By Matthew Murphy (Photographer)
Yes. I just used the word 'jams' in the title of this post. And yes, I mean it in the truest '90s sense of the word: something you want to pump up to get you going.
As a photographer I rely on music to set the mood at my shoot. I'm constantly on the prowl for new songs and musicians to spice up my life (and my playist); these are the top ten that got me going in 2012.
10. "Warrior"-Kimbra
Sure, she may be somebody that you used to know, but Kimbra deserves to be known as more than as the Gotye sidekick. This track, originally created for a Converse CD (yes the shoes) is 2012 synth pop at its most joyous.
9. "Sound Proof Room"- Elle Varner
She's young. She's gorgeous. And she can sing her face off. The whole album is great, but this one will get you going...and not just because it's about getting it on.
8. "Take A Walk"-Passion Pit
They seems like the endorsement kings this year, and for good reason. This is the kind of song that makes the perfect soundtrack to just about any city-street-strut, or photoshoot, for that matter.
7. "The Only Place"-The Best Coast
Sunny and delicious. You can practically feel the wind blowing through your hair as you listen.
6. "All of Me"-Tanlines
I fell in love with this '80s-infused song when I fell down the Spotify rabbit hole one day, but when I saw the video, in which the Brooklyn duo gets a seniors' mixer on its feet for a dance-off, I knew it was lasting love.
5. "Anything Could Happen"-Ellie Goulding
This Brit hit it big with her last album, LIGHTS, but it wasn't until her sophomore album's lead single "Anything Can Happen" came out that I really understood the allure: dance music with strong lyrical content. Think Imogen Heap gone Top-40.
4. "Keep Your Shoes"-Scissor Sisters
2012 was the year of the Kiki, and we have NYC's Scissor Sisters to thank for that. But it was this track from the same album that stuck with me. It's a sexy, drum machine-driven ode to a quickie, and it's perfect for any dance playlist.
3. "Want It Back"-Amanda Palmer
Without a doubt, this was the #1 head-turning song on my photoshoots this year. Every time Palmer's voice, which seems like a love child of David Bowie and P!nk came out of the speakers the session would stop and we'd end up listening and marveling.
2. "Next To Me-Emeli Sande
It's just too good. And it should have been a much bigger hit.
1. "I Love It"-Icona Pop
First there was ABBA. Then it was Ace of Base. And now Icona Pop....the latest Swedish group to put the rest of the world's dance pop groups to shame.
