#10. VIDEO
by Cub Sport ft Mallrat
Did you forget I am no pedestrian recycling art
I am Mozart
I saw these Cub Sport characters in a café near my place recently, and I spent the whole time I was there waiting for my takeaway trying not to look at them, leaving my sunglasses on and pretending I was looking at menus of the restaurant next door, because I didn’t want to look like a loser and be like “Hey. Are you Cub Sport? (knowing exactly who it is) I really like you guys a lot” because that would be lame. So here I am on the internet, declaring my love for the rest of the world to see instead, because that’s not embarrassing at all. Isn’t life weird? Hey Cub Sport! I like you guys, a lot. (Jo Michelmore)
You take two of Brisbane's most exciting acts, put them together on a song and you get GOLD. Obviously this is what happened when Cub Sport and Mallrat teamed up for 'Video', a track that's as romantic as it is sex-ay. As someone with nothing notably 'sexy' going for them (exhibit A, the use of sex-ay) it even makes me feel a little bit goooood about myself. 'Video' was the diamond amongst the many rich gems populating Cub Sports' 2019 self-titled release, standing out as a shining example of the absolute confidence Cub Sport have found in their music. (Matt Bond)
#9. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF
by Alex Lahey
You say, that things are spinning around and around
And you've lost control and you need to slow down
If I got any of these top ten songs stuck in my head, I feel like this one would be the most useful. Been sitting at a laptop for hours on end, Jo? Can’t think of any more positive words after writing about a hundred songs in the last few weeks, Jo? Think your writing is garbage but put it on the internets anyway, Jo? Hungry, Jo? Don't be so hard on yourself, Jo. Alex Lahey’s little brand of pop punk and self-depreciating saxophones are what I should be listening to. This is advice I like to give often, and advice I should take often. If only I could present it as well as Alex Lahey does. Don't be so hard on yourself, Jo, and so on... (Jo Michelmore)
A musical pick-me-up, an upper in song form... it's 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself' by Alex Lahey. It's the perfect cure for those mild cases of the sads, ready made for those moments when you're thinking you have no idea what you're doing with this whole 'life' thing. Sometimes you just need a reminder to get out of your own way and that things are never as bad as they seem (being caught for committing a crime is excluded from this narrative). Lahey has you covered in this department with the lead single from her sophomore album, The Best of Luck Club. This might very well be the best we've heard from Alex Lahey so far, but I think we all know THE best is still to come from an artist that keeps topping what came before with each new release. (Matt Bond)
#8. KITCHEN
by Annie Hamilton
I could try to recreate it
The memory is overrated
Annie Hamilton’s music was my pleasant surprise of the year, I was so hoping she’d keep releasing incredible things. Completely unexpected and now seemingly obvious, she was part of one of my favourite acts of the decade (see number six), so of course she was going to remain incredible on her own. And a song about my favourite room in the house. Whatta dream. So many layers of sound like some kind of cake one would find in such a room, I want to listen to Annie Hamilton in all the rooms of the house, across all the stages of the world where she deserves to be. I’m so looking forward to seeing which room she’s in next. (Jo Michelmore)
Continuing her brilliant run of single releases, Annie Hamilton is now 3 for 3 with 'Kitchen'. It's one of the finest rock releases of 2019, something you'll agree with from the opening distorted guitar that leads into Hamilton's stunning opening lines, "clouds are rolling down the hills, I tell you that it kills when you look at me like that." The imagery these lines and the music paint in your mind, I mean get out of here, this is too good! 'Kitchen' takes the first started by 'Fade' and 'My New Tattooed Chameleon' to another level as it builds to a thrilling conclusion with Hamilton letting loose the final time she prepares to let us know what she's missing as she stands there in the kitchen. Like I said, it's just too good. (Matt Bond)
#7. MONEY
by Lime Cordiale
Make a lifetime full of small talk
Pretendin' he's so funny
I nominate Lime Cordiale for having some of the greatest hair in Australian bands at the moment, but I also nominate them for being one of the greatest Australian bands ever as well. That’s not too big a call to make is it? Have you heard this song? It’s got a 70s groove bassline, a simple driving beat and a horn section half of the 80s would be jealous of. As well as half the 00s, and most of 2019 as well. They sing about the pressures of society and our collective thoughts about money, but the best part about music is that almost anyone, regardless of pay scale, can enjoy rock like this. (Jo Michelmore)
The echo in the vocals, the perfectly times keys, those harmonies, a chorus that somehow manages to be apathetic and indignant at the same time. Yeah, Lime Cordiale are pretty good at this whole making music thing. 'Money' grows on you as you listen to it more and more And you won't be able to not listen to it more and more. It's a catchy jam that's worthy of a singalong. It will have those toes tapping at quiet social occasions and feet stomping at those unexpected, less quiet ones. Oli and Louis Leimbach aka Lime Cordiale have had a huge year built off of banging tunes. 'Money' is the most banging of them all. (Matt Bond)
#6. APPLES
by Little May
I wish to be governed by something else
I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams
This is a song I have been dreading writing words about, not because of the song itself, but because of knowing it will be the last time I write anything about a band I have adored so much in the last few years. How excited I was to hear new material from Little May in 2019. Their second album Blame My Body was everything I expected it to be; emotionally charged, an incredible strength woven through every note, all of the songs quickly becoming new favourites and every moment a sense of hope of what was still to come. When I heard they had called it quits midway through the year, I admit I felt a bit empty for a couple of days. While I’m so hopeful that both Hannah and Liz will find their musical feet somewhere else, and I’ve no doubt they both have the talent to make amazing music separately, it’s tough when your favourites move on without you. Thanks for ALL the music Little May, you filled a hole in my life soundtrack, covered it with your own brand of perfection and won’t be forgotten. (Jo Michelmore)
Oh, Little May. This chapter of the musical adventures of Hannah Field and Liz Drummond might have come to a close, but what a way to go out. Their second album, Blame My Body, was one of the best releases of the year with 'Apples' quickly becoming my most listened to track. It takes some inspiration from 90s alternative rock, both in the music and the lyrics, but keeps Little May's trademark ability to construct a layered track that breaks your heart while putting it back together at the same time. Drummond takes the lead vocals with Field backing her up, ensuring those Little May harmonies can still shine. I could go on and on, but I'll just highlight my favourite part of the song. As the second verse begins, Drummond sings the lines, "I wish to be governed by something else, I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams." It's a devastating thoughtfulness that gets me every time. And devastatingly thoughtful is the best description I can think of for Little May's music. Thank you for the music and we can't wait to hear what comes next from Liz Drummond and Hannah Field. (Matt Bond)
Oh, Little May. This chapter of the musical adventures of Hannah Field and Liz Drummond might have come to a close, but what a way to go out. Their second album, Blame My Body, was one of the best releases of the year with 'Apples' quickly becoming my most listened to track. It takes some inspiration from 90s alternative rock, both in the music and the lyrics, but keeps Little May's trademark ability to construct a layered track that breaks your heart while putting it back together at the same time. Drummond takes the lead vocals with Field backing her up, ensuring those Little May harmonies can still shine. I could go on and on, but I'll just highlight my favourite part of the song. As the second verse begins, Drummond sings the lines, "I wish to be governed by something else, I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams." It's a devastating thoughtfulness that gets me every time. And devastatingly thoughtful is the best description I can think of for Little May's music. Thank you for the music and we can't wait to hear what comes next from Liz Drummond and Hannah Field. (Matt Bond)
#5. PARADISE
by The Presets and Golden Features
You and I are face-to-face
While the world up above keeps burning like a riot
I love how reliable The Presets are. There’s one thing for sure and that’s if I’m writing about The Presets it’s going to be positive. They just keep doing their thing, and everything they do turns to electronic gold, or in this case they work with Gold(en Features) and everything turns to…Paradise? I don’t know, I’ve written a lot of words, excuse my random ramblings at this point. I do know if you smash the ever reliable Presets together with another of this country's electronic heavy weights, Golden Features, you get what I think is actually as close as you’re gonna get to any of the songs Matt likes to call ‘bangers’, or ‘bangerz’, with a z, should you be so inclined. Either way, this song is perfection in paradise. (Jo Michelmore)
Not that they ever lost 'it', whatever 'it' is, but The Presets still have 'it' and so does Golden Features. Golden Features definitely has 'it'. Let's just say 'it' is being able to put together a song that makes you want to dance and it also makes you think you can dance when you know you can't. And what is paradise, if not a magical place where you think you can dance and then you can dance like no one is watching because you're on a tropical island with endless drinks and fancy food and you're alone and that's why you can dance like no one is watching because there's literally no one there to watch you. And 'Paradise' is playing. And it's perfect. Take me there now! (Matt Bond)
#4. READY
by Montaigne
And I'm at the edge of the cliff
So let's begin
One of the things I love about Montaigne is her love of the dramatic, her appreciation for her music as not just a song, not just an album, but an experience; she pieces everything together in such beautiful theatrical ways that one can’t help but feel spellbound by her ways. The confident percussion, the layered vocals and the important messages in 'Ready' (and all of her second album Complex) are unparallelled, her performances captivating and her voice mesmerising. She has a long list of influences that can be heard amongst her songs and seen in her stage presence, but what’s most exciting is the influence Montaigne will be on others as she keeps evolving and creating and growing. I will be happy to see where she goes and so ready to follow her wherever she heads next. (Jo Michelmore)
A click of the fingers and beating drums. You know you're in for something epic. This is a Montaigne song, you already knew you were going on a journey. It starts with a frank admission of frustration that explodes following Montaigne's promise, her mission statement. She's ready. We're ready. Let's begin. In the chorus we find soaring vocals and lyrics that show how much growth her occurred between albums. No wings will be clipped today, Montaigne is destined to jump off the edge of that cliff and fly high. Montaigne set the bar high with her 2016 debut, Glorious Heights. But with this year's follow-up, Complex and on the song 'Ready', one of the true new classics smashes all expectations to dust with fearless precision. Her name is Montaigne, her time is now. And we are so ready for this. (Matt Bond)
#3. WE DON'T CARE
by Polish Club
This could be a start
Do it for the art
I’ve had some of the greatest nights of my life in a Polish club. Well, at least I think I did. Apparently I did. Those Poles sure know how to distill a vodka. That has nothing to do with this Polish Club though, except to say I think of that other club whenever I hear this Polish Club, and ‘We Don’t Care’ is pretty much exactly how one feels when one is consuming said vodka in the aforementioned club. It’s the ultimate rock I love; pounding drums, gritty guitars and a vocal that smashes its way into my brain the way all the best rock lyrics do; “For the night I can live like a stranger, for the night I'll forget all the mess…”and so began and ended my Polish vodka evenings. And one more thing. Greatest clip of the year, because I may or may not have been all those guys in that karaoke bar. Every single one of them. (Jo Michelmore)
Funnily enough, my experience with an actual Polish Club is the exact opposite of Jo's, but the less said about it the better. The band Polish Club is nothing like the night that shall not be spoken about, they are amazing. Unrelated to their track 'We Don't Care', Polish Club recently released a little New Year's collection of songs that you should GET ON NOW, because it's guaranteed to start your 2020 in the best way possible. With a Kylie cover. As for 'We Don't Care', all swagger, sex appeal and too cool to give a fuck vibes... yes please and thank you. We are not worthy. David Novak howls his way through the rock anthem of the year, as essential track for any playlist that includes the word 'party'. This is fun, doesn't take itself too seriously and encourages you to make choices so bad they have to be good. Actually, this is the New Year's Eve jam you need to be playing. (Matt Bond)
Funnily enough, my experience with an actual Polish Club is the exact opposite of Jo's, but the less said about it the better. The band Polish Club is nothing like the night that shall not be spoken about, they are amazing. Unrelated to their track 'We Don't Care', Polish Club recently released a little New Year's collection of songs that you should GET ON NOW, because it's guaranteed to start your 2020 in the best way possible. With a Kylie cover. As for 'We Don't Care', all swagger, sex appeal and too cool to give a fuck vibes... yes please and thank you. We are not worthy. David Novak howls his way through the rock anthem of the year, as essential track for any playlist that includes the word 'party'. This is fun, doesn't take itself too seriously and encourages you to make choices so bad they have to be good. Actually, this is the New Year's Eve jam you need to be playing. (Matt Bond)
#2. EVERYTHING'S BETTER WITHOUT YOU
by Kira Puru
You asked me how I've been
Like we're just friends
You really wanna know?
A groove that begs to be danced to, beats that stick in your mind long after they’re over and words that must be sung along to, ‘Everything Is Better Without You’ is the anthem we all need every now and then. Bold, sassy, strong, confident and so very fabulous, Kira Puru seems to be the person I want to be. I said everything I think about Ms Puru back at number 26, but the thing is that in this song she sings a set of words I would never, ever think of her, because my world is a much, much better place with Kira Puru in it. (Jo Michelmore)
We've been saying it for years... everything is better with Kira Puru. And now she offers up the quintessential post-relationship pop smash with 'Everything Is Better Without You'. It captures everything you'd want in the moment you encounter your ex at the local discotheque, saloon or frozen vegetable section at Coles. You're looking good. Damn good. And you're feeling it. All because a certain someone is out of your heart, out of your mind and out of your life. The glorious feeling this song give you, the sheer joy? It should be bottled into a fragrance, yeeewwww du Puru. It's official, Kira Puru can do no wrong as she continues to pump out bop after bop. Everything really is better with Kira Puru. (Matt Bond)
#1. BETTER IN BLAK
by Thelma Plum
But if I just keep quiet
I'll be the one who's dying too
It seems so appropriate that a decade after Matt started this blogging thing and six, maybe seven years after he invited me to start writing with him that our number one song of the year be this one, because it is a song that somehow represents so much of what this blog has been about all this time.
‘Better In Blak’, from Thelma Plum’s incredible album of the same name is an important piece of music, a personal tale but also a reflection on our society and just some of the things Thelma, and so many others have had to face in said society; told with an incredibly strong and danceable beat, a bassline to move to, a chorus to groove to and it includes something Thelma does so well, a resounding “fuck that” lyric to sing along to, which I can say is so very powerful when performed live. It’s a song of fight and song of strength, a song of confidence and a song that needed to be heard in 2019, a song that shows us where society has gone wrong and which way to head to be right. It’s Thelma Plum at her best, coming from a place so dark and turning it into something we adore, and I only hope she doesn’t have to face such awful things again to make her next piece of incredible music.
But with all of those things, all of those life affirming words and reflections of ourselves and each other, it’s also basically a perfect pop song. Life wrapped up in music, which is the thing that Matt and I have always loved. It’s the thing that has inspired us to spend endless hours over the years writing all the words to share with someone, anyone who has wanted to join us, the thing that tells us all about ourselves, the thing we desperately search for in darkness and the thing we love to love in the light. It’s pretty much everything, and our lives would be nothing without it. Music. Thanks for loving it with us all this time. Until the next perfect pop song… (Jo Michelmore)
What makes a song your favourite of the year? Is it how many times you listened to it? Is it the feeling that it gives you; happy, sad or something in-between? Does it make you think or feel less alone? Does it send a message? Is it defiant? Rebellious? Triumphant? Maybe it's all of those things. Maybe it's more. Thelma Plum's 'Better In Blak' ticks off a lot of those boxes, but that's not necessarily why it's our most loved, number one song of 2019. All those things play a part but, and I'll use this one last time and then retire it forever... 'Better In Blak' is an absolute banger of a track. A perfect pop song. It builds on all the elements of Thelma Plum's work we've loved over the years and crafts a song that will stay with us forever. Jo has mentioned before that there's songs that will be part of your life's soundtrack and 'Better In Blak' is one of them. We'll be listening in 10, 20, 30 years time. Hopefully long after that too. It's a song that will stay with you for a lifetime. And it's an absolute banger. The best banger of 2019. Love. (Matt Bond)
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