Throughout the history of modern culture, New York has been the center of the most cutting edge trends in popular music. From Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train” to the punk and avant-garde sounds of the 1980s, New York has been a Mecca for musicians who want to make new and interesting music. This past year was no different. With pop music in a funk, forward thinking New Yorkers are rethinking their approach to music, taking it in new directions and adding outside influences.