Each December, Pitchfork Magazine, Rollingstone, Pastemagazine, and several other publications post their favorite tracks of the year.

Lists are fun for readers, and they’re a great way for music lovers to find new music in an organized and exciting way.  

I’ve listened to a good amount of music this year and decided to make a list myself. Having dedicated the little spare time I have to discovering new artists, I consider myself relatively credible on the topic. 

So this past year, I’ve heard some very good stuff, and some not so good. Albums recommended by buddies, stuff I stumble upon on Spotify, songs at the Wake Forest radio station I work for, various blog playlists, covers, remixes, you name it.  

And through all that, it’s interesting for a music nerd like me to condense it all, throw out all the garbage, and come up with a tight, eclectic list of what I think are the best songs of the year.  

If you’re the kind of guy to just ignore the writing and scroll through the list, be my guest and do so. But just one word of advice, if you’re a folk fan, give the rap and electronic songs a chance. Same for you rap or rock fans... Check out the softer stuff. It’s all good.  

It’s been a solid year for all kinds of music. So take a gander, and enjoy these awesome songs.  

** Playlist at bottom 

30. Bleachers – I Wanna Get Better –Fun. lead guitarist, Jack Antonoff, shows his creative range with this project. A well rounded album with interesting 80s pop/rock influences. This song works as the hit single and has a motivating lyric.   

29. Hozier – Take Me To Church – Starts with a punch. This song’s put Hozier on the list with Imagine Dragons and Alt-J of new radio-friendly alternative rock bands that matter.    

28. Milky Chance – Flashed Junk Mind – speaking of which, Milky Chance did the same with their very popular single, Stolen Dance. This song’s better though.   

27. Pharell Williams – Happy – An irresistible pop song with a beat that cheap DJ’s can add to the list of safe dance songs for barmitsvahs and weddings.   

26. Sun Kil Moon – Jim Wise – His talk-singing style may be off-putting at first, but it gives him great diction. This song is no exception with a narrative worth paying attention to. And unlike most of the other songs on this album, it’s an easy listen musically as well.   

25. Tycho – Awake – I like to call these types of artists “electronica study bands.” Explosions in the Sky, Summer Heart, Teen Daze, Helios. These artists’ soft, electronic instrumentals work great for focusing or relaxing, and Tycho does it best.    

24. Vacationer – Paradise Waiting – Perfect beach music. Check out their other stuff.. Vampire Weekend-esque vocals with a tropical feel. 

23. Taylor Swift – Blank Space – Her new sound seems to be working for her, and this song's the biggest highlight.  

22. Vance Joy – From Afar – Riptide brought Vance Joy to Itunes store stardom. Riptide’s a great song. Album’s not bad, this song’s my favorite, great melody and meaningful lyrics.   

21. Lana Del Rey – West Coast – The Kashmir-like groove alone is enough to put this song and album on any list. Very cool song.  

  20. Wiz Khalifa – Promises – Wiz is a talented dude. Solid pipes. Pulls off the rapper/singer thing like Akon did back when he still existed.   

19. Coldplay – Midnight – Justin Vernon written all over this. They’re not copying him though, just using his influence to their advantage.   

18. Foster the People – Best Friend – Doesn’t have the same “THIS IS CATCHY, REPLAY, REPLAY, REPLAY, SHOW FRIENDS” factor as Pumped up Kicks did way back when… but it may be a better song. For me, it’s the Helena Beat of Supermodel.   

17. St. Paul and the Broken Bones – I'm Torn Up – This band from Birmingham, Alabama is up there with the Alabama Shakes as one of the coolest soul bands out there. 

16. Clean Bandit – Dust Clears – This song’s beat is sick. Rather Be is clearly a better hit melodically. But the drop on this track is the best I’ve heard from these guys.   

15. Drake – 0 to 100 – I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a Drake fan, but he’s arguably one of the best in his game, and this song is no exception.   

14. Alt-J – Left Hand Free – I like the bluesy feel from a lot of popular alternative rock acts these days... Definitely the obvious hit on this album, and for me, the best song they’ve released.   

13. Streets of Laredo – Slow Train – Very new and not well known artist. The Band of Horses-esque echoey vocals works well for them. Great song, hook grabs you on first listen.    

12. Spoon- Inside Out – This album has been talked about nonstop since its release. This lead single is definitely an attention grabber with a great beat.    

11. Jenny Lewis – Late Bloomer – A folky narrative that I interpret as a lesbian coming to terms with her desires. Great Nashville like vocals. She’s been around a while, but this if the first I’d heard from her.   

10. Conor Oberst – You Are Your Mother’s Child – Oberst's new record is arguably superior musically to his most reknowned project, Bright Eyes. This song in particular would fit well on his 2005 Bright Eyes album, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning.   

9. Bleachers – Wild Heart – A powerful opening track to an engaging 80s synth pop/rock influenced record.   

8. Kendrick Lamar – i – Nice message and great use of layering.  

7. Jack White – High Ball Stepper – This instrumental piece is Jack White showing us why he’s the best guitarist in the world.  

6. Phantogram – Fall in Love – A catchy melody with a “drop” from an electronic/indie pop group that competes with any progressive house DJ.   

5. Tove Lo – Stay High (Habits Remix) Ft. Hippie Sabotage – captures the chill electronica feel found from Duke Dumont and Robin Schulz that seems to be taking over house music.

4. First Aid Kit – Master Pretender – The best song on my favorite album of the year. These Swedish chicks have pipes and know how to craft a melody and take Americana folk/country rock influences and turn it into something fresh.   

3. The War on Drugs – Eyes To The Wind – I’ve heard comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young. This album is a disciplined, “dad rock” experience, and this song sort of captures it all.   

2. Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You) – Best electro synthpop intro I’ve heard this year with a strong melody and lyrics. 

1. Misterwives – Reflections – Pop song of the year. Party song the year. This song incorporates the fresh inde pop sound heard by other big acts like Chrvches, HAIM and Tove Lo, with a chorus that could have been written by Michael Jackson. 

Honorable Mentions:

1.     Real Estate – Talking Backwards 

2.     St. Vincent – Digital Witness 

3.     Animal Hours- Roses 

4.     Young Thug – Stoner 

5.     Vance Joy – Riptide 

6.     First Aid Kit – Waitress Song 

7.     First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining 

8.     Taylor Swift – Shake It Off

9.     Milky Chance - Stolen Dance    

10.   Meghan Trainor - Title 

11.   The War on Drugs – Under the Pressure 

This wasn’t easy.. There’s a lot of stuff that was hard to leave out. I know I'll still get comments like, “What about Black Widow?!” Or, "Where’s the country!" Or the new Beck album or whatever. 

But anyway, this is my list so thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the music. I'll probably add some more bonuses to the playlist too.

Stay tuned for best party songs of 2014, best albums, and more. 

Playlist