2009 was a great year for new music. Many of the acts on this list debuted this year, or at least saw their first full length album in 2009. Genres accepted by the indie rock mafia continued to expand: discoelectronica, hip-hop inspired autotune, hazy guitars, ambient rock, 80's nostalgia, SanFran Lo-Fi, and new percussion all reigned supreme. Above all else was the rise of the remix. Obscure and popular, if your single wasn't remixed by at least 4 people, it sucked. While most of these remixes were synthy crap, a few were mindblowing and have been complied in my top 2009 remixes list due out a little later. At the end of the list there will be a .zip with all the songs in it.
This song is pretty much perfect all the way around. It has a dizzying intricacy when dissected but sums to simple beauty when taken as a whole. This track is what so many of the others on their albums strive for, but even if they only achieve a single like this one, they can die happy. Beyond the music lies some expert songsmiths, I put forth 'a routine malaise' as best written/sung phrase of 2009.
I'm not really sure how a french band could get the 80s American nostalgia feel so well but Phoenix hit a bullseye. The song sounds like the title track off the breakfast club or ferris bueler's day off. Who the hell cares what the song's near nonsensical lyrics mean, break out a pair of converses and dance on some tables in the library, yeah even you molly ringwald and you, goth girl.
#8 Lust for Life - Girls
#7 My Girls - Animal Collective
Lyrically this is truly the song of 2009. Avey Tare's lyrics encapsulated the feeling of recession and getting away from the rat race so well. Singing about his wife (former Mum singer) and two new baby daughters, 'I just want, four walls and adobe slats, for my girls'. Plug in Panda Bear's exceptionally sweet beats and success is imminent. More thoughtful and more powerful than the other ambient psych rock out there today. This is the kinda song that stick with you for a while.
#6 
Stillness in the Move - Dirty Projectors
So this album isn't actually out yet, but with a video, an EP, and enough press to last till 2012 I'm counting this as a 2009 single. The song takes it name from some heavyweight fighter who was used as propaganda for the nazis but eventually fled germany to the u.s. and admitted he was a secret jew. Not sure the lyrics have anything to do with with that though... This song is really just fantastic, listen to it at full blast to fully appreciate it. Somehow Yeasayer came to Toad's in New Haven and put on a great concert. Not sure why they came, but if you ever get a chance, see these guys live.
This whole album is pretty intoxicating. I got stuck on it early in 2009 and pretty much didn't listen to anything else for a month or two. Natasha Khans last album, 'Fur and Gold' had some awesome tracks on it but none of them compare to this. Supposedly this song is about the lead actor of the Karate Kid (named Daniel) who she had the hots for back in the day. She needs to stop dwelling in the past and realize she's one of indie musics top 3 hotties, and thats with or without the giant feathers wings and halos she sometimes wears to perform.
So I know this song is only two minutes long, and I know its really just an into track for an album. However, I find that this little piece of songwriting great. I actually love its brevity, just when everything finally comes together and the song hits its grove, it stops, leaving you longing for more. Just like the rest of the album the whole song is so well edited and worked over and over. Not an extraneous beat or bass note. Even the few ahhs we get out both singers serve to leave you wanting to hear what would have bloomed if they didn't cut down this song so early.
#2 Stranger than Kindness - Fever Ray (feat. Van Rivers and the Subliminal Kid
This track actually comes off the single release of Triangle Walks. Technically a B-side I feel its the standout track were it to be included on the Fever Ray album. It takes the creepiness common on the rest of the album and makes it downright sinister. I love the doubling up of her voice over a three octave lower distortion. Not really catchy, but a damn good song to walk down the street with purpose to.
#1 Little Secrets - Passion Pit
So here it is, I'm calling Passion Pit as best act (and best new act) of 2009.. From seeing these guys live and hearing their first album they have some staying power. Great music is supposed to be a bit catchy, do something new, and overall just be freaking fun. No matter if you've heard the song 1000 times or never before, you its impossible to not dance a little to this song. The real star of this song is the drummer (which itself is pretty awesome), those synthy sounds? the cowbell? the glockenspiel? the unrelenting drum-kit? All him, at once, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself.
There you are, the best tracks of 2009! Right click save as for the ones you don't have.
Or grab all 40 as a .zip here.
Check back soon for some other top 10 list in different catergories.