\n<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking of Auto-Tune, this proudly synthetic debut single from the R&B singer Jason Derulo doubles down on vocal effects, prominently sampling Imogen Heap\u2019s 2005 pitch-shifted a cappella tune \u201cHide and Seek\u201d and heavily processing Derulo\u2019s own voice to match hers. For better or worse, few songs recall the retrofuturistic sound of 2009 more evocatively than this one!<\/p>\n \u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Another defining indie release of 2009 came from the London trio the xx. Romy Madley Croft\u2019s hushed vocals lent the trio\u2019s self-titled debut its distinct cool, though this wordless opening track remains the most potent distillation of the band\u2019s vibe.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n On its immaculately atmospheric third album, \u201cVeckatimest,\u201d the Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear mixed tight four-part vocal harmonies with more outr\u00e9 post-rock experimentation, punctuated by blurts of Daniel Rossen\u2019s expressive guitar playing. The bright, catchy \u201cTwo Weeks\u201d is the most recognizable song from the album, but this slow, creeping number is just as haunting.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Yet another unexpected Knowles family favorite<\/a>, this soulful centerpiece from the Brooklyn group Dirty Projectors\u2019 art-rock opus \u201cBitte Orca\u201d features a sparse, stuttering groove and an impassioned vocal from the singer-songwriter Amber Coffman, who has since begun a solo career. It is also perhaps the unlikeliest entry on the soundtrack of the video game NBA 2K13<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention this enduring 2009 smash \u2014 a profoundly wholesome, universally relatable ode to the superpowers bestowed by a favorite song \u2014 which a small portion of the population probably believes is the national anthem. I count myself among them.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Listen on <\/strong>Spotify<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> or YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n5. Jason Derulo: \u201cWhatcha Say\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
6. The xx: \u201cIntro\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
7. Grizzly Bear: \u201cCheerleader\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
8. Dirty Projectors: \u201cStillness Is the Move\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
9. Miley Cyrus: \u201cParty in the U.S.A.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
The Amplifier Playlist<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n