Swedish songstress Lykke Li has released the second single from her sophomore album Wounded Rhymes. “I Follow Rivers” stays true to Lykke Li’s unique sound of lo-fi vocals and slow beats while still bringing something new to the table. Be sure to check out the remix by The Magician as well.

I’m back with my absolute favorite songs of this year!

I was not in America for half the year, so I’ll admit that I wasn’t on my A game with respects to the latest and greatest on the airwaves… feel free to argue with me (although praise would be nice, too).

Charts, reviews, and Pitchfork aside, this is what I was listening to on repeat in 2010…

25. Throwing Shade – Abe Vigoda
I like how chaotic this feels, it sort of had to grow on me to be honest. I threw it on a playlist and noticed that every time it cycled back to this song, it stood out in a great way. I don’t think it’s catchy, which is more than half the reason why I listen to it.

24. Get Some – Lykke Li (Beck Remix)
This little Swedish lark is adorable and equally fierce. Beck’s remix of ‘Get Some’ hits and bounces and hits again. At first I didn’t love ‘Get Some,’ released as the first sneak peak from her anticipated Wounded Rhymes (due in March, along with new Bright Eyes and the Strokes, what a beautiful month it will be), but the remix really brings out the best of it. And those provocative lyrics… Lykke Li, as if you didn’t have the male race wrapped around your finger tightly enough.

23. Don’t Leave My Mind – Azure Ray
Azure Ray is a pair soft-singing, glowing girls who’ve made appearances on a good handful of Bright Eyes albums. This song off of Drawing Down the Moon is slow-moving and romantic, but sad, too.

22. Stranded – The Walkmen
The Walkmen’s Bows + Arrows has been a top album in my life, and while I’m loyal to their sort of crashing-sounds-meets-ragtime, I really like the pace of this song. The horns compliment Hamilton Leithauser’s dipping and pulling vocals.

21. Used to Be – Beach House
It was hard to chose between this song and Norway, but ultimately, the subtle bounciness of ‘Used to Be’ tends to conduct the rhythmic patterns of my heart beat, and that’s pretty awesome. If there ever were to be a ghost that haunts my house, I’d let it stay if it howls about like the hyaline voice of Victoria Legrand.

20. Solitude is Bliss- Tame Impala
The beginning of this song reminds me of a car commercial, and that just ties into the band’s name so well – what’s not to love? It’s a nice and upbeat display of their psychedelic rock, something that moves enough to keep it from becoming stale.

19. We No Speak Americano – Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP
I first heard this song at Otto Zutz, a club in Barcelona that hosted Loco Lunes (‘Crazy Mondays’). It’s a night of dancing to either really old American Music or new-enough hits. I thought this was some random Italian swing music, which is true to an extent, but it actually blew up in every European club. It’s bass-catchy and fun, and it reminds me of being out at 6 a.m. in the streets of Barcelona.

18. The Other Side of Your Face – Twin Sister
The build-up in this song is near perfect. Then the voice comes in, a sort of nasally and intimate female vocal, and I’m instantly sold. Can you really go wrong with pretty harmonies and reverb-y noise? Well, yeah, of course you can, but this song nails it.

17. Bloodbuzz Ohio – The National
The sadness of these lyrics are put on a really triumphant backdrop, a paradoxical tactic I tend to fall for in songs. I love the deepness of Matt Berninger’s voice, always have and always will.

16. Art House Director – Broken Social Scene
Choosing from this album was difficult, runners-up include: Texico Bitches, All to All, Meet Me in the Basement, and Sentimental X’s. This song is genious from beginning to end – the wobbly beginning, the overall liveliness (I’m a sucker for brass, what can I say), and the signature BSS random-sounds exit.

15. Tighten Up – Black Keys
I plain and simply love the Black Keys. I love them even more when their edgy rock flirts with blues (also applicable when their rock makes love with blues, listen to ‘Stack Shot Billy’ from Rubber Factory). It’s a love-at-first-listen song, but again, it was hard to choose from this album. Listen to all of Brothers if you haven’t already.

14. Tell ‘Em – Sleigh Bells
So energetic! A few bangs, a lot of synth, and a strange echo of Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock version of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ (listen for it, you’ll hear it). Sleigh Bells produces such an impressive amount of sound for just two people. Fun facts: Derek Miller used to be the guitarist of Poison the Well and Alexis Krauss was on a Nickelodeon Magazine commercial as a kid.

13. Despicable Dogs – Small Black
“Do it without me, do it when I’m gone,” that’s what singer/innovator Josh Kolenick is droning in the chorus; even if you don’t quite remember the order of the words, with one listen to ‘Despicable Dogs,’ you’ll be singing this line over and over again… kind of like how moms improvise trigger words from the radio. It’s dull and static, with that submarine-ding guitar in the background… things I simply love.

12. Bang Bang Bang – Mark Ronson (feat. MNDR & Q-Tip)
MNDR has come to play with the big boys, and Amanda Warren has shown she can play tough.  This song is a single off of Mark Ronson’s third album Record Collection. The feature artists are the ones that really got me to press play, so it was surprising to hear this isn’t Mark Ronson’s typical work. Sometimes change is good, even great, and this is true for ‘Bang Bang Bang,’ a hard-hitting, gyrating-your-hips, in-your-face rock out of a song.

11. We Ah Wi – Javelin
This song would come on and I’d forget what it was. Then about 15-seconds later the little beat would march its way in, and I’d be so happy that ‘We Ah Wi’ found its way to my ears again. Maybe I was sucker to the surf rock sound that captivated the alt rock world this summer, but I think this song is sort of beautiful in its own electric wave way.

10. World News – Local Natives
Sometimes you all you need is a little folky song featuring do-do-dos and oh-oh-ohs to brighten your day. Of course it’s sentimental, of course it’s about a girl, and of cocurse it has gang vocals. What’s great is how tall it stands above all those other indie archetypes.

9. Binge – Gorillaz (feat. Little Dragon)
I have a sick obsession with sad love songs, and this one may take the cake. Little Dragon’s breathy Yukimi Nagano (Swedish-Japanese, even the most somber indie flicks couldn’t cast a girl so cool) has such a heavy effect against the desperate voice of 2D, which is impressive because his vocals are about as stiff as a brick. What’s more is the perfect fit of the song’s drowsy optimism, it somehow so easily supports all this weight.

8. Marathon – Tennis
Past the second verse I have not a clue as to what she’s saying, but this song is so charming and appropriately dated-sounding. Tennis is a married couple – Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley  (dear Lord, how adorable, right?), and I remember hearing something about them sailing the seas making music out of simplistic instruments and love. Melt my heart, soul, and entire being. Then kindly put me in a bucket so I can still listen to this song and believe in true love.

7. VCR – The xx (Matthew Dear Remix)
AS IF THIS SONG COULD GET ANY BETTER? IT DID! What a beautiful thing – a remix so masterful that it could be the original. It doesn’t rob the original of its slow intimacy, instead it dons it with a pair of lacy black underwear and calls it a night. Seductive meets tasteful, like Zooey Deschanel.

6. For Ash – Marnie Stern
I’ve never heard of Marnie Stern before, and oddly I never really looked into more of Marnie Stern after falling in love with ‘For Ash,’ maybe for fear I wouldn’t like the other songs as much. It’s like tribal Animal Collective, or picture the little choir chaps in Lord of the Flies collaborating on some island-chaos genre. I’m unsure of how to describe this song without literary references, maybe that means I shouldn’t blog about music anymore; let me know if you can do any better.

5. Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem
I hope people are smiling and nodding at this pick due to its undebatable delightfulness. Unless you’re thinking, “Yeah, but what about ‘Home’?” That’s 100% valid, it was hard to chose between the two. ‘Dance Yrself Clean’ is a group activity – you’re with some friends in the car listening to this song, all waiting for the wild breakdown part so you can go berserk, and then post-car ride, you all falsetto scream, “So go and dance yourself cleeeeaaan, aaaahhhhh” like some odd twitch.

4. Ambling Alp – Yeasayer
Yeasayer got my attention at Bonnaroo before I even knew who they were. It’s nothing short of  impressive when a band can keep you dancing and bopping around regardless of prior exposure. Their poppy-polyphonic ridiculousness glitters all over this song like a big blanket of Yeasayer wrapped around your senses. Makes you feel like you can do anything, how encouraging! Thanks, guys!

3. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) – Arcade Fire
When this songs hits me at the right moment, I feel like could cry. Sometimes I do. This album was perfection in its own right, and ‘Sprawl II’ wavers in all of its sounds and rhythms, but ultimately comes out solid and powerful. Regine Chassagne (another band with a married duo!) has a voice like an angel, but in this song it’s so uncompromising and graceful, it’s hard to justly compare it to anything.

2. Mouthful of Diamonds – Phantogram
Every single moment is my favorite part. It’s wonderfully intimate and sincere; Sarah Barthel’s voice softly rides the surface of the lush waves and undertows of this song. The layered blips and beats pull you around until you’re a mess, then you find some sanctuary in the purring calm that exists in it all. Get invested in this, it’s a beautiful thing.

1. Goldskull – Miniature Tigers
And an underdog wins again! First deemed my summer jam, it crept its way into all my subsequent playlists and mixed CDs for friends. I wanted to wake up to its sunshine every morning and fall asleep to its dreaminess every night, I wanted my friends to hear it so we could dance together. It’s poppy and catchy, flashy yet dynamic; everything I’ve ever wanted in a song (marry me?)!

Miniature Tigers has been around for some time now, but finally grabbed some eyes and ears when Neon Indian’s Alan Palomo (currently in Helsinki working away on a new LP) helped to produce this song. An all night session and out came this sparkling gem. Put it on loud, dance around, sing a little and shake away the December blues. This song is the remedy to all things bad!

That’s a wrap! Hope you revisited some old favorites or can make room for some last minute loves before the year ends. So what did I miss??

See you next year with another  25 songs!

I’m no expert here. I’m simply and honestly telling you the songs that I loved this past year – polls, charts, blogs, magazines aside. I avoided adding/removing songs just to reach some practical number, so there are only 24.

Here we go with the very subjective and biased Top 24 Songs of 2009!

24. ‘This God Damn House’ – The Low Anthem
Ok, so yes this is a 2007 song, but this version is from the August HearYa Live Sessions. I watched Ben Knox Miller perform this live at Bonnaroo, and it involved whistling and two cell phones for some funky reverb and overall amazement. Slow, endearing, and heartbreaking.

23. ‘Devout’ – Islands
To some, Islands’ third album Vapours was disappointing, but this song is a sure highlight. Yes there’s a bit more pop than usual, but that’s not such a bad thing after all.

22. ‘Boys Boys Boys’ – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga

I had a love hate relationship with this chick for a while, but we’ve finally come around, she and I.

After incessant demands to play this song from my roommate and best friend Kristen, it dawned on me that this song, in all its clichés and questionable claims about boys and girls, is absolutely fantastic. She’s turned out as many hits as Talyor Swift, if not more. But I can’t really stand Swift’s music, so I say, Lady Gaga for the win.

The Lady’s got talent, there is no denying it – drink a little, dance a lot, listen to this song.

21. ‘Wet Hair’ – Japandroids
Newly discovered by a playlist given to me by a good friend. It’s been a while since I’ve come across a good punk band since… I don’t know, Brand New’s Your Favorite Weapon (yeah, I went there). So, so simple but full enough for me. Plus you got those cutesy lyrics that work so well with gang vocals and angular guitars. “Let’s get to France so we can french kiss some French girls!”

20. ‘Daylight’ – Matt & Kim
I met this couple two years ago at ‘Cuse, and I saw why they have so much fun. Couldn’t have be more enthusiastic to play a show with a 20-person crowd. Doesn’t it sound like Matt is smiling when he sings? It’s because he is. Their sound has certainly matured since then their self-titled, and I love this track off of Grand.

Bonus: Be sure to check out the Troublemaker remix of ‘Daylight’ featuring De La Soul

19. ‘Lust for Life’ – Girls

Christopher Owens and JR White of Girls

Need a little light in your life? Give this song a play, and you feel like you’re in a soft glow photo with a Free People model in the summertime… in the 1920s. Did I mention Jay Gatsby’s there, too? Bottom line: this song is euphoric.

18. ‘My Girls’ – Animal Collective
They’ve finally broken into the realm of mainstream. Did all the acid-dropping hipsters die? No! It pleases the masses: AC’s trademark repetition, a handful of appeal, and free flowing transitions that make me want to do drugs. Just kidding. Fun fact: I once compared this song to Marxism in a philosophy paper and got an A.

17. ‘Stuntin’ Like My Daddy’ – Lil Wayne & Birdman ft. Okkervil River by Team Teamwork
Whew! That’s a mouthful. Team Teamwork’s Good-ass Remixes took the best of hip hop and combined them with the best of indie rock. The result? A whole lotta wonderful.

16. ‘Heartbreaker’ – John Legend feat. MSTRKRFT
Poppy, a little jazzy and a good beat. In other words, it’s catchy as all hell. John Legend’s voice is like butter.

15.  ’Goji Berries’ – Rubik
These Swedish rockers took my heart when I discovered this song. Talk about great transitions. From beginning to end, I think this song is masterful – demanding and noisy to cotton candy sweet then a little rag time followed by some intense horn work.

14. ‘Temazcal’ – Monsters of Folk
The beast breathes sweetly and sadly with this ballad. My favorite track of the highly anticipated debut album, and it’s nothing short of beautiful in a heavy sort of way.

13. ‘Gifted’ – N.A.S.A. feat. Kanye West, Santigold, and Lykke Li
The favorite track of beat bumpers in outer space. Fast paced and sparkling with the fluidity of boom-pow songbird Lykke Li.

12. ‘Hoochie Coo’ – Black Keys feat. Mos Def and Jim Jones

Blakroc's Mos Def

Can you say, power trio? I’ve been a long time fan of Black Keys, and this collaboration (along with the many collaborations on Blakroc) makes for a great song. Bluesy pulsing with the oh-so-cool vocals of Dan Auerbach and Jim Jones coupled with none other than Mos Def.

11. ‘Make Her Say’ – KiD CuDi feat. Kanye West, Common, and Lady Gaga
A little raciness is best justified with cleverness. This song is quiet and slow but gives us all a big boom. It’s a little amazing in that nature. The sample of Lady Gaga is taken from her acoustic version of ‘Poker Face,’ which is one fierce display of her musicianship.

10. ‘Knotty Pine’ – Dirty Projectors feat. David Bryne
Short, sweet, and upbeat. Angel Deradoorian’s voice is phenomenal. Not the best example of their usual amazing harmonizing skills, but still lovable.

9. ‘Best I Ever Had’ – Drake

Jimmy? Last time I knew you were in a wheelchair! It’s hard to drop your child star rep, but Drake has earned himself respect in the realm of music. Sometimes I get Degrassi flashbacks when I listen to him, but that’s going away. Fan favorite, also my favorite.

8. ‘So Insane’ – Discovery

Rostam Batmanglij (from Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (from Ra Ra Riot) make up Discovery

Who knew that the synthesis of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend would actually involve synths? Well, it’s love for me, and this song particularly is a sort of anthem for the spirited youth with big hearts. Uplifting and fun, not too fast but quick enough… like a college hookup.

7. ‘So Far Around the Bend’ – The National
Yes, another one from Dark Was The Night. Nostalgic meets a folky march to make for one hell of a song. I like how he seems to really have the girl pegged in this song. It’s personal, but thankfully not too delicate.

6. ‘Foreground’ – Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest took flight this year, and undoubtedly there were some gems on this baby like ‘Two Weeks’ and ‘While You Wait for the Others.’ But, this song is quite possibly one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in some time. It’s a subdued side of the Griz, but still has a low growl that separates it from the saps.

5. ‘Soft Shock (Them Jeans Acoustic Remix)’ – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I do really love the original, but there’s something about this remix that has me 100 percent hooked. The timpani, the bongos, the strings. They soften the song, which sort of make the shock bigger. It tugs at my heart a bit, but keeps me smiling.

4. ‘Little Secrets’ – Passion Pit
This was my ringtone for the whole summer and then some… even my mom was dancing when I got a call. Falsettos and synth riffs reminiscent of an old Sega game, who knew it would sound so good? Passion Pit did.  Good job, fellas, Boston’s proud!

3. ’1901′ – Phoenix

Phoenix

From one of my favorite albums of the year! Yeah it’s in a car ad now, but what can you do? Kings of Leon’s ‘Molly’s Chambers’ was featured in a car commercial about 4 years ago, and they didn’t die and go to mainstream hell… just purgatory (we’re praying for you, Aha Shake Heartbreak was phenomenal!). It’s well composed, brilliantly repetitive, and with just enough pop to keep it up. Fun fact: when Phoenix performed on SNL this year, they were the only band to play three sets besides U2.

2. ‘What Would I Want? Sky’ – Animal Collective
This was a late comer in the running, so I apologize for the double Animal Collective, but they are my favorite. I was somewhat disappointed with Merriweather in its entirety, so this song was a great surprise off of their Fall Be Kind EP. I’m no Dead head, but it’s noteworthy to mention that this track is the first ever to have a licensed sample from the Grateful Dead (‘Unbroken Chain’). It’s dreamy, swirly and floaty, what else would you expect from these crazies?

… Drum roll (thanks for sticking with me)…

1. ‘Dominoes’ – The Big Pink
A bit of an underdog, but I couldn’t stop playing it since I first heard it. I would sing it around my apartment without knowing more words than, “These girls fall like dooominoooooess.” What is it about this song? I can’t really point it out, even though I feel like I should have more justification, being my favorite song of the entire year and all. It’s sort of like my girl crush on Zooey Deschannel. She’s above average but not drop dead anything, yet I love her more than a straight girl should ever love a girl celebrity. There’s my analogy, because I don’t have real words for this song.

OK, So there you have it. I’m sure you will disagree (and hopefully agree a little, too). Happy New Year!

It beats me how it happened, but America has developed this ridiculous propensity for blood-sucking entertainment.

Without decent explanation, I can’t bring myself to see the Twilight movie nor do I want to read the books. But the soundtrack for New Moon (the next movie of the Twilight trilogy) has just been finalized, and the track list has really got my interest.

It features brand new singles from big names like Lykke Li and one-of-a kind duets from not only Bon Iver and St. Vincent but also  a [what I'm predicting to be genius] collaboration between Grizzly Bear and Beach House.

Take a peek, or a good look if you’re so inclined:

01 Death Cab for Cutie: “Meet Me on the Equinox”
02 Band of Skulls: “Friends”
03 Thom Yorke: “Hearing Damage”
04 Lykke Li: “Possibility”
05 The Killers: “A White Demon Love Song”
06 Anya Marina: “Satellite Heart”
07 Muse: “I Belong to You (New Moon Remix)”
08 Bon Iver and St. Vincent: “Rosyln”
09 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: “Done All Wrong”
10 Hurricane Bells: “Monsters”
11 Sea Wolf: “The Violet Hour”
12 OK Go: “Shooting the Moon”
13 Grizzly Bear: “Slow Life” [ft. Beach House's Victoria Legrand]
14 Editors: “No Sound But the Wind”
15 Alexandre Desplat: “New Moon (The Meadow)”

Look for its release on October 20th.

New Moon hits the theaters November 20th.

It may not need justification, but it’s become so obvious that I have to talk about it.

Artists love It’s Blitz!. They just want to get their hands around it, their fingers in it.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs have succeeded in making even the alternative unorthodox with this latest album release. And track by track, the remixes pour out. Ears first perked with Animal Collective’s take on ‘Zero,’ a dark horse remixer if that race ever existed. Intriguing, worth the listen, but nothing to write home about. Take a look for yourself:
Others who’ve had their way with the track? RAC, N.A.S.A and Erol Alkan.

Now ‘Heads Will Roll’ is getting the same royal treatment from the likes of big-beating Emre B, Hollywood hitter DAN OH, up and coming Canadian producer John Roman, Swedish Duo Legobeat Dark Cuts, Hail Social’s side project Weird Tapes, Cleveland’s own Digiraatii Dance Til You’re Dead and I’m sure others I’m unaware of. Of the bunch, three seem to go beyond the generic bass thump-thumps and outer space noises.
Five Stars:
For the club:
For the the runway (they love that glitch-y stuff):

And just when you thought a single CD couldn’t possibly become more bent and tweaked, even their own guitarist Nick Zinner has a remix of ‘Turn Into.’

Them Jeans leads the way for the next sitting duck – I’m sure his acoustic version of ‘Soft Shock’ will spark an influx of master mixers within the next few weeks! Quite a beautiful fusion of Cuban bongo percussion, those dance floor snares and Karen O’s sweet ooh ooh oohs.

Ridiculous? It’s Questionable. Fun? Undoubtedly.

Hey, maybe these fresh versions aren’t exactly what the doctor ordered. I’m not itching to get all of these tracks in my iTunes, but no DJ should feel himself de trop. It’s exciting, creative, and I’m sure Yeah Yeah Yeahs feel downright honored.

So get you’re dancing shoes on, a new Lykke Li is coming to town… Yeah Yeah Yeahs are getting down, dirtied, and mixed around!

Also, check out Boni’s bonus remix:

This week’s Mixtape Mondays installment is a continuation of last week’s. So Far Gone is Drake‘s latest mixtape, and many people agree that it’s his best work so far. Personally, I feel like it’s at least as good as Comeback Season if not better. There’s a whole lot more singing happening on this mixtape than on the previous one. The standout tracks on So Far Gone are “Little Bit (feat. Lykke Li)” and “Best I Ever Had.” The latter has been getting some serious radio play since the album dropped back in mid-February. On Drake’s MySpace, “Best I Ever Had” has over 21 million plays.

Listen to Little Bit (feat. Lykke Li):

Here’s the tracklist:

01 Lust For Life
02 Houstatlantavegas
03 Successful f. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne
04 Lets Call It Off f. Peter Bjorn & John
05 November 18th
06 Ignant Shit f. Lil Wayne
07 A Night Off f. Lloyd
08 Say Whats Real
09 Little Bit f. Lykke Li
10 Best I Ever Had
11 Unstoppable f. Santogold & Lil Wayne
12 Uptown f. Bun B & Lil Wayne
13 Sooner Than Later
14 Bria’s Interlude f. Omarion
15 The Calm
16 Outro
17 Brand New

DOWNLOAD: Drake – So Far Gone

I love this video. It’s indie darling Lykke Li performing her own version of Rick Ross’s 2006 hit “Hustlin.” This video was taken inside of LA’s Not to Be Reproduced. On guitar is Björn Yttling, member of the Swedish indie rock band entitled Peter Bjorn and John. Seeing Lykke Li curse like that is pretty weird and funny at the same time. The audience seems to totally dig it, nonetheless.

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End of the year lists are one thing that I always look forward to seeing each December, during that special period of time between the magic and nostalgia of Christmas and the drunken debauchery of New Year’s Eve. We here at Jetcomx wanted to put together a special list; not just a list of best artists or best songs. We wanted to highlight the best, most interesting, and creative music videos from the year 2008. After intense scrutiny and deliberation, the crew and I have finally thrown together our version of the 10 Best Music Videos of 2008. Enjoy!

10. M83 – “Kim & Jessie”

This playful and somewhat nostalgic music video of “Kim & Jessie,” directed by Eva Husson, reminds us of a happier time when there wasn’t a care in the world. It reminds us of a time when one could just roller skate all day in a ballerina outfit and custom Nike Dunk roller skates. It reminds us of our youth – in a flirtatiously lesbian sort of way.

9. Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma”

The boys from Columbia University have come up with a music video featuring rolling farmlands, kids playing cowboys and indians, and white suits. It is interesting to note that filmed this music video in one long shot. This was actually the 17th take that they did.

8. Santogold – “L.E.S. Artistes”

Although no actual blood or gore is shown in this music video of “L.E.S. Artistes,” the violence depicted in it is still somewhat disturbing. Santi White’s emotionless disposition is equally as disheartening. Neither of these things take away from the creativity that is shown in this music video, though. Santi White singing on a stallion, anyone? Green sausages used as entrails? Watermelons being smashed in Gallagher-esque fashion?

7. Weezer – “Pork and Beans”

Released on YouTube back in May, the music video for “Pork and Beans” quickly became one of the site’s most watched music videos. Returning to collect 15 more minutes of fame are many internet celebrities including the Numa Numa guy, Afro Ninja, the “Leave Britney Alone” guy, Tay Zonday, Chris Crocker, Miss Teen South Carolina, and Dramatic Prarie Dog. Pretty awesome, if you ask me.

6. Radiohead – “House of Cards”

This is one of the most unique music videos that we’ve ever seen. The boys of Radiohead decided to create a music video in which no cameras or lights were used. The process that they used is somewhat complex. I’ll let Google explain it:

…two technologies were used to capture 3D images: Geometric Informatics and Velodyne LIDAR. Geometric Informatics scanning systems produce structured light to capture 3D images at close proximity, while a Velodyne Lidar system that uses multiple lasers is used to capture large environments such as landscapes. In this video, 64 lasers rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute produced all the exterior scenes.

The outcome sort of looks like what happens when you stick your face into one of those metal pin novelty things from Spencers.

5. Lykke Li – “I’m Good, I’m Gone”

Lykke Li’s music video for “I’m Good, I’m Gone” is pretty straightforward. There is no CGI, there are no green screens, and there is no editing. It’s just a live performance of the song. But this is what makes it a totally kickass music video. That, and the fact that Lykke Li uses a freaking bullhorn.

4. The BPA (ft. David Byrne & Dizzee Rascal) – “Toe Jam”

The music video for “Toe Jam” is so damn off the wall that it’s not even funny. Wood paneling, 70′s shag carpeting, and naked people make up the entirety of this video. Don’t worry though, there is no actual nudity thanks to many strategically placed black bars.

3. MGMT – “Time to Pretend”

After watching MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” music video, all I have to say is that these guys take a ton of acid. This is the weirdest music video on the list, by far. It can’t even be adequately put into words. Just take a look.

2. Kraak n’ Smack – “Squeeze Me”

Who doesn’t love a good flip book? I remember trying to make my own as a kid, but it never turned out well. The guys of Kraak n’ Smack take the flip book concept to a whole new level by making it the focus of a music video. The music video basically follows a day in the life of one guy. This is an example of a simple concept made great by amazing execution.

1. Justice – “Stress”

…And so there was one. It was difficult selecting the number one music video of 2008, but after looking at every other music video, this was the logical choice. The music video for Justice’s “Stress” doesn’t feel like a music video at all. It defintely feels like a scene from say a pre-Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle film. The violence and brazenness of the French street gang in this video is truly terrifying. Justice’s music only heightens that feeling. At the end of the video, the gang turns violent on their own cameramen. They also use a molitov cocktail to destroy the sedan that they carjacked.