2011 - "Midnight City" - M83

It may be cheesy, but the explosive synth riff in the intro that's also the soaring chorus makes the dopamine overflow. How good is this Gouda? Well, the greatest 80s tune outside the decade very handily makes my desert island six pack o' tracks. 

Shout-out to M83's more subtle, dreamier "Kim & Jessie", a close second from 2008, a shimmering homage to 80s synth-pop and John Hughes' films, dressed up with an indie twist.

I have to give "Helena Beat" a little love here, it would have made it in almost any other year this century. 

Other favourites from 2011: 

"Helena Beat" -  Foster The People 

"Set Fire to the Rain" - Adele

"Called Out in the Dark" – Snow Patrol 

"All you Need is Now" – Duran Duran

2010 - "The Suburbs" - Arcade Fire

Montreal wasn't producing many good hockey teams since the turn of the century, but the city made up for it with music, with the likes of Sam Roberts and Arcade Fire.
  
Who would have thought romanticizing the ennui of the suburbs would sound so damn great? The tune is strummy and cheery, the lyrics and video nostalgic, showing a group of friends riding bicycles without helmets, partaking in hijinx and tomfoolery. A beautiful postcard of yesteryear and every 'burb from Dartmouth to Delta. 

Who hasn't tossed their bike to see how far it would go before crashing?

Other favourites from 2010: 

"Ready To Go" – Arcade Fire

"Stylo" – Gorillaz 

"Doubt" – Delphic 

"History" – Groove Armada 

"Paradise City" – Massive Attack 

2009 - "Love etc." - Pet Shop Boys

Just another big and bouncy mid-tempo slice of synth-pop to brighten up the world.

Just another brilliant day at the office from the masters of clever pop. 

Other favourites from 2009: 

"Did You See Me Coming?" - Pet Shop Boys

"Gold Guns Girls" - Metric

"Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap

"This Momentary" - Delphic

"Fireflies" – Owl City

2008 - "We Are The People" - Empire of the Sun

That time I almost got thrown out of the house for playing this 15 times on a loop. 

It was like meeting an old friend after years apart. Widescreen and epic, takes us back to the future, fusing 70s psychedelic rock and 80s style and production. Acoustic verses effortlessly blend into a sweeping falsetto chorus. 

The electro-pop dance-rock of Empire of the Sun's "We Are the People" is David Bowie meets Star Wars. But wait, there's two Bowies.

Seriously, this chorus is one of the best I've ever heard. But more importantly and more relevant these day, this is a message about hope. 

I played this track at least 15 times straight with my new girlfriend at the time; and she didn't throw me out. 

Other favourites from 2008: 

"Walking on a Dream" – Empire of the Sun

"I Remember" - Deadmau5 

"Kim & Jessie" - M83

"No Sex for Ben" - The Rapture

"Being Here" - The Stills

"Mirror" - Supreme Beings of Leisure

2007 - "Someone Great" - LCD Soundsystem

Although initially cold-sounding, this is a very human song and a grower, written about the death of James Murphy’s therapist. The hypnotic synths are offset by the hearts on sleeve lyrics and a bittersweet melody. Best use ever of xylophone in a pop song. 

A throwback to the early 80s, like tossing Bowie, New Order & The Human League in a blender. 

Other favourites from 2007: 

"Shut Up and Drive" – Rihanna

"Rollercoaster" – Major Maker

"North American Scum" - LCD Soundsystem