2010 was a great year for new music, especially for fans of electonica, indie, and hip-hop and anybody who gets excited when they hear the word "dubstep". That's right, dubstep. If you still think that dubstep is the name of that new band you have been hearing all over the place, do me a favor and inform yourself here. Some people saw it coming, but 2010 was the breakout year for the new genre that many refer to as Dubstep.  2010 also brought some fresh new sounds into the indie and hip-hop scenes as well. Find the list of my favorite tracks from these genres below, sit back, relax and let your ears, body, and soul reminisce to the great music that was created in 2010. For a list of Artists to Look Out For in 2011, see my article here: Artists to Look Out for in 2011

Alternative/Indie:

Matt & Kim - Cameras

 

Matt & Kim are an indie rock duo based in New York. They are pretty popular with the indie scene. In 2009, they got a lot of publicity and airtime with their single "Daylight", which has been used in commercials, TV shows, and video game soundtracks. 2010 brought the new killer track "Cameras" - the first single to from their 3rd full length album Sidewalks. This song has a simple and happy melody with a catchy beat. Listen to it above. 

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons - Paper Planes (Live at Shrine on April 18, 2010)

 

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons do a stellar cover of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes". I originally heard a live recording of this track on SIRIUS/XM's Jam On station. After hearing it twice on the radio, I had to download a copy for myself (above). I found one on Archive.org, and started listening to it daily during late spring/early summer of 2010. Most of you have heard the original version of this song, but Jerry Joseph makes it his own by slowing it down and changing up the beat. Joseph's voice is raw, powerful, and almost scratchy, giving the originally dark lyrics more substance than any other remake of this track that I have heard. This track was such a success for Jerry Joseph over this past year, that he even recorded a studio version with Wally Ingram that can be found on his late 2010 release Civility. Watch the video for the album version below.

Jerry Joseph & Wally Ingram - Paper Planes (Album Version)

Keller & The Keels - Teen Angst

 

One of Keller Williams' sideprojects, Keller & The Keels, released their second album Thief in 2010, a follow up album to their debut Grass, which was released in 2006. Keller & The Keels consists of Keller Williams and husband and wife duo Larry and Jenny Keel. Whereas Grass features covers as well as original tracks, Thief consists entirely of cover songs - done with a unique bluegrass twist. My favorite song on their new album is a cover of Cracker's 1992 single "Teen Angst".

Surjan Stevens - Vesuvius

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MxhkiOoNEj4" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

I don't have too much to say about this song, except that I like it.  It is slow, kind of dark, and it is powerful. Give it a listen above. 

DJ Fresh - Gold Dust (Flux Pavilion Remix)

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="960" height="750" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HYVO_AuNaDA?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

This track was definitely one of my favorite filthy, dirty dubstep remixes of 2010. Flux Pavilion comes hard with this track. Check it out.

Check back for more of my favorite tracks of last year including my favorite Dubstep tracks!!