RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best New Songs of 2010

Best Songs of 2010

1. “Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem featuring Rihanna [6-21-2010]. With ferocious lyrics about a volatile relationship by power pop duo with distinctive joined vocals, this very popular track soars.

2. “Felicia” – The Constellations [4-13-2010]. A good groovin’ rock track – nee a psychedelic soul-rock explosion -- from emerging band out of ATL.

3. “What’s My Name” – Rihanna featuring Drake [11-2-2010]. Two contemporary R&B legends team up for a cool and sultry pop track from Rihanna’s forthcoming album.

4. “Ali in the Jungle” – The Hours [10-5-10]. This dramatic and spare track lays down a heavy dose of London-bred-Brit rock with shout outs to the greats names in history especially to Muhammad Ali.

5. “Little Lovin’” – Lissie [8-17-2010]. A favorite track of Roll’s when it was released as an EP last fall, this re-run on her debut full-length album captures Lissie’s dusky, willowy folk-pop at its best.

6. “Rope An Summit” – Junip [9-14-2010]. Jose Gonzalez puts his solo efforts to work on his first full-length album where earnest & airy vocals mix with spacey atmospheric jams.

7. “Soak it Up” – Houses [10-19-10]. Dreamy electronic laced with ethereal vocals off debut album by couple living off the earth in Hawaii. Aloha, mon.

8. “Hot Tottie” – Usher feat. Jay-Z (8-24-2010). Sexy-ass R&B track by power hip-hop duo achieves new panty-dropping power.

9. “Blow Your Smoke” – Jim Jones featuring Rell. [10-12-2010]. Gritty hip-hop with a feel good, lighters-up- refrain.

10. “The High Road” – Broken Bells [1-15-10]. The lead single from forthcoming album by Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer is dreamy, alt-space pop.

11. “There Goes My Baby” – Usher [2-9-2010]. With irresistible melodies, this easy ballad gets you singing right along with the R&B guru from Hot-Lanta who’s moving it back here to his roots.

12. “Africa Must Wake Up” – Damian Marley + Nas, featuring K’naan [5-18-2010]. Easy grooves, primarily of Nas, Damian on the chorus and a great verse by K’naan in his native Somali. One world, baby!

13. “Crave You” – Flight Facilities featuring Giselle [3-26-2010]. Ambient-disco-house groove by Sidney-based Australian duo.

14. “Alors an dance” – Stromae (re-mix featuring Kanye West and Gilbere Forte] (9-2-2010]. A smokin’ hot dance track in European Clubs features Kanye remixing and rapping-up an already funky get-ur-booty-on-the-dancefloor track by Belgain singer-songwriter.

15. “Aston Martin Music” – Rick Ross featuring Drake and Chrisette Michelle [7-20-2010]. The Boss -- Rick Ross – Teams his gritty raps with a softer Drake and a melodious Chrisette Michele.

16. “Like a G6” – Far East Movement featuring The Cataracts (4-13-2010). With electronic dubs and sexy girl backbeats, this dance track will get you movin’ in the dancefloor.

17. “Hello, Good Morning” – Dirty Money (featuring T.I.) [3-30-2010]. Diddy’s newly formed band rocks big, irresistible, dance-club-beats and blends rhythms with boy-girl raps on this third single from Diddy’s forthcoming album.

18. “Sun of a Gun” - Oh Land [10-19-2010}. Euro-siren ballerina from Denmark offers pop-pixie, alt-indie track with glam-sensibility.

19. “Boy” – Ra Ra Riot [8-24-2010]. Spunky indie rock with strings and lilting tenor melodies off second album by band out of Syracuse, New York.

20. “Cooler Than Me” -- Mike Posner (featuring Big Sean) [1-26-2010]. R&B pop track with easy flow and dance sensibility.

21. “One Way Road” – John Butler Trio [4-6-2010]. Finally able to play this Feb-release by Cali born and Australia-bred, John Butler who has spanned the breadth of guitar styles over the years, and on this single release, he hits a toe-tappin’ jam.

22. “California Gurls” – Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg (5-7-2010). The lead track from Katy’s forthcoming sophomore album is a shameless pop track glorifying California girls and their sunny lifestyles with an unlikely cameo by Snoop.

23. “Electric Feel” – Katy Perry (un-released). Pop songstress covers this alternative track by MGMT with sufficient angst and spare back-up.

24. “Sex is Good” (acoustic) – Saving Abel [9-10-2010]. A clean and spare rendition of the riff-heavy rock original off of sophomore album.

25. “Paradise Circus” – Massive Attack [2-9-2010]. Typically mellow and ambient track from Brit pioneers of trip-hop.

26. “Use Somebody” – Pixie Lott [1-27-2010]. Young, emerging British siren covers already fantastic song by Kings of Leon in lovely acoustic ballad.

27. “All I Want is You” – Miguel featuring J. Cole [5-25-2010]. A smooth, sexy hip-hop and R&B track by Miguel Jontel off forthcoming self-titled debut album.

28. “I Can’t Get Enough” – Rooney [6-8-2010]. A breezy pop track off third self-titled album from boys from Cali.

29. “Fantasy Girl” – Baby Bash featuring Marty James [3-30-2010]. A sure-fire dance floor hit from latin hip-hopper out of Vallejo, Cali – more R&B candy – this time featuring loopy hip-hop-pop duet.

30. “Evil Woman” – Mike Posner [12-29-2009]. Admittedly a late find, but worth a spin as Number One because who’s not onboard from the get-go? This contemporary R&B / hip-hop remix of 70’s classic rock –n- roll ELO stalwart grooves along a plentiful mojo all its own.

31. “Answer to Yourself” – The Soft Pack [2-2-2010]. Old-school sounding Garage rock from San Diego group who originally called themselves The Muslims but switched gears for this self-titled debut album.

32. “I Don’t Care” – Raheem DeVaughn [3-2-2010]. With a smooth 80’s sound this new groovin’ R&B track will get you movin’, and go ahead and let the haters keep hatin’. Not our problem.

33. “Angels” Remix – Dirty Money featuring Lupe Fiasco [un-released]. Ambient synth hip-hop lays out an ultra-hip, lounge vibe, all while remixing Jay-Z and Dirty Money with a dash of Lupe.

34. “How I Got Over” – The Roots [6-21-10]. A poignant reminder of life on gritty, urban streets with cameos from Roots members who lay it down with smart & soulful hip-hop.

35. “Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects” – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings [11-16-2010] Old school beats with a retro sound gettin’ at the truth that Santa Claus can’t get down the chimneys when they don’t exist in the projects.

36. “Obsession” – Sky Ferreira [9-14-2010]. With Mike Rizzo re-mixing, this foxy Portuguese-American girl from California belts out a big dance-pop for her debut album to be released in 2011.

37. “Giving up the Gun” – Vampire Weekend (9-7-2010). An alt-indie track that sounds like the rest of Vampire Weekend with a Paul Simon-twist.

38. “Fuck You” – Cee Lo Green [8-25-2010]. An old school funky-groove loaded up with a shitload of f-bombs.

39. “Bang Bang Bang” – Mark Ronson featuring Q-Tip [9-24-2010]. London pop with hip hop cameo by contemporary ultra hipster.

40. “Stereo Love” – Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina [8-10-2010]. Eerie alt-indie euro-dance club track by musician, producer, performer and composer from Bucharest, Romania.

41. “Pop the Trunk” – Yelawolf [7-27-2010]. A crisp and edgy hip-hop track by emerging underground rapper from Gadsen, Alabama.

42. “Fire in Your New Shoes” – Kaskade featuring Dragonette [4-27-2010]. An electronica dance track by DJ, influential in the San Francisco house scene , who pairs up with Canadian songstress.

43. “Tumblin’ Down” – Jenna Andrews [6-9-2010]. Lead single from Island Records debut by emerging Canandian-born singer-song-writer.

44. “Loving You No More” – Dirty Money featuring Drake [9-21-2010]. The most recent mellow, auto-tuned track released by Bad Boy Records with a cameo by Drake.

45. “Lay It Down” – Lloyd [8-31-2010]. A smooth, easy pre-game R&B track by urban crooner out of ATL.

46. “Letting Go (Dutty Love)” – Sean Kingston feat. Nicki Minaj [8-13-2010]. With his smooth Jamaican inflection and with a cameo by Nicki, the islander lays down another pop R&B track.

47. “People Can Do the Most Amazing Things” - Kisses [11-16-2010]. Retro and groovy-glam indie pop with a twist of 80’s by a mod duo out of L.A on first full-length debut.

48. “Long Gone” – Nelly [11-9-2010]. The hip-hopper out of St. Louis teams up with Plies and Chris Brown and works his magic on another pop – if repetitive -- R&B hit.

49. “Drummer Boy” – Debi Nova [1-19-2010]. A pop debut single that’s climbing the international dance charts by chica linda from San Jose, Costa Rica.

50. “Mystery Zone” – Spoon [1-19-10}. While slightly monotonous in pitch, this track plays like a pop-hit-in-the-making from these indie rockers out of Austin, Texas.

51. “Clap Your Hands” – Sia [6-4-2010]. A pop number undercut with a dance vibe and drizzled with signature and now-seasoned vocals by beauty born in Australia, who moved to the U.K. to achieve stardom.

52. “Healing Hands” – Citizen Cope [1-19-10]. It’s been a while for Citizen Cope – but here it is – a new, mellow alt-track by Clarence Greenwood – the man & the band – out of Memphis.

53. “Symphonies” -- Dan Black (2-16-2010). Combining symphonic backbeats with careful vocals from UK’s genre-mixing Wonky Pop movement.

54. “Hold Yuh” – Gyptian [3-9-2010]. Tight, roots-minded reggae by emerging artist from St. Andrew, Jamaica. Ya, mon.

55. “As We Enter” – Nas and Damien Jr. Gong Marley [2-23-2010]. A quick-moving, tit-for-tat hip-hop mixed with reggae duet with old school background beats.

56. “Outstanding” – Lil Wayne [unreleased]. An edgier, Dr. Dre-produced track moves Lil Wayne’s smut away from pop towards a real hip-hop that suits him.

57. “La La La” – Auburn feat. Iyaz [6-1-2010]. A pop track with haunting back beat and eletronica auto-tunes finesse.

58. “Heaven’s on Fire” – The Radio Dept. [3-23-1010]. A flowing indie pop track off recent EP released by rock band out of Sweden.

59. “Alright” – Pitbull featuring Machel Montano [6-8-2010]. The latest latino-club track from the Miami rapper who teams up here with Trinadad-born rapper that will get chy’all dancin’ out on the floor.

60. “Beautiful Monster” – Ne-Yo [6-8-2010]. Another smash pop R&B hit by songwriter, arranger and vocalist from Las Vegas via Arkansas.

61. “The Kids” – B.o.B. featuring Janelle Monae [4-27-10]. Mixing alt-rock with hip-hop and a lovely cameo, this emerging pop-rapper from ATL loads this cover track of MGMT onto his first full-length album release.

62. “Odessa” – Caribou [4-20-2010]. With a 4-20 release and a trippy album cover, this is the lead track from latest album by Canadian indie-electronic band.

63. “143” – Bobby Brackins featuring Ray J [5-18-2010]. Hip-hop op duet by veteran and (very-young-sounding) rapper born and raised in Oakland, Cali.

64. “Hot n Fun” – N.E.R.D. featuring Nelly Furtado [5-18-2010]. With dance floor beats, this steamy boy-girl duet is sure to get ur grind on.

65. “Set Me Free” – Lloyd featuring Mystikal (un-released). Urban ATL crooner, Lloyd, lays his harmonious vocals against old school boogie-woogie and pairs with a rougher cameo by Mystikal.

66. “The Gaudy Side of Town” – Gayngs [5-10-2010]. From newly formed, Minneapolis-based dance-pop collective creates R&B-infused electro-indie tracks, including this one, featuring Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

67. “Dear God 2.0” – The Roots [6-21-1010]. Phili Rap group covers unlikely indie track – call it Beard Rap by Monsters of Folk with edge– with original harmonies laced throughout.

68. “Animal” – Neon Trees (single) [1-26-10]. An energetic single release off Island/Def Jam label rocks alternative groove with catchy, pop background and strong vocals.

69. “Who Dat “ -- J. Cole [6-4-2010]. Second big single by edgy emerging rapper (a Jay-Z find --) from North Carolina.

70. “Shake Drop on Video” – The White Panda [un-released]. Pumping dance beats, a youthful hip-hop vibe loaded with cameo raps, all charge this new single by mash-up/remix duo out of Chicago and L.A.

71. “I Will Live on Islands” – Josh Rouse [3-9-2010]. Baroque Pop with a retro-feel written by singer-songwriter, native Nebraskan and world traveler when he lived in Spain ( -- half the album is performed in Spanish!).

72. “Rocket” – Goldfrapp [3-10-2010]. With a pulsing dance beat, by signature pop rocker/keyboardist/composer out of Bath, England.

73. “On Time” – Disco Biscuits featuring tuPhace [3-16-2010] A grooving track with a disco wind by eclectic U Penn jam band.

74. “Break Your Heart” -- Taio Cruz (featuring Ludacris) [2-23-2010]. This is the third smash single from emerging pop R&B singer out of London who wrote Rihanna’s smash hit “Umbrella.”

75. “Butta Kup” – Baby Bash (3-30-10) A sugary R&B pop track that covers everything sweet to describe l’object of desire.

76. “Just You and I” – Ricky Blaze [6-1-2010]. New pop reggae from emerging young artist out of Brooklyn.

77. Like It’s Her Birthday” -- Good Charlotte [10-29-2010]. Punk pop track off latest album by East Coast post-grungers.

78. “Without Lies” – Aeroplane featuring Sky Ferriera [11-15-2010]. Electronica act from Brussels, Belgium, releases spare and clean track with disco style off latest of series of EP’s.

79. “Love Lust” – King Charles [single, to be released]. Compelling, spare melody by East Londoner sticks on the mind long after this track, scheduled for debut album release later this year, ticks away.

80. “Take Over the World” – Kidz in the Hall [3-9-2010]. Pop hip-hop track by new-gen MC/DJ (-- friends from UPenn --) duo out of Chicago.

81. “Aint Leavin’ without You” – Jaheim [2-5-2010]. With an upbeat, 80’s Jeffrey Osborne-like sound, Jaheim lays out power R&B soul and boudoir jams.

82. “Where I’m Going” – Cut Copy (un-released). Australian indie electronic trio drop the summer’s joyful, hand-clapping rock tune. Come on! Lighters in the air, tripsters!

83. “Home” – Glasser [9-27-2010]. Soothing and feminine vocals over marimba percussions = arty musical gorgeousness from new-comer out of L.A.

84. “Telephone” – The Black Angels [9-14-2010]. And bright & pithy old school Texas-rocker off third album by Austin quintet.

85. “The Night Before the Funeral” – The Mary Onettes [5-5-2010]. A snappy, upbeat indie-track off latest 2-track EP by band out of Sweden.

86. “Strings” – Young the Giant [10-25-2010]. The lead track from self-titled debut album is wispy, easy indie rock with an ocean and beach landscape.

87. “Spy” – Beat Assailant [10-12-2010]. Dramatic and snazzy R&B by Miami-born rapper combines hip-hop with jazz and John Legend-esque vocals to achieve a 007 vibe.

88. “River” – Germany, Germany [10-27-2010]. Instrumental with textured, easy grooves off third album by Canadian electronica producer.

89. “Get Back Up” – T.I. feat. Chris Brown [11-2-2010]. A pop hip-hop shout-out from his prison cell, T.I. teams up with fellow bad-boy Chris Brown, and both are shamelessly looking for redemption.

90. “Say You’ll Haunt Me” – Stone Sour [7-13-2010]. A classic rock sound from band that moves a sound somewhere between Metallica and Alice in Chains.

91. “Dressed in Dresden” -- The Hundred in the Hands [9-21-2010]. This Brooklyn-based duo fuses synth pop with post-punk and dream pop to churn out a danceable track on their debut full-length album.

92. “Poison” – The All-American Rejects (3-2-2010). A pretty acoustic number with harmonized vocals in support of the new ALMOST ALICE soundtrack.

93. “Drown in the Now” – The Crystal Method featuring Matisyahu (1-19-2010). Off latest EP, a curious mix of reggae and eerie electronica re-mixes that’s emerging as a big hit on the dance floor charts.

94. “Trick” - E-40, Too Short [un-released] Dynamic duo – Too Short on the Harmonies and E-40 with his loopy Bay Area raps -- lay out a rougher hip-hop vibe.

95. “July Flame” – Laura Veirs [1-12-2010]. A Colorado native who now calls Portland, Oregon, home sounds a lot like a modern-day Suzanne Vega with her spare musical arrangements and lovely voice.

96. “The Cave” Mumford & Sons [2-16-2010]. UK neo-folk quartet lays out banjos and acoustic guitars for a down-home sounding rock track.

97. “Alice” – Avril Lavigne (3-2-2010). The Canadian pop sensation adds her two cents to the new Almost Alice soundtrack with some serious vocal pipes.

98. “You Look Better When I’m Drunk” – White Tie Affair [4-20-2010]. A shameless. 80’s influenced pop rock dance track from group out of Chicago that gets right to the point to say it all.

99. “Tighten Up” – The Black Keys [5-18-2010]. A good-groove alt-rock track by natives of Akron, Ohio.

100. “The Mistake” – AM Taxi [5-18-2010]. The lead single from debut album by emerging rock band out of Chicago.

101. “My First Kiss” – 3oh!3 featuring Kesha [5-4-2010]. A clap-along, jump-up-and down pop track that pairs two youthful pop sensations.

102. “Wide Eyes” -- Local Natives [2-16-2010]. A plucky debut album from an L.A. band, with ethereal and gentle harmonies influenced by Pacific Northwest sounds.

103. “Youth” – Beach Fossils [5-25-2010] The pithy lead track off their self-titled debut album features lots of easy strumming indie-guitars and distorted vocals.

104. “White Rabbit” – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (3-2-2010). As part of the new ALMOST ALICE soundtrack, this version of the 70’s hippy-druggie classic is down with less rock and features clear, bright vocals and a trippy close.

105. “Your Love” – Nicki Minaj [2-8-2010]. Emerging R&B duet mistress out of Queens uses the backbeat and refrain to Annie Lennox’s track “No More I Love You’s” in this easy pop rap track.

106. “Driving Me Crazy” – Sam Adams [3-4-10]. A feel-good, white-boy hip-hop pop track by beloved Boston boy that is appealing to the college crowd.

107. “I’m Beamin’” – Lupe Fiasco [2-2-2010]. “See me now – just look around -- I’m beamin’” is the upbeat, up-from-the-bootstraps reverb from this single from Chicago-based Muslim MC.

108. “Waka, Waka (This time for Africa)” – Shakira [6-20-2010]. An upbeat world dance sound that stands tall as the official 2010 track for The FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament .

109. Uffie – “Pop the Glock” [6-22-2010]. American-born, Paris-based MC mixes her Shirley-Temple voice with ghetto motifs in this distorted pop track off her debut album.

110. “Come with Me” – Ceo [6-29-10]. A breezy, Electro-pop track by debut solo effort of former member of Swedish duo The Tough Alliance.

111. “Deuces” – Chris Brown [6-28-2010]. Mellow and entreating pop track by R&B Bad Boy who’s trying to stage a comeback.

112. “You Be Killin’ “Em” – Fabolous [8-31-2010]. Another hip-hop track praising shawty by East Coast rappers.

113. “Dance Forever” – Allstar Weekend [6-21-2010]. Lead track off debut album by emerging emo-pop quartet out of San Diego

114. “Coquet Coquette” – Of Montreal [6-29-2010]. Pulsating slab of glam-indie rock from band out of Athens, GA, off newly-released EP.

115. “Big Wave’ – Jenny and Johnny [8-30-2010]. Country-indie-rock-sounding track with a splash of retro off debut album by a pair of LA lovebirds.

116. “Get Up” – Kimberly Davis [1-12-2010]. A breakout debut single that is climbing the dance charts by R&B groove queen.

117. “Between the Lines” – Stone Temple Pilots (4-6-10). A good, old-fashioned rock track from the early harbingers of grunge.

118. “Tightrope” – Janelle Monae featuring Big Boi [2-23-2010). An upbeat, sometimes abstract, original, old school-sounding R&B track with cameo from Outkast frontman Big Boi.

119. “Window Seat”- Erykah Badu [2-9-2010]. Latest single from signature-sounding R&B earth-goddess super-songstress from forthcoming album.

120. “Power” – Kanye West featuring Dwele [6-1-2010]. If you’re still willing to listen to him, here’s Kanye’s latest angry rant against a more rock-oriented background.

121. “White Flag Warrior” – Flobots [3-16-2010]. A hearty alternative track that juggles indie rock with indie hip-hop by innovative seven-piece band out of Denver.

122. “Memories” – David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi [2-17-2010]. With Guetta on the club beats and Kudi handling the (repetitive) lyrics, you’ve got a dance number to rock the house.

123. “Follow Me Down” – 30H!3 featuring Neon Hitch [3-2-2010]. The alt-pop duo from Boulder releases its latest hit to be included on forthcoming ALICE IN WONDERLAND soundtrack and whose sound mixes electronica with booming rock guitar & vocals.

124. “White Sky” – Vampire Weekend [1-11-10]. This easy-going track about kicking it in Manhattan, off the follow-up to their 2008 debut, sounds very much like a nod to Paul Simon’s Graceland, mixed with Vampire’s own preppy, indie-rock.

125. “Worry About You” – 2 AM Club [9-14-2010]. Soul-inflected pop off debut album by band out of L.A.

126. “Clap Your Hands” – The Ting Tings [un-released]. New Wave anthem with a hot button refrain – “Clap Your Hands if you’re working too hard” – from scrappy indie pop duo out of Manchester, UK.

127. “Nothing But Love” -- THE GRACIOUS FEW [9-14-2010]. Big phat rock sound with mighty guitar riffs comes from merging key members from two bands – LIVE and Candlebox.

128. “Soldier of Love” – Sade [1-12-10]. The melancholy soul singer, smoking-hot in the 80’s, with angular percussion and discordant back-up vocals.

129. “Lewis Takes off his Shirt” -- Owen Pallett [1-12-10]. A spunky, orchestral-electronica alternative sound that mixes various sounds and vocals.

130. “Stuttering” – FeFe Dobson (9-7-2010). Radio-ready bubble-gum pop by 18 year old songstress out of Toronto.

131. “Lost Where I Belong” -- Andreya Triana (9-7-2010). The smoky title track from this first full-length album by R&B soulstress out of the U.K. is innovative and ambient.

132. “Angel Echoes” – Four Tet [1-26-1010]. Experimental, down-tempo track undertaken as side-project by Brit Kieren Hebden.

133. “Armada Latina” – Cypress Hill featuring Marc Antony and Pitbull [3-2-2010). A remix of the cult 70’s CSNY hippy classic with a twist of hip-hop and a dash of south of the border fiesta.

134. “Stylo” – Gorillaz [1-26-2010]. The lead track from their forthcoming album scheduled to drop in March features a distinctly electronica vibe with equally distinctive vocals by the self-conceived “fist virtual hip-hop” band.

135. “Fall Hard’ – Shout Out Louds [2-23-10]. Airy, sleek guitar and vocals from proud indie-rock neo-cons out of Stockholm.

136. “Not in Love” – Crystal Castles (featuring Robert Smith) [12- 6-2011]. With a distinctly 80’s new Wave, Cure-like sound, this cover of the Platinum Blonde original features big synth background beats and a resonating refrain.

137. “Down by the Water” – The Decemberists [11-12-2010]. Gillian Welch and R.E.M. 12-string strummer Peter Buck team up for this tight folk rock track off forthcoming album.

138. “Cascade” -- DeLuka [10-12-2010]. UK rocker brings on the white girl rock-pop on her debut album.

139. “Costume Party” – Two Door Cinema Club [to be released]. Mixing electric polish with guitar driven hooks makes for a pop-driven number by emerging trio out of Northern Ireland.

140. “Move that Body” – Nelly featuring Akon and T-Pain [10-12-2010]. Slickly produced pop dance single by R&B Power Trio.

141. “White Knuckles” – OK Go [11-2-2010]. Alt-pop track with a heavy mid-song off-kilter guitar riff.

142. “Golden Haze” – Wild Nothing [10-12-2010]. Synth-washed indie pop by emerging artist Jack Tatum.