Despondence and Hope : Music of 2008
A cholera epidemic ignored by Robert Mugabe, rioting in the streets of Athens, an international economic crisis, the rise of Sarah Palin, record high gas prices, a collapsing banking industry in America, and the election of Barack Obama, 2008 was a year that saw the world as we knew it fall apart, leaving us with only option – hope for the future.
The music scene of 2008 was no less bleak, as hollow, banal music proliferated from some of the biggest names in Pop. There were of course some glimmers of hope, most of which came from the younger Indie scene. If there is any lesson to be learned about a year where despondence and hope somehow collided with one another it came from one of the year’s breakout stars : JUST DANCE.
A&E, Goldfrapp
The lyrics of A&E allude to a woman mad with grief, but Alison Goldfrapp’s frail, whisper thin voice in A&E betrays her — She is no Medea. No, the Goldfrapp of A&E has internalized her loss and loneliness doing more damage to herself than she could ever think to inflict on the one who left her.
Run (I‘m a Natural Disaster), Gnarls Barkley
With the ferocity in his voice, there is little doubt that Cee-lo believes himself to be capable of destruction and mayhem. The mania evident in Cee-lo’s performance is matched by the fever pace of the unrelenting beat, creating a perfect storm where all hell breaks loose on this terrifying and tantalizing track.
Everything Disturbia wished it could be
The Show, The Roots
Hip Hop at its best is rooted in an intensity and hunger in the artist’s performance – THIS is Hip Hop at its best.
Bust Your Windows, Jazmine Sullivan
In Greek mythology, the Furies were seen as spirits of punishment, executing curses upon the guilty. With a voice that defies her years, Jazmine Sullivan’s passionate performance of this tale of a woman scorned places her in the position of the furies — cursing the man who caused her such pain — but unlike the furies, her unapologetic act brings to her neither the justice nor happiness she once envisioned it would.
Black & Gold, Sam Sparro
Dance music has often been accused of being soulless, detached, lacking intelligence, and existing merely for a beat. Though the production of Black & Gold makes it a good dance song on its own, it is the lyrics — a questioning of the order of the Universe and the existence of God — paired with Sparro’s impassioned vocal explorations of those topics in an utterly danceable, atmospheric song that make Black & Gold a work of pure dance music genius.
I‘m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You, The Black Kids
Once in a while a band comes along wanting nothing more than to have fun, the Black Kids are one such band, and they came armed with a single that is pure energy.
What It Is, Sophia Fresh feat. Kanye West
Kanye West’s futuristic love dolls come to life to conquer the club, the bedroom, and galaxy.
Sasha Fierce can now commit suicide.
Spiraling, Keane
Shhh…No one tell Keane it’s no longer 1985.
Machine Gun, Portishead
With an assaulting beat that can only be described as a rapid-fire attack on an already broken spirit, and Beth Gibbons’ performance of lyrics so full of regret, Portishead crafted a song that manages to sound at once like the voice of outside judgement and the internal cries of a troubled heart.
Viva La Vida, Coldplay
A propulsive march through history full of grandeur, pomp, and egosim that eventually leads to a crash of epic proportions.
Be A Nigger Too, Nas
A powerful anthem about the cultural fetishism of peoples who have seen nothing but hardship and terror in their time in this country. When Nas goes through the litany of derogatory terms towards the disenfranchised communities of the nation, he does it not to belittle them or open up past wounds, but to unite them in their collective struggle against the racism and exotification they face on a daily basis.
I‘m On, Ciara
When she appeared on a remix to Janet Jackson’s Feedback, Ciara echoed Janet’s declaration of a swagger “so serious” that it leaves no one with questions as to their stature, but it wasn’t until 2008′s I‘m On that Ciara was able to make her solo declaration of that serious swag.
Dawn of the Dead, Does it Offend You, Yeah?
A fun, eighties throwback of a dance song about the angst and excitement of striking “your roots in unaccustomed earth”
Circus, Britney Spears
Whether it be a media spectacle, a freakshow, or a well orchestrated stage for crowd pleasing performances, Britney Spears’ entire public life has been one giant circus. On the title track of her comeback album, Britney takes hold of the mad world around her commanding respect and attention as she puts on the show of her lifetime.
Everything, Murs
A declaration of independence, a statement of purpose, a refusal to remain unheard, Murs delivers all of this and more with an intensely forceful performance that few others could muster.
Echo, Cyndi Lauper
Lauper refuses to let the pounding beat upstage her as she delivers what can only be seen as a drug induced, spaced out, morality tale for all those kids who break the dawn.
Mr. President, Janelle Monae
Monae’s EP may be best remembered as the score to a musical from a distant future, but it is this heartfelt sixties throwback jam imploring a misguided leader of an oligarchy “to be like Moses” that truly stands out as a timeless statement. Though the allusions to George W. Bush are undeniable, Monae’s willingness to tackle issues like food shortages, the importance of education, war without end, and economic responsibility in a pop song, make it just as likely that this open letter is addressed to Robert Mugabe, Hosni Mubarak, or any other leader throughout history.
Shine, Estelle
A song about a deep founded, long awaited personal triumph that has nothing to do with cars, clothes, or jewelry and everything to do with the realization of just how far you can come on your own.
History, Jay-Z
“Reminding folks for the umpteenth time why he ranks among the greats, Jay spews some incredible, metaphor-laced verses on this ‘I Used To Love H.E.R.’-reminiscent instant classic, tagging ‘victory’ as the special lady he’s spent an entire lifetime in pursuit of.”
-Mixtape Maestro
Curtains, Janet Jackson
Though the metaphor may lack originality, Curtains, is exactly what Janet’s career has been in desperate need of for the last seven years : a slinky, sexy, sped up slow-jam that is more about the playful metaphors than downright raunch.
Be Mine, Robyn
Try as she might, the feisty pop star can’t hide her vulnerability, not even behind a beat ready made for the dance floors.
Rich Girls, Shwayze
“…I need a rich girl, that’s all I ever need,” me too.
Let it Rock, Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne
An absolute take no prisoners sonic assault. Rudolf and Wayne refuse to go unnoticed as musical messiahs out to deliver us from evil through a bombastic baptismal driven by an epic beat.
Day ‘N‘ Nite (Crookers Remix), Kid Cudi
Though Cudi may be rhyming about a lethargic, distraught stoner, his delivery is full of character and a wry humor that emerge as the track’s true star.
Right Here (Departed), Brandy
“a cosmic, ride-or-die declaration of epic scope”
-The Guardian
Mr. Carter, Lil Wayne & Jay-Z
EPIC.
O… Saya, A.R. Rahman & M.I.A.
Two great artists come together to create a hustler’s anthem.
Just Dance, Lady Gaga
A club kid anthem welcoming all to the nightlife, where so long as you don’t stop moving you won’t notice the world around you spinning out of control, so JUST DANCE.
Honorable Mention:
Time to Pretend, MGMT • Magic, Robin Thicke • Going On, Gnarls Barkley • Girls Around the World, Lloyd ft. Lil Wayne • Digital Girl, Jamie Foxx • Cookie Jar, Gym Class Heroes • Lights Out, Santogold • Bonafide Lovin‘ (LA Riots Remix), Chromeo • Take Care of Business (Pilooski Remix), Nina Simone • Trading Paces, Usher • Is It You, Cassie