Top 119 Songs of 2019, #30 - 21

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40 - #31

#30. LAST STAND

by Guards

We're getting older while we can

I wish I could say I knew more about Guards, but I’m a busy person, I’ve got a lot going on beside writing these words here you know. What I do know is that if I spent more time keeping up with things I like I’d get rewarded with songs like this one, a quickfire journey of driving drums turning rock turning pop turning rock turning the sound up every time I listen. (Jo Michelmore)




If you have a Spotify or Apple Music account, you'd be well aware of the personalised playlists that these apps make for you. Blah blah algorithms blah blah and you get recommended artists you might be interested in. I feel like the algorithm doesn't get me all that much based off the majority of what's recommended to me, but sometimes a song works its way into these new tunes I supposedly might like and I end up loving it. Like 'Last Stand' by Guards that I wouldn't have heard any other way. And I'm very thankful I did hear it, because it's a whole lot of Brit-poppy fun. (Matt Bond)

#29. MISERABLE

by Alexander Biggs

Am I hard to love? With a heart so tough

You could cut me and I wouldn't feel a thing

There’s a very special kind of talent that can turn a subject so sad into something so sweet, there’s very special kind of artist who can did deep into what becomes the murky mundane and turn it into a piece of magic, a reflection of life and it’s ability to be as equally bleak as it is exhaustingly beautiful. ‘Miserable’ is exactly these things, and Alexander Biggs is exactly the artist with the special kind of talent to see a subject so pessimistic and turn it into something so pretty. (Jo Michelmore)

#28. CLIMATE

by Ruby Fields

Darlin', could you teach me to make a spark?

I've never quite gotten the technique down

I’ll be completely honest here and admit I hadn’t heard much of Ruby Fields until I saw her coverage of Laneway for Triple J early in the year, which was one of the funniest things I saw on social media all year. Thank goodness for Laneway patrons and Ruby’s deadpan way of dealing with them, because they inadvertently introduced me to Ms Fields’ world, and her terribly good pop, her terribly good way with simple drums and guitars and her terribly catchy way with words, as well as her views on terribly amusing festival patrons. (Jo Michelmore)

#27. STARS

by Cub Sport

I never thought anyone got to live like this

Cub Sport are on the hottest of hot streaks at the moment. Everything they touch turns to musical gold and we are here for it. And you can tell these Brisbane indie-popsters are feeling it too, going the self-titled route on their third LP. They've found their place in the musical world and found themselves in the process. And what better way to spelt for us than on the dreamy, oh so dreamy, 'Stars'. It lives up to the promise of taking you higher and higher and leaves you with the fullest of hearts. Tim Nelson's writing is top notch, perfectly reflecting his contentment in Cub Sport's and his own current state of being. High fives and love heart emoji for everyone! (Matt Bond)

#26. WHY DON'T WE GET ALONG

by Kira Puru

But I need so much more

Than a good long talk

From the moment I heard Kira Puru with that Bruise all those years ago, I was mesmerised, so powerful and enigmatic it was a spell I couldn’t escape; her voice was magic, her sense of life addictive, her style so captivating; I almost wanted to be her. I’ve since decided I’d much rather be myself, because from my view I got to see her evolve into her current incredible unapologetic self, hear her sound as confident as she does vulnerable in all her material and watch her talent evolve into such good songs like this one. And with every release I also get to see so many more people discover the same thing I know; that Kira Puru is fabulous. (Jo Michelmore)

#25. TEA STAINS

by Didirri and Ro

Every time I turn my head

I see your shadow in the trees and I lose the hour

If you write a song about tea, there’s an incredibly high chance I’m going to like it, considering my love of one of the most comfortable beverages in the world. Didirri and Ro have written such a song. If you have anything to do with Eurovision, there’s an almost definite chance I’m going to like you, considering my love of the most enjoyable celebration of music in all the world. Didirri is hoping to compete in said competition next year. And as Didirri is involved in both songs about tea and things about Eurovision, chances are, I’m a fan. Yep, I am. (Jo Michelmore)




I was lucky enough to see both Didirri and Ro this year, supporting Middle Kids and Little May respectively. Their solo sets included a whole bunch of gorgeous tunes. Like the X-Men before them, alone they are mighty... but together? They are unstoppable. Or something like that, I don't know. Together, Ro and Didirri show they can make musical magic, as proven by 'Tea Stains'. It's understated, simple and overwhelmingly effective with the focus on the sweet performances from both artists that try so hard to mask the underlying sadness. Can you be happy and sad at the same time? Of course... just listen to 'Tea Stains'. (Matt Bond)

#24. STAINED GLASS

by Ocean Alley

To be perfectly honest

You're not being honest, my friend

I’m almost convinced that Ocean Alley could write a song about anything and they’d still sound like they were chilling on a beach somewhere watching the sunset. They could perform a list of addresses, repeat a political mantra, recite a recipe to music and I’d still be thinking of the coast. They were probably quite smart in putting the Ocean in Ocean Alley, I guess. ‘Stained Glass’ is a gem of dreamy layered guitars and a swirling groove which sends your mind to pleasant places and proves that hottest 100 position wasn't a fluke, they know their thing, and they do it very well. (Jo Michelmore)

#23. CIRCLES
by George Alice

You know I lie when I say goodbye

Sometimes I mean it, I mean it, I'm leaving

The worst type of relationship laid out in one of the best listens of the year. The type of relationship that goes round and round (and round in circles) with a destination of nowhere. One party needs to be the one to break the cycle for good, but who's it going to be? Here's hoping it was George Alice and she's still not going round and round (and round in circles). Break the cycle now while you're still young! Time is on your side. With that out of the way, George Alice is finishing up high school and she is killing it on her first big release. 'Circles' slowly draws you in, works its way into your head and you'll never want it to leave. The only healthy circular motion you should find yourself in is the constant loop of replay you'll have 'Circles' on. (Matt Bond)

#22. WITHOUT A BLUSH

by Hatchie

If I could kiss you one more time

Would it make everything alright?

Hatchie. So dreamy. Even when putting her own heartbreak out into the world, and taking inspo from Greek tragedies no less, Hatchie remains the dreamiest. In 2019 we got to hear the explosive debut album, Keepsake, seemingly years in the making but more than well worth the wait. 'Without A Blush' would be released as the album's lead single at the start of the year and our love for it has only grown as we navigated the worldwide shit-show known as 2019. Hatchie's music has been a genuine highlight that's never failed to put a smile on our faces and that's never been more true than with 'Without A Blush' and its thoughts of what might have been with one last kiss. (Matt Bond)

#21. RESTLESS

by Allday ft. The Veronicas

There's a party we're late for, way up on a windy road

With people we can't relate to, once we're there we'll want to go

I mean, it's not the sequel to 'Untouched' that the people demand, but this will do. For now. The unlikely pairing of Allday and The Veronicas struck low-key, emotional gold with 'Restless', a track that brought out the best in both acts. Allday has found a maturity and depth in his music that will ensure he's sticking around for a log time to come and The Veronicas drop the big time pop sound for a restrained, relatable and engaging chorus that has them sounding better than ever (sans 'Untouched'). As much as we all want to hear 'Untouched' 2.0, I don't think anyone would be complaining about a sequel to 'Restless' either. These acts are quite the match. (Matt Bond)