2. Ylvis - 'The Fox'
Ylvis are a Norweigan comedy duo whose trend for producing comedic content turned into a global phenomenon in 2013 when one of the duo's songs, 'The Fox' turned from a local tune created for a TV show into a viral hit and a credible song and part of the musical landscape for the year. However, it fared less well with critics who attacked the song for its chorus and its intentions, branding it ridiculous. In fairness, it takes more than a few spins to truly consider the genius behind 'The Fox'. The song itself is constructed of two different styles the verses are sung with the usual smooth male dulcet tones that anyone could expect from a generic EDM-pop track being peddled by a producer. Then comes the chorus which is full of animal-style yapping and screeching, which is admittedly, not the best thing to listen to. However, the song is more than just a silly comedy video, it's a parody and a critique on the state of modern music and modern pop. Lyrics often come in a rather low second place to the beats and production on a track and so the fact that the lyrics on 'The Fox' are more of a comment on how meaning is disappearing from some areas of music. When animal sounds and heartfelt-sounding lyrics about farmyard animals, the song comments on how pop music does seem to have shifted towards the instrumental, rather than the vocal (or rather the meaning behind the vocal). Sure the song might be a little silly in its approach, but give the song a few spins and you should be able to look beneath the moos to find one of the year's most interesting songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE