NUMBER 6: “ODESSA” - CARIBOU - FROM THE SWIM LP ON MERGE RECORDS

In 2010, the term “dance music” has become nearly synonymous with “electronic music” and, really, that’s a shame. Don’t get me wrong; I love LCD Soundsystem, Robyn, and the whole dubstep movement. This list has been proof of that. But with so many bleeps and bloops, analogue synths and processed vocals, it’s refreshing to hear a dance track that sounds as organic as “Odessa”. When he headed into the studio to record the Swim album, Dan Snaith said that he wanted to “make dance music that sounds like it’s made out of water.” It’s an odd description for sure, but listening to the way that the many melodies of “Odessa” seem to run across the track, I want to say that he accomplished his goal. The song’s sounds almost seemed poured across its rhythms. They don’t just play atop the track; they cascade.

 The ironic part, of course, is that despite its natural feel, “Odessa” still relies on a good amount of electronics. There’s a handful of well used but familiar samples that, if you’ve listened to even a modest amount of house and hip hop music, you can spot after a couple of listens. Yet, “Odessa” never sounds trite or predictable. Credit Dan Snaith’s talent for reinvention and his respect for dance music. Usually when an established artist attempts a genre exercise, they lock into the genre, ape their inspiration and get lost underneath it. This song, and the rest of Swim, still sounds like Caribou.

BONUS: Good dance records get remixed in their entirety. Swim Remixes came out late in 2010 and it worth checking out. Another highlight from the Swim LP, “Leave House” was remixed by Motor City Drum Ensemble. Check it out here.

2010 Top 10:

6) “Odessa” - Caribou

7) “Blame Game” - Kanye West ft. John Legend

8) “Tightrope” - Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi

9) “Desire Lines” - Deerhunter

10) “Your Sweet Boom” - Jamie Lidell