70. Little Dragon : “Klapp Klapp” [Seven Four Records/Republic]
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69. Evian Chirst : “Waterfall” [Tri Angle Records]
UK producer and Kanye collaborator keeps things nice and eerie on this cold slab of spooked out, rain-damaged, deconstructed avant-electronics. It sounds shredded, fraught, wrecked and ruined. Think Merzbow reworking a jungle tune, or one of the Night Slugs family taking Wolf Eyes to town. -JB
68. Vic Mensa : “Down On My Luck” [Virgin/EMI]
“Down On My Luck” represents as big a crossover of genres in 2014 as Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal’s “Dance Wiv Me” did in 2008. Also, they’re both set in clubs and prominently feature an MCs grinning from ear to ear in their music videos. But that’s probably none of our business. -ZR
67. GD x Taeyang : “Good Boy” [YG Entertainment]
66. Azealia Banks : “Chasing Time” [Prospect Park]
Wasted time and opportunities are the themes that have dominated the conversation around Azealia Banks’ long-delayed debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste. How appropriate, then, that she eats and spits out these criticisms into this bubbly pop track. Half-sung and half-rapped, “Chasing Time” is Azealia at her best—smart, sassy, catchy, and really good at saying “fuck you.” -ML
65. Chet Faker : “Talk Is Cheap” [Future Classic]
The first single from Faker’s Built In Glass, “Talk Is Cheap,” perfectly encapsulates all the raw emotion that this creative mastermind is able to express, convincing any doubters that his album would be more than just hype. -ZR
64. Kylie Minogue : “I Was Gonna Cancel” (The Presets Remix) [Roc Nation/Parlophone]
For those who didn’t dig the Pharrell-produced original, this all-Aussie remix pulls through. Kylie and The Presets champion a just do it mentality through heavy basslines and dancing. Consider it done. -OS
63. Hercules & Love Affair featuring Gustaph : “Do You Feel The Same?” [Moshi Moshi]
62. Grimes featuring Blood Diamonds : “Go” [4AD]
Too dub for pop too pop for the dub heads, “Go” was maligned by some for giving this much-discussed artist a new sound. Still, Grimes’ etherealism is all the more potent when matched by a weighty bass, courtesy of repeat collaborator Blood Diamonds. -ZM
61. Huxley featuring S-Man: “Callin” [Aus]
UK Garage maverick Huxley phoned the old school in collaborating with Roger “S-Man” Sanchez on one of the standout tunes from his 2014 album. Although the tune holds the UK vibe everybody was jocking this year, it’s club-ready with no-frills, and finished with that quintessential Huxleyan touch of class. -JK
Words by THUMP Staff: Zel McCarthy, Jemayel Khawaja, Michelle Lhooq, David Garber, Ziad Ramley, Josh Baines, Olyvia Salyer, Dylan Coburn and Joel Fowler.
The 101 Most Vital Tracks of 2014 | No. 101 – 91 | No. 90 – 81 | No. 80 – 71 | No. 70 – 61 |
| No. 60 – 51 | No. 50 – 41 | No. 40 – 31 | No. 30 – 21 | No. 20 – 11 | No. 10 – 1 |
