Mercury Music Prize | Beret Bird Says...

1- Caribou- Odessa

The song I’ve had on repeat the most this year, and astonishingly good live. A sonic treat from beginning to end from a near perfect album.

2- Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé- Telephone

Maybe it’s the genius video. Maybe it’s the B-factor. Who knows, but this Gaga track for me is leagues above anything else she’s ever done. Any song with the line ‘I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor’ is more than alright by me.

3- Gorillaz featuring Mos Def & Bobby Womack- Stylo

From one of my favourite albums of 2010. Combining Albarn’s dulcet tones with Womack’s soulful crooning and Mos Def’s smooth rapping appeared to be a very good idea indeed.

4- The Chemical Brothers- Swoon

Fifteen years after their first release, The Chemical Brothers remain relevant as ever, and released one of their most stunning singles yet. Fantastic video too.

5- The Drums- Let’s Go Surfing

Summer in a song. Whistling? Check. Clapping Games? Check. Lo-fi Beach Boys twinged sound? Check. Definitely made me want to go surfing. Sorely disappointing live, but extremely cool on record.

6- Best Coast- Boyfriend

Like if The Shangri-Las were around in the 21st century. Charming, simple and catchy- everything you’d want from a perfect pop song.

7- Laura Marling- Devil’s Spoke

This year Laura Marling showed an emotional intensity and lyrical maturity way beyond her years. Best seen in this track, from a Mercury Music nominated album, which would have been a deserving winner of the title.

8- Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg- California Gurls

If The Drums and Best Coast’s lo-fi surf pop didn’t get you in the mood for summer fun, then Katy Perry’s glossy, tongue-in-cheek, dancey pop surely did.

9- Arcade Fire- We Used To Wait

This year saw Arcade Fire release another truly awesome album. Not only that, but a totally innovative music video experience for We Used To Wait. Check it out here.

9- M.I.A.- XXXO

From a daring album which sadly didn’t quite live up to its two predecessors, this single shone out with its glimmering, fresh, high-energy sounds fronted by those deadpan vocals.

10- The Neat- In Youth Is Pleasure

Bursting with energy, with clear punk influences and Mark E. Smith style vocals, this was one of the most exciting guitar tracks of the year.

11- Yeasayer- O.N.E.

Judging by this, Yeasayer spent some time with their ears deep in disco whilst recording their latest album, and it obviously paid off, as this is their best single to date.

12- Janelle Monaé featuring Big Boi- Tightrope

Janelle Monaé waltzed into 2010 every bit as cool as a pop star should be. Effortlessly smooth and undeniably catchy.

13- Two Door Cinema Club- Something Good Can Work

Okay, so a post Libertines jingly-jangly indie guitar band doing a song full of hope and optimism? On paper it sounds pretty awful I must admit, but in the case of Two Door Cinema Club it does work, and it sounds glorious.

14- Foals- Spanish Sahara

2010 saw Foals take on a new musical direction, and my subsequent warming to them. Spanish Sahara in particular shows off new depths and poignancy with beautiful layering of sounds.