#23 "Powa" by Tune-Yards
In honor of my birthday today (w00t!), I'm sharing with you my favorite song of the year, Powa by Tune-Yards (well, I guess it's really tUnE-yArDs, but anyway). Whokill, the second album by Tune-Yards (aka Merrill Garbus) is amazing--it is experimental without being inaccessible and mixes afro-beat with R&B and lo-fi electronica to great effect. Not only is Merrill Garbus a great musician, but she has an incredible voice to boot.
Here are two live versions of this song--one an official 4AD session and the other just shot by some guy at the Bowery Ballroom a couple years ago. Both are awesome. Enjoy.