I don't remember a year when I enjoyed music as much as I did in 2009... it seemed like all of my favorite bands released an album or had a member involved in a side project. Looking back, I can't say that any of the bands broke any new ground; rather, they provided nostalgia and familiarity through a year of cultural and personal uncertainty.

Without further ado, here's the 12 songs (in no particular order) that will forever remind me of 2009.

Rouge Wave, Maps
It's like a slow-burning candle held precariously above my heart.

Dirty Projectors, Two Doves
The Dirty Projectors are 70% pretentious and 30% brilliant... this song just rocks.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Home
This is the song I want to write when I'm in love.

The Big Pink, Velvet
The return of ambitious, bombastic rock anthems. And it makes me fucking happy.

Bat for Lashes, Daniel
I'd follow you anywhere, Miss Kahn, even back to 1987.

Bon Iver, Blood Bank
Love can be discovered in some of the oddest places.

Junior Boys, Hazel
This song made me get up and dance every time I heard it.

School of Seven Bells, Half Asleep
The most spellbinding song (and video) of the year.

Phoenix, 1901
This song demands to be played at full volume with all the windows down and sunroof open.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hysteric (Acoustic Version)
I've felt this way before, and the song won't let me soon forget.

The XX, My heart Skipped A Beat
Darkwave always sounded unholy, but never this sexy or soulful.

The Horrors, Scarlet Fields
Joy Division finally has a worthy successor.