My Decade in Music So Far: Kyle Kramer

This week, Pitchfork shared lists featuring the best albums and tracks of the decade so far. We asked Pitchfork writers and editors to share a favorite song and album that didn't make the list, along with a music highlight and their personal Top 10s or 20s. Check back for more installments of My Decade in Music So Far.

Ke$ha: Warrior [Kemosabe/RCA]

I know, I know: Ke$ha is a punchline, she's the epitome of the trashy and meaningless pop star, you've heard enough "wake up feeling like P. Diddy" jokes to last a lifetime, et cetera, et cetera. But look past your first impression, and you'll discover that Ke$ha is brilliant: Her music is suffused with positivity, she had the "do weird shit for the hell of it because I'm a pop star" beat covered way before Miley, and she writes thoughtful, emotionally resonant songs that bang. Warrior is basically a sandbox for Ke$ha and Dr. Luke to play with all the weird pop sounds they want, and it is so fun. There's a song with Iggy Pop, the best Strokes song of the last ten years ("Only Wanna Dance With You"), and "Thinking of You," which is the ultimate fuck-you breakup song. Warrior is two of the best pop minds of our era coming together to make an album that doesn't compromise; how could it not make you happy?

The-Dream: "Sorry" [Radio Killa/Def Jam]

I wouldn't expect this song to make the list, since it's an a cappella bonus track from Love King, but "Sorry" is The-Dream distilled into his simplest form: howling in regret. It's a really basic song, but it came out at a time that, for me, was full of regrets, and the empty space around that voice singing "I know I know it's too late for sorry" was the balm I needed.

Musical Highlight of the Last Five Years: Seeing Lil B perform at the House of Blues in Chicago in 2011 and meeting him after. I was surrounded by some of my best friends, I basked in the #based spirit by doing the cooking dance with complete strangers, and I was totally starstruck when I got to take a picture after the show. I don't know if I've ever felt cooler than I did that night, which I think is exactly what Lil B would want.

Favorite Albums of 2010-2014:

1. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Frank Ocean: Channel Orange
3. Kanye West: Yeezus
4. Drake: Take Care
5. Future: Pluto
6. St. Vincent: Strange Mercy
7. Taylor Swift: Red
8. Bon Iver: Bon Iver
9. EMA: Past Life Martyred Saints
10. James Ferraro: Far Side Virtual
11. Jay Z / Kanye West: Watch the Throne
12. Chance the Rapper: Acid Rap
13. Lil B: Rain in England
14. Ke$ha: Warrior
15. Beyoncé: 4
16. Drake: Nothing Was the Same
17. Beyoncé: Beyoncé
18. Lil Durk: I'm Still a Hitta
19. Fang Island: Fang Island
20. Das Racist: Sit Down, Man

Favorite Tracks of 2010-2014:

1. Kanye West: "Runaway" [ft. Pusha T]
2. Nicki Minaj: "Super Bass" [ft. Ester Dean]
3. Lil B: "Age of Information"
4. Future: "Turn on the Lights"
5. Ke$ha: "We R Who We R"
6. Katy Perry: "Teenage Dream"
7. Soulja Boy: "Zan With That Lean"
8. Jeremih: "773 Love"
9. Autre Ne Veut: "Play by Play"
10. Miguel: "Adorn"
11. Drake: "Marvins Room"
12. Robyn: "Call Your Girlfriend"
13. Frank Ocean: "Pyramids"
14. Lil B: "Wonton Soup"
15. Jay Z / Kanye West: "Niggas in Paris"
16. Twin Shadow: "Slow"
17. The-Dream: "Sorry"
18. Waka Flocka Flame: "Hard in Da Paint"
19. Cut Copy: "Need You Now"
20. Lil Durk: "L's Anthem"