Top 25 - 4 January, 2015

Kanye/McCartney, Megan Washington, The Kite String Tangle + The Grates!

1. The Kite String Tangle ft. Tiana Khasi - Stone Cold





2. The Grates - Holiday Home





3. Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk





4. Kanye West ft. Paul McCartney - Only One





5. Halcyon Drive - Crusoe





6. Megan Washington - Begin Again





7. Young Lions - When Will We Be Free?





8. Maples - Stars





9. Marina and The Diamonds - Immortal





10. Bertie Blackman - Kingdom of Alone





11. Metric - The Fatal Gift





12. The Grates - It Won't Hurt Anymore





13. Twin Shadow - Turn Me Up





14. World's End Press - Spirals (Slide Away)





15. Climbing Trees - Where Could This Go?





16. I Know Leopard - Perfect Picture





17. Mwansa - Heavy Feels





18. Lana Del Rey - Big Eyes





19. Stevie - Come Around





20. Gang of Youths - Benevolence Riots





21. Art of Sleeping - Crazy





22. Sleater-Kinney - Surface Envy





23. Hiatus Kaiyote - By Fire





24. Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne - Real Love





25. Montaigne - I'm A Fantastic Wreck

Top 114 Songs of 2014, #50 - 41

Airling, Tkay Maidza, #1 Dads + HOWQUA!

#114 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60 - 51

#50. FISHING FOR GOLD

by HOWQUA

I won't be your victim anymore,

And you can't break my spirit like before.

We get sent a lot of music from a whole bunch of great artists to check out. It's probably the best part of this whole blogging thing we've got going on. We get to listen to songs we might not have had the chance to if we were just listening out for new tunes on the radio or on rage or... Spotify or whatever. So Jo checked out an email about this HOWQUA guy and did a really good review (I'm allowed to compliment how awesome Jo is... sometimes) of this track 'Fishing For Gold' and I gave it a listen and was completely blown away by how talented this HOWQUA fella is. He's got a fantastic and emotive rock voice that he can belt out in a way that reminds me of both Counting Crows' Adam Duritz and Eddie Vedder. 90s rock star vocals. The best kind. Yeah, so getting to listen to a track from an artist like HOWQUA definitely makes me enjoy this whole blogging thing. I think it's safe to say that if we keep hearing gems like 'Fishing For Gold', HOWQUA is going to be making a big impact very soon. (Matt Bond)

Let me be honest. I wrote about struggling with my words when I wrote about HOWQUA earlier this year and here I am, actually finding it really difficult to write about this song again. I’m afraid if I write anymore I’m just gonna sound like some kind of crazy fan girl and the thing is, he’s so good he deserves better than crazy fan girls. I just really appreciate a singer who has the ability to be so utterly honest in his music, facing his dreams and his demons through his creativity, because facing my own are still things I’m trying to figure out how to do. “I won’t cry beside your grave, I’ll dance on it instead”. With the ability to put feelings like those into song, artists like HOWQUA and songs like ‘Fishing For Gold’ sure do help. (Jo Michelmore)  

#49. SO SOLDIER

by #1 Dads ft. Ainslie Wills





You've been hiding that secret under your shirt collar,
 You can breathe easy. 

Tom Iansek is a man of many talents. Taking some time away from Big Scary, he's created the side project #1 Dads and teamed up with some of the best singer-songwriter types in Australia on tracks like 'So Soldier'. Stepping into that lead vocal role for this number is Ainslee Wills and her voice with Iansek's guitar (and voice on back-up, he's very good too) are a match made in music heaven. 'So Soldier' is one of those songs that you're convinced no one could actually dislike. Everything about it is extremely likeable. If someone was to say, "hey, I don't like that 'So Soldier' song," I would call them a liar and ask what sick game they're playing. Anyway, can't get enough of this one. (Matt Bond) 

#48. PULL THE TRIGGER

by Apes

I feel like you're inside of me,
Waste my mind and let me breathe.

My first proper introduction to Apes was as the support act for Band Of Skulls in the early part of this year. The thing is at that gig they were one of those bands I didn’t know well, but had me going “Oh! This song! That’s this band!” which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What that means is that they write great rock songs which keep me so busy rocking I forget to figure out who is singing. I’m generally so busy listening to the guitars and nodding my head to the drums and remembering all the great rock gigs I’ve been to that the band name leaves my brain until the next time that rock voice blares out of my speakers again. Never fear, after that gig the name Apes is etched into my brain and ‘Pull The Trigger’ isn’t a song to forget. This is Australian rock at some of its memorable best. (Jo Michelmore)

After seeing Apes support Band of Skulls earlier this year it’s been a fast and furious affair. Except there has been no illegal street racing and Vin Diesel hasn’t appeared once. I have on some days, however, listened to at least seven of their songs, sometimes whilst driving in my car. (Katie Langley)

#47. THEY SAY

by Kilter ft. Tkay Maidza

And I never had someone like you, like you, someone...

Ned East aka Kilter would have to be a shoo-in for 'Class of 2015' lists. The 20 year old, Sydney based producer is already showing he's got the skills when it comes to laying out future-classic electronic beats and he's also got an eye for collaborating with crazy/good talent like Citizen Kay, Ngaiire and in the case of 'They Say', Tkay Maidza. Known for her fast-paced rhymes, the rap dynamo takes a moment to let us know she's got pipes too and a voice that's perfectly complimentary to Kilter's brand of electronic goodness. Easily one of the best dance tracks of 2014. (Matt Bond)


Alright, admission time. I didn’t know much of Kilter until I heard this song. A name on a list of names of people who played Splendour and Listen Out, a name is all Kilter was. Nowadays I know he’s a Sydney-sider with a healthy habit of making some beats that are near impossible not to move to. Some of those beats reside right here at number 47, along with the vocal of Tkay (we’re totally on a first name basis these days alright?) and they’re beats that are world class. I can hear them in a club only a few kilometres from my own house and I can hear them pounding across a tent in a giant music festival somewhere in the middle of Europe. Maybe that’s just because the last couple of days I have been dreaming of returning to Europe or maybe it’s because that’s where they belong. Let’s go with the latter option. (Jo Michelmore)
 

#46. WASTED PILOTS

by Airling





A broken in mess,
You don't need no one to tell you how it is.

You could say Airling had a pretty good year. Stepping into the spotlight after backing up Emma Louise and being part of the band Charlie Mayfair, Hannah Shepherd decided to go it alone under the new moniker, Airling. She scored a lot of triple J love with the tracks 'Ouroboros' and 'The Runner', supported Ella Hooper and a showcase slot at BIGSOUND Live. That's not to mention being crowned the Unearthed winner for a spot on the Splendour in the Grass line-up. That's an awesome year... way better than mine. Probably better than yours too. What I loved the most about Airling in 2014 was this track, 'Wasted Pilots' which tells you everything you need to know about what makes Airling such a special music maker. Dreamy electronic touches with even dreamier, ethereal vocals... you won't be able to get enough. And Thelma Plum's in the clip. Everything's better with Thelma Plum. (Matt Bond)

Gosh this one is a really nice piece of pop perfection. There are understated synths, a sweet sense of innocence, a bass line that is discreet but so very important and a drum beat that starts simply and ends up being integral to what the song becomes. All of that and Hannah Shepherd’s lovely voice floating across the top of all those sounds and challenging you not to love it. You shouldn’t fight it, really. This is perfect electronic pop and perfect pop is just….perfect. Of course. (Jo Michelmore)

#45. I AM NOT AN END

by Montaigne

I am not your end,
Does that make me alone?

I get the same excited feeling when listening to Montaigne's music as I did when Kimbra was first kicking about at the start of her career. It exists in its own wonderful place with its own sound and identity, seemingly different from everything else, but it's still pop-tacular and infectious enough to get stuck in your head for days/weeks/months. On one hand, 'I Am Not An End' is a bit quirky. On the other hand, there's huge pop hooks and a massively powerful voice that will leave any listener suitably impressed. 'I Am Not An End' presents a fierce, independent new artist with a voice demanding to be heard. It's smart and emotional, but it's also just really, really, ridiculously good pop music. And I love pop music. (Matt Bond)


Montaigne has already received praise from all ends of the music industry. The radio people on JJJ love her, the actual music journos who get paid to write about things they like and paid to write about things they don’t, love her and those crazy people who sit at home and write lots and lots of words about things they like and sometimes things they don’t for no monetary reward at all (some would call them bloggers) love her as well. Ok, so I might be one of those people in the last group who love her but you only have to hit play once to know why. ‘I Am Not An End’ is glorious in its pop and a tragedy in its themes and that’s what makes it so very perfect. She has a voice unto her own, a sound unto itself in today’s soundscapes and that special something that can be hard to describe but is present, the relatable at arms distance quality which makes her seem kind of magical. Oh I don’t know what I’m saying, I suppose that’s why I’m not one of those radio or journo peeps, but I do know I like Montaigne. A lot. (Jo Michelmore)

#44. SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

by Foo Fighters

Bid farewell to yesterday,
Say goodbye I'm on my way.

My love for Dave Grohl is no secret, on this here blog and in the real world. It’s as strong as my love for Jack White (oh Jack, oh sigh) and dare I say it, possibly even stronger. That’s probably because of Dave’s lack of ‘wanker’ factor. I mean, seriously, he took his band around America to record in classic studios all over the country (this one recorded in Steve Albini’s studio in Chicago) but he did all of this because of his passion for music, without a sense of "look at me I'm so cool", just a sense of wonder and awe. Of course, there’s more to the Foo Fighters than just Dave and it’s the other members who also deserve a round of applause (those playing at home please join in now) for their unbelievable skills on ‘Something From Nothing’, with its guitar worship and various feelings of rock. So much rock. The Foo Fighters? They can do no wrong in my eyes so add this to the list of things I love about them. It’s a long, long list. (Jo Michelmore)

I do love Foo Fighters but find that it’s sometimes hard to fully give myself over to them. It’s not Dave Grohl’s fault, but he looks an awful lot like my ex-boyfriend, who is a massive douchebag. I tend to combat this issue by avoiding all video footage of Foo Fighters, otherwise I find myself muttering things like “liar”, “cheater”, and “drunk” under my breath. I have not watched the video clip for this song, so it’s a thumbs up from me. (Katie Langley)

#43. FINISH THEM

by Tkay Maidza


 

Let me finish them,
Let me finish them... 

Oh hey, it's Tkay Victoria Maidza. You should already know Tkay. Not just because she's featured earlier in today's edition of our songs of the year countdown. You should already know her because she's been a 2014 music highlight, smashing it with every release. One of the tracks we loved this year was 'Finish Them', a statement of intention that there's a new power in the rap game. Well, that's how I'm choosing to interpret it because the track has #slay written all over it. If I used that even remotely in context I'll be ever so happy. The Bok Bok produced 'Finish Them' is the closest I'll get to agreeing with the Azealia Banks comparisons in terms of beats and the repeated 'what' and 'hey' backing segments, but that distinct Tkay delivery sets it on a higher plane. She won't be an Underground Queen for long. (Matt Bond)

 

It’s really odd to think that this time last year I had no idea who this unbelievably talented rapper from Adelaide was and even more odd to think I had no idea how much I would like her now. ‘Finish Them’ was my third taste of Tkay this year and she’s still avoided that “oh this one isn’t as good as the last one” thing that plagues some artists. While ‘Finish Them’ was totally different to the fun party times that ‘U-Huh’ was and almost a world away from the super cute stomping of ‘Brontosuarus’ from last year, it’s still got Tkay stomped all over it (ha, get it?), it’s built for the clubs and some serious arm throwing leg kicking manically dancing at 2am. Let’s just face it, right now, Tkay can do no wrong and I’m really enjoying that. (Jo Michelmore)

#42. DO IT AGAIN

by Robyn and Royksopp

One more time, let's do it again
Blow my mind, do it again

Grab yourself and drink (drank?), put on your finest duds and get ready to boogie, because this is one of the best dance songs of the year. Of always. This is a song you want playing at the clubs and then when it's over, you want the DJ to forget about Avicii for just one night, instead opting to repeat this track again. And again. And again and again and again. What? I'd be cool with that. We already knew Royksopp and Robyn were an electronic music match made in heaven after their track 'Girl and The Robot'. But 'Do It Again' kinda makes you think they should collaborate together all the time. I sure do hope they... do it again. Yeah, I never said I was cool. These guys, they're cool. (Matt Bond)

I have spoken of my love of Norway and its music (and royalty; hey Crown Prince Haakon, who is so cool he is obviously a reader of this blog), so that’s one half of this collaboration covered, but I’ve probably never mentioned my thoughts of Robyn, who, is a little difficult to dislike if one likes Sweden and pop music. I like both those things. ‘Do It Again’ is everything European pop music should be, quick, catchy and with a sense of urgency running throughout. The clip is all of those things too and as well as all that, they released a mini album and while one still questions why one doesn’t call this an EP or an album (these are questions for another time) if two of Europe’s greatest have done it who cares anyway? (Jo Michelmore)

This week I bought a floral shirt and decided that I like 'Do It Again'. At the outset these seem like trivial things. But I’m a rock chick who tends to lives her life in black, black and black, so this is big news people. (Katie Langley)

#41. WAR OF ONE

by Bertie Blackman

 And the rules that you make never let me win,
'Cause I'm always a freak that can never fit in.

Bertie Blackman has consistently provided us with good time throughout her music career. It's with her new album, The Dash that she's truly at the top of her game with pop gems like 'War Of One'. The opening guitars make sure you're hooked from the get go, leading into some dramatic battle cries from Blackman that will have you ready to fight in a war of one or wherever Blackman wants you to fight. She'd be a pretty badass leader. There's a fair bit of 80s throwback going on and that just makes me love it more. Who didn't love some 80s power pop? If you didn't, you're sick. Bertie Blackman continues to show she can do no wrong. There needs to be more recognition of her talent. (Matt Bond)


Ooh ooh ooh, it’s the 80s and there is someone wearing purple lycra, someone wearing knitted leg warmers and someone wearing white reebok shoes nearby. I always think it’s so funny where one’s mind wanders when one hears a song for the first time and how that place changes and morphs as one hears the song more and more. It’s morphed a couple of times, but it’s still a track that needs moving to, the bass line a call to get your Rocky on Sylvester Stallone style and the synths a call to get your bubble skirt and side pony on while shaking your ass all the way up or down a staircase. Yes, the mind continues to wander. (Jo Michelmore)

Top 25 - 30 August, 2014

Bertie Blackman + Childish Gambino!

1. Tkay Maidza - U-Huh (5 weeks at #1!)





2. Our Man In Berlin - Cirrhosis





3. Megan Washington - My Heart Is A Wheel





4. Bertie Blackman - War Of One (NEW)





5. Jack Colwell and The Owls - Seek The Wilde





6. Curxes - Valkyrie





7. Airling - Wasted Pilots (NEW)





8. Tulane - But I Say





9. Montaigne - I Am Not An End





10. Holy Holy - History (NEW)





11. Cathedrals - OOO AAA (NEW)





12. Rainy Day Women - Mrs. Jones (NEW)





13. Battleships - You Can't Change It





14. Avec Sans - All of Time





15. Childish Gambino - Candler Road (NEW)





16. De̊ǰa - Sirens (NEW)





17. Wafia - Alice





18. Amy Lee - Lockdown (NEW)





19. MKO - Puddles





20. Tempura Nights - R.I.P CHIX (NEW)





21. Little May - Dust





22. Jessie Ware - Say You Love Me





23. Lanie Lane - Celeste





24. Harts - Red and Blue





25. Zola Jesus - Dangerous Days (NEW)

Top 25 - 25 May, 2014

Bertie Blackman, Andy Bull + Alison Wonderland!

1. The Griswolds - Beware The Dog





2. Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - Fancy





3. Kimbra - 90s Music





4. Boyeur - Cupid





5. Dustin Tebbutt - Bones (NEW)





6. Alison Wonderland - I Want U (NEW)





7. Jack White - Lazaretto





8. Andy Bull - Talk Too Much (NEW)





9. La Roux - Let Me Down Gently





10. Bertie Blackman - Run For Your Life (NEW)





11. Rae Morris ft. Fryars - Cold (NEW)





12. Ruby Boots - Oh Lover





13. Airling - The Runner (NEW)





14. Our Man In Berlin - Flight





15. Ball Park Music - Trippin' The Light Fantastic (NEW)





16. The Trouble With Templeton - Heavy Lifting (NEW)





17. Little Bastard - Be My Kind





18. The Hics - All We'll Know





19. Ed Sheeran - All Of The Stars (Re-Entry)





20. Noosa - Clocktower





21. Lykke Li - Just Like A Dream





22. Lancelot ft. Ngaiire - Ain't Nothin' Going On But The Rent (Re-Entry)





23. Remi - Tyson





24. Torres - New Skin





25. Seinabo Sey - Hard Time

Top 25 - 10 February, 2013

Eliza Hull!

Songs of the Week, 10/02/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. The Griswolds - The Courtship of Summer Preasley
2. Atlas Genius - If So (NEW)
3. Little Daylight - Overdose
4. Flaming Lips - Sun Blows Up Today
5. Eliza Hull - Echoes (NEW)
6. MKO - Snarly (NEW)
7. Birds of Tokyo - Lanterns

8. Chrvches - Recover (NEW)
9. Elephant - Skyscraper (NEW)
10. Monarchy ft. Dita Von Teese - Disintegration
11. The Knife - Full of Fire

12. M.I.A - Doobie (NEW)
13. HAIM - Don't Save Me
14. Emma Louise - Freedom
15. The Delta Riggs - Rah Rah Radio (NEW)
16. Chloe Howl - Rumour
17. Shout Out Louds - Illusions (NEW)

18. James Blake - Retrograde (NEW)
19. Sarah Blasko - God Fearing





20. Tegan and Sara - How Come You Don't Want Me? (NEW)
21. Pati Yang - Hold Your Horses (NEW)





22. Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile
23. Phebe Starr - Jurrasica
24. Bertie Blackman - Growl Howl (NEW)
25. Moon Boots - No One (NEW)

Gig Review - Gotye (12/12/2012)

GOTYE (12/12/2012)

Supported by: Bertie Blackman

Live at the Brisbane Riverstage

Review by Jo Michelmore

Mid-week, exhausted, two weeks before Christmas. Probably my last live music experience before 2013 kicked in, this wasn’t my ideal time for a gig, but when I walked to the Riverstage last Wednesday night, I’m going to say, I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced. Having seen Gotye once before at Splendour 2011, I wasn’t convinced this was going to be the greatest gig of the year. At Splendour, even from the front row, he was somewhat reserved; I would maybe even say (ooh, dare I say it?) a little self-indulgent, slyly moving from drums to keyboards and not saying much in between. The highlight of that gig was seeing ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ performed live on stage for the first time with the delightful Kimbra and although that’s a memory I adore, the entire set wasn’t the greatest. Speaking to some friends at the announcement of his tour in October last year, they recommended I not see him live again, as they’d experienced a similar thing at a gig previously. This probably wasn’t a good thought process to attend with….or maybe it was?
How things change and that’s the beauty of live music, it can turn you into a fan quickly and on Wednesday night, I’m happy to say Gotye turned me around, picked me up, took me into his arms, gave me a gentle squeeze, a dance and then placed me back on the floor as a fan. This is one of the reasons I love live music so much and on Wednesday night Gotye reminded me of that.

 

Opening with The Only Way and moving straight into Easy Way Out, the stage was almost overwhelming; the lights, the sound, a small army of musicians and a giant screen of animation, it was hard to know what to focus on. Wally De Backer and his cute little skinny tie, the moves of the percussionist, the giant screen at the back? I decided if it was all too much a dance was the best way to go, so made my way to the front and held on for an experience of all the senses. Even with his massive global success this year, Gotye proved that so much fame has not gone to his head, instead, it probably gave him a sense of confidence such a talented musician deserves and throughout his set he was the ultimate gentleman, introducing his nine band members in between each song, dancing his way from keyboard to percussion to microphone and appreciating the response of the crowd. The obligatory clap a long and sing a long were welcomed warmly by a generous audience and even the weird variety show style antics of Barry Morgan, his one finger playing and his velvet jacket for State Of The Art were kind of cute and funny, something I totally didn’t expect from a Gotye gig.

 

Hearts A Mess was amazing, Bronte just beautiful and Dig Your Own Hole, a track that didn’t make the final Making Mirrors cut was a treat, but I suppose now one can’t mention a Gotye gig without mentioning ‘that’ song and it didn’t disappoint, Bertie Blackman in a rabbit/mouse/bear/koala/who-knows-what-that-was-suit taking Kimbra’s part was cute, and having seen Kimbra and Gotye perform it together I’m thinking no one will ever be quite big enough to fill her shoes but Bertie certainly gave it a good shot. Finishing with a rubber chicken and I Feel Better was the perfect end to such a fun and eye opening gig, one I walked into as a sceptic and walked out of as a fan. My last live music gig of the year, success.


Gotye, thanks for reminding me exactly why I’ve been to all those gigs this year; because ultimately, live music is amazing and Gotye, as your newest biggest fan, I kind of think you are too.

Top 112 Songs of 2012 - #60 - 51

British India!

#112 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60. Boy

by Emma Louise (AUS) 

But all you do is lay around,

spending time,

smoking cigarettes. 

With Boy, Emma Louise proves herself to be one of the finest young songwriters in this little country I live in. It’s pure pop beauty that’s easy to get lost in, but then about half way through there’s a little twist that keeps you interested and shows Emma Louise’s maturity as a songstress, even though she’s only just past her teens. Can’t wait to see what else she’s capable of in the future! (Jo Michelmore)  


She's obviously dated a massive loser in the past. Which I'm ok with. If she's going to write music like 'Boy' she can date as many losers as she wants. Perhaps I'm being too harsh. Looking at the song from another perspective, this could be Louise singing about a friend or lover that is unable to realise the potential she sees in them. That's much more depressing, so let's go with that. (Matt Bond) 

#59. Mercy Killer

by Bertie Blackman (AUS)

Wait hear while I polish my disguise.

I love the fact that this song is written about something Bertie did once; deleting a text from someone else’s phone. I love the fact that such a simple little act is so evil and I love the fact that Bertie Blackman managed to write an entire catchy pop song about it. I love the creepy retro inspired clip and I think I kinda love Bertie Blackman because of all of these things. (Jo Michelmore) 

The keys are sneaky, and make me want to tip-toe around and do sneaky things. (Katie Langley) 
 

#58. Now

by Matt and Kim

Knives tend to get dull and round,

So let's cut this whole building down... 

These two, Matt and Kim. They can keep doing what they're doing. It seems like nothing will stop them from creating a bigger sound with every new release. 'Now' is super fun pop music for indie geeks. Embrace your nerdiness. (Matt Bond)  

At about 1 minute into this song I started to twirl my hair. And again at 2:20. And 3:39. My neck is a little sore, but it was worth it. Super Mario, anyone? (Katie Langley) 

I’ve always wanted to review a band where I could say “blah and blah” from “such and such”, so I’m going to do it now. Matt and Kim from Matt and Kim show us exactly how to live on this, the second single from their fourth album, Lightning, which was released in October. It’s the perfect song to put on when you’re getting ready to hit the streets on a Friday night and it’s the perfect song to listen to really, really loudly in the car. I love it. I kind of want to be Matt and Kim. I’m thinking Matt and I should start a rival band and call ourselves Matt and Jo. Then other people would refer to us as Matt and Jo from Matt and Jo. It would be amazing. Like this song is. (Jo Michelmore) 

Top 112 Songs of 2012 - #70 - 61

The Temper Trap!

#112 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70. Spiritus

by Lisa Mitchell (AUS)

Heart is lost,

Like a lost little one... 

From the very first notes of this song, you know you’re in for a super cute three minute treat. The clip is so adorable it almost makes me a little uncomfortable and even though Matt and I have had many discusssions about why she wrote a song about Shannon Noll (Matt said it right in his original review; “Enunciate, darling. Enunciate!”) somehow I still love this song. (Jo Michelmore) 


Young one, it's a big suck, in my love, my love, my love, my love, Shannon No-ooh-oh-ooh-oh-ooh-oll! Misheard lyrics can't stop me from falling for Lisa Mitchell's charms on 'Spiritus.' This one is as much a road-trip essential as it is a beach BBQ and drinks with friends requirement. You stay bouncy and free-spirited, Lisa Mitchell. (Matt Bond)   

Ooo what a catchy, happy little song. Is it being used in an advertisement? If not, it should be. (Katie Langley)

#69. We Own The Sky

by Neon Wolf

Don't you see, time will pass,

And we'll start it again. 

One more song tailor-made for the summer that makes you want to get out there and start loving life with a team of mates, running riot through the streets. Neon Wolf emerged this year as one of our favourite new acts, with 'We Own The Sky' becoming their signature song in my mind. It's everything you want in an indie anthem; bright and youthful with an easy to grasp, booming singalong chorus that makes you fight the urge to jump around and dance. It's a fight you're bound to lose. The music video captures the mood of the song perfectly and just makes you love an already amazing rock track just a little bit more. Here's another act you can expect to hear so much more from real soon. We can't wait! (Matt Bond)  

How many great bands was I introduced to this year? We’re only up to number 69 and I’ve already mentioned numerous times, damn, this was such a great year in music. Neon Wolf put themselves at the top of my favourite new Irish bands with We Own The Sky, which is quite simply, awesome straightforward rock music. Guitars and drums and a chorus to remember, a clip that captures a slice of day to day life, I’m left humming this one long after it’s over. Singing along to rock songs like this make you feel exactly like what the title says; like you own the sky. How delightful.  (Jo Michelmore) 

#68. Stone Cold Lover

by The Hello Morning (AUS)

I saw right through your face when I first met you...

I feel head over heels in love with The Hello Morning at BigSound earlier in the year. As we entered the Black Beard lodge I had goose bumps. And no, it wasn’t the air-conditioning. The vocals just get me straight in the heart. Sometimes I don’t know if it makes me want to laugh or cry. It’s amazing to me that I can feel so much from this song and this band. (Katie Langley)

One of my favourite live music moments of this year involves climbing the stairs of the Black Bear during BigSound, finding a perfect viewing spot at the side of the room and being slapped in the face with the awesomeness of The Hello Morning. Stone Cold Lover is a perfect example of what I saw that night, the intensity of six musicians all playing together, the layered sound of loud, loud instruments and a powerful vocal, this is a band that you need to keep your eyes and ears on, because if they keep releasing songs like this one, they’ll become some of Australia’s newest favourite sons soon. (Jo Michelmore) 


Like the lovely ladies of It's My Kind of Scene, it was seeing The Hello Morning at BigSound live that sold me 100% on their brand of bluesy rock. If I had heard 'Stone Cold Lover' before that night, I would have been a fan immediately anyway. It's the right kind of rock to kick back and listen to with a couple of beverages at the start of the night, before you put it on again later, beverages consumed, for a good dance. (Matt Bond)    

New Music Monday #28

Pope Innocent X (P.I.X.) [Album]

by Bertie Blackman

this album is for adventure. for the curious. for imagination. for hope. for the shadows. 

for the grip. for wonder. for love. for all that is between. for you. - Bertie Blackman

"Hear me, follow me, and tumble around in worlds that fall down constantly." Bertie Blackman's fourth album, P.I.X. is, in a word, stunning. A collection of eleven songs that will ensure when you hear Blackman and enter her world, you'll have no choice but to fall for her. Hard. The ethereal beauty of opening track 'Tremors' is full of expressive, world-building lines which immediately grab your attention. "My world is on fire, scorching the ground, in a rage I perspire. Look! Have you heard who you are?" Its spellbinding effects linger as the sound of the infectious 'Mercy Killer' play out a story of deception. Bertie has always had a wonderful way with words, but it's here that she's at her finest form. How can you hear a lyric like, "Still I hunger to come clean with a confession, but you are a relic in my black and jealous heart," and not feel your heart excitedly jump just a little bit higher? 'Mercy Killer' is one of the true highlights of P.I.X. and an excellent choice for the album's first single. Throughout P.I.X., Blackman completely lives up to her admission above. It's certainly adventurous on 'Accordion Boat' and 'Maps.' There's no shortage of imagination on the indie-electro future crowd-pleaser, 'Hide and Seek.' Shadows? Well, there is a song called 'Shadow Chasers' so that's covered. As should be expected, it's quite heartbreaking. In one of those amazing heartbreaking ways. "And the memories, should keep me out of trouble for a while, with black marker on my skin, and the smell of the dark, a unique acquisition, to bury a splinter deep in my heart." Bertie Blackman has always had a wonderful way with words. Curious... wonder... that's got to be 'Boy.' It bounces along and in the process plants itself straight into your long-term memory. Another standout track. Love is sprinkled throughout each track. Love is where the best music is born, the good and the bad aspects of it. From 'Tremors' through to the closing/beautiful 'Mistakes;' it's all about love in one way or another. "If mistakes could talk, what would they say? Warn me of the truth, and hurt that lies ahead." If you're a fan of fantastic lyricism and adventurous and catchy indie, you're going to want to grab yourselves a copy of P.I.X. You won't regret it. 

Matt Bond gives Pope Innocent X four Michael Hutchence's out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK

I Awake: A Short Film

by Sarah Blasko

Album: I Awake (October, 2012)

Sometimes I am a little apprehensive about musicians who release songs that go for over seven minutes, let alone clips. I needn’t have worried, as the clip Sarah Blasko has released for ‘I Awake’ is actually exactly what it’s titled, a short film filled with four songs from her album of the same name and pieced together with some stunning imagery. Now, I could get all intellectual and talk about the images and metaphors and meanings in relation to Sarah (who doesn’t appear in this clip) and her lyrics, but instead, let me simplify it. There’s gorgeous images of buildings, a beautiful man, a dog, a bird, a seashore, a forest and a road, amongst other things; all shot incredibly beautifully and somehow pieced together perfectly with stunning percussion, dramatic strings and Sarah’s understated, lovely vocal. (You don’t have to worry either, the credits start at six and a half minutes so you don’t even have to commit to the full seven and a half minutes, if you don’t want to.) This clip is beautiful and only makes me want to submerge myself endlessly in the entire I Awake album, right now.

 
 

Jo Michelmore gives the 'I Awake' video four Michael Hutchence's out of five...

The Walk On By

by Velociraptor 

A little puzzle for you.

Things I like: zombie related things, low budget films, vintage inspired sounds, retro stylings and catchy songs.

Things in the clip for The Velociraptor’s ‘The Walk On By’: zombie related themes, deliberately filmed low budget shots, vintage inspired sounds, retro stylings, a catchy song and even some bonus animation.

Do I like this clip?

Yes.

How much?

A lot.

Jo Michelmore gives 'The Walk On By' video four Michael Hutchence's out of five...