Into OK, so I said I'd give you a useful party mix, but then at a stroke I'd run all DJs out of a job - anyone read Jack Marley-Payne's brilliant critique in, ahem, Isis? - and also it didn't seem conducive to picking the best track, only the most danceable. So instead you get a wonderfully subjective but incredibly high-quality UK top 40 of the year, giving you the best songs to come out this year. I must make it plain that I love ALL of these songs. It's been a good year.

40 Laura Marling - Tap At My Window She may be annoyingly young, but this is a lilting, seductive melody to dream to

39 Lykke Li - I'm Good I'm Gone Hipster fave; strong Scandi pop

38 Howling Bells - Into The Chaos Widescreen taster for a highly anticipated second album

37 Gnarls Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul? You are, you visionary if uncharacteristically morose pop gods!

36 Antony & The Johnsons - Crackagen Songwriting hasn't been this elegant and poignant in 60 years

35 The Mummers -  Nightbus A swoonsome ballad from their lush orchestral debut. But no hyperlink going...

34 Hot Chip - One Pure Thought Their genius is to inject real sensitivity into their tunes, like the tremulous poppy that lies behind every shot of heroin...sorry...

33 Amadou & Mariam - Sabali They now have Damon Albarn producing them, which is maybe why this could be a huge alt. disco hit

32 Yeti - Midnight Flight The ex-Libs bassist normally turns out cheery Beatles-lite, but this darkjazzmurdertune about a serial psycho is awesome

31 Natty - Cold Town An excellent year for the reggae upstart, first caught supporting Mr Hudson in Oxford; intelligent lyrics and a banging chorus

There's the first instalment. Tomorrow; 30-21. Anticipate the choices if you will, offer alternatives, otherwise get on limewire (or itunes if you're legit) and make with the good music...