Pitchfork's The Best Music of the 2010s

version

Well-known member
How much music was released in the 2010s? Once streaming made discovering and sharing new music effortless, it felt like an infinite amount. From every corner of the world, from obscure experimentalists to the biggest names in pop culture, music was more accessible and more varied than ever this decade. In this series of lists and features, Pitchfork takes a deep dive into the artists, genres, and movements that shaped the past ten years. We think it represents the best of what this landmark decade had to offer, and gives insight into where we may be going in the next one.
 
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version

Well-known member
The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s - https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/

1. - 100.

Kendrick Lamar: “Alright” (2015)

Grimes: “Oblivion” (2012)

Robyn: “Dancing on My Own” (2010)

Beyoncé: “Formation” (2016)

Frank Ocean: “Thinkin Bout You” (2012)

Azealia Banks: “212” (2011)

Mitski: “Your Best American Girl” (2016)

Solange: “Cranes in the Sky” (2016)

Lana Del Rey: “Video Games” (2011)

Lil Uzi Vert: “XO TOUR Llif3” (2017)

Bill Callahan: “Riding for the Feeling” (2011)

Sky Ferreira: “Everything Is Embarrassing” (2012)

Chief Keef: “I Don’t Like” [ft. Lil Reese] (2012)

Angel Olsen: “Shut Up Kiss Me” (2016)

Rihanna: “Work” [ft. Drake] (2016)

The 1975: “Love It If We Made It” (2018)

Jamie xx: “Gosh” (2015)

Kanye West: “Runaway” [ft. Pusha T] (2010)

Vampire Weekend: “Hannah Hunt” (2013)

M83: “Midnight City” (2011)

Drake: “Hold On, We’re Going Home” [ft. Majid Jordan] (2013)

ANOHNI: “Drone Bomb Me” (2016)

Rosalía: “Malamente (Cap.1: Augurio)” (2018)

Todd Terje: “Inspector Norse” (2012)

FKA twigs: “Cellophane” (2019)

Bon Iver: “Holocene” (2011)

M.I.A.: “Bad Girls” (2010)

Beyoncé: “Countdown” (2011)

Joanna Newsom: “Good Intentions Paving Co.” (2010)

Cardi B: “Bodak Yellow” (2017)

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti: “Round and Round” (2010)

Fiona Apple: “Every Single Night” (2012)

LCD Soundsystem: “Dance Yrself Clean” (2010)

Future Islands: “Seasons (Waiting on You)” (2014)

Rae Sremmurd: “Black Beatles” [ft. Gucci Mane] (2016)

Carly Rae Jepsen: “Run Away With Me” (2015)

Jai Paul: “BTSTU (edit)” (2011)

Kanye West: “Monster” [ft. Justin Vernon, Rick Ross, JAY-Z, and Nicki Minaj] (2010)

SOPHIE: “Bipp” (2013)

Frank Ocean: “Nights” (2016)

Courtney Barnett: “Avant Gardener” (2013)

SZA: “The Weekend” (2017)

Lorde: “The Louvre” (2017)

Big Thief: “Mary” (2017)

Robyn: “Call Your Girlfriend” (2010)

The Knife: “Full of Fire” (2013)

Tame Impala: “Let It Happen” (2015)

Ariana Grande: “thank u, next” (2018)

Gyptian: “Hold Yuh” (2010)

Arcade Fire: “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” (2010)

Kendrick Lamar: “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” (2012)

Camp Cope: “The Opener” (2017)

Solange: “Losing You” (2012)

Disclosure: “Latch” [ft. Sam Smith] (2012)

Bat for Lashes: “Laura” (2012)

Vince Staples: “Norf Norf” (2015)

Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (2012)

Miguel: “Adorn” (2012)

David Bowie: “Blackstar” (2015)

Future: “March Madness” (2015)

EMA: “California” (2011)

Rihanna: “We Found Love” [ft. Calvin Harris] (2011)

Bobby Shmurda: “Hot Nigga” (2014)

Phoebe Bridgers: “Motion Sickness” (2017)

Drake: “Worst Behavior” (2013)

King Krule: “Out Getting Ribs” (2010)

Kacey Musgraves: “Slow Burn” (2018)

FKA twigs: “Two Weeks” (2014)

Caribou: “Can’t Do Without You” (2014)

Beach House: “Zebra” (2010)

Adele: “Someone Like You” (2011)

Tyler, the Creator: “Yonkers” (2011)

Perfume Genius: “Queen” (2014)

Jack Ü: “Where Are Ü Now” [ft. Justin Bieber] (2015)

DJ Koze: “Pick Up” (2018)

The National: “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (2010)

Kanye West: “Ultralight Beam” (2016)

Jeremih: “Oui” (2015)

Lana Del Rey: “The greatest” (2019)

Blood Orange: “You’re Not Good Enough” (2013)

Cass McCombs: “County Line” (2011)

Dej Loaf: “Try Me” (2014)

Deerhunter: “Desire Lines” (2010)

Kelela: “Bank Head” (2013)

Charli XCX: “Track 10” (2017)

Destroyer: “Chinatown” (2011)

Rich Gang: “Lifestyle” (2014)

Japandroids: “Younger Us” (2010)

Frank Ocean: “Pyramids” (2012)

Blawan: “Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?” (2012)

Haim: “The Wire” (2013)

Meek Mill: “Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)” (2012)

Radiohead: “True Love Waits” (2016)

Hurray for the Riff Raff: “Pa’lante” (2017)

Rihanna: “Bitch Better Have My Money” (2015)

Thundercat: “Them Changes” (2015)

Snail Mail: “Pristine” (2018)

D’Angelo / The Vanguard: “Really Love” (2014)

Mac DeMarco: “Ode to Viceroy” (2012)

Jamie xx: “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” [ft. Young Thug and Popcaan] (2015)
 

version

Well-known member
101. - 200.

TNGHT: “Higher Ground” (2012)

Katy Perry: “Teenage Dream” (2010)

Erykah Badu: “Hello” [ft. André 3000] (2015)

Amen Dunes: “Miki Dora” (2018)

Kendrick Lamar: “DNA.” (2017)

Christine and the Queens: “Tilted” (2015)

Fetty Wap: “Trap Queen” (2014)

Girlpool: “Before the World Was Big” (2015)

Drake: “Nice for What” (2018)

Chairlift: “I Belong in Your Arms” (2012)

A$AP Ferg: “Shabba” [ft. A$AP Rocky] (2013)

Paramore: “Ain’t It Fun” (2013)

Jenny Hval: “Conceptual Romance” (2016)

Daft Punk: “Get Lucky” [ft. Pharrell] (2013)

The Weeknd: “The Morning” (2011)

Burial: “Kindred” (2012)

Usher: “Climax” (2012)

Travis Scott: “Sicko Mode” [ft. Drake] (2018)

Fleet Foxes: “Helplessness Blues” (2011)

Justin Bieber: “Sorry” (2015)

DJ Rashad: “Feelin” [ft. Spinn and Taso] (2013)

Playboi Carti: “Magnolia” (2017)

Clairo: “Bags” (2019)

Nicki Minaj: “Super Bass” (2010)

Lykke Li: “I Follow Rivers” (2011)

Ciara: “Ride” [ft. Ludacris] (2010)

James Blake: “CMYK” (2010)

Young Thug: “Danny Glover” (2013)

Lorde: “Royals” (2013)

A$AP Rocky: “Peso” (2011)

Chromatics: “Kill for Love” (2012)

Kurt Vile: “Baby’s Arms” (2011)

Future: “Mask Off” (2017)

Kamasi Washington: “Truth” (2017)

Robyn: “Honey” (2018)

CupcakKe: “Duck Duck Goose” (2018)

Yaeji: “Drink I’m Sippin On” (2017)

Drake: “Hotline Bling” (2015)

Iceage: “The Lord’s Favorite” (2014)

Rae Sremmurd: “No Type” (2014)

Gil Scott-Heron: “New York Is Killing Me” (2010)

Rihanna: “Needed Me” (2016)

Rick Ross: “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” [ft. Styles P] (2010)

Spoon: “Inside Out” (2014)

Charli XCX: “Gone” [ft. Christine and the Queens] (2019)

Gunna: “Sold Out Dates” [ft. Lil Baby] (2018)

Ella Mai: “Boo’d Up” (2018)

GoldLink: “Crew” [ft. Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy] (2017)

Björk: “Stonemilker” (2015)

Nicki Minaj: “Beez in the Trap” [ft. 2 Chainz] (2012)

Gang Gang Dance: “Glass Jar” (2011)

Miley Cyrus: “Wrecking Ball” (2013)

Danny Brown: “30” (2011)

Japanese Breakfast: “Everybody Wants to Love You” (2016)

Kanye West: “Blood on the Leaves” (2013)

Girl Unit: “Wut” (2010)

Beyoncé: “1+1” (2011)

Waka Flocka Flame: “Hard in da Paint” (2010)

Katy B: “Katy on a Mission” (2010)

Odd Future: “Oldie” (2012)

Vybz Kartel: “Clarks” [ft. Popcaan and Gaza Slim] (2010)

Chance the Rapper: “No Problem” [ft. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne] (2016)

Davido: “Fall” (2017)

Andrés: “New for U” (2012)

Jessica Pratt: “Back, Baby” (2014)

Bad Bunny: “Caro” (2018)

Tinashe: “2 On” [ft. Schoolboy Q] (2014)

King Krule: “Dum Surfer” (2017)

St. Vincent: “New York” (2017)

Lil Peep: “Kiss” (2016)

Adele: “Rolling in the Deep” (2011)

Sleep: “Marijuanaut’s Theme” (2018)

DJ Khaled: “I’m on One” [ft. Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne] (2011)

Florence and the Machine: “Shake It Out” (2011)

Nicki Minaj: “Come on a Cone” (2012)

Sampha: “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano” (2017)

A Tribe Called Quest: “The Space Program” (2016)

The 1975: “The Sound” (2016)

Rich Kidz: “My Life” [ft. Waka Flocka Flame] (2012)

Sons of Kemet: “My Queen Is Harriet Tubman” (2018)

Migos: “Bad and Boujee” [ft. Lil Uzi Vert] (2016)

Beyoncé: “XO” (2013)

Young M.A: “OOOUUU” (2016)

Frank Ocean: “Chanel” (2017)

Sharon Van Etten: “Seventeen” (2019)

Skepta: “Shutdown” (2015)

Thom Yorke: “Dawn Chorus” (2019)

Future: “Incredible” (2017)

J Balvin / Willy William: “Mi Gente (Remix)” [ft. Beyoncé] (2017)

Ty Dolla $ign: “Paranoid” [ft. B.o.B] (2013)

Rico Nasty: “Smack a Bitch” (2018)

Tame Impala: “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” (2012)

Nilüfer Yanya: “Baby Luv” (2017)

Lil B: “Wonton Soup” (2010)

Cloud Nothings: “I’m Not Part of Me” (2014)

John Maus: “Believer” (2011)

Icona Pop: “I Love It” [ft. Charli XCX] (2012)

dvsn: “The Line” (2016)

Stormzy: “Big for Your Boots” (2017)

Avicii: “Levels” (2011)
 

mvuent

Void Dweller
I actually agree with ILM on this


major publications will inevitably have to reflect some kind of "consensus", compromise, smoothing off rough edges. but the 2010s was a decade without consensus. we don't need another canon right now. better to take this opportunity to reflect and listen to some of the people who may have gotten overlooked the first time around, imo.

― sock fingering, baby (rushomancy), Sunday, 22 September 2019 13:00 (two weeks ago) link

we shouldn't give a shit what these wankers think. they've been the self-appointed keepers of the key for 20 years and they've done nothing with it except set up a us-centric canon of a particularly dull, zeitgeist-chasing hue. no alarms, no surprises, no point. we should let them subside into an irrelevant, embarrassing joke. no shade to anyone here who's written for them obv, you're good writers and your reviews deserve a better home

― imago, Monday, 7 October 2019 15:45 (one hour ago) link
 

version

Well-known member
Sounds about right. I enjoy the discussion lists provoke though, even if it's just everyone ripping it to pieces. A definitive statement like trying to name the 200 best tracks of the decade gives you something to bounce off.
 

version

Well-known member
I'm sure barty will be pleased to see a Kartel tune in there then suggest another 199 which should have made up the rest of the list.
 

mvuent

Void Dweller
I guess this would be my personal list. idk. feel free to ridicule:

1) autechre
2) sacred tapestry - shader
3) lee gamble - diversions 94-96
4) opn - eccojams
5) amun dragoon - unlimited dream company
6) テレビ体験 - Y. 2089
7) internet club - ▣世界から解放され▣
8) 骨架的 - Reflections
9) dj rashad - double cup

can't even think of a 10th one that I really care about. pretty wire magazine though I guess.
 

version

Well-known member
I doubt I could come up with a properly ranked list, just scattered tunes and releases as they come to me.
 

version

Well-known member
I'm surprised OPN didn't make the Pitchfork list. I'd probably have at least one of his in mine.
 

entertainment

Well-known member
I'm sure Bowie would have been happy to know that his mortal swan song made the list, right there below Taylor Swifts 'All Too Well'
 

catalog

Well-known member
I've been listening to rashads double cup a lot recently. Really fucking good. Pared to the essentials
 

Diggedy Derek

Stray Dog
A significant issue these days is everyone reads different things, often relating to their 'own' areas. So there is even less chance for consensus to form.

I kind of think decades are bullshit as a cultural construct, but it's undeniable that the 2010s saw most 'normal' people go from owning music in some form to streaming it. A huge cultural shift.
 

Corpsey

bandz ahoy
I can't believe people rate that Kendrick song so much.

It's LITERALLY 'alright'.

Anyway, no need to get pissed off by some clickbait is there? Bored is the best you can hope for.
 

luka

Well-known member
Don't need to know what's on it to know every song that was good that's on it is now terrible by contamination
 

Corpsey

bandz ahoy
Some great ones on there

Danny Glover
The Wire (not the best HAIM song imo but still)
Run Away With Me
Where R U Now
Bankhead
 
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