affair Medium Rare
9. Lady GaGa – Born This Way
10. Vanbot – Self Titled

Honorable Mentions
Zola Jesus – Conatus
Ellie Goulding – Lights
Wild Beasts – Smother

Artist of the Year

1. William Fitzsimmons
2. Young Galaxy
3. Rihanna
4. Britta Persson
5. M83
6. Ellie Goulding
7. Lady Gaga
8. Florence + The Machine
9. Bon Iver
10. Adele

Best Pop/Hip Hop/R&B Album of the Year

1. Rihanna – Talk That Talk
2. Lady GaGa – Born This Way
3. Ellie Goulding – Lights
4. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
5. Adele – 21
6. Florrie – Experimental EP
7. Alexis Jordan – Self Titled
8. Drake – Take Care
9. Jennifer Lopez – Love?
10. Beyonce – 4

Best Indie Rock/Pop Album

1. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
2. Young Galaxy – Shapeshifting
3. William Fitzsimmons – Gold in the Shadow
4. Bon Iver – Self Titled
5. Wild Beasts – Smother
6. Tenderfoot – Red Coat (EP)
7. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
8. Metronomy – The English Riviera
9. Feist – Metals
10. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

Best Electronic Album

1. Zola Jesus – Conatus
2. Austra – Feel it Break
3. M83 – Hurry Up We’re Dreaming
4. Monarchy – Around The Sun
5. The Sound of Arrows – Voyage
6. Junior Boys – It’s all True
7. Oh Land – Self Titled
8. Johan Agebjorn – Casablanca Nights
9. Cut Copy – Zonoscope
10. Beth Ditto – EP

Best Non-American Album

1. Kimbra – Vows
2. M83 – Hurry up, We’re Dreaming
3. The Sound of Arrows – Voyage
4. Britta Persson – Current Affair Medium Rare
5. Vanbot – Self Titled
6. Johan Agebjorn – Casablanca Nights
7. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
8. Yelle – Safari Disco Club
9. The Young Professionals – 09:00 To 17:00
10. Sophie Ellis – Bextor – Make a Scene

Oldies But Goodies (Non 2011 Released) Songs

1. Bat for Lashes – Siren Song (2009)
2. Robyn – Hang With Me (2010)
3. Florence + The Machine – Cosmic Love (2009)
4. Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World) (2010)
5. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream (2010)
6. Everything But the Girl – Time After Time (1992)
7. Zeigeist – Tar Heart (2008)
8. Beach House – Zebra (2010)
9. Selena – If I Could Fall In Love (1995)
10. M83 – Kim & Jessie (2008)