Courtney Barnett never really left us, with a Kurt Vile team-up tiding us over between albums, but it was oh so nice to have her back in 2018 with the album Tell Me How You Really Feel. The irony in an album title like that from someone who's copped so much unecessary troll shit is as delicious as the songs that make up the album. Songs like 'City Looks Pretty', which features arguably the most "upbeat" version of Barnett. That comes down to attitude, something she's never been short of in the past and that rocking guitar line. But there's a liberated feeling that's emanating from Barnett's vocal performance as she let's out all those things running through her head. We're all better for it. (Matt Bond)
#59. CLAWS
by Megan Washington
And there's something I love about these intimate wars
If I bare all my skin show me your claws.
Megan Washington, never leave us again. The world is a much better place with you putting new music out into it. Picking up from where 2014's There There left off, 'Claws' shows that Washington remains one of our most relatable writers and finest music makers and when you put those together you get the kind of timeless pop that you know you're going to come back to years from now. She's got claws, but flaws? Get out of here. This music is 100% flawless. (Matt Bond)
#58. TREES
by Ariela Jacobs
I'm just asking for a change.
Our yearly dose of Ariela Jacobs goodness was particularly beautiful this year. Sure, it's beautiful every year, but Jacobs gets better and better with each new release and 'Trees' stands as one of her finest releases. Her performance holds strength and a whole lot of dignity, even in the sadness that comes as she finds herself, "asking for a change." Absolutley goregous in every way and we wouldn't expect any less when it comes to the music of Ariela Jacobs. Here's hoping for a full album of songs like 'Trees' in 2019. (Matt Bond)
#57. 14U+14ME
by The Presets
Yeah, if we pull ourselves together
So much world all at once for us to breathe...
The title may be styled like something I wrote on someone’s pencil case in my middle high school years (do kids still do that kind of thing these days? Do kids still use pencil cases?) but the sound of 14U+14ME is far removed from anything those nuns at my high school would have been happy for me to listen to. A subtle build to pounding beats and a flood of everything The Presets do so well, this could be one of those songs they call a banger. Do The Presets do anything but bangers? If I knew exactly what a banger was I’d let you know. Let me find someone with a pencil case and get back to you on that one. (Jo Michelmore)
#56. TO THE BONE
by Ella Hooper
I'm gonna raise this town
Rip it up, tear it down.
Yes. Yes to Ella Hooper. Yes to 'To The Bone'. Yes to that 90s inspired film clip. Yes to raising this town. Yes to that guy on the cowbell. Yes to that black and white shot at the start of said film clip where Hooper has her back to us and then flips around. Yes to slowing it down. Yes to female symbol earrings. Yes to blowing fireball kisses and then laughing about it. Yes to possibly eating the cowbell guy. Okay... things get a bit out of control on 'To The Bone', but the whole song is out of control in the best possible way. Ella Hooper, delivering unto us the funnest of all the musics once more. And what we want is so much more of this. Please? (Matt Bond)
#55. BLUE MINDED
by Gretta Ray
Tell me when you wanna go
To where we wanna be the most.
There’s immediate imagery in my mind as soon as Gretta Ray’s voice leaves my speakers, which are backed up by storytelling lyrics and layer over layer of keys, strings and this glorious voice Gretta’s; who won both JJJ’s Unearthed and the Vanda and Young Songwriting Award a couple of years ago and let me say, she deserves ALL of the accolades she’s going to be receiving over the next few years. Such a precious voice, such a way with words and such a calmly passionate sound; I’m a big fan and if you aren’t already, I’m going to predict the future and suggest almost everyone will be sometime soon. (Jo Michelmore)
#54. NOTHING TO REGRET
by Robinson
All of my friends are the reason I'm only
On for the weekend when it's not so lonely.
Robinson? Who is this Robinson we speak of? I’m still not sure, even though I’ve heard this song about a hundred million times this year. I do know she’s from New Zealand, which means someone somewhere is either going to compare her to Lorde, convince us she’s best friends with Lorde or try and start some online feud between her and Lorde. Probably all of the above, if they haven’t happened already. I wouldn’t know, I don’t know who anyone is anymore. I do know I have a silver puffa jacket in my wardrobe that I’ve been attempting to prove is fashionable since the day I bought it. I’ll keep wearing that thanks Robinson, you’re right, I’ve nothing to regret about that purchase. (Jo Michelmore)
#53. ROLLERCOASTER
by Bleachers
So come a little closer
There is something I can tell ya...
The last time I enjoyed a Rollercoaster themed song from a movie soundtrack was the Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘Love Rollercoaster’ from the Beavis And Butthead Do America soundtrack, which, for those readers born after 1996, was an excellent film and excellent song and I won’t hear another word of it. This Rollercoaster has nothing to do with that one but is almost as fun. Taken from the Love Simon soundtrack, it’s exactly as it’s titled, a rollercoaster of smashing guitars and a sing along chorus that sticks around in your head long after it’s done. And also, although I know very little about this band, youtube has taught me they make great, amusing clips, should you care to get lost in one of those youtube black holes for an hour or so. You’re welcome. (Jo Michelmore)
#52. MISSING U
by Robyn
There's this empty space you left behind
Now you're not here with me.
Anyone else feeling like they want to go out and dance like it's 2010? Where would I be... I'd be in London. At a club called Fez that had a light up dance floor and ended every night with Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing'. And the drinks would be cheap, but not cheap enough to justify spending all that money on them since all of your money was going to that tiny room in the big, beautiful house you were living in that backed onto a train line. And you went to that retail job and gave no fucks about it because you knew it was a temporary stop to save up enough money to go travel as far away from those neon clothes and tacky bags. And even that job was fun enough. I'm missing 2010 like I've been missing Robyn since she went away. Now that she's back... let's dance. (Matt Bond)
There’s no one else in the world who does dancing and depression as well as Robyn. She’s pretty much built an entire career around it, which makes me concerned for her emotional state, but completely comfortable with the state of her health, because she must certainly get a lot of cardio training in with all these heartbreaking situations she’s seemingly constantly in, and therefore getting over, by hitting the dancefloor. Do people still hit dancefloors? I don’t know, But if they call songs like this bangers then, broken hearted? Here. Have a banger. (Jo Michelmore)
#51. YOUNGBLOOD
by 5 Seconds of Summer
Remember the words you told me
Love me 'til the day I die?
They might be the last boy band left standing, but 5 Seconds of Summer went from being Australia's answer to One Direction to legitimate pop superstars with 'Youngblood'. It's the highest selling song of the year by an Australian act and the why to that is quite simple to answer really. It's pop perfection. Admit it, you can't resist singing along to one of the biggest choruses of the year. What's a One Direction? It's all about the 5SOS, baby. Okay, probably for this one song only. The Angus and Julia Stone cover ain't too shabby either. (Matt Bond)
Are there five members of 5 Seconds Of Summer? This is something I should find out before I finish typing these words, but I’m busy clicking my fingers and trying to figure out just how many times I may have heard this song this year. A thousand times? A million times? Commercial radio couldn’t have played this song anymore this year or they wouldn’t have fit any Ariana Grande in, so it was pretty much impossible to avoid these guys. A really smart track and album, ‘Youngblood’ moved them from being a band with a loyal pop punk fanbase to a band with a large pop fanbase, and while it’s not a big switch, it’s a much easier place to grow from and with. PS There’s four members of 5SOS, FYI. Thank you google. (Jo Michelmore)
Here's the bit where we get all patriotic and lamingtons and sunshine, or something like that, because we're talking about something we're probably a little biased about, Australian Artist of the Year. So many incredible artists spanning so many genres on this huge island of ours, choosing only two wasn't easy, but somehow we did it. You're welcome.
AUSTRALIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Runner up: Ella Hooper
Because she brought back Killing Heidi. Obviously. Alright, Alright... I'm kidding. My love for Killing Heidi is well documented (or is it not nearly enough?), but 2016 was another huge year for the incredibly talented and hard working Ella Hooper. With the release of her EP New Magic, she followed up last year's Venom EP with a work that was like the light to the darkness. Or a little bit of light coming in through a crack in the window, because there's nothing wrong with a bit of darkness is there? No. No there is not. While Venom took a journey of reflection and self-discovery at a time when it was needed the most, New Magic wasn't afraid to bring some bounce and say, fuck it up, let's dye our hair blonde and dance it out. One of our most loved AUS music releases of the year from an artist that's become a local legend. That's what gets Ella Hooper a place here. The fact that Killing Heidi have been doing some return shows is just icing on the cake. (Matt Bond)
Winner: Tkay Maidza
You were pretty much guaranteed there wasn't going to be an entire award ceremony thing that didn't include our beloved Ms Maidza in the list. To be honest, after the release of her debut album this year, she could have taken out more than half of our awards, and that's only half because we couldn't give her man or group awards. And you know, we gotta share the love around so Australian it is. She's everything Australian music should be; brash, loud, bouncy, a little bit self-assured without a dose of arrogance, a little bit cheeky and a whole lot of fun, Tkay Maidza is everything we've needed and everything we've been waiting for in this huge land of ours. Tkay the album was pure brilliance, even if that guy's Dad from Triple J didn't think so, and Tkay the person, well, she's pretty much simply the best. (Jo Michelmore)
Kicking off our top ten songs of the year is one of our all time faves, Ella Hooper! With 'Monkey Mind', the first song released from her New Magic EP, Hooper put out what's quickly become my most loved work of hers. After 2015's Venom EP took her down a dark and lonesome (and musically brilliant) road, 'Monkey Mind' was like the bright, shimmering counterpart with a driving beat and delicious synth-y goodness. The complex nature and depth that comes with Ella's songwriting didn't get lost amongst the feel-good nature of the track though, with her internal struggles taking over the narrative of 'Monkey Mind'. All the little things you fight off during the day that you just can't keep away at night, those are all the things the monkey mind brings with it. Questions that should have simple answers like, "if I can't make you love me, is it wrong to hold on child?" You know the answer's yes, but what if? Damn that monkey mind. But praise Ella Hooper. As the song builds to the final chants of 'monkey mind', your desire to dance all those thoughts away peaks and you can get on with you day. Hooper totally killed it again this year and now she's doing a bit of a reunion tour with Killing Heidi and if they come to Brisbane the excitement may kill me. Just so you know. (Matt Bond)
Music was an integral part of my childhood. There was always an artist I liked, always a song I was singing, always a tune in my head. I was always wondering what my brothers were listening to and would spend hours listening to things with my Dad, one of my very favourite memories watching my Dad tapping in rhythm on the steering wheel as we drove so many road trips to places far and wide. So when I found myself on the highway in my car, tapping my fingers to the fabulous beats in Ella Hooper's 'Monkey Mind', I smiled as I thought of all the sounds that have come in and out of my life and the artists who've shaped my opinions and feelings. I suspect Ella may have had some of the same influences, with a track that takes me to the record collection in my family home, and a sound that feels comfortable with a lyric that brings questions to mind and the chords that remind me so much of so many of the amazing musicians of the 70s and 80s that my Dad ensured I was raised on. It's a song that takes me to happy places like my childhood did, where my own monkey mind can rest and that is a rare and special place, so there's pretty much no greater compliment than that. (Jo Michelmore)
#9. CARRY ON
by Tkay Maidza ft. Killer Mike
They say they're coming for you, but I don't want none 'Cause I really don't care and I'm still kinda young.
Yeah so admittedly, I had one of those proud Mumma moments Matt described back in number 20 en I heard Tkay had collaborated with Killer Mike and more so when I realised Mr K Mike was featuring on a Tkay track and not the other way around. Yes T-kaaaaaaayyyyyy, as we like to say around these parts. 'Carry On' is everything we've come to expect from her, all punch and pop with a big dash of future superstardom thrown in for good measure. Killer Mike knows it, we know it, everyone needs to know it. Tkay isn't that next big thing anymore, she is the big thing. (Jo Michelmore)
Many a kingdom seemed to fall over the course of 2016, but one ascension to the throne that made me insanely happy was Tkay Maidza's elevation to worldwide rap royalty. That's right peasants dear readers, bow down to your Queen. Each year we have to find new ways to express how amazing and crazy and AMAZING it is to see how Tkay has grown in the past twelve months. Last year she established herself as Australia's finest rapper. This year, she took on the world and she kicked the world's butt with the debut album TKAY that makes one word come to mind as soon as you hear it and that word is slay. It's what Tkay Maidza does best. 'Carry On' was the first taste of what TKAY would be and it set the tone for chaotic brilliance to follow. An absolute banger of a track, 'Carry On' saw Tkay keep the spotlight firmly on her talent on a track that featured Killer Mike and that is not an easy task. And check out that video... ridiculously good, yes? Yes. The coolest of the cool, the baddest of the bad. From the bopping girl blowing up speakers at BIGSOUND to the single most exciting rapper in the world. Tkay, you've come such a long way in such a short time. I'll leave the final word on Tkay Maidza to the superstar herself. "I know you feel the heat because I'm nothing less than fire." (Matt Bond)
#8. THE OPPOSITE OF US
by Big Scary
I'm only doing the best I can, the best I can I am trying the best I can.
Tom Iansek and Joanna Syme have already proven that they can produce beautiful pieces of work. As Big Scary, they've been doing their musical thing since 2009, with their fan base growing and growing over the years. Their music somehow continues to improve with quality too, with 'The Opposite Of Us' marking their finest achievement yet. Lifted from the must-listen album Animal, 'The Opposite Of Us' is a delicate slice of romantic indie-pop, with Iansek providing an rare honesty that will speak to all of us when he says he's, "trying the best I can." Already established as top notch storytellers, with swoon worthy lines on this track like, "and every kiss is a count in time to the next one," Big Scary are almost showing off just how good they really are. In a year full of incredible love songs, 'The Opposite Of Us' could be the best of them all. It has a genuine sweetness to it that doesn't waste time with the fantasy of what love is supposed to be. Raw and honest, with music from two of the world's best music makers. (Matt Bond)
I was in a shopping centre recently that had one of those pianos in the middle of an aisle, inviting people to play. I wanted to sit down and hit some keys and have some magic appear, but alas, I am no public pianist, so I wandered by with thoughts of having to listen to some keys as soon as possible. And then life handed me our number eight and here are some of my favourite keys in this whole big, long list of songs. Smash those chilled keys together with some quickfire beats and you have 'The Opposite Of Us', which is as calm as it is slightly manic and as reflective as it is noddable. Did I just make up a word? You can use that, you're welcome. See how life hands you things some days? Whatever you want to call them, you can't deny how good Big Scary are. (Jo Michelmore)
#7. IN THE DARK
by Montaigne
What if I am a liar? What if I don't control desire?
We've loved Montaigne and everything she does over the past couple of years, but there was something that made me really appreciate her as an artist this year and it was the discovery of her adoration of one of my favourite artists, someone I do not compare to many others, because his talent was so great, very few even dare to reach his height of genius. That person is Freddie Mercury and Montaigne's love of his is worn on her sleeve and when she writes and performs songs like this, I totally appreciate and admire her talent and confidence to aspire to be like one of the greats. The twists and turns 'In The Dark' takes are unexpected and perfectly placed, her voice so strong and her lyrics so powerful, it's an experience, not just a pop song, like her idol would have created. It's also an indication of the places she plans to go, which are so much bigger and grander than you or I can imagine, but I really look forward to watching and hearing it happen as she starts to take over the world. (Jo Michelmore)
Well... Montaigne had a pretty great year didn't she? She featured on the monster Hilltop Hoods hit '1955', scored a ton of commercial radio play with her own 'Because I Love You', made it all the way to #4 on the ARIA charts with her debut album Glorious Heights, won a flipping ARIA Award for Best Breakthrough Artist and she went on a huge national tour. We couldn't be happier for all of the success that has come Montaigne's way and we couldn't love the music she's released anymore than we already do. Glorious Heights was one of the best debuts I've ever heard. Maybe even the best. Our first taste of the album, 'Clip My Wings' took out the #1 spot on last year's songs of the year countdown and with good reason. The follow-up track, 'In The Dark' packs just as mighty a punch. Montaigne makes an analytical review of the world she exists in while part of a relationship and out of one in the verses that build to a manic bridge that examines her views on love and why she feels the way she does. An explosive finish sends us home, but really, it just sends us back to the start of the track. I'd write some more, but *spoiler alert* I've got to write a bit more about Montaigne in a bit, so... (Matt Bond)
#6. THE GOOD FIGHT
by Gang of Youths
So we leave home They won't see us go.
I don't know how the Gang of Youths do it. How do they break your heart and put it back together over the course of a song, time and time again? Maybe it has a little something to do with them being really fucking good at making the musics, writing the words and singing the songs that are going to bring you to your knees and have you waving your hands in the air. They'll bring a smile to your face with bittersweet melodies and tales of triumph against impossible odds and the heaviest of heartaches. You'll take a moment to block out the bad and appreciate all of the good. Because if you look for it, there's going to be more good than bad. With songs like this one right here, they'll make you dream big and bold dreams, they'll make you dance, they'll make you should and they might even make you cry. The Gang of Youths are fighters. And they're darn good ones too. (Matt Bond)
When Gang Of Youths started on the journey they are now so gloriously walking through, I'm sure they had no idea where they would go, what they would see, who they would meet. When they wrote all the songs, I'm sure they weren't seeing all the faces that would adore them and when they recorded all the sounds, I'm definitely sure they didn't understand the path that life was about to take them on. When I first heard their hearts I had no idea how much they would come to mean and when I listened to the humble hurt, the loss of love and the determined need for hope, I had no idea how much I would relate. When I saw them live, I had no idea just how many others had seen all the things and felt all the things and needed all the things that these five boys would give to them. When 'The Good Fight' builds and turns from the gentle story into a controlled mania about three quarters of the way through, I never imagined how much of myself I would see in those notes and when I started writing all the words all those years ago about all of the songs I have heard and all of the music I have loved over the years, I never knew how much some of it would come to mean. Which is to say, to me, almost everything almost every day. (Jo Michelmore)
#5. YOU'RE A FUCKING JOKE
by Bec Sandridge
And break, these columns down...
I don't mean to blow my own trumpet or anything, because honestly, I don't actually have a trumpet, but this countdown was good, then we got to the top ten and things got very good and now we have Bec Sandridge starting off the top five and it's pretty much the best. I liked Bec Sandridge until the first time I saw her live, at BIGSOUND, and after that, well, after that I decided I love her. One of those artists that just has that 'thing' - an undefineable quality they named an entire talent show about, as soon as she hit the stage I couldn't stop smiling, her presence was magical and her performance was just everything. One of the songs in that performance was this one, which is so fucking good it's difficult to know what to say about it without just saying "GO LISTEN. NOW!" and if you don't like it, then it's pretty simple, maybe you're the fucking joke. Boom. (Jo Michelmore)
Bec Sandridge is the master of the build up. Do you need evidence of this? Do you?! I've got your sweet, sweet evidence right here, mofo's! Press play on the gorgeous, Robert Palmer-ish video above my friends and experience the joy that Bec Sandridge can bring to your life with a tale of love and loss and telling that former special someone that they are 100% a total fucking jooooooke. You're already tapping your feet along at the start of the track, the piano and bass lines will allow no less than some form of body movement, so might as well start with the toes. Sandridge's words create stunning images in your head as she sings about not letting some fucker in and you're all, "I'm liking where this is going and I'm right there with you, sister." And then after two verses we get to what we'll call the chorus and all hell breaks loose and magic is real in the world and Bec Sandridge is the master of the build up. The pay off in 'You're A Fucking Joke' is spectacular, the chorus or section B or whatever you want to call it is EVERYTHING... one of the finest moments in music this year or any year. It's a moment of victory, it's pure joy in musical form and you'll want to experience it again and again. And again and again and again. I'm not even joking. (Matt Bond)
#4. HOUSE ON A ROCK
by Ngaiire
Living on I love yous and recycled prayers.
Smooth vocals? Check. Burgeoning electronic touches, ready to unleash in a frenzy at a moment's notice? Check. Lyrics you want to shout along to? Check. A gorgeous video filmed on location in Tel Aviv? Check. What more do you want from Ngaiire? Nothing. You want nothing more from Ngaiire because she is music perfection, as flawless as she is fearless. With Blastoma, she built on her already unique sounds, shooting herself into the sonic stratosphere in the process to hit us with tracks like 'House On A Rock'. There were a fair few songs that came from a place of, shall we say romantic confusion (?) this year, but none examined the fragility of modern love in as memorable a way as 'House On A Rock'. That's where Ngaiire separates herself from the pack. She looks at things from a a place that others might not dare to go to. And she does it in a way that sounds like she's having the time of her life. So we have the time of our lives to. That's the kind of musical transference we can all love. And we've got a lot of love for Ngaiire. (Matt Bond)
I like to send Matt a little text every now and then with a song name or an artist name and a little heart emoji, just to let him know what I'm hearing at the time. Having said that, there were a few weeks earlier this year that had my social media accounts filled with references to lemonade, the album, not the drink, and at one point I'm sure if I saw another lemon emoji I would have thrown my phone in a bucket of said lemonade. There's no denying that was a great moment in music, but there's another album that was released this year which had me using all the heart emojis, repeated. That album was Blastoma and here is where I declare the answer to that Queen B/bee/bae and all of the titles people like to bestow upon Ms Beyonce. That answer is Ngaiire. With more sass in her little finger than I could ever imagine owning and more talent in her other little finger than I've ever dreamed of having, she is one of the most underrated artists I know. Living on the outskirts of the accolades she deserves for far too long, she is an artist that manages to tread lightly around the concept of all the musical fame she should have, but stomps straight into your heart with her tunes. While the album was so honest, so raw, so danceable and so emotional all at once, 'House On A Rock' was unapologetic in it's subtle brashness, a track that oozed sincerity with its words and demanded movement with it's unconventional beats. It's a song that put her at the top of my list of favourites for 2016, that had me knowing she is destined for so much and had me using all the heart emojis, over and over again. (Jo Michelmore)
#3. TILL IT KILLS ME
by Montaigne
It is bizarre that we're taught to hate ourselves for our flaws.
For those with a keen eye and ear, you would have noticed there are numerous artists that appear numerous times in our countdown. It's not because we're not imaginative, you should have seen how long the shortlist was (ie; not very short) but because the artists we admire the most just keep writing and singing and playing things we can't seem to get enough of. Glorious Heights, Montaigne's debut album, was everything we expected, every track another piece of Montaigne's intriguing and awesome thought process, every sound a piece of creative genius and 'Till It Kills Me' is almost the greatest example of that creativity, a track filled with dark and light, dancing and life, it's exactly everything we love about Montaigne, which is everything about Montaigne. (Jo Michelmore)
One of the things that I loved most about Montaigne's Glorious Heights was its clear message on a couple of tracks about being there for others. To celebrate the things that make us unique, to be a good friend to those we love even when it's hard to do. There's so many anthems in pop music that preach empowerment from a place that doesn't seem real at all. But 'Till It Kills Me' isn't one of those songs. It is the pop anthem of the year, a highlight of an album full of brilliant pop songs and it's speaking to each and every listener in a way that so many pop stars can only dream of. "Everybody says that we get better, get better later, we can try, we can try through whatever. But the feeling that you feel feels heavy, I will be ready, I will try, I will try, I will keep on fighting till it kills me." This is the message we should be sending to people, young and old, over the radio. Something positive and powerful and kind. Sure, maybe it would be totally boring if every song was coming from a place like that. But it's also why 'Till It Kills Me' stands out so much in 2016. Because there aren't songs like this. Oh, and it's also just an incredible piece of pop perfection that you'll play to death... and then you'll play it some more. (Matt Bond)
#2. SIMULATION
by Tkay Maidza
'Cause I keep moving, I keep moving, I keep moving along And will you be here when we start finding what we're searching for?
When we saw Tkay Maidza at BIGSOUND this year, her third year in a row at the festival, it was during her performance of 'Simulation' that everyone in The Flying Cock in Brisbane knew it. That Tkay Maidza had become a world class performer. One of the country's finest exports. Someone that you could be proud to know is representing Australian music overseas and absolutely killing it in the process. It was a performance that we'll remember forever, with jumping and dancing and rapid-fire rhymes. Tkay was having fun and the crowd was having the time of their lives. Afterwards, Jo turned around and said we'll likely never see Maidza in a small venue like the one we were in ever again and I couldn't agree more. I was desperate to hear the recorded version of 'Simulation' since BIGSOUND and dreams came true a couple of days before the release of the debut album TKAY. I couldn't have been more impressed with every aspect of the song. It's the definition of a jam. It's lit. It's fire. It's cool. It's ice cold. For those of us that also like normal words, it's all kinds of fun. And if there's something we can all have a little bit more of these days, it's fun. Tkay. Slay. (Matt Bond)
Well here we go, pretty sure this is one you would have been expecting, had you read or heard either of us going on about our beloved Tkay Maidza over the past year. Make that two years. Or is it three? I think it's three, but it's hard to imagine there was ever a time before that first foot stomping track forever ago. You would have known she was going to be back had you read any of this countdown. Had you read about number nine, a few songs back. I know, we're all busy, but here we are at number two and you've almost reached the end, so you can go back and catch up later. 'Simulation' is the epitome of Ms Maidza; it smashes it's into your mind with that super catchy chorus, it demands you move with those beats and it showcases Tkay's uber lyrical skills, all the while getting itself caught up in that little part of your brain that catches songs and won't let go of them. She's come a long way since almost literally blowing up BIGSOUND all those years ago and she's still blowing our minds with every single song. Tkay? You're the best. (Jo Michelmore)
#1. BLACK SMOKE
by Emily Wurramara
I'll be sleeping under stars tonight
Not sure exactly where I'll be.
Some days I'm not really sure how things work. I mean, I understand the actual way things work, like how people play instruments and write songs and companies sign artists and someone somewhere in an office is sitting down right now watching some numbers and deciding on some figures and next thing you know there's the world's next Beyonce advertising perfume on the side of buses driving past you on your way to work. I get all of that, but all of that isn't the important part. The important part is finding the things that make your heart sing, that make you breath a little deeper and listen a little harder and the things that make the days worthwhile. Which brings us to our number one. Emily Wurramara. A simple song, written and performed from her heart, a song that welcomes you with every note and a sound that has wrapped itself gently around my life. I don't know how things work, but I don't really care, because I have found my little piece of the world, with the music that makes everything seem a little more than alright. (Jo Michelmore)
We've written about a lot of songs over the past week and a bit. Counting down all our favourite songs in a year that was rich in music that moved us in different ways. But when it comes down to it, no song moved us in the way that Emily Wurramara's 'Black Smoke' did. In a world that moves further and further in an electronic direction, it still amazes me that a talented young performer can come along with not much more than a guitar and a beautiful voice, some words that will put a smile on your face, a song in your heart and make you fall in love with music all over again. Emily Wurramara stepped into the spotlight in 2016 with 'Black Smoke', capturing the attention of triple J and listeners around the world with a song full of dignity and hope. It's a song that makes you feel like better things are just around the corner. It will make you believe in so many things, but the most important thing it will do is make you believe in Emily Wurramara. The future is so very, very bright for her. This is a song taken from her debut EP of the same name and with one listen, you know there's so much more to come from our favourite find of the year. We're very excited to follow Emily Wurramara on her journey. (Matt Bond)
Can you believe it's June already? Where does the time go? I'll tell you where it goes... lots of research into Game of Thrones theories, cat videos, seeing if there's new Snap Chat selfie filters and complaining that it's too hot/too cold in Australia. Mostly that it's too hot. We do however try to make as much time as we can to listen to the best new music going around. We think we do a pretty good job and so, as we do each June, we let you know what our 25 favourite songs of the year have been so far. 2016 has already been an incredible year for acts both established and emerging, from Australia and abroad and across all genres. Yes, especially gospel hard rap. It's a thing, look it up. While you might call us biased, we've got to say that the world's best music is coming out of Australia this year. In fact, Australian artists make up 21 of the 25 songs listed below. And what are these songs? Why waste your time with more small talk? Let's get to the music!
TOP 25 SONGS OF 2016 (SO FAR)
10 FEET TALL
by OKENYO
She swore she'd never play that hand,
But she's stuck.
A LOVE SONG
by Ladyhawke
It all began innocent as love could be,
In every word you gave it all to me.
BURN THE WITCH
by Radiohead
This is a round up,
This is a low flying panic attack.
DIGGIN
by Ngaiire
But here you found me with a shovel in my hand
Faking innocence.
DON'T LOOK
by Machine Age
But I'm afraid of losing all that I've got,
It's clear to me that I don't think we'd get far.
END OF TIME
by Ecca Vandal
You're testing my faith, feel I should run but I'll,
Stay 'til the end, 'til the end times out...
FADING
by Two People
Throw things around 'til the walls fall down,
And I fall out, and I fall out.
FEEL MY LOVE
by Phebe Starr
Please be kind, you know I love you,
But my heart is blind.
FOR GOOD
by Remi ft. Sampa The Great
Where's your self esteem, gorgeous?
Did it go when I told you that I was a cheat, gorgeous?
FORMATION
by Beyonce
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me,
I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.
HAPPIER
by Miami
It's too hard to know what you're thinking,
And I'm only thinking of you.
HONEST
by Little Earthquake
Why can't you be honest?
Why can't you be honest with me?
HOUSE ON A ROCK
by Ngaiire
Living on I love you's and recycled prayers.
LOST
by Ariela Jacobs
Everywhere I go, it's hurting me to know, It's not the right thing to do.
IN THE DARK
by Montaigne
I do not love, anyone anymore, You taught me how, to be numb to the core.
MONKEY MIND
by Ella Hooper
And if I know I can't make you love me, Is it wrong to hold on, child?
NEVER BE LIKE YOU
by Flume ft. Kai
I'm only human can't you see, I made, I made a mistake...
NIGHTMARE OF 1984
by SS Sebastian
I can barely breathe anymore, Like my hand is holding my own head under water.
NOT MY FRIENDS
by Tired Lion
Look at the people just lying around, To get you back up they just pull you back down.
SMOKE SIGNALS
by Olympia
The world keep turning, safe place to fall, Hugging your shadows, up on the wall.
STRANGE DISEASES
by Gang of Youths
All the neighbours think we're strange, But they don't feel the strains, of living with our strange diseases.
THE WHEEL
by PJ Harvey
Hey little children don't disappear (I heard it was 28 000).
VICEROY
by Violent Soho
Killjoy, you're like a rhinestone pick up line, My drunk guitar's more fun than you'll ever be.
YOU DON'T THINK YOU LIKE PEOPLE LIKE ME
by Alex Lahey
All I want is to have cleanskin wine and watch Mulholland Drive with you...
YOU'RE A FUCKING JOKE
by Bec Sandridge
Baby, you're a fucking joke, I think it's funny, you feel a little cold, You've got a hunger, you can't control, And now I'm leaving, you're saying oooh don't you go.
FKA Twigs, Gypsy and The Cat, Hayden Calnin + Julien Baker!
1. Ella Hooper - Monkey Mind
2. Montaigne - In The Dark
3. Lanks - Golden Age
4. Little May - Remind Me (NEW)
Matt's Pick of the Week: Little May knocked our socks off last year when they released their debut album, For The Company. We named it our most loved LP of 2015 and we still can't stop listening to it. To celebrate how awesome it is, Little May will be heading out on their biggest Australian tour yet. Check out their Facebook page for May 2016 tour dates. Loving that they'll be making appearances on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. Beaches and Little May... the perfect combination. Not to be confused with the film Beaches and Little May, which would probably also be a great combination. Maybe? Besides their big touring news announced this week, we got the next single from For The Company released with a clip for a visual, viewing pleasure. Single #3 is the slightly manic and incredibly infectious 'Remind Me', which builds in a similar fashion to many of our fave Little May tracks. This time around though the guitars are heavier, a little darker and those drums are beating just that little bit harder. We love it, obviously. And that clip is so 90s in the best way. Like how videos were before they started getting weird around the time that Soundgarden released 'Black Hole Sun'. What's not weird? Little May's 'Remind Me'. It's just all kinds of awesome. (Matt Bond)
5. Gypsy and The Cat - Inside Your Mind (NEW)
6. Two People - Fading
7. FKA Twigs - Good To Love (NEW)
Jo's Pick of the Week: The press release for FKA Twigs' latest single surely must contain the words ‘writhes around in bed’ when referencing the clip, because one google search came up with a whole range of ‘reviews’ with the same sentence, which yes, is the truth, she is writhing around in bed during the clip, but what that clickbait headline fails to describe is the absolute beauty of ‘Good To Love’. A perfectly crafted pop ballad that on one hand has a whole lot of heartache with lines like “when you give yourself away, it always hurts too much” alongside a whole lot of strength with words like “I’ve had plenty so I know you’re mine”, which all make it a very real and stunning little tale told in a really sweet and soft way, which is not really what I expected when all I keep reading about Ms Twigs is how hot the self-directed clip is. You know what’s really hot? Gorgeously crafted ballads sung straight from the heart. (Jo Michelmore)
Jo's Pick of the Week: I’m still lamenting the loss of Snakadaktal, because, well, who didn’t love the name Snakadaktal? However, the sorrow can be mended slightly with the sounds of Two People, a little duo whose name describes it all, consisting of ex-Snakadaktal members Pheobe Lou and Joey Clough, who haven’t lost their Snakadak-ey roots, but have moved on and grown up a little with this track, the first from their debut EP, due for release later this year. ‘Fading’ is all atmosphere and drive with a certain darkness pushing its way through, the repetitive synth hypnotising and the voice of Pheobe pleading for you to listen over and over. Looking forward to hearing what else these Two People (boom! See what I did there?) have in store for the rest of 2016. (Jo Michelmore)
3. Highasakite - Someone Who'll Get It
4. PJ Harvey - The Wheel
5. Ella Hooper - Monkey Mind (NEW)
Matt's Pick of the Week: Earlier in the week, Ella Hooper released a preview of her upcoming New Magic EP in the form of 'Monkey Mind'. After last year's somber, heartbreaking and reflective Venom EP, 'Monkey Mind' promises there are brighter days ahead for one of our longtime favourites. Hooper is no stranger to reinvention. She's always leaned in an alternative direction, but here we find Ella with arguably her most 'pop' sound and I couldn't be loving it more. There's a constant drive to the beat and some mighty fine electronic touches behind the guitar lines. But despite a more summer-y demeanour to the music, everything we've come to love about Ella Hooper remains. As a storyteller, she continues to prove she's at the top of her game. You'll be listening over and over again to explore and interpret the lyrics. And about the lyrics... there is something so deliciously Stevie Nicks-esque about a line like, "is it wrong to hold on, child?" that puts the biggest smile on my face. The more I listen to 'Monkey Mind', the more I love it. (Matt Bond)
There are a select few artists that each of us have that we declare our love for, that we say regardless of what they do or say or play, we will always love them. They can release albums that never see a chart and they can release EPs that sell trillions of copies that you adore as much as the hidden track on some album they released a hundred years ago, but pretty much whatever they do you’ll be a fan. They are bands that see you through thick and thin, who you would love for a thousand years and wait for a thousand more for the chance to catch a glimpse of them on some stage, whether that be in a stadium or in a teeny tiny nightclub is up to you and the artist you’ve chosen. They are the bands that release songs that you play a thousand times over in the car so you know all the words backward. One of those bands for me is this one, a band loved by millions and probably loathed by just as many others. I sit in the ‘love’ camp and won’t apologise for that, but when they release an EP for free and by surprise, that devotion grows a little stronger. Taking themselves back to their straight down the line rock and roll roots, Saint Cecilia was a five track EP that exhaled a breath of guitar driven fresh air, a powerful collection of percussion, gloriously gravelly vocals and loud, simple rock. Simply, Saint Cecilia was a late year release of rock perfection and an indication that no matter how many bones Dave Grohl breaks or how many times he says he and his bandmates are taking a break, the Foo Fighters will never be gone for long. (Jo Michelmore)
3. Venom
by Ella Hooper
It's always darkest before the dawn and Ella Hooper's Venom finds one of our favourites going through some pretty dark days. At the beginning, there's been an ending of the relationship kind and our protagonist sits alone in a park late at night singing to rats. Asking all those questions we laugh at further down the track and also kind of hate ourselves over for asking. The most accurate character assessment of a cheater follows, bolstered by a restrained and melancholic anger bubbling away underneath. A journey of self-discovery, returning to one's roots and healing carries us through to a final note of acceptance that some things just can't be changed. Sure, not everything is carved in stone, but some things will always end the way you probably knew they would no matter what. Venom is an artistic achievement in all areas. Lyrics that read like your new favourite novel, an exploration of new sonic territory that pays off in spades and an emotional performance throughout that will undoubtedly move you and leave a mark on your heart. Whether it's the light trip-hop elements at play in 'Rapeseed' or the ghost-folk vibes of 'Good Wagon', Hooper shines bright. Compelling from start to finish, this one will stay with us forever. Venom promises to be the dark to next year's light, the New Magic EP. The low to the high, from an artist that never fails to impress. (Matt Bond)
Runner-Up: Figurine
by Tired Lion
Rock is dead. Now, I'm not a violent person... but when I read that shitty phrase or someone says it, I kind of want to break something over someone's face. Preferably the person who wrote or said it, but I'm not fussy. Just because the 90s are over and rock ballads aren't sitting at #1 on the charts every week and we went through R'n'B and rap dominance and super pop, EDM, #TayForHottest100 and now Bieber Fever 2.0, it doesn't mean rock is dead. Rock is and will always be there. Because there's always going to be real bands working hard, touring all over and making as much noise as they possibly can. Bands like Tired Lion, who had a stellar 2015 with the finest pure rock release of the year, the Figurine EP. An explosive, five-track ride that you won't soon forget, Figurine is the home of a couple of tracks that you would definitely have heard on triple J this year; 'I Don't Think You Like Me' and 'Suck'. If I don't hear at least one of those on Australia Day, I'll riot. And by that I mean leave a comment somewhere on the internet full of raaage. Well, I'll at least think about doing it. Figurine further establishes what we already knew when we first heard 'I Don't Think You Like Me' and that is Tired Lion aren't just the future of Australian rock, they're the right now. Rock is dead? Love live Tired Lion. (Matt Bond)
WINNER: Only When Flooded Could I Let Go
by Jack Colwell
I love this EP so much, I actually have no idea what to say about it. And I don’t want you to think I’m a little crazy, but maybe I am a little crazy, because I really, really love this EP, in every sense of the word love. And I don’t want to talk about the incredible instrumentation without explaining the way a keyboard can see everything so easily hidden, how a beat can take my breath away and strings can bring the goosebumps so easily. And I don’t know how to explain how important the production is on ‘Don’t Cry Those Tears’ without explaining how important lonely moments in the dark are. And I don’t know how to talk about the diversity of the gloriously gloomy ‘Far From View’ and how it sits effortlessly with the understated uncertainty of ‘C.O.A.T.’ or ‘On With The Show’ without talking about the manic self-assurance of late nights blending into early mornings of self-doubt and insecurity. And I don’t have the words to describe the sound of a voice so perfectly unexpected and so perfectly faultless on ‘Quintilis’ without describing the turmoil of the self-perpetuating flaws of every day. And I don’t want you to think I’m a little crazy, but maybe I am a little crazy. The thing is, when I hear lyrics like “ I know the secrets of the heart, I know the secrets of the mind” I know crazy is not always so lonely, so I learn to appreciate the self-pity, I learn to love the uncomfortable moments and live with the melancholy side by side with a determination and a composure, in the knowledge that every day we all start again and with sounds like those of Jack Colwell, the hardest of every days are also the best. (Jo Michelmore)
