Better late than never! Watch the videos by clicking on the song title, mmkay?

1. Miguel - Adorn

Best song of the year, best album of the year. You can try to tell me different, though it won’t do much. R&B is evolving, and it’s because of artists like Miguel. 

2. Solange - Losing You

I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times, and every time feels like the first. 

3. Nas - Bye Baby

I have respect for any artist brave enough to express feelings of pain and vulnerability through their work. At first I was nervous that Nas was going to take this song and use it as an opportunity to nail Kelis to the floor, but he raps about their relationship with a maturity and understanding that is really inspiring.   

4. Major Lazer ft. Amber of Dirty Projectors - Get Free

This was The Song of My Summer 2012. Major Lazer is known for being rowdy and fun, but I think this song showed that Diplo and crew have the ability to really create something beautiful. 

5. AlunaGeorge - Your Drums, Your Love

I’m calling it: 2013 is AlunaGeorge’s year. They were building up steam with songs like “You Know You Like It,” but “Your Drums, Your Love” is the single that will push them over. The song is a wonderfully weird combo of production and Aluna’s 90s R&B voice. 

6. Azealia Banks - Jumanji

Rude bitch, all day. It was hard to pick between this song and “1991,” but I think this was the one that set her apart from the pack last year. It acts as a real showcase for her flow and her way with words. Plus, those steel drums are amazing. 

7. The Lumineers - The Dead Sea

“Ho Hey” is a great song, but this is the one that I keep coming back to over and over again.

8. Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake - Poetic Justice

Also known as one of the greatest uses of a Janet Jackson sample. 

9. Big Sean, JAY-Z and Kanye West - Clique

I always thought of the word “clique” as a description of a bunch of bitchy teenage girls, but then Ye took it and flipped it on its head, per usual. 

10. Elle Varner ft. J. Cole - Only Wanna Give It To You

If you don’t know Elle Varner, now you know. Her voice is pure bliss. 

11. Frank Ocean - Pyramids

I know a lot of End of Year lists had “Bad Religion” as Frank Ocean’s standout track on Channel Orange, but I disagree. “Pyramids” goes on for like 20 minutes, sounds like rock, goes back to rap, and everything in between. It’s very ambitious for a debut album, and it works. 

12. The Raveonettes - She Owns The Streets

This is my “I’m going to have that extra glass of wine and then dance around my room in my PJs like no ones watching” song. Try it - you won’t regret it. 

13. Jhene Aiko - For My Brother

Discovering Jhene Aiko was one of the musical highlights for me last year. Also: this song makes me cry like a baby. 

14. P.O.S ft. Mike Mictlan - Get Down

“A club song making fun of club songs” is how one YouTuber described it. Spot-on.

15. Lupe Fiasco - Bitch Bad

Leave it to Lupe to rap eloquently about the representation of women in music today.

16. David Byrne & St. Vincent - Who

Never in a million years would I put these two together, but man, they make it work. Plus the horn section on this entire album is crazy.

17. Diplo ft. Nicky Da B - Express Yourself

TWERKTWERKTWERKTWERKTWERK(that’s all I hear when this song plays)TWERKTWERKTWERKTWERKTWERK 

18. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz - Thrift Shop

Seattle reppin’. Of course this song blew Macklemore up on a national level. It’s about thrift shopping, it’s got great horns on it (I like horns, ok?) and a guy singing that sounds incredibly similar to Nate Dogg. 

19. Melanie Fiona - Change the Record

The most underrated album released last year. 

20. Sky Ferreira - Everything is Embarrassing

This song is an 80s-sad girl-pop extravaganza. 

21. Cody ChesnuTT - Til I Met Thee

Cody takes it to church on this one.Even the way he says “First verse” is amazing. 

22. Brandy ft. Chris Brown - Put It Down

THE RETURN OF MOESHA! Brilliant song, perfect video (just ignore Chris Brown).

23. Adele - Skyfall

I love when a song and movie form such a happy marriage. Adele was meant to sing a James Bond theme.

24. Esperanza Spalding - Crowned & Kissed

I hear so many songs calling out men for being dogs and jerks that it’s nice to hear a Grammy Award-winning jazz artist praising her man for being so lovely. 

25. Usher - Climax

You may or may not have noticed that I have a thing for Diplo, and you are absolutely correct. In any case, the production on this song paired with Usher scream-singing “AT AAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!” makes you feel every emotion under the sun.

What was your favorite song of 2012?