The Top Ten Most Gorgeous Songs You Might Not Know

Entirely subjective, lists like this depend entirely on what strikes the right chord for you, but here are some select songs that might tickle the right spot if you give it a chance.

1. Mates of State-'Get Better'
2. Why?- 'Waterfalls'
3. Mogwai- '2 Rights Make 1 Wrong'
4. Beirut- 'Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)'
5. Godspeed You Black Emperor!- 'Storm: Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven'
6. Band of Horses - 'The Funeral'
7. The Appleseed Cast- 'On Reflection'
8. Explosions in the Sky- 'First Breath After Coma'
9. Pinback- 'Loro'
10. American Football- 'Honestly'

1. Mates of State-'Get Better'
Pure pop magic doesn't come in much shinier a package than with Mates of State, and with strings this time! This is the lead single from the couple's last album 'Re-Arrange Us' released in '08. The video is suitably odd in an appropriately pretty sort of way. Check it out on Youtube, unless you have a fear of people wearing animal masks. I'm sure there's a word for that, ending in 'obia'.

2. Why?- 'Waterfalls'
The only 'hip-hop band' ever to feature in a "gorgeous" list! It's a bit weird but brilliant. The affected dual vocals are genius and once it starts pounding and rattling, you just can't understand why Why? don't exist on a giant pedestal somewhere. This beaut is nestled modestly at number 7 in an album full of brilliantly created indie hip-pop.

3. Mogwai- '2 Rights Make 1 Wrong'
Mogwai in chill-out mode= gorgeous. Rock Action seems to get neglected in discussions of Mogwai which I think is a shame. They hit the nail on the head with this stunning near-ten-minute track. For such a repetitive skeleton, this track is fleshed out beyond belief and I've played it on repeat many times. And banjos do have a place in this world, it just took Mogwai to show us how.

4. Beirut- 'Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)'
An acquired taste perhaps, being an amalgam of eastern european influences, and sounding like a romantic blend of theatrical gypsy folk, but this is undeniably great. Accordions aren't normally associated with prettiness in my books but the opening to Mount Wroclai is lovely and the rest of the song delights with every change. Can't say I'm a fan of brass instruments usually either but Mr. Condon seems to be a complete anomaly for all the best reasons.

5. Godspeed You Black Emperor!- 'Storm: Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven'
One of their crowning moments for me, this track showcases Godspeed's ability to burst through that ceiling labelled 10 and hit the hallowed number 11, not just on their amps but for everything! Just when you think it's reached the tip of the climax another layer is thrown in or a higher note is played and you feel like they're about to implode! Beautiful and oh so BIG!

6. Band of Horses - 'The Funeral'
Complete with echoey "oooh"s and a chorus that's just as pretty as the delicate intro. This is day dreaming music at it's best ie.- without the yawn-inducing bits. Just one of several gorgeous moments on their debut album 'Everything All The Time', this song made its network television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman.

7. The Appleseed Cast- 'Steps and Numbers'
My favourite drummer, Josh Baruth, who sadly decided to stop doing this and be a doctor or something. I love the way he often sounds like he's playing from a different song sheet, it just fortunately sits quite nicely with the rhythm the rest of the band are playing. This is at times a little sickly but stomach it and listen to Josh!

8. Explosions in the Sky- 'First Breath After Coma'
Starting with some guitar picking I think I might even be able to manage, this evolves into a sprawling epic which seems to just keep climbing and climbing with rolling drums and chiming guitars that have come to define the band.

9. Pinback- 'Loro'
Pinback are masters of cosy, gentle tunes and this is one of their most serene efforts. Anyone who can make "doo doo doo doo da doo doo doo" this introspective deserves to be commended. Officially one of the most under-rated bands ever, Pinback could probably feature in this list with any number of songs from their back catalogue.

10. American Football- 'Honestly'
Lovely warm bass bounces along from the start creating an infectiously toe-tapping first 2 minutes before it melts into an instrumental second half with waves of guitar that sweep you into the most pleasant coma imaginable. A whole lot more soothing than their namesake, honestly.