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.
Justin Bieber: Believe [Island Def Jam]
This is a fire pop album that isn’t recognized as such because people had made up their minds about Justin’s music before Believe came out. “Boyfriend,” “As Long As You Love Me,” “Right Here,” “Catching Feelings,” “Die in Your Arms”, “Thought of You,” shit even “Beauty and a Beat.” His next joint is basically gonna be The 4/20 Experience and I couldn’t be more pumped for it.
Big Bang: “Bad Boy” [YG Entertainment]
Compared to something like Big Bang member G-Dragon’s novel “Crayon”, “Bad Boy” represents a stripped down approach that proves Big Bang to be one of the most sonically versatile boy bands ever to work on this spinning rock. There’s never been a song this good that has also had its video filmed in Williamsburg, so think about that for a couple seconds before you replay this one.
My Music Highlight of the Last Five Years:Interviewing Drake.
Favorite Songs of 2010-2014 (no order):
Katy Perry: "Teenage Dream"
Drake: "Worst Behavior"
Justin Bieber: "Baby"
Drake: "Headlines"
Frank Ocean: "Thinkin Bout You"
Taylor Swift: "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
Beyoncé: "Countdown"
BIGBANG: "Bad Boy"
Fiona Apple: "Valentine"
M.I.A.: "Bad Girls"
Favorite Albums of 2010-2014 (no order):
Drake: Take Care
Frank Ocean: Channel Orange
Taylor Swift: Red
Kanye West: Yeezus
Jay-Z / Kanye West: Watch the Throne
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
Best Coast: Crazy For You
Joanna Newsom: Have One on Me
Girls: Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Lorde: Pure Heroine