GRAPHIC BY ADAM KESNER
Selecting and ordering our top 50 songs is always a huge undertaking. While it makes sense to argue the merits of an album’s collective body of work, figuring out which subtle pieces of one song are better than another can lead to rolled eyes, frustration and the occasional existential crisis (not really). In the end, compromises are made, minds are finally changed and we’re able to present a list that represents the tastes of our group as a whole.
While you’ll notice a good number of songs are from our corresponding top albums, these days, it’s often the unique singles, bedroom demos and first attempts that make it to our ears and leave an impression. Music delivery has changed, and this list certainly reflects that. Regardless, though, whether it comes from a massive, well-produced release like Modern Vampires of the City, or a single that whispered its way around the internet, a good song is a good song, and we can’t wait for you to hear our favorites. — Lauren McKinney
CLICK THE SONG TITLES BELOW TO PLAY SONG
Spotify:
50-41
50. “Sea of Dreams” – Baby Alpaca
49. “Wanna Know” - Dan Croll
48. “Phenomenon” – Team Spirit
47. “Shut Up” – Savages
46. “Perennials” – Widowspeak
45. “Seen It All” – Jake Bugg
44. “Royals” – Lorde
43. “Human” – Daughter
42. “Breathless” – Small Black
41. “Not Supposed To” – Guards
40-31
40. “Sonsick” – San Fermin
39. “Change” – Kopecky Family Band
38. “What is Wrong With Your Eyes” - Sin Fang
36. “Ramona” – Night Beds
35. “Bugs Don’t Buzz” – Majical Cloudz
36. “The Beauty Surrounds” – Houses
35. “Ghost” – Sir Sly
34. “Recover” – CHVRCHES
33. “Retrograde” – James Blake
32. “Obvious Bicycle” – Vampire Weekend
31. “Rooftop” – Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
30-21
30. “Needle” – Born Ruffians
29. “James” – Ex Cops
28. “Ohio” – Patty Griffin feat. Robert Plant
27. “I Need My Girl” – The National
26. “Song for Zula” – Phosphorescent
25. “House on a Hill” – Wilsen
24. “Laurels” – R. Thomasin
23. “And Septimus…” – Andrew Wyatt
22. “If the People Stare” – Torches
21. “Never Run Away” – Kurt Vile
20-11
20. “Hannah Hunt” – Vampire Weekend
19. “Home” – Dog & Panther
18. “Honey” – Torres
17. “Open” – Rhye
16. “The Hunter” – ON AN ON
15. “Falling” – Haim
14. “Heavy Feet” – Local Natives
13. “Entertainment” – Phoenix
12. “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell
11. “U Da Best” – Wet
10-1
10. “Oh Sailer” – Mr. Little Jeans
9. “In The City” – Caveman
8. “The Boat of the Fragile Mind” – Belle Mare
7. “Burn” – Shout Out Louds
6. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” – The National
5. “Bath is Black” – Marika Hackman
4. “The Nothing Part II” – Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
3. “Columbia” – Local Natives
2. “Diane Young” – Vampire Weekend
1. “San Francisco” – Foxygen