Top Songs of 2011: #30 - #21

Now that the honorable mentions are out of the way, lets kick start the official countdown! WOOOOTS.

Pop the champagne, here are my top 30 favourite songs for 2011!!!

#30. Leona Lewis/Avicii - Collide

Gorgeous combo from both side. #kaboom!

#29. Joe Jonas - Just In Love

Seductive and hypnotizing arabic-esque synths. That's all I need babe. ps: since when he become so hot? Ugh. #favesjonas

#28. Miss A - Goodbye Baby

One of the catchiest kpop song I've heard so far this year. You can actually hear their 'tude in the song. CLASS. #A-class

#27. Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger feat. Christina Aguilera

Whistling in a song have never been so sexy and catchy. #summersong

#26. Pitbull - Give Me Everything feat. Ne-yo, Afrojack & Nayer

Everybody loves this and actually don't find it annoying (LMFAO?) #partyessentialtrack
More from Pitbull: Rain Over Me (feat. Marc Anthony)

#25. Infinite - Be Mine

I remember being obsessed with this on the Kpop panel :) Distinctively infectious! #newsuju

#24. Selena Gomez & The Scene - Love You Like A Love Song

She's the new princess of pop-pop-pop-pop-pop. #karaokegold
More from Selena: Who Says & Hit The Lights

#23. Alexis Jordan - Good Girl (Freemasons Radio Edit)

Sometimes, Freemasons does make everything sound wayyyyyyyyy better. #shakeyourbooty
More from Alexis: Hush Hush

#22. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People feat. Chris Brown
Beautiful music for beautiful people. #opss

*unable to embed video, click on song title for link!*

#21. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

To quote armyaviationproud from Youtube "Never has a song about killing other people in a shooting been so cheerful and catchy!!!" #breakoutoftheyear
More from Foster The People: I'd Do Anything For You & Call It What You Want

Whatdya think? Criticism? What should not be here? Which song should be higher? Comments away!

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Now playing: Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
via FoxyTunes

Top Songs of 2011: Honourable Mentions of 2011

Hey peeps. Its been a while and to kick start the yearly tradition of the top songs of the year, lets start of with the honourable mentions that just miss the Top 30!

Here goes, in no particular order.

2NE1 - I AM THE BEST

So much swag. Note to Cher Lloyd, you can learn from the best here. #negachejaraga

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

Guilty pleasure boyband pop of the year? Oh yes. Gotta Be You is great too. #zaynplease

Super Junior - Mr. Simple

Just because the chorus kinda stuck in my head for a good few weeks. #notsorrysorry

Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts feat. Adam Levine

The only highlight? Chorus. #adamlefine

Avicii - Levels

How I discovered this song? From the ending credit of new season premier of How To Make It In America. So good. #songsfromtv

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem feat etc.

Party track of the year? Oh yes. Didn't really do much impact to me tho. #partytune

Medina - Gutter

Hidden pop gem of the year? So under rated. A good follow up after the amazing You & I (Deadmau5 Remix) #pop

J Cole - Who Dat

One of my faves rap track this year. #sorrykanye

The Saturdays - All Fired Up

Solid effort from the girls. Repetitive chorus lyrics never sound so #chic.

Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Might actually better than the famous American chain restaurant. #justsayin'

J Lo - On The Floor

The most overplayed song of the year. #comeback

OK. Part 1 out of 4 done.


Whatdya think? Any ridiculous entry here? LOL. Comments away!

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Now playing: Adele - Someone Like You
via FoxyTunes

Songs that I'm Diggin' Now

Check it out!

Icona Pop - Nights Like This

Isn't this the best song you've heard this month or year? ;)

Dev - Booty Bounce

Bouncing your booty yet? I know I am. I can't get enough of it and the verse that's been sampled in Like A G6 feels so right here. I've been jammin' to it all. week. long.

Rihanna - We Found Love feat. Calvin Harris

Two of my faves pop artists collaborating on one fine mess. What's not to love? OK. It might have been a tad repetitive and the lyrics are nothing to shout about but seriously guys, what do you expect from RiRi? And I think they kinda get it mixed up, it's actually a Calvin Harris' song featuring Rihanna on vocal.

 Joe Jonas - Just In Love

I have to admit that I didn't expect to be impressed by this but I am wrong. Seriously people, what's not to love? This electro pop/arabic beat fusion up tempo piece of melody, sweet sweet love making music. And since when he grow up to be this lite version of Justin Timberlake? He is looking so fine and I kinda dig the music video as well. Oh my, I can't afford another male pop artist obsession.

The Wanted - Lightning

Glad You Came is pretty brilliant and this follow up single is not too shabby either. I have not heard any bad singles from them and this is not going to be the 1st for them. Bravo!

Cher Lloyd - With Ur Love feat. Mike Posner

Oh, this is THE Cher Lloyd everyone is buzzing about. I shall just consciously ignore the fact that the god-awful Swagger Jagger is not even a song :) This stirs the right amount of swag *ehem* while being really catchy at the same time. Fun fun fun!

Marina & The Diamonds - Radioactive

I fell hard for this song. I still do. This might just be one of her best songs and one of the best I've heard this year. I don't understand my Obsession with this song but I suppose sometimes you don't have to understand everything to appreciate life/music. Brilliant.

Joe Brooks - Holes Inside

I heard this on the local radio one day and was instantly hooked on his beautiful voice. And when the chorus kicked in, I tried my best to memorize the chorus so I can search this when I'm back so I can listen this in proper. And I say, No regrets!


Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All

This is a proper Kelly Clarkson single and I am a fan. American Idol? Still the only one.

Snow Patrol - This Isn't Everything That You Are

By the time the chorus kicked in, I knew that this is the Snow Patrol that I swear my allegiance to. No looking back.

J Cole - Who Dat

If you know me well, hip hop is never my cup of tea. And to say that I am a fan of this song shows how good this is. That is all.


J Cole - Work Out

He's on a roll! Did I mention that he's really easy on the eyes too?

Dev - In The Dark

Ooh la la~ It's all about the saxophone breakdown for me. Not too sure about the video though. Monster paw anyone?

David Guetta - Without You feat. Usher

Sometimes I wish he would just take a break like BEP but this is actually decent enough so OK lah! Pass.

Songs I'm Diggin' Right Now *UPDATE*

hai! Lets get down to business, this is definitely the few songs that you gotta check out!

Young The Giant's Cough Syrup

This is one of my new found faves this year. After the amazingly pop-ish 1st single, "My Body" they decided to churn out something so delicate which I adore. And I must say, I am really lovin' the lead singer, Sameer's raspy voice. *and he's pretty darn cute!* In contending to be my faves song this year. I just can't get enough of it and yes, I love their self titled album too. A must listen!!

Wynter Gordon's Til Death (Denzal Park Radio Edit)

There's two version and I like them both but since this version doesn't really have it's much deserved exposure, I decided to post this here instead. Wynter is definitely on a roll these days after the sexy and naughty 1st single, "Dirty Talk" and the amazingly brilliant vocal house collaboration with Freemasons' "Believer". Current score card, 3/3. Oh, did you guys check out her surprisingly good album, With the Music I Die? I'm pretty fussy about album but I really dig WTMID.

Will Young's Jealousy

Will Young - Jealousy from Pop Labyrinth on Vimeo.

He's back! There's something about Will Young singing melodramatic love song that I can relate to. His previous album, Let It Go is one of my faves album in '08. And with this as the lead single, I must say I can't wait for Echoes! Love the fact this is not so in your face like most of the songs in the chart these days, something so soft and delicate about the melody and I love the build up from the 1st verse to the 2nd verse.

Snow Patrol's Called Out in the Dark

This can't be a Snow Patrol's song right? This is totally different from what I am used to. I find myself boppin' my head while listening to this, and this is NOT a biased judgment. LOL. And like all Snow Patrol's album, I'm pretty much excited for the new release! :)

Calvin Harris' Feel So Close

HE IS ON FIRE THESE DAYS. After the brilliant and AMAZING 1st single, Bounce, he's back with another awesome song. The breakdown during the chorus is pretty genius plus with the minimal vocal makes it work. The beat and melody is definitely the highlight for this tune. If the new album is going to be as good as the 2 singles, it is going to be pretty major!

Lupe Fiasco's The Show Goes On

Hip hop is not my usual cup of tea but I find myself drawn to this song. Everything works so well together, the inspiring lyrics and the very grand sounding melody. Gosh, I always have a soft spot for Lupe after the brilliant "Superstar" and now with TSGO, he proved himself to be one of interesting hip hop stars out there. The fact that this has nothing to do with girls or partying already deserves a gold star.

Selena Gomez's Love You Like A Love Song

Everyone have their guilty pleasure right? For some it might be David Archuleta or Bieber, but for me, it's Selena Gomez. I gotta say she did come up with some of the most catchy pop songs I've heard so far, "Naturally" pretty stuck in my head in a good way and "Bang Bang Bang" kinda reminds me of a pop version's La Roux's Bulletproof. And don't get me started with "Who Says" (such a great song!), she is doing everything right to take the pop princess crown away from Miley. TQVM.

Chris Brown's Next To You feat Justin Bieber

I like it. That's all I have to say.

Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger feat. Christina Aguilera

The fact that this single soars to #1 on the iTunes chart after the performance proves that TV shows still have its magic. Can't say the same thing if The Voice bomb tho (it didn't, so yay!). Anyway, the whistling stuck in my head for a very long time, chorus is pretty darn catchy and Xtina's voice pretty much steal the thunder (why does it have to be so short?) Great effort and I need the official music video now!

Leona Lewis' Collide

I don't care about the stupid controversy at all. I think the song is kinda awesome (yay to both party). It shows a more fun side of Leona to the world and I must say auto-tune is dead! Enough already! Grr, I don't get why they have to distort her pretty voice to sound like a robot, it doesn't make it interesting at all and we already got Britney for all the auto-tune extravaganza! LOL.

Jason Derulo's Don't Wanna Go Home

Pretty standard pop dance electro affair. Doesn't really catch my eartention but I must say, the music video is kinda hot though.

Whatdya think?



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Now playing: Young The Giant - Cough Syrup
via FoxyTunes

You + I

One of my faves song from Gaga.

Lady Gaga's You and I

RIP Amy

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)

Lady Gaga's Born This Way

It's been long due.

Here's what I think of Lady Gaga's 2nd album, "Born This Way". Song by song "analysis"!

Marry The Night
Truth to be told, I really don't get it at first. I was like "WTF is this?" I never really expect it to sound so 80's which such heavy church influence. I didn't even go "gaga" when she released this on Farmville. But everything changes when I manage to listen to it properly on the CD. It sound so grand after a few proper spin. It's like its meant to be play on those super big arena with all a grand piano. Faves part? The breakdown at the end.

Born This Way
Oh hello, and I thought this would be the 1st song of the album. Yeah, no doubt that this is such a gem. I love how this is so upbeat-pop. It's crazyyyyy. It's like she wanted this to fuckin' shine after the sombre-mood opening MTN. Love the contrast, love the song.

Government Hooker
Can I just say the metal influenced beats is totally predictable after the fantastic but commercially flopped "Judas"? I like the metal-dance-pop thingy going on. It's feels so raw with the electronic beats but at the same time, the complex layering of beats shifting non-stop between verse and chorus is genius. OK, 3rd song in, and this is definitely NOT the album I am expecting. And I think it's a good thing.

Judas
God, why do this have to be Gaga's first flopped single? (Who am I kiddin'? Top 10 debut is not an easy accomplishment!?) I have a soft spot for this song. Everything about this song is so brilliant! (big words, I know). The breakdown of middle 8 is pure orgasmix. I love the fact she's not exactly singing in it, but more of an Jamaican styled rap/talk thingy? I think this song is so ahead of its time and not everyone know how to appreciate it. That's for sure. Gets better everytime I hear it. I like the video. Lipstick gun. Major lol.


Americano
Uh, this "cup of coffee" is definitely "Alejandro" part II with extra latin flavor added in. I dig the "la la la" part and the thumping background electronic beats but sadly there's no worthy climax. Not my cup of coffee la :/ What's with the gunshot at the end? @@" I changed my mind. I freakin' love this track. Sudden realization while listening to this on my way home in the car.

Hair
Ah, this sound so familiar. I must say I love this. This is definitely one of the highlight of this album. I am my hair - so silly yet so true. I find myself to be able to relate to that. Don't ask me why~ Listening to this puts me in a good mood, it's so carefree and fun. I always like this side of Gaga. Yet, I am still not too sure about the saxophone though, is it necessary? Hmm..

Scheiße
That's SHIT in German! Haha. Did she write this in Europe since it's so euro-techno? It's so tacky but somehow it works, can you imagine some other pop star singing this? Only Gaga. It's made for the dance floor baby! "Shitty" title, awesome song.

Bloody Mary
The tempo is a bit too slow for my taste but I love how the song soar into something big in the chorus. Don't really care for all the religion connotation in this, it doesn't make any sense to me, so whatever. Her falsetto in the middle-8 is so delicate and beautiful, I'm wondering how come she doesn't show that side of her voice more? Anyway, anyone heard the 25% faster tempo version? Click here. Pretty genius.

Black Jesus † Amen Fashion
Is it me or this is just so random? What kinda statement is she trying to make? Black Jesus and Amen Fashion? I don't get it at all! But I adore this. The synths are so efficient. It sticks to my head for a great amount of time. Worthy bonus track. Should be in the normal edition.

Bad Kids
"Don't be insecure, if your heart is pure." That's speaks so much to me. I must say this is one of my favorite track during my 1st listen and still is one of the best track in BTW. There's so much attitude in this which I love. The opening electric guitar + verse is so crazy mad. I can feel her gusto in this and I am lovin' every minute.

Fashion of His Love
Another highlight for me. This is so 80's inspired dance pop which I appreciate! Not too sure again about the lyrics but yeah, the bells and synth is pretty brilliant. It stuck in my head for a long while and I must say that I don't mind that.

Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)
This is a very complex song. Why? Just because I don't quite get it. I don't particularly hate it but I don't find myself connecting to it. But I do find a lot of people are lovin' this track. Hm.

Heavy Metal Lover
O yeah, this is my kinda song. At 1st listen, I thought she was singing "something something Gaga" but dumbo me, she's actually singing Heavy Metal Lover. Hahaha. I don't know what else to say but I just love this track. I find myself repeating this a lot.

Electric Chapel
Is it me or she's really going for the pop/rock/metal/electronic fusion inspired genre this time around? The influenced is pretty darn obvious in this track but somehow she can manage to turn around the chapel bells and sharp electric guitar into something so dancefloor ready. So Euro-trashy (somehow it reminds me of some dirty S&M club, LOL) and I am a convert.

The Queen
I like the vibe of this song. The intro reminds me of wedding bells. And to have this after the sexy dirty "Electric Chapel" couldn't highlight the difference between this two gems. LOL. It's just so happy-go-lucky, who's with me on this? *don't keep me hanging alone here* Love the guitar solo outro :)

Yoü and I
I love this song to bits. One of my faves song by her. Ala "Speechless" from TFM.

The Edge of Glory
I don't think I need to express myself about how amazing this song is. Definitely the top track in "Born This Way". Everything works perfectly. The fuckin' saxophone bloody pawned everyone in the Top 10 chart everywhere this summer.

Video is okay. She's taking a break I suppose but the video below totally stole my heart.

Puts a smile on my face and I'm telling you, I love TEOG even more after watching this video.

To bloody sum of what I think about BTW, just go and get the album already, there's a reason why this is one of the year most anticipated and best selling album. It might not be the classic Gaga album (too early to tell) but it's definitely one of the best album this year. No doubt about that.

To be honest, I was expecting her to return to her dance pop inspired "The Fame" concept type album for BTW but hell no, Britney already gave us that with Femme Fatale (side note: FF is a good album!).

Sometimes you don't get what you want but you get something so much better, and that is Born This Way.

OK. That's all. Thanks for reading.

Songs That I'm Diggin' Now

Lets start off with something great shall we?

Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls)

I gotta be honest, I kinda detest this song when I first heard it but damn, it has grown on me immensely. Those Jamaican influenced beats really got some wicked voodoo magic thingy going on. LOL. Too bad most of my peeps don't dig it as much as I do. The 1st song that I really like from Bey (apart from Irreplaceable) and suddenly everyone doesn't want to be on her team :( Did you see her Billboard Awards performance? MEGA. The goodies starts at mark 3:00.

And then I found out about this.
Major Lazer's Pon De Replay.

Major Lazer "Pon De Floor" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

WTF IS THIS. MAJOR LOL.

Swedish House Mafia's Save The World

Don't you love the doggies and puppies in the video? LOL. And it's strike no. 3 for SHM. I don't think they can do wrong in my book. One is mindfuck the 1st time I heard it. Miami 2 Ibiza is pure class. And now, Save The World is one of the best song I've heard so far this year apart from the really fantastic Calvin Harris' Bounce. (video below, gotta show him tons of love!)


The Strokes' Under Cover of Darkness

Heard this yesterday while I was channel surfing. And was hook by the time the chorus kick in. Something that draws me in. Great stuff.

The Decemberists' This Is Why We Fight

I don't get it at first but I decided to give it another go after J showin' some massive love for them. I love the lead singer's vocal in this, it's so laidback lazy but so powerful at the same time. No backin' out now. I am sold.

f(x)'s Pinocchio (DANGER)

Don't ask me what is this song about. I have no idea. I don't care about the lyrics. I just care about the highly addictive quality of this song. It got stuck in my head. End.

Nicole Scherzinger's Right There feat. 50 Cent

I am seriously beginning to warm up to her. And god knows how obvious she wants a freaking solo career during her PCD days. Don't Hold Your Breathe is a great pop song and this is surprisingly good as well. But seriously, what happened to 50 Cent? Anyway, she's more than half naked again in her video (what's new?) and I love the way she move her booty in the video. Oh la la~

Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory (Live on American Idol)

How great is her vocal in this live performance? Sometimes she doesn't need all the crazy dance moves to put on a show. Love it so much. BTW what's wrong with the Sax player? LOL. I love how she fall into "edge of glory" at the end of the performance. Sweeeet.




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Now playing: Swedish House Mafia - Save The World (Official Music Video)
via FoxyTunes

Bounce!

Calvin Harris' Bounce feat Kelis


One of my faves track for this year!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!



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Now playing: Calvin Harris - Bounce
via FoxyTunes

Judas!

Lady Gaga's Judas is finally here! Let's check it out shall we?

Lady Gaga's Judas


My deal with this single is definitely different from "Born This Way" (click to read).

First, the opening verse reminds me of "Bad Romance" with all those ohh, ohh, aohh.. and then she storm off with something so metal-ish and comes as a good surprise. (Much influence from Teeth?) The metal+techno beat definitely come hard and raw. Nothing I've heard before (my music palate doesn't really go to that part of the music world). And then the 1st verse hit and surpise (again!) her vocal is very laid-back, almost like a state of rap talk than singing compared to her "BR" power vocal house. OK, she sound very natural but I need some time to get used to. A very different side of GaGa.

And we reach the most crucial part of any song released, the chorus. That's when she picked up the vocal and it sound more like home to me. Woots. The chorus is not as freakishly catchy as I want it to be but its good. I still can hum along without any major effort. Good sign of a pop song.

"I'm in still in love Judas baby! Judas.. Gaga!".

And then it struck me, who is Judas? Who effin' cares?! LOL.

The 2nd verse and chorus come and go with such complexity in the beats and synth. Who would have thought metal and techno would work like that? Only GaGa and RedOne it seems. The laid-back vocal is definitely growin' on me. But the ahh, ahh, ahhh part in the verse definitely sound like she's having sex and enjoyin' it. Not trying to be controversial or anything but yeah it does reminds me of that. No kiddin' ;)

Well, lets celebrate the middle 8 where the breakdown is really gorgeous. The rapid fire beats means serious business and then the all too familiar rap talk verse ala the french verse in BR is back. I'm just glad its not dubstep-ish! LOL.

It seems tons of people are comparing Judas to Bad Romance, heck, that's what they said when Bad Romance is out, it sound just like Poker Face. Give her a fucking break, just because she's famous these days, it doesn't means spewing such statement will make you sound smarter ;) I do get that you can't satisfy everyone but yeah for those who criticize her and not see California Gurls and Tik Tok are basically the same song show how much you understand the world of pop music. Nuff' said.

There's just one thing. I must confess that I'm gettin' really tired of her "religious" point of view in everything she come out with these days. Can I have the party The Fame Gaga back? There is something just so carefree about "Just Dance" that I love. Now everything just seem so serious and dark. And sometimes it does show that she is trying too hard to shock everyone. No? And to be honest if some new artist is releasing this, I don't think this will be the big break he/she will get. Just because this is from GaGa, it will be huge (it's sittin' on top of the iTunes chart everywhere!) and definitely create some sort of big dent in this generation music history. Great! And now I'm preparing myself for the Born This Way, is it going to top The Fame Monster? Only time will tell and by the look of it. I doubt it.



Update: OMFG. THIS GOTTA BE ONE OF GAGA'S BEST VIDEO EVER!!!!!!!! Lovin' the storyline :) I can't fucking wait for BORN THIS WAY!!!

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Now playing: Lady GaGa - Judas
via FoxyTunes