Top 119 Songs of 2019, #100 - 91

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100. MY MISTAKE

by Gabrielle Aplin

There's a magic in this misery

Those of us with a certain, how shall I say this... dramatic flair... will find something extremely relatable about Gabrielle Aplin’s confession that there’s magic in the misery. It’s not exactly a great character trait to admit you can get caught up in a case of the sads and choose to feel that way, but power to you Ms Aplin for being the one to say you can get down on yourself and that’s okay. Even better, this isn’t about a relationship or someone else making you feel down about yourself... it’s just about how life can sometimes kick you around a bit, you wallow in it and that can help you get over it. All this and it’s got Aplin’s serene vocals and a simple, but wholly effective piano arrangement. There isn’t just magic in the misery here. (Matt Bond)

I think I sent this song to Matt early this year and he replied with a “yes, I know” or something along those lines, which is pretty much all that needs to be said about a song like this. You’re either going to understand it, or you’re not, and if you do, then my message to you is that it's probably going to pass, you’re probably not a loser, but yes, some days it’s really hard not to think otherwise, isn’t it? You’re not alone. I get it. Keep pressing play until the loser feeling goes away, and next time it returns, come back and listen to Gabrielle Aplin again for a little while. It's totally ok to wallow sometimes. This is what all the music is for. (Jo Michelmore)

#99. KING OF SHADOW

by Kat Cunning

I can be the dark you can look right through me

In a flash of love, we are just one body

Where have I found the best new music in 2019? The radio? No. The thousands of emails we still seem to receive as a “music blog” that we have zero time to read? Well that’s a big no isn’t it. Funnily enough, it’s Instagram stories where I find a lot of quality tunes these days. Oh boy, that’s sad. But let’s not dwell on it, because without them I wouldn’t have been introduced to Kat Cunning and ‘King of Shadow’. As far as I know the track hasn’t been released in Australia, but fans of Cunning’s acting work might have stumbled upon it throughout the year. Regardless, ‘King of Shadow’ is verging on pop perfection with breathy vocals galore, a punchy chorus and some heavy drum beats to get y’all dancing. How was this not on the charts? (Matt Bond)

 

#98. SOMEONE YOU LOVED

by Lewis Capaldi

I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me

This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy

And here we have a song that was on the charts. All of them. Every single one. It will probably be on the Hottest 100 with what they’re classifying as alternative these days. Lewis Capaldi crafted a worldwide #1 smash in ‘Someone You Loved’. It’s a timeless piano pop anthem with insane mainstream appeal that turned Hot Girl Summer into Sad Girl Summer. It’s not even the best thing Capaldi did this year though... that would be responding the Noel Gallagher tearing him down by walking out onto the stage at Glastonbury with a Noel in a love heart t-shirt. Loves it. (Matt Bond)

I’m not sure which I loved more this year; Lewis Capaldi’s ongoing battle with the Gallagher Noel, or his music. I mean, his music is undeniably lovely, but everyone loves a good Gallagher battle don’t they? And really, it’s been so long since the classic battles of the 90s. And if you don't know what I mean, google is your friend. You won't regret it. Ok, maybe the song is slightly better the battles, because one can’t argue with the power of that lone piano, and that voice of Lewis’ almost convinces me he could be a new Adele with the sad song back catalogue. That’s a big call, but so is wearing Noel Gallagher on your tshirt at Glastonbury after he “slags off”at you. I love it all. (Jo Michelmore)

#97. WARNING CALL

by CHVRCHES

Say you'll remember

To keep it all inside

With every release, I’m impressed that Chvrches are yet to do anything that isn’t awesome. They aren’t breaking any new boundaries with ‘Warning Call’, but they don’t need to, because they make some of the greatest electronic/dance/pop that this entire decade has seen. Lauren Mayberry’s uniquely gorgeous vocal floats across Iain Cook and Martin Doherty’s continually catchy beats and every song is filled with all the layers of dancing and goosebumping and good times. I love, love, love them. (Jo Michelmore)

#96. IN-TO-IT

by DZ Deathrays

Throw out all your values

And the shit that they sell you

If you google DZ Deathrays, the description of their music is a “dance punk trio” which is an interesting collection of words, because if you’re going to call them punk then they’re kinda rock as well, and if you’re going to call them dance then shouldn't all music be dance, because almost all music can be danced to, in some form or other, right? Whatever description they are given, I’m in to it. Boom. (Jo Michelmore)

#95. SOMEONE ELSE

by Eilish Gilligan

Ride the train home by myself

Wishing I was someone else

Allow Eilish Gilligan to take you through Bad Relationships 101. Because ‘Someone Else’ is a masterclass in the subject. Constantly under suspicion, sacrificing her own happiness, behaving like a mother. These are all classic Liz Lemon dealbreakers. If you’re not feeling a little bit heartbroken at the thought of Gilligan sitting alone on a train wishing she was anyone else to get just a little bit of the love she needs, well, you are broken inside. Sorry? You just keep taking that midnight train going anywhere, Eilish. (Matt Bond) 

#94. SHAKING MY HIPS

by Eliott

Do you still live in that house

Where you first told me you love me?

Late last year a friend sent me a little clip of a singer they had been lucky enough to catch live, his phone managing to capture this amazingly strong vocal, the beautiful sound coming straight through my little phone screen all the way across this large land of ours and landing straight in my heart. That voice was Eliott’s, and although I had heard of her before, that text message made sit up straight and concentrate, because hers is a talent destined for great things. ‘Shaking My Hips’is a tale of slight desperation and a situation we’ve all been (un)lucky enough to be in, is stunningly beautiful and is only a tiny taste of what I’m sure Eliott is capable of. (Jo Michelmore)

#93. THIS BABY DON'T CRY

by K.Flay

It's never easy to be different inside

But when you don't give a fuck, it's just like riding a bike

Another most excellent musical referral via Instagram, it’s the electrifying ‘This Baby Don’t Cry’. Expect those hands to be clapping by the time the first chorus drops and you’ll be singing along as K.Flay blows a kiss to all the haters. This one’s the sunshine you need on an otherwise rainy day because it makes you want to dance and say goodbye to any of those everyday worries. Musical escapism at its finest from an artist we expect big things from over the next couple of years. (Matt Bond) 

#92. SHOOT TO FORGET

by Olympia

Gotta keep this little heart of mine

Full of air and afloat

Although I’ve written words about songs once a year for the past few years, I really don’t follow whatever the chart/sales things are they have these days. I just know the music I really like. Olympia is one of those people I really, really like and every now and then I hear her music and it makes me wonder why more people don’t know who she is and why aren’t they playing her in the supermarket while I’m buying cheese, because everyone should be bopping along to an Olympia song while buying cheese, or other essentials. Apparently in my mind being the soundtrack to purchasing cheese is the ultimate in commercial success. Olympia deserves such success. (Jo Michelmore)

#91. THE ARCHER

by Taylor Swift

Who could ever leave me darling?

But who could stay?

Oh, T Baby Swift. I’m a fan. Unashamedly. Sure, I keep out of the celebrity feuds and record contract disputes and all that jazz but when it comes to the music, oh the music, it’s actual pop perfection. Tay Tay knows how to build a world within her music that draws you right in, if you’re willing to let her. ‘The Archer’ has the dreamiest of atmospheres that the best tracks on her latest LP “Lover” held, with just the right amount of echo over her vocals and synths designed to hit you right in the feels. The music is as calculated as the lyrics to have you firmly on Team Swift and I’ve fallen for it hook, line and sinker and I don’t even care when the music’s this good. Absolutely gorgeous pop right here. (Matt Bond)