Bon Iver

OK, I’m late hopping on this train. His last album was released in 2008 and I just got to know him (bah, kayak tetangga) in early 2009 from rave reviews in prettymuchamazing.com. His music needs some getting used to, especially for me who listens to fast-beat music. Worth checking out if you like soft acoustic guitar. My favorite song: Skinny Love.

More after the jump!

Lykke Li

Again, late-hopping and another awesome referral from prettymuchamazing.com. This Swedish girl has the most unique, almost childish voice. My favorite song: Time Flies

Lady GaGa

Say what you want about her (the hermaphrodite rumors, the wacky over the top costumes, the nose, and the Alexander Skarsgard snogglefest), the fact remains: she makes the most catchy music. So far I’m loving her every single, with LoveGame and the epic Bad Romance as stand-outs.

Melody Gardot

I’ve been waiting for fresh talent in jazz after Diana Krall, and she is the answer in 2009. Her voice is just sublime, and her music is like velvet to the ears. My favorite is still Baby I’m A Fool, but I’m loving every single one of her live performance in YouTube.

Joshua Radin

My #1 male singer of the year. His songs are easy listening without sounding cheesy. I’m a sucker for male singers singing romantic songs with pretty pretty lyrics. My favorite song: The Fear You Won’t Fall.

Cascada

My friend Smurfie said that my taste in music has been declining ever since I graduated college from listening to “tacky” dance music. Well, Cascada here is my #1 tacky favorite. It doesn’t help that their music is frequently used in various Body Combat and Body Pump releases. I don’t care if it’s tacky, I’m still gonna sing What Do You Want From Me out loud in my car when it plays and mouth its lyrics with every single jabs and upper cuts in track 8 of Body Combat 41.

Guilty Pleasure:
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - Pitbull

I BLAME SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. I hated this song with every ounce of my soul the first time I heard it. I almost barfed the first time I saw the video clip. I deleted this then-crappy song from my iTunes. Then SYTYCD featured an amazeballs Latin group routine using this song. It has since stuck in my head. Damn you karma.

AND…. (drumroll)

Best Song
Gravity - Sara Bareilles

I still have chills every time I hear it. Hands down, the best song I have ever heard in 2009.

10 Honorable Mentions* (cari sendiri yaaa di YouTube/iTunes)
Your Ex-Lover is Dead - Stars
Bulletproof - La Roux
A Case of You - Diana Krall, Live Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Starstrukk - 3oh3 feat. Katy Perry
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here - She & Him (PS: it’s that Summer singing)
Turning Me On - Keri Hilson
Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
You and I - Wilco
Ayo Technology - Milow
Your Ghost - Greg Laswell
Hey Ya - Obadiah Parker

*The songs I stumble upon in 2009, some may have been released in 2008 or earlier
**Pictures from the interwebs, I don’t own anything except my wit, guile, and exquisite taste