#10: Goldfrapp - Rocket
Their 5th album, Head First, was released in early 2010 and it was a bit of a disaster. However, the lead single, this, was flamboyant, outrageous synthy goodness and it's unstoppable.
#9: Mumford and Sons - The Cave
Just a brilliantly orchestrated song.
#8: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Effortlessly happy and I make a habit of listening to this whilst driving through this new, clean, quite boring residential area on the way home. It always reassures me.
#7: Kanye West - Monster (feat. Rick Ross, Bon Iver, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj)
Whilst AOTL boasted quantity, this boasts quality. The lyrics and delivery are ludicrously intense from all performers, but it's Minaj's verse that stole the show and made her the hottest new prospect in American music right now.
#6: Stornoway - The Coldharbour Road
Just a beautiful song. The violin in this
#5: M.I.A. - XXXO
On the surface it's a shameless, crass popsong about being promiscuous - but it's actually a brilliantly cutting and clever critique on the expectations made of a modern female popstar. The lyrics have a sinister tinge as a result.
#4: Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light
Whilst the throwbacks to the 80s this year by many have been irritating and desperate, the Scissors have done it perfectly. It's intense, it's sexy and it's cold. The lyrics to this are brilliant, and Sir Ian McKellen's appearance...oh my vagina.
#3: Kate Nash - Do-Wah-Doo
The video is kitsch but the song itself is brilliant - very old school rock'n'roll with an empowered female vocal. You can't not sing/tap your foot along.
#2: Arcade Fire - Month of May
This got a lot of criticism from hardcore fans for being so rock - but I'm of the opposite stance. The rhythm is fantastic and it makes me conjure mental images of car chases and gunfights. Very Foo Fighters/Queens of the Stone Age.
#1: Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em
It was tricky picking between the top three but on being so different and unique to everything else I listen to, this wins. It's probably the biggest shot of adrenaline you can get through music - the cheerleader-style synths in contrast to the rapid-fire drum effects is intense.