For the past five years or so, I’ve been doing a year-end mix that has compiled some of my favorite songs from the previous 12 months. It’s always been a really fun exercise, not only because it forces me to do even more detailed listening to the music that I loved from the year, but also figure out how it might sound good if I tried to put different songs next to one another.

This year, I decided to do something a little bit different. Instead of just plopping one song down right after the next for the full running length, I tried to actually do some actual mixing. The result is something that’s a bit of a mess in places, but it feels a bit more exciting to me. Some songs start up right in the middle (or at the beginning and then stop in the middle), and it’s a bit sloppy and kind of noisy and dissonant in places. Only a couple songs escape intact (with chunks of others floating in and out and over one another). The result is 21 songs in just over 54 minutes.

Download the mix here (or click on the artwork above to do the same). If you throw the song into iTunes or a similar player, you’ll find that full-size artwork is embedded with the mp3.

Bummed about not hearing full songs? Fear not. Below are all the songs contained on the mix in order of appearance. In most cases, I’ve linked my reviews related to each, where you can hear full songs (although not necessarily the same ones) embedded in the review.

Akron Family – “River” (from Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free)
Here We Go Magic – “Only Pieces” (from Here We Go Magic)
Hildur Gudnadottir – “Circular” (from Without Sinking)
Dirty Projectors – “Useful Chamber” (from Bitte Orce)
Units – “Zombo” (from History of the Units)
Faust – “Bonjour Gioacchino” (from Cest Com Com Complique)
White Rainbow – “Tuesday Rollers And Strollers” (from New Clouds)
Health – “We Are Water” (from Get Color)
Humcrush – “Stream” (from Rest At Worlds End)
Fuck Buttons – “Olympians” (from Tarot Sport)
Bruno Pronsato – “The Make Up The Break Up (Part 4)” (from The Make Up The Break Up)
Eine Kleine Nacht Musik – “Feuerprobe” (from Eine Kleine Nacht Musik)
Etienne Jaumet – “Through The Strata” (from Night Music)
Animal Collective – “Brothersport” (from Merriweather Post Pavilion)
Wisp – “The Fire Above” (from The Shimmering Hour)
Clark – “Future Daniel” (from Totems Flare)
Intrusion – “Reflection 1″ (from The Seduction Of Silence)
Brock Van Wey – “A Gentle Hand To Hold” (from White Clouds Drift On And On)
Sufjan Stevens – “Movement III: Linear Tableau With Intersecting Surprise” (from The BQE)
Mount Eerie – “Wind’s Dark Poem” (from Wind’s Poem)
Bushman’s Revenge – “Champagne For My Real Friends” (from You Lost Me At Hello)

As always, any feedback, comments, or concerns is appreciated.

1. Martin Says:
   December 21st, 2009 at 3:14 am

   Awesome mix! I’ve been cranking up the stereo all day listening to this beast.
   So can we assume these 21 are your top albums of the year (minus Here We Go Magic)?

2. aaron Says:
   December 21st, 2009 at 6:40 am

   Glad that you’re enjoying the mix! It was very fun to put together, so I think I’m going to try to do some more random mixes in general and post them on the site once in awhile.

   In regards to my list, I’m finalizing it right now and plan on posting it this week sometime.

   The top 20 is going to be close to what’s on this mix, but not exact. There were a couple things that made my list that didn’t fit into the mix for some reason or another.

3. aaron Says:
   December 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm

   Arg. I have just been informed/reminded that the Eine Kleine Nacht Musik actually came out in 2008.

   Please don’t hold that against me or the mix. I think it’s still pretty decent.

4. Camille Says:
   December 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm

   Oh sweet technology! I always love your year-end mixes!! Thanks, AC!

5. jon Says:
   December 29th, 2009 at 8:17 pm

   Ah,
   I was beginning to wonder when Eine Kleine Nacht Musik came out too…so happy you turned me onto that album; definitely one of those most effortlessly diverse and engaging listens in a while. Totally out of the blue as well…

   Happy to see the year-end comp, off I go to listen

   cheers & thanks again!
   jon

6. Patrick Says:
   January 19th, 2010 at 7:30 am

   Thanks for the mix! I have to take a minute to fawn – I was pretty disappointed when Almost Cool folded and had no idea you’d started a new site. I particularly like your reviews of ambient stuff, because its a difficult field to navigate. Great work.