Best Songs of 2010: 10-1

10. Best Coast “Boyfriend”
The theme of desiring another’s man is not uncommon within the musical world. With women like Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne in the spotlight, it seems that Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino jumps on that train, too, with “Boyfriend.” What makes this rendition rise above the others is Cosentino’s doo-wop pop vocals and garage-rock guitar riffs. The flow of this song truly sounds more like internal monologue and less like a crying plea to her desired man. – Amanda Hammermeister

9. The Tallest Man on Earth “King of Spain”
The Tallest Man on Earth makes a good companion whilst traveling lyrically through Spain and musically through Appalachia. Kristian Matsson’s rapid-fire guitar work sounds more like a banjo than a guitar in the bluegrass-influenced song, with Matsson’s rough voice sweetly singing about the empowerment of love. – Claire Tiller

8. First Aid Kit “Hard Believer”
The depth of voice and subject matter belie the age of Sweden’s First Aid Kit – sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg have been alive for barely two decades. Not since the Everly Brothers have siblings sounded so sweet with their impossibly perfect harmonies. While it may be hard to believe that “love is tough, time is rough” for women so young, the Söderbergs’ voices will leave you with little doubt of their convictions. – Stacey Lansing

7. Yeasayer “O.N.E.”
Yeasayer often sounds like nothing else out there, and on “O.N.E.” they sound like the house band for an outer-space disco from the future. Not any future, though, but the future imagined in the ’80s. Utterly danceable and offering a cathartic kiss-off, the band fights gravity and projects itself into the great unknown. – Stacey Lansing

6. Phantogram “Mouthful of Diamonds”
Phantogram is the soundtrack to the urban dating scene — concrete, glass, alcohol, and lots of desperation. The electronic-rock duo wants us to know it’s not the summer of love but instead the winter of discontent. Yet, “Mouthful of Diamonds” is not without hope, as underneath the layers of electronic fuzz there is something to hold on to. When the chorus comes around, the loneliness subsides… but then we’re by ourselves stuck between bars. There are few bands this perfectly suited to capture the feeling of a generation not in love, but Phantogram knows the feeling all too well. – Andy DeLoach

5. Deerhunter “Helicopter”
Deerhunter weaves a dreamy landscape of disbelief with noise-pop reminiscent of Animal Collective. Bradford Cox’s lilting, child-like delivery adds more sadness to heartbreaking lyrics based on a Dennis Cooper short story. Waves of twinkling blip noise gently usher the song to its untimely demise. – Claire Tiller

4. Beach House “Zebra”
Upon listening to the opening intro to “Zebra,” you feel as though you are being lifted into the clouds. The dreamy, androgynous voice of lead singer Victoria Legrand takes you out of the clouds and into a new, mysterious world. You can feel yourself floating aimlessly among the flying creatures as the track continues through soft, plucky guitar chords and smoky, swooning backup vocals. Finally, cymbals awaken you from your stupor and you fall slowly back to Earth as Beach House brings an end to their hypnotic sound. – Amanda Hammermeister

3. The National “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
Consistent. The National have been dogged by this description. With High Violet, this incredibly, um, consistent band is at it again. But with tracks like “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” the band goes for the throat, harkening back to its breakout LP, Alligator. It’s a foot-stomping anthem that serves notice that this band still has a few pop anthems up their sleeve. – Tyler Kieler

2. Sharon Van Etten “Love More”
Sharon Van Etten delivers an honest, pure, eerily emotional ballad that weighs on your heartstrings. It’s a song with bold notes and a resounding bass drum, looped with harmonies from Cat Martino; simply telling how when relationships end they sometimes inadvertently make you “love more.” It opens you up and allows not only your voice but your heart to sing right along with each sweeping, aching, subtly beautiful howl. – JoAnn Schinderle

1. Arcade Fire “We Used to Wait”
On its face, “We Used to Wait” is a lament of our youth, the time before we were tethered to our cell phones and neon signs replaced the moonlight. The song hits deeper, though, making us long for both our former selves and the people we never became. A little piece of our collective façade is chipped away with each melodic line, showing the world that none of us are really who we thought we were. – Stacey Lansing

Ineligible due to inclusion on 2009 list:
The Drums (“Let’s Go Surfing” single)
Freelance Whales (Weathervanes LP)
Local Natives (Gorilla Manor LP)
Mumford & Sons (Sigh No More LP)
Vampire Weekend (“Horchata” single)
Yeasayer (“Ambling Alp” single)