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)
I love Gretta Ray’s voice. I love Dustin Tebutt’s voice. So is it any surprise that with their powers combine I would have any other reaction to 'Re:Stacks' other than loving it? After individually releasing brilliant EP’s last year, Ray and Tebbutt had a much quieter 2019 as far as releases go, but ‘Re:Stacks’ isn’t any less impactful. Their voices fit together in such a beautiful way against a simple arrangement and take the best of both artist’s previous releases to form a unique whole. It’s the reserved heartbreak of Ray’s ‘Towers’ or ‘Time’ against the quiet hope of Tebutt’s ‘All Your Love’. It’s everything a duet should be and leaves you wanting to hear more and more from two of the best singer/songwriters out there right now. (Matt Bond)
#79. ADOLESCENT
by Jack River
You're drunk and wasted, I won't talk to you
Stumbling through the room
Right or wrong, I've always thought of Jack River as a bit more indie-pop than anything else, but there’s a bit more grunge in this track which is channeling the Americana style of the Juliana Hatfield’s or the Heather Nova’s and the Liz Phair’s of the 90s (which can be names you should google if you’ve not heard of them), or, alternatively you could listen to ‘Adolescent’ over and over, which wouldn’t be a bad idea, considering how catchy those riffs are. (Jo Michelmore)
#78. MISSING YOU
by Ingrid Michaelson
And I don't wanna be dramatic
But your, but your lips are like a drug and I'm an addict
Who would have thought Ingrid Michaelson could take her love for Stranger Things and turn it into a concept album that’s just another fantastic Ingrid Michaelson album? No one saw that coming. If you’re a fan, you probably didn’t see her moving as far away from the indie-adult-contemporary sounds that have defined her career and pulling a Robyn to become an electronic Queen either. But here we are, it’s 2019. Up is down (the upside down?), left is right, the world is on fire. But Michaelson owns this moment and with ‘Missing You’ has released one of the most endearing (and sadly underrated) dance anthems of the year. And that one shot video? Dead. I’m not really sure what stan culture is, but I stan a musically versatile Queen. (Matt Bond)
“He’s got his hand in all the right places, but the wrong face is in front of me...” Congratulations to Ingrid Michaelson for writing what I think is one of the cheesiest opening lines of the year, but also congratulations for writing one of the poppiest pop songs of the year. Pop this good is exactly where cheesy lyrics should live, and the synthy sounds of ‘Missing You’ feel like they should live somewhere between the top of whatever charts it is that happen these days and on stage at Eurovision. And anyone who knows me and anyone who doesn't should know that’s one of the biggest compliments I can give. (Jo Michelmore)
#77. OBSESSED
by Hatchie
Hung myself out to dry until you let me in
That's when I knew, I'd clip my wings, do anything for you
Hatchie had a huge 2019 that saw her sound go global on the back of the release of her super fun debut, Keepsake. That album would quickly become one of our favourite LP’s of the year and with throwback pop gems like ‘Obsessed’ it shouldn’t come as a surprise. It builds on 90s pop’s trippy bridges and beats and dreamy vocals and a chorus that you could just float away on with modern electronic touches and Millennial attitude. It’s the angst that’s missing and with the way things are right now, we don’t need any of that. Just the sweet admission of a little healthy obsession for that special someone. It’s all so dreamy and I can’t get enough of it. (Matt Bond)
#76. I AM
by WAAX
I didn't cut you off, you phased me out
And that's fair enough, I'm breaking down
I'm going to spend the next two songs speaking of incredible female vocalists, so welcome to the first at number seventy six. Here we have WAAX, one of my fave bands of the year. If it were the 70s and I was listening exclusively on vinyl then my copy would have a giant groove dug through it from being played over and over and over and over and so on and so forth, if that’s how vinyl works. Such an awesome album, filled with drums and guitars that burst from my little speakers, screaming with all the rage of the 90s, but all of the character of 19, I haven’t been able to get enough of WAAX this year. Also, they are from my hometown. Bonus points. I am such a fan. (Jo Michelmore)
#75. KEEPING TIME
by Angie McMahon
Oh, I want the time to stop
So I don't have to grow
I listen to ‘Keeping Time’, it comes to an end and all I feel is excited about the many years of music releases ahead from Angie McMahon and how I already know I’ll get the same excited feeling from all of them. Her talent, her voice and lyrics, the guitars, the atmosphere... this is yikes going to sound so cliched and probably lame, but it makes you feel alive. I’m sorry? I’m not even sorry, songs like ‘Keeping Time’ speak directly to your soul or whatever concept you’re going with of what makes you ‘you’. It makes me want to be surrounded by friends and screaming along. It really does make you wish that time could stop. Angie McMahon has such a bright future ahead and I can’t wait to be listening along. (Matt Bond)
Imagine having the voice of Angie McMahon. Like, imagine that being the sound that your vocal chords make. Like, imagine the body you own being able to make sounds like that. Like, imagine having that voice and then having the ability to write songs like ‘Killing Time’, and then being able to perform them exactly the way they should sound. Like, imagine knowing you had the talent of so many greats before you, the Chrissie Hyndes and the Patti Smiths of the world being people you can be compared to. Imagine that! Impossible I know. Instead, just imagine being alive in the world when songs like Angie McMahon’s are released. Don’t imagine. Just enjoy. (Jo Michelmore)
#74. IN CONTROL
by Baker Boy
And the darkest days won't last for ever
Even brighter days come sooner or later
I’d like to make it clear that I love Baker Boy. So don’t expect to read some kind of unbiased review of his music here. There is absolutely nothing he has released or done that I don’t adore. Every track another collection of beats and sounds and words and grooves that make me move, make me smile and make me a bigger fan with every note. I don’t know if there’s some kind of tricky thing that music producers and programmes do to give him that cheer squad every chorus in this song, or if they were actual people, but I’d like to join that cheer squad because quite simply; Baker Boy is the best. (Jo Michelmore)
#73. YOU WERE RIGHT by Julia Jacklin
Started feeling like myself again
The day I stopped saying your name
Julia Jacklin sells the hell out of both the good and bad to come out of saying goodbye to a friendship that just isn’t working anymore. Especially the good to come out of it. It’s a lot more thoughtful than a simple ‘screw you’ coda to this relationship, but you’ll cheer all the same as Jacklin recounts being finally able to get into what her former pal enjoyed because now she wants to, not because she’s having things forced down her throat. ‘You Were Right’ barrels towards a rather abrupt ending. It’s like that moment you finally put an end to a relationship you’ve outgrown. Brilliant. (Matt Bond)
Giving your song the title of 'You Were Right' is a pretty smart move, because I can’t name many people who don’t like hearing that sentence, which makes this track likable enough as it is. But add the story of Julia tearing herself away from someone, whatever their relationship may have been, and you can’t help but cheer her on and wonder just who the band was she heard when she “started listening to your favourite band and I stopped listening to you”, because she can’t have started listening to her own album Crushing, which is something I’d listen to should I be exiting a situation like she is in said song, could she? Sometimes I probably think too much. Just enjoy the song. (Jo Michelmore)
#72. FALLING DOWN
by Harrison Storm
Always felt this could get dark
Held on 'cause things change fast
If you've been reading this countdown with any regularity you'll know Mr Storm appeared a little earlier on. So let's just reflect on everything I said about him last time, back at number 90, and reapply all of those thoughts to this track, then double them, and add in a dash of pensive and a whole spoon of heartache, because he certainly creates all those feels in 'Falling Down'. And then add this to that long list of songs I spoke about last time, and I love. (Jo Michelmore)
#71. FINAL FORM
by Sampa The Great
Only four years, fantastic
Young veteran, new classic
Straight. Up. Fire. From the moment ‘Final Form’ kicks off, you know Sampa The Great’s latest musical masterpiece is going to be one hell of a ride. Free flowing rhymes full of a swagger and confidence that’s virtually infectious, unapologetic cries of ‘black power’ and an artist firmly coming into her own. This feels momentous, like you’re witnessing a moment in history we’ll look back on when Sampa takes over the musical world and we can all go, well of course this was going to happen. It’s just that I really don’t think we’re even close to seeing the final form of Sampa The Great. This isn’t the peak, this is the rise from the self-proscribed ‘young veteran, new classic.’ I can’t wait to see how Sampa The Great tops this with what comes next. (Matt Bond)
We start our top 10 songs of the year on a calming note, courtesy of singer-songwriter Dustin Tebbutt. 'All Your Love' washes over you like a gentle wave and leaves you in a state of chill. One might say it leaves you feeling ice cold, because it's certainly leaves you feeling cooler than being just cool. You know? Tebbutt has built a reputation for crafting tender indie-folk tunes and this year's Chasing Gold EP provided us with seven of them. It was 'All Your Love' that struck us the most and had us dreaming of a love just like in the song's story. A love that offers a safe place, fills your (cold, dead) heart and leaves you feeling like a brand new you each and every day. Like, I'm happy for Dustin Tebbutt, but right now that feels like some fantasy Grey's Anatomy-level fairytale love and that just ends with a shooter in the hospital, doesn't it Dustin? Doesn't it?! Okay... I've got to go and listen to 'All Your Love' to get that chilled out feeling back. Bye. (Matt Bond)
“All your love it keeps me safe, all your love completes me…”, well, there's the line that means you’re going to be hearing this one at weddings, obviously. Move over Sheeran, Tebbutt is in town. And then you'll hear it on television shows, clearly, where two characters who’ve taken so long to get together because of teledrama tension finally declare their love for each other, just before one is tragically taken in a freak accident, or something. Or even better, a blockbuster rom-com-action-drama-horror film where one character is running down a city street at night, surrounded by headlights and pedestrians, desperately trying to catch another character who’s about to board a train, going to an airport, to leave for ever and ever, because that’s what happens in movies, doesn't it? It’s a song that feels like it’s written for all the greatest stories, the tempo giving a feeling of desperation, but the words giving a sense of completion, a song that feels like a classic from the very beginning. And like the great classics, it’s a song that feels timeless. Appearing in weddings, TV and movies for years to come. And in my favourites list too. (Jo Michelmore)
#9. FLY
by Kira Puru
Brace yourself put on your seatbelt
'Cuz it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Hello and welcome to Kira Puru Airlines, this is your Captain speaking. Our journey this evening will take approximately three minutes and it's looking like it's going to be a bumpy ride, so please do sit back and enjoy the ups and ups and ups that can only come with the music of 2018 Kira Puru. Puru lived up to her promise of teaching us how to 'Fly' with her most infectious track yet. A track that will have you breaking all the rules; tray tables down, dancing down the aisle when the seatbelt sign is on, stealing those delicious fun-sized bottles of boooooze. When writing about Puru's other signature 2018 track 'Molotov', Jo mentioned how great it is to see Puru winning the hearts of more and more music fans with each release. And as she said, it's so awesome to not only see that happening for KP, but to see her in her musical element, crafting the bestest pop tunes around. The song slays in every aspect, which includes that gorge black and white clip directed by Josh Harris. Anyway, thank you for choosing Kira Puru Airlines and we do hope to see you again soon. Kira Puru, we hope to hear you again even sooner. (Matt Bond)
Put your dancing pants and platforms on, Ms Puru is in the house. Well, not my house literally, she lives in Melbourne, I think, and I live somewhere else a long way away. Kira has come a long way from her days with the Bruise, but the things that made me a fan then are still what draws me in today. She has that kind of cool that is intriguingly intimidating, and a voice that can go from straight up perfect pop through to gut wrenching blues and all the way back to electronica again. With the release of her self titled EP, she’s showing this country and this music industry where she deserves to be, and seeing where her musical future takes her is definitely going to be an awesome journey. As she says; “brace yourself, put on your seatbelt, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride”. I'm in and I so look forward to that Kira. (Jo Michelmore)
#8. SLEEP
by Hatchie
Baby, I'm a piece of glass, I shatter so fast
Don't know how long I'll last.
Okay, how many times have we referred to Hatchie's music as dreamy? And now here she is coming at us with a song about hanging out in her dreams and I don't know what your thoughts are on this, but that's some Inception level shit right there and we see you Hatchie. We see you. We also love hearing you on songs like 'Sleep' that take the right amount of influence from 90s alternative, add a touch of Brisbane's signature garage rock, combine those with a healthy chunk of modern electronic-indie and make pure musical magic. We're all smiling in our sleep, Hatchie, because we get to drift off listening to these songs from you that are beyond dreamy. They're so dreamy you'll find yourself daydreaming while listening to them. As Hatchie gains more and more fans at home and abroad, we'll be dreaming of more and more success for Brisbane's own Harriete Pilbeam into 2019 and beyond. (Matt Bond)
Everyone’s always like “Hatchie is so dreamy” (including us, example A as above) and I’m like, yes, definitely, but ‘Sleep’ is totally daydreamy, conjuring images of green grass and beaches and mountains and the last day of school and some kind of scene in a film where people are hugging and dancing in slow motion and the credits roll on smiling faces….did Hatchie write a song for a film that hasn’t been made yet? It’s a perfect soundtrack song, which means it makes a great addition to life soundtrack, sunny days and a feeling of hope through all of those keys and beats, and the best part is she conjures all of these daydreamy images while making it all sound so effortless. Maybe all those things written about Hatchie being dreamy are right, surely songs this good can only been seen in my dreams. (Jo Michelmore)
#7. FLEXIN'
by Tkay Maidza ft. DUCKWRTH
People don't get it, I'm awesome
Talkin', they want me to fail
I am too busy to care.
TKAAAAAAAAAAAY! I said, TTTTTKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! What up? Hey, remember that time I went to Bigsound and this exciting Adelaide-based MC going by the name of Tkay Maidza got up and absolutely killed her set which included her BLOWING UP THE SPEAKERS? If you weren't around Brisbane in September 2014 then you probably don't remember this, but it was just the most ridiculously amazing thing to happen. In the years that have followed, Tkay Maidza has worked hard to develop her already mad skills on a mic and now here we are in 2018 and she's exactly where we knew she would be. On top of the world, gaining new fans in every country every day, keeping it real and staying humble. On 'Flexin', which teams Maidza with Duckwrth for the first and hopefully not last time, the pocket rocket rap superstar throws out rhymes thicker and faster than ever. While I'm not fully up to date on what a flex means to the young ones these day, I'm digging the attitude that Maidza is rocking. Let's keep the Tkay Slay train rolling into 2019 with even more of this. Thank you in advance, Tkay. (Matt Bond)
I actually feel like I just wanna revisit old words I’ve written and just see if it’s at all possible to describe Tkay Maidza in a different way, because I feel like I’ve written about her a million times, and I’ll listen to her a million times more. It’s because she’s just so incredibly good at what she does, every single release is just as strong as every other, every song making me appreciate her talent a little bit more than the last and every listen ending in me just hitting play again, pretending I have a teeny bit of the rhythm Tkay has, and desperately waiting for the next release. Her EP Last Year Was Weird described my year more than I can explain, but the years are only made better with Tkay in them. (Jo Michelmore)
#6. MISTAKE
by Middle Kids
You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you got something to say to God.
2018 was a breakout year for Middle Kids, if by breakout year you mean scoring a tonne of ARIA nominations, taking out the coveted J Award for Album of the Year and winning over fans worldwide with said album. That would be the electrifying debut, Lost Friends, that has made the Sydney-based three-piece into the bonafide rock success of the year. And if you've been living under a rock, which is understandable given the price of living these days, but you find yourself reading this because priorities demand you have phone with internet, I'm going to need you to listen to 'Mistake'. Because once you've listened to it you're not going to be able to stop listening to it and then you'll have to listen to everything Middle Kids have ever released. Which is what happened to me, but I wasn't under a rock, I was in Krakow. A much cooler friend than I (hi Jade!) had posted something on the social medias about Middle Kids so I downloaded their album but life got in the way and it wasn't until I was walking down a street in Poland and 'Mistake' pops up on shuffle and BAM! I'm hooked on Middle Kids. For life. Many things in life end up being a mistake. Loving the music of Middle Kids will not be one of them. (Matt Bond)
Ohmygawd I just wanna dress in baggy pants, eat week old pasta, find my favourite boots amongst a pile of last week’s clothes on the floor and go somewhere strange, to meet a friend who I’m going to know for a hundred years, to drink cheap booze, talk shit about nothing and everything and dream about the mistakes we’re making and where we’ll be in twenty years. And we’ll walk home in the rain because no one can afford cabs and then we’ll do it all again the following week. And I just wanna hit play on ‘Mistake’ every time it ends because I want those riffs to take me back to that place, and I want those words to remind me of that friend and I want those three minutes of Middle Kids to never end because songs that remind you of things you have done and people you have loved are not mistakes, they are the greatest songs ever. (Jo Michelmore)
#5. SOMETIMES
by Cub Sport
You see everything I'm hoping
I'm a river running high.
Well... Cub Sport sure have come a long way, haven't they just? Remember when they were kiddies riding around on their bikes in music videos and singing little indie-pop gems like 'Told You So'? In six years they've grown up and their music has grown up with them, elevating to like super good levels around the same time that 'Come On Mess Me Up' came out. Now, with the release of 'Sometimes', it seems Cub Sport has truly arrived. If you thought the four-piece would be where they're at musically now back in the old Cub Scout days, I've got to tell you... you're a liar and you need to stop lying. 'Sometimes' is the indie dance anthem you never would have seen coming from Cub Scout, but exactly the right kind of amazing that could only come from 2018 Cub Sport. When that chorus hits, you have no choice but to shake it out like you're Tim Nelson standing on maybe a mountain with your shirt unbuttoned, not a care in the world or hair product in sight. A bird tattoo on your stomach... I don't know about that, but I do know 'Sometimes' is much fun, so amaze. (Matt Bond)
Sometimes a song comes along that surprises you. Sometimes bands who you’ve liked but never loved will do something that resonates in a way you can’t explain. Sometimes the sounds songs make will take you to places you’re sure you’ve been, or movies you’re sure you’ve seen, or rooms you’ve been, and those sounds really make you smile. Sometimes you hear a song which makes you start searching back catalogues, makes you turn around and visit albums you haven’t been to for years, or met at all, and sometimes that song will give you a new appreciation for all the things you’ve missed. Sometimes you get in one of your best friend’s cars and they put on a song you weren’t expecting and sometimes that song becomes one of your favourites of the year. (Jo Michelmore)
#4. CLUMSY LOVE
by Thelma Plum
I can only love you twice as much before you fuck this up.
After what felt like forty-five years without new music from Thelma Plum, we were treated to 'Clumsy Love' this year. I would very much like this to be the start of the build to us finally hearing the debut album from one of our all-time faves. Was it three years ago that Jo and I went to see Thelma in Brisbane performing songs from her debut? Songs about ice-cream and love and losing that love and did I mention ice-cream? 'Clumsy Love' shows that Ms Plum has only gotten better during her time away, putting together her catchiest, most immediately engaging track yet. It's fun pop, elevated by words from one of the best songwriters in the business. Maybe all this love is because Thelma Plum manages to get the word fuck into all of her best songs, but sings it in the sweetest way possible. Or maybe it's because she makes music that's so heartbreaking so much fun. Whatever it is, don't ever stop doing you, Thelma Plum. (Matt Bond)
Thelma, oh Thelma, how I’ve missed you. I played that Monster EP until I knew it like the back of my hand and I listened to that Rosie EP until it became an integral part of that year. Those EPs knew me better than I knew myself for a little while. So when ‘Clumsy Love’ came into my existence this year, it was like meeting an old confidante again, a friend who knew all my secrets, coming back to say hi. The familiarity in voice with the sparkle of new words was more than I could have imagined. The bounce in all the sounds combined with Thelma’s sense of beautifully awkward is exactly everything I didn’t even know I missed until it came rushing back, and I can only hope she does exactly as she repeats; “don’t keep me hanging on” for another four years Thelma. I adore you so, so much. (Jo Michelmore)
#3. LOVER
by Little May
You threw me out in the water and turned around
Don't let me drown.
Liz Drummond. Hannah Field. Little May in 2018, this is what we're living for. Because with the release of their new single 'Lover', we know we're going to be treated to a whole album of music this brilliant in 2019. I really don't know where to begin with this one. How do you put into words how happy you were to hear something new from a band you've listened to more than any other over the past couple of years. Their debut, For The Company, was on repeat for a long, long time. So what came next from the now Field and Drummond-led outfit had a lot to live up to. Not that we had any fears they wouldn't be living up to the high benchmarks they've set in the past. It's sort of a thing with Little May to see those benchmarks and smash through them as they soar higher with each new release. And 'Lover' has Little May soaring higher than ever before. They're leaning heavily into their rock influences on a track that makes you want to jump around from start to finish, cursing those that have wronged you... but secretly you're hoping they're going to make it up to you because they're supposed to be your friend. What? Clap along, sing along and fall in love with the music of Little May all over again. What's even better is we'll get to do it all of next year once we get our hands on that sophomore album. Love love love. (Matt Bond)
While attempting to come up with words about one of my favourite songs of the year by one of my favourite bands, I started to read some things on the internets, which took me to a review someone had written when this song was first released. It was a very favourable review, but it went into great detail about the composition of the song and chords and major minor blah blah and some such things; which made me feel like WTF, I know nothing about music. What am I even doing pretending to write words about it? But then I hit play again and the sounds came out and I realised the most important thing. I know what I love and I love it hard. I know the sound of Liz Drummond and Hannah Field make music I relate to, because their voices make me feel hopeful, the instrumentation always makes me feel alive and I know I don't need to know much more than that. 'Lover' was one of the greatest songs of the year, by one of my favourite bands of the ever. And that’s more than enough to know. (Jo Michelmore)
#2. MAKE ME FEEL
by Janelle Monae
Should know by the way I use my compression
That you've got the answers to my confessions.
"Baby, don't make me spell it out for you." Janelle Monae is on another level. She's a real life musical super hero, here to save the day with funk infused dance anthems that double as on point responses to questions that shouldn't really matter concerning her personal life. I'm not sure if there's an artist that's more of a total package than she is. Beyonce? More like Bey-schmonce. Tay? Nay. JT? What year are you living in? Look, I'm not actually dragging any other act or anyone's taste in music. We all know that's subjective. But to me, no other act in music is on the artistic level that Janelle Monae is. She's created a character to live her music through, she's championing minorities in the most creative and clever ways, she's a fashion icon, but most importantly, she makes damn good music that makes you want to dance and puts a smile on your face. That's just the way Janelle Monae makes me feel. Hopefully she's got you feeling the same. (Matt Bond)
It’s taken me many, many listens (and I'm not complaining about that) to figure out what it is about this track that makes it so good. There’s the obvious; an extreme bass line impossible to ignore that makes you move, whether you like it or not, the keys that bring the feel of funk from so many artists before her, the obvious influence of the late, so very great Prince in those chords, but there’s something else. There’s something that’s not as pronounced, but so very important. It’s the confidence she presents it all with; it’s the references to soul greats before her with each breath, the self-assured way she gives a “good god” like the legends of funk she references, it’s the presentation of pop being as important as it is. All of that and it’s the way every single note sits together within each other to feel really, really good, which is what all the music, all of the time, should make you feel. (Jo Michelmore)
#1. SOCIETY
by Ainslie Wills
I've always done exactly what I'm told
But that ain't gonna work for me no more.
This. This is 2018. So, if you're of a certain age and you're trying to get through the day at work, pay the bills, eat right, get enough sleep, drink enough water, watch all of the TV shows, spend time with people that actually matter, get some exercise, be a "good" person, fall in love, buy a home and/or try to have it all (whatever that means)... do I have the song for you. On 'Society' Ainslie Wills reminds us the struggles that come with everyday life aren't a unique experience. "What am I doing with my life? I feel like I should be hitting some kind of mark." Please raise your hand if that's a question you’re asking yourself on the daily. This isn't just a song... it's you listening to your life and wondering how this total stranger knows you so well. "What is this life we're looking for? I feel I want to make it known that I might disappoint you and I'm sorry if I do." Ha. Same. Sigh. Ainslie Wills has worn her heart on her sleeve on 'Society', putting into words so many things we try to laugh off and not say to each other. "I just want someone to love me quietly, for who I am for real and not for who I try to be." Just another thing to blame on society. Anyway, best not to dwell on these sorts of things, right? Oh and we love you for who you are for real, Ainslie. So much. (Matt Bond)
She says it right there, in the middle of the song; “I need a break from this anxiety”. Don’t we all. Of all our songs, this is not the one that jumped out at me, it’s not one of the ones that demanded I dance and it’s not a song that I’ve been singing all day for months. This is the song that slowly crept in, the one that reminded me when I least expected it. You see, I need this kind of song every now and then. Because I never blame the others, I never blame the outside, for anything and everything. I rarely blame anyone but that weird looking girl in my bathroom mirror who stares back at me every day. That’s the face I mostly can’t stand, she’s the one who sees it all, she’s the one who didn’t say the things she should have, who doesn’t really understand what all the others have and she’s the one I always blame for suggesting there’s something more. That girl though, who I’m sure is much like Ainslie Wills’ girl in her bathroom mirror, well she’s just doing all she can, outside, walking the streets at night, trying to make the wrongs right, trying to get all the fears out of her mind and desperately trying to please a million people all the time. Which is exactly why a song like ‘Society’ arrives quietly, at exactly the right times, because that mirror girl needs it to. Sometimes, someone else needs to ask the questions and take the blame and Ainslie Wills reminded us all of that this year. Things are going to go wrong, things are going to go right, but most of the time, I need to go easy on that weird looking girl in the bathroom mirror, she has rough days too. She also has great taste in music. Best to make friends with her…and blame it all on society. (Jo Michelmore)
2018 Scene Award for Song of the Year:
Winner: 'Society' by Ainslie Wills
Runner-Up: 'Make Me Feel' by Janelle Monae
2017:
Winner: 'Let Me Down Easy' by Gang of Youths
Runner-Up: 'Green Light' by Lorde
2016:
Winner: 'Black Smoke' by Emily Wurramara
Runner-Up: 'Simulation' by Tkay Maidza
2015:
Winner: 'Clip My Wings' by Montaigne
Runner-Up: 'Hold On Together' by Jeremy Neale ft. Phoebe Imhoff
2014:
Winner: 'Uh-Huh' by Tkay Maidza
Runner-Up: 'How Much Does Your Love Cost' by Thelma Plum
2013:
Winner: 'Royals' by Lorde
Runner-Up: 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
2012:
Winner: 'Heart Says Yes (Head Says No)' by Texas Tea
Runner-Up: '212' by Azealia Banks ft. Lazy Jay
2011:
Winner: 'Somebody That I Used To Know' by Gotye ft. Kimbra
Runner-Up: 'Cameo Lover' by Kimbra
2010:
Winner: 'Not In Love' by Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith
Did you know that Cloves was on season two of The Voice in Australia? I most certainly did not, but the system is wrong if she didn't win because seriously... what an amazing voice! She's been building up a loyal following over the past couple of years with gorgeous tracks like 'Frail Love' and 'Don't You Wait', both of which featured on her 2018 debut album, One Big Nothing. 'Wasted Time' captures the same magic as what's come before from Cloves with dreamy vocals that completely grab your attention. It's the type of song you should expect to hear popping up in season finales for all your favourite shows over the next couple of months. (Matt Bond)
More young people writing and singing songs about things well beyond their years, or perhaps the real truth is, singing about things that are eternal internal battles, therefore ageless. A little self-loathing has always gone a long way in a musical sense, hell, some people have built entire careers around it and if Cloves keeps performing moody songs like this one. (Jo Michelmore)
#79. DEEP BURN BLUE
by The Paper Kites
But I can't give you what you want
If you don't want it from me, baby.
The Paper Kites. Is there anything they can't do? I can't definitively say for sure all of the things they can or can't do. What I can tell you is they can release two albums in a single year that are both awesome and need to be listened to. How do I know this? Well obviously they released two albums in 2018 that are both awesome - On The Train Ride Home and On The Corner Where You Live. 'Deep Burn Blue' was released as the lead single for the latter album and it will give you all of those feels I've heard so much about. Creating an 80s pop/rock atmosphere with a modern Australian indie edge probably shouldn't work this well, but we can add that to the list of things The Paper Kites can do so very, very well. Just one of many knockout tracks released by one of Australia's most criminally underrated acts, you'd best believe this isn't the last you've seen of The Paper Kites in this countdown. (Matt Bond)
#78. ADORED
by Hatchie
'Cause it's you now I'm thinkin' of
As I fall into the sun.
Singing about not wanting to be adored is kinda funny, considering that songs like this one are going to make people do exactly that. Hatchie (ex-bassist from Babaganouj, which I didn’t need to mention but is really just an excuse for me to say the classic words 'The Nouj'), has a great sense of pop in her sound, with such a feeling of fullness in the instrumentation but a real feeling of lightness in the melody. I adore ‘Adored’ (no, but seriously, it was handed to me, I had to say it, right?) (JoMichelmore)
Harriette Pilbeam has been a star of Brisbane's music scene for years now, but the young artist is now ready to take on the world as she garners international attention as Hatchie. And deservedly so, because everything we've heard from Hatchie has left us swooning it up. We talk about dreamy music a lot, but that's because dreamy music is the best and there's no other word that fits Hatchie's shimmering electronic pop sounds than dreamy. 'Adored' hasn't been out in the world for long, but it's worked its way into our brains and refuses to budge. With a lyrical depth that makes for a stark contrast against those oh-so-dreamy beats, you'll likely find yourself in the same place and coming back to this one again and again. You might even say you'll adore it and I'm okay with making bad puns because I'm old now, so whatever. More in 2019 please, Ms. Pilbeam. (Matt Bond)
#77. CAR RIDE
by Alexander Biggs
Like a landslide covered in dirt
Like a car ride into the earth
Like the last light ever to burn
I read an interview with Alexander Biggs in which he introduced himself to the reader as “Alexander Biggs. I write songs and I sing them” and from that moment on I pretty much decided I was a fan because there’s nothing lovelier than the confident simplicity of that. ‘Car Ride’ is a perfect example of that simple perfection; sweet little chords, gentle lyrics and thoughtful beats wrap themselves around your ears like a little hug, waiting to be hugged back. On a side note: do not get song ‘Car Ride’ by Alexander Biggs mixed up with 90s Australian band Taxiride if you google this song. They are not the same thing. (Jo Michelmore)
Have you ever had one of those nights that starts out quiet, like nothing's going to happen and then you get a call from a friend to go out and the next minute you're in a cab to a party at someone's house that you've never met and it's massive, you know pretty much no one but you have the best time going from that party to a club and with all the dancing and deep conversations that really go nowhere you didn't realise it's already five in the morning and the sun's about to come up so you stumble to the cab line to go home? 'Car Ride' is the song that's playing in the taxi taking you home and you can't help but shake your head a little and smile. Because night's like that are rare and eventually you just stop having them altogether and before you know it those 'best days of your life' seem to get further and further away. But you'll hear a song like 'Car Ride' every now and then, you'll remember all those good times, you'll shake your head a little and you'll smile. Alexander Biggs has a way of putting together music that's both happy and sad, but you wouldn't have it any other way. (Matt Bond)
#76. GOODCRY
by Mark Harding
Fear is always on the horizon out here.
I googled Mark Harding to find the clip for this track and came upon a sermon from another Mark Harding who appears to be a Baptist Preacher somewhere in the US of A. Which interestingly brings me to the track ‘Goodcry’ by this Mark Harding, which interestingly gives me more fulfillment than any church service I’ve ever been to. “Fear is always on the horizon…let a good cry in, let a good cry in” some of the greatest advice one can ever give or receive, which proves that music is more than my religion, it’s simply a way of life. This Mark Harding can lead my church of music any day, because he knows some of my lifetime constant and exact thoughts; “If I die with my headphones in, check the time, check the radio, so you can hear what song was playing…” and I can only hope it’s a song as beautiful as this one. Or something by Taxiride (see number 77). (Jo Michelmore)
#75. HOROSCOPES
by LANKS
Brushstrokes of mess
Well is that him at his best?
A moment of silence for LANKS' wasted Pad Thai that is now all over the floor. The moment is over, let's talk about 'Horoscopes'. Taken from LANKS' long-awaited debut, twentyseven, 'Horoscopes' has just the right amount of manic genius stamped all over it and features those unique beats that have made LANKS one of AUS music's brightest up and coming stars. And he's showing no signs of slowing down, with the three track Inoue EP released at the end of November. When the music's this good, why would we want LANKS to slow down anyway? (Matt Bond)
#74. FACES
by Holy Holy
If you want I could be
Anyone, anything.
Clap your hands and say Holy Holy, for your favourite rocking duo-turned-five-piece is back with yet another song for you to love. 'Faces' has a sense of urgency that gives the track a rolling momentum right up to a temporary breather of a bridge, then builds right back up again as it thunders through to its conclusion. It's over far too soon, but luckily you can go right back to the start and do it all over again. Holy Holy wraps up a national tour this month and if you miss them, I wouldn't worry too much... hopefully they'll be back on the road ASAP to support album number 2! (Matt Bond)
How good can Holy Holy get? Quite good good apparently, from do’s to bops that introduce us to ‘Faces’ and from every strength to strength, each time they release something you expect it to be good, and better than the last, which it always is. Which makes for an interesting concept, because when will they become a household name in this country like countless others? If every new album is like the manic build of this song, I’m starting to get slightly comfortably nervous; because I know where they’re going but I can’t tell how good they can possibly get. Very very good good it seems. (Jo Michelmore)
#73. SALT EYES
by Middle Kids
Friday night, drink a Cab Sav
At your stupid party, no-one danced.
I love the first verse of this song; “Friday night, drink a cab sav, at your stupid party, no one danced” because it’s so simple and so depressing and so inclusive and so descriptive of so many nights and like a good first page of a book, it makes you desperately listen to the rest to find out what happens, which is lots of Middle Kids riffs and slightly dirty drums and rough guitars which they do so well. (I suspect they do their Friday nights better than they describe, but who can say?) (Jo Michelmore)
#72. I'M GOOD
by Wafia
I was bad, now I'm better
I was sad, now I'm better.
I love it when a little artist you like who your workmates didn’t know existed suddenly starts getting played at your workplace and you’re all like “Oh yeah, they’re great, have you heard their first track?” all smug like even though you had absolutely nothing to do with their meteoric rise to national radio play, but you just know you knew who they were five minutes before someone else. It’s a ridiculous thought process, but then ‘I’m Good’ is a ridiculously good song, so everything works out in the end. (Jo Michelmore)
#71. ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS
by Vera Blue
Girl, don't get
Girl, don't get too close.
Who hurt you, Vera Blue?! No one should be making Vera Blue cry. Or anyone for that matter. Vera Blue has established her brand of indie pop in a huge way, getting all of the love on national radio, so you should already be loving 'All The Pretty Girls'. It's hard to resist when it's super catchy, universally relatable (just change the word girls for whatever gender or non-gender wording you'd like, should you need to) and ready made to be shouted along with whenever it comes on. How high will this one go on the Hottest 100? (Matt Bond)
A stranger simply passing through again, again, again.
Hearts aren't supposed to break like that, Jessie Ware. Sing it loud! Or sing it in an emotionally vulnerable way, infused with soul and passion and heartbreak like you're doing here. Whichever you prefer. Ware's third studio album, Glasshouse, is somehow even better than the high standards she set with what has come before. Seriously though, those standards were hiiiigh. Tracks like 'Hearts' place Ware in a league of her own, unlike anything else that's out there in the music world right now. How many pop artists can you say are offering up mature, sincere and heartfelt tracks like this? Shhhh... Adele's on a break. There's a poetic strength to Ware's words though that make her distinct even from Queen A. FYI, the acoustic take is even better than the album cut. (Matt Bond)
When our list of 117 songs was finalised, I started to listen to a long playlist of them all to give myself a kind of general overview, to see what I would be writing about as I went through. When Jessie Ware appeared, so sublimely singing that line "hearts aren't supposed to feel like that..." repeatedly, I crossed three rooms to see who it was. Some songs grab you by the throat and demand you hear them. This is one of them. That's why it made the list. Simple and stunning. (JoMichelmore)
#79. THORN IN YOUR SIDE
by Mark Harding
Will you stop saying you're alright...
I didn't want to mention it, but admittedly I thought "No!"'when I first found out that Mark Harding had released a track, because Mark Harding is not just Mark Harding, but Mark Harding of Little May, which meant the possibility of one of my favourite bands from the last couple of years not releasing any new music anytime soon, became a devastating reality. Well, that thought was pretty daunting, but I'll be honest and say it only took one listen of 'Thorn In Your Side' for me to hope Little May had found themselves a new band mate because I wanna keep this one for myself. A shockingly stunning lyric and a beautiful restraint in sound made Mark Harding quickly become one of my favourites of this year, all on his own. (Jo Michelmore)
Speaking of talented songwriters, say hello to Mark Harding. Speaking of talented vocalists, say hello to Mark Harding. Speaking of talented multi-instrumentalists, say hello to Mark Harding. I imagine you could actually say hello to Mark Harding on the street and he'd be totally cool about it. 'Thorn In Your Side' is only the second single to be released by the former (current?) Little May member, which might come as a surprise given the many layers, lyrical and musical, that you'd expect from a seasoned artist many years into their career. I don't know a better word to describe this track than beautiful, so we're just going to commit to that and say 'Thorn In Your Side' is a really, really beautiful song. Lines like, "you don't want love but hate to be alone, will you stop saying you're alright," carry a depth you can only appreciate getting to listen to. And we certainly appreciate the music of Mark Harding. (Matt Bond)
#78. TRY
by Hatchie
Yeah I know you want to try
I can feel it in your sigh.
The solo debut from Harriette Pilbeam, she of former Go Violets and (current?) Babaganouj fame, is as dreamy as her starring moment in Jeremy Neale's 'In Stranger Times' would suggest. So dreamy. 'Try' is most excellent and perfectly encapsulates the sunny side of Brisbane's alternative scene. Like a lot of music that comes out of the Sunshine State capital, there's a hefty 90s influence present, but it still manages to be modern and ready made for whatever Looking for Alibrandi style film is out at the movies right now. There's just that liiiittle bit of angst shining through the dreamy (so dreamy) world that's Hatchie has created for us and that's what will have you coming back for more. More Hatchie please! (Matt Bond)
#77. RAINBOW CITY
by Cloud Control
How would I know he's gone?
How would I carry on?
How long have Cloud Control been doing their thing? It seems like they've been hanging about since the beginning of time. It's apparently only been ten years, but I guess that's a lifetime in some band's lives, and even with the departure of their bassist in 2015, the trio managed to find their feet again this year and release one gorgeous sound in 'Rainbow City'. The distorted guitars in combination with their dreamy aesthetic make it a comfortable Cloud Control moment, and an indication that one is hoping Cloud Control hang about until the end of time. (Jo Michelmore)
Cloud Control followed up the brilliant 2013 LP Dream Cave with the equally impressive Zone this year, which was led by the rocking and rolling 'Rainbow City'. Expectations were high after the success of tracks like 'Dojo Rising' and 'Scar', which catapulted the group to indie fame around the world. 'Rainbow City' would have appeased many a Cloud Control fan with Alister Wright howling his way through a three minute roller coaster ride, probably to somewhere called Rainbow City that you know you want to go to, even if it sounds like somewhere you'd drive though on a Mario Kart racetrack. (Matt Bond)
#76. FAKE FRIENDS
by Sigrid
Just had a breakthrough
I'm used to being your number two.
Best opening lines of 2017? Maybe, maybe not. Definitely up there with the best. They're a little kick to the heart courtesy of Norway's Sigrid. But it's not all doom and gloom and being sick of running with fake friends. Sigrid's also here to shut down, maybe emotionally I don't know with these Norwegians, and when she "shuts down" the music explodes as 'Fake Friends' transforms into one of the finest pop songs of the year. How this wasn't released as a single blows my mind. This has chart topping, monster hit written all over it. (Matt Bond)
First up, I knew nothing of Sigrid before I heard this track. I've since found out she's Norwegian (tick), she was going to study law but liked music better (tick), she's only 20 and so talented already (tick), she's a bit Lorde-y but with a super healthy dose of Scandinavian pop influence (tick), she's got a fabulously fiery voice (tick), with a knack for telling it like it is in her lyrics "no use for excuses so bad things come to an end.." (tick) and she's taking no grief from anyone along the way (big big tick). If I was giving things marks, Sigrid would be getting a giant ten out of ten from me. (Jo Michelmore)
#75. COMFORTABLE
by Lanks
Why didn't you call me when you fell apart?
You know I need you like a light in the dark.
A little bit of googling over this song bought to my attention the fact that LANKS worked with his grandmother, an accomplished artist herself, in a collaborative exhibition to support his EP, Viet Rose. This clearly makes me an ever bigger fan because grandmothers are cool, but also, what a sweet little song, filled with LANKS typical layered sounds and emotion. I bet his Grandmother likes it. I do too. (Jo Michelmore)
#74. TEMPORARILY
by Cub Sport
I only do this with you, you see
You make this mania seem serene.
Cub Sport cracking the Hottest 100 with 'Come On Mess Me Up' in a big way this past 'Straya Day was one of the true highlights of a countdown that could have only been topped by Amy Shark smashing Flume on her way to a number one victory. The Brisbane-based band have been working hard for years now and to see them hit it big at number 24 ahead of acts like The Avalanches, Hilltop Hoods and Beyonce (because, Beyonce) put a big smile on this guy's dial. So what did they do to follow up on such exposure? Release their best album yet, Bats. With shimmering electronic tracks like 'Temporarily', you'd be hard pressed finding someone that won't fall in love with Cub Sport's latest offering. Hottest 100 2017? Here they come. (Matt Bond)
#73. HONEY
by Jessie Frye
Boy, never had a lover quite like you
I can feel it in the way we move.
When we first heard Jessie Frye, it was the booming rock of 'Dear' that caught our attention. Circling guitars and beating drums were backing the Denton, Texas singer back then. When next we checked in, Frye was heading down the pop road with 'One in a Million'. Now, almost four years later and with the track 'Honey' we're introduced to a new side of Jessie Frye... the electronic chanteuse. Unsurprisingly, she pulls off her latest incarnation with the same success as what's come before. Maybe even more so. 'Honey' finds Frye at her most confident and polished, ready made for the radio with catchy hooks and a singalong chorus the young ones will eat up like... honey? Nah, candy. Let's say candy. (Matt Bond)
#72. MYSTIK
by Tash Sultana
You don't even know me
Come closer to the knife.
Some of my biggest achievements of 2017 involve getting out of bed on my (first) alarm and getting to work less than five minutes late. Tash Sultana spent 2017 selling over 100,000 tickets to her shows (with a debut album yet to be released) and she is Australia's third most streamed artist on Spotify. So you know; we've both achieved things. 'Mystik', filled with her trademark guitar loops and an epic sax solo is apparently about her ego and it's demise, which I relate to, because you know, we can't all be morning people all the time. Tash Sultana's life on the other hand, only goes from strength to strength and songs like this one are why. (Jo Michelmore)
#71. FIGURE IT OUT
by Alexander Biggs
The more I try to run and hide
The more you're running through my veins.
I would like to mention the swinging folksy guitars on Alexander Biggs track, but the thing that struck me most was the clip; Alex's lemonade stand is his representation of the music industry itself, and you're going to have to watch this one yourself to see what the music industry can do to it's artists. What a strange beast it is, but that's a whole other conversation. Also, please note, I got no customers when I had my lemonade stand back in my day and I may have reacted in a similar way. You're not alone Mr Biggs. (Jo Michelmore)
