@aaronking asks, What are your 5 favorite songs from the last 5-10 years and why do you like them?

This is a difficult question to answer. When appreciating music, my ears are often tuned to the sounds of the 70s or the 80s. But in looking back on the recent music I’ve enjoyed, the following five tracks are my favorite songs from the past decade, 2011 – 2020.

5. “White Limo” by Foo Fighters from Wasting Light (2011)

The early Foo Fighters albums had a rawness that I enjoyed. Songs like “Beanie Weenie” and “Wattershed,” from their debut album, or “Enough Space,” from their second album, are pure, unrestrained rock’n’roll at its best. As the Foo Fighters evolved into a melodic, chart topping band, their gritty sound of old appeared less and less on their albums. “White Limo” unearths the unflinching Foo from the late 90s. The video with Lemmy is a nice touch, too. Rest in peace, Lemmy.

4. “Silver Lining” by Kacey Musgraves from Same Trailer, Different Park (2013)

I don’t dislike Country music. However, having peeked behind the curtain to see what really goes on in songwriting sessions, expensive recording studios, and the unscrupulous music industry in general, it’s difficult for me to listen to anything labeled as Country without a veil of guarded skepticism. One recent Country artist that has pierced that veil for me is Kacey Musgraves. Something about her work invites honesty. My favorite song of hers is “Silver Lining.”

3. “Killing Strangers” by Marilyn Manson from The Pale Emperor (2015)

From the very first note he sung in the early 90s, Marilyn Manson took George Bernard Shaw’s quote to heart—“The secret to success is to offend the greatest number of people.” But if you took away his antichrist status or his penchant for spectacle or even his Bowie-esque personae, you’d still have one of the best rock singers in the game. I first heard “Killing Strangers” while watching John Wick for the first time. “That’s a cool groove,” I said out loud to the TV. Then, Manson starting singing and I said “That’s Manson.” After a bit of inquiry, I learned that Manson had quietly made The Pale Emperor with producer Tyler Bates, a record that was likely done off the cuff. Manson purportedly channelled Jim Morrison and Muddy Waters on this record and it shows.

2. “Nikes” by Frank Ocean from Blond (2016)

If post-hip hop ever becomes a thing, one of its originators will likely be Frank Ocean. “Nikes” is one of those songs that pulls me in every time I hear it. Ocean’s voice is pitched up, almost in the style of Prince’s Camille. But, in stead of a gender statement, Ocean’s presentation seems like it’s more about distorted reality and disconnectedness. While Ocean is edgy and provocative with “Nikes,” it’s the creative production and unpredictability of the song I appreciate most.

1. “Hot Traveler” by Failure from The Heart Is a Monster (2015)

Of all the bands I liked from the 90s, the last I expected to reunite was Failure. What’s even more remarkable about Failure’s reunion is the quality of its recent work. When bands of old get back together to make new music, the result is often disastrous. But The Heart Is a Monster picks up where Fantastic Planet left off, both figuratively and literally. Here, Failure succeeds in creating something new while staying firm in its identity. “Hot Traveler” embodies this notable return to form.