Top 100 Songs of 2018 - #30 to #21

Courtney Barnett, Kimbra, Liza Anne + JOY.!

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40 - #31

#30. LOVELY

by Billie Eilish and Khalid

Tear me to pieces, skin to bone

Hello, welcome home.

Isn't it lovely? Well... yeah. It's so lovely that Billie Eilish and Khalid's 'Lovely' is the pop collaboration of the year. From the simple piano and strings introduction, the song welcomes first Eilish and then Khalid. From the first chorus, we find their voices circling and complimenting each other, with Eilish's ethereal and haunting tones sitting perfectly alongside those of Khalid. Both the song and the video tackle the inability to get out from under, so to speak, for those battling depression. You don't even need the video for that to be made clear, but the beautifully shot clip captures the idea of being trapped in your own head in an exceptional way. If you're lucky enough to be heading to Florence + The Machine's Australian tour next month, you'll get to see Billie Eilish performing as support. Since that's going to be oh so lovely, you'd better make sure you're getting there early to enjoy all that she has to offer. (Matt Bond)

#29. HUNGER

by Florence + The Machine

Tell me what you need, oh, you look so free

The way you use your body, baby, come on and work it for me.

I read something Florence Welch said, where she said something like; “Sometimes when you can’t say it, you can sing it”. Which is interesting, because here is this song, making all the sounds, saying all the words about filling one’s life with things in the search for the ultimate things, Florence doing that in her own way, but something which we all do in our own ways, consciously or not, every minute of every day, in an attempt to make sense of it all. Which brings me to here, writing all the words about all the songs, for reasons only Florence is strong enough to sing about. (Jo Michelmore)

#28. NAMELESS, FACELESS

by Courtney Barnett

I'm real sorry

'Bout whatever happened to you.

I think we've covered a couple of times on here that we can't wrap our heads around what is it about Courtney Barnett that ignites such a rage in a particular group of listeners over at triple J. So we're not going to look at that. I'm also not going to preach to you about things like statistics, online trolls and violence against women. These are all things that Courtney Barnett addresses in a superb way throughout 'Nameless Faceless.' Instead, I'd like you to listen to the song and read some articles: Eurydice Dixon and the myth of women "being careful"
'Disturbing Details About The Incel Community And Their Warped View Of The World'
We really need to do something about making the world a better place for everyone. Because when a show like The Handmaid's Tale seems more like reality than fantasy, there's something very, very wrong. (Matt Bond)

#27. I'M TIRED, YOU'RE LONELY

by Liza Anne

And if I was a softer person, I could give you the kindness you are deserving

But I'm not and maybe that's just it.

Has a song ever made you feel a bit sick? Not in a 'Blurred Lines' or Charlie Puth/Meghan Trainor 'Marvin Gaye' kind of way. More in a 'this is all just a little too real right now' kind of way. As in, the song is playing and Liza Anne is singing about looking at who's calling on her phone and she just lets it ring out and you're looking at your phone at that exact same moment as it's ringing and you know you're not going to answer it because of who's calling. It's not Liza Anne calling, but if it was I would be answering and be all like, "same, Liza Anne. Same. Big mood. Yeah I don't really know what that means either." And we'd laugh and laugh and be best friends forever. Liza Anne, call me. (Matt Bond)   

#26. LABRADOR

by WAAX

You must be high if you think that you're gettin' ahead

No, it never begins, no, it never begins.

I’m fairly certain I’ve driven through Labrador once or twice, but I couldn’t tell you much about it. WAAX’s Marie DeVita spent a bit of time there and her ode to the old Labrador days speaks volumes to what I’ve been told about the Gold Coast destination. I believe the words shit and hole might have been used in describing it, but my memory isn’t what it used to be for I am old now. I wouldn’t use the words shit or hole to describe WAAX’s ‘Labrador’.  For the former I’d use whatever the exact opposite word is and for the latter I’d add a ‘w’ at the start and say it’s a whole lot of fucking awesome, subdued disdain and rage from WAAX on a song that’s going to get stuck in your head whether you like it or not. And why wouldn’t you want it to? Are you from Labrador or something? (Matt Bond)  


I’m just so all about WAAX. They never fail to deliver all things I love. Loud, dirty classic guitar riffs, drums pleading to be smashed and bounced around to, basslines that make you wanna mix with all the treble and bass in your speakers, vocals that demand listening to and a lyric straight outta my own head, or someone else’s, or my own again, in this case. One note and suddenly I’m twenty one again and not happy with the world, or myself, or the world, and it’s taken a few years but WAAX make me feel happy about feeling unhappy then and happy now. Whoever ‘they’ were, they were right all along then, WAAX, but then you wrote the song and proved them wrong. It’s not just in your head, now you are more. (Jo Michelmore)

#25. CHANGE

by JOY.

I keep running back to you, I don't know what for

I just cannot seem to find my peace.

There’s some power in acknowledgment of the fact that sometimes one isn’t going to feel great about someone or something else, and there’s real power in admitting one’s need to feel despair. I’m sure there’s a million self help books about that exact topic, but my self help routine always involves music, which brings me to JOY and that lyric; “these books I read don’t have the answers I need”. They rarely do, but music so often does, like this one; a stunning song, a stunning clip, and such a beautiful low tempo ode to melancholy. (Jo Michelmore)

 

#24. MOLOTOV

by Kira Puru

 Rolling through the front door six drinks in

Point me at the dancefloor, throw me in.

I (almost) didn’t want to write words about this song, because I knew once I hit play it was going to be another couple of days of “m m m m m molotov” and while I really don’t mind singing about Soviet statesmen and nasty (amazing) cocktails, I’m not sure my housemates and work colleagues are as appreciative. It’s one of those songs though, once it’s heard it ain’t leaving and by the time it leaves you’re pretty much ready to hear it again, and so on and so forth and the vicious cycle begins and ends. Also, one of my favourite lyrics of the year/ever; “I can’t find a fuck to give...” because so often. Yes, so, so often. Kira Puru, so strong, secure, bold, beautiful, brave; she’s had my heart for such a long time now, I couldn’t be happier that this song and this year finally had her placed into so many more hearts as well. (Jo Michelmore)

#23. SANCTIFY

by Years and Years

So don't break

Sanctify my body with pain.

If you google the word sanctify alone, you run the risk of coming up with all sorts of religious links and pages, which is fine if that’s your thing, and have a nice day, but if you’re looking for the song, maybe follow that Sanctify with Years & Years, or you’ll be spending that much time trying to get out of an internet black hole of judgement. If you google Sanctify plus Years & Years, you end up with some sweet beats, a whole lot of manically choreographed incredible movement, a feeling of old school pop with a hint of rnb updated and some powerful lyrics with a killer vocal track, and that’s much more my kind of religion. (Jo Michelmore)

#22. LIGHTYEARS

by Kimbra

As long as we're together

We could go wherever you like.

How do you digest an album when you first get it? Hopefully you don’t actually eat it, if you’re still on the physical form of albums and continue to resist the digital age. Me, I do a quick listen to the start of songs that haven’t already been released as promo or singles. It’s like slightly spoiling yourself on what’s to come. Anyway, when I downloaded (I did join the digital age FYI) our lady love Kimbra’s third album Primal Heart I was scanning through those unheard songs and I got to the third one (the album’s seventh track) and it was so good I forgot about that whole quick scan thing and listened to it in full and then I listened to it again. And again. And again and again and again. If you haven’t figured out how this whole countdown thing works yet, the song I’m talking about it ‘Lightyears.’ I’m here for the imagery created by the opening lines, for the explosion of energy and joy that comes with the chorus and I’m always going to be here for the musical wonder that is Kimbra Johnson. (Matt Bond)

#21. MIRACLE

by Chvrches

Ask me no questions, I will tell you no lies

I'm not asking for a miracle.

Chavurches, how I love you so. And if you’ve read through a couple of these posts you’d know I also love a good build throughout a song. You know, it starts off a bit slow... the focus on the singer and the words. Then more and more elements slowly get added until the music unleashes about halfway through and then it’s on, oh is it on, and you know you’re going to have to go back and pick up on all those little pieces of the puzzle that you missed. That’s when you know you’ve got a good build. Chvrches mastered the build a long time ago, but on ‘Miracle’ they owned it. (Matt Bond)


I hear all the things I love about the group that are probably my favourite electronic outfit; I hear the familiar delirious keys of Martin Doherty and I hear that strong stamp of Iain Cooks in production, I hear all the customary boldness in Lauren Mayberry’s vocal; but it wasn’t until I realised where the influence came from that I knew why I loved it so much; it’s the harshness of a 90s kind of influence, a feeling of full with an overpowering wall of sound that’s makes it so satisfying, bursting with confidence and demanding to be heard. I’m taking back my first sentence. Not probably my favourite electronic outfit – ARE my favourite electronic outfit. (Jo Michelmore)

                 

Top 117 Songs of 2017 - #100 to #91

#117 to #101

#100. ARTY BOY

by Flight Facilities ft. Emma Louise

And there you were drinking Coca-Cola

Shaking your Polaroid picture.

 

If the concept of Flight Facilities returning after three years isn't enough and if the effortless delightful voice of Emma Louise's isn't enough and if the stop start beats and electro mastery isn't enough for you to listen, then you simply, you simply MUST press play on the clip, because all of that imagery, all of those clothes; now that is exactly how a music video should be made. (Jo Michelmore) 

#99. THE LOUVRE

by Lorde

A rush at the beginning

I get caught up, just for a minute.

It's incredibly easy to understand why Lorde is considered the voice of a generation. She defies expectations of an artist her age, carefully lays out considered lyrics over the very best in genre bending music and makes no apologies for the way she looks at the world. That she does this while still maintaining "basic" pop sensibilities like a catchy as hell chorus with hooks and lines that make you shake your head and applaud at the same time ("broadcast the boom boom boom boom and make them all dance to it") places Lorde in a league of her own. 'The Louvre' is just one perfect track on an album comprised of perfect tracks. One that will have you singing along and, yes, dancing along as that megaphone broadcasts the beating of a heart that speaks to all of us. I might fall outside of young Ella's generation, but really she can be the spokesperson for all of them with stories that prove to be timeless, classic and sure to be loved for a lifetime. (Matt Bond)   

#98. SMALL HANDS, SMALL HEART

by Amanda Palmer

And I stopped counting when they buried my beloved in the ground...

You can think what you will about Amanda Palmer; you can agree or you can disagree about how she makes her music, lives her life, talks her politics, does her dishes, but there's just this one thing that has never faltered. There's this thing that keeps her making the songs, talking the talks and traveling her music as far as she can take it. It's a sense of life and a heart as big as one can imagine, which she always manages to somehow piece together and turn into what she calls 'things' via her Patreon, what others call 'art'. It's the piano she always manages to turn into goosebumps and the lyrics that always take my breath away which are what I so often seem to call my favourites. You can think what you will about Amanda Palmer, but there will always be a place for her in this small heart of mine. (Jo Michelmore)  

#97. BENEATHER

by Jack Colwell

I don't know where you go

But you find me.

The spirit of rock is strong in this one, yes, yes it is. Jack Colwell taking a walk down the metal path was something I never knew I wanted or needed and now I want and need it so very, very much. Because the attitude and presence Colwell exudes from every pore in his being throughout 'Beneather' fits him like a glove. Granted, this is an artist that has shown he can where many musical hats, but there's something about that voice we've come to know and love against wailing guitars and beating drums that just seems right. May he never stop surprising us with the wonderful things he can do. (Matt Bond)  

Jack Colwell can pretty much do no wrong in my musical eyes, which means these words are going to be biased, but you want fairness, you can write you own. K? 'Beneather' is just another piece of Jack's musical mastery; dark, deep, deathly delicious, it's not just a song of our years but a story and a journey, which all of J Colwell's tracks seem to be. They take you wild places and the drop you back home gently in your headphones again. Divine Jack Colwell, absolutely divine. (Jo Michelmore)

#96. WE GOT THE POWER

by Gorillaz ft. Jehnny Beth

And we dream of home, I dream of life out here

Their dreams are small, my dreams don't know fear.

I thought it was going to be a 70s disco anthem when I first started listening, but then it turned into a Gorillaz song, which is to say Damon Albarn's Damon Albarn voice kicked in, but what really amazed me was not either of those things but the fact that Noel Gallagher also appears on this track, which is downright hilarious to anyone who knows anything about music in the 90s, because in the 90s that would have only happened once hell froze over. Actually, has anyone checked? I've been busy writing weird words about songs I like, which includes this one. Hell hath frozen. Over. (Jo Michelmore)  

A little bit of manic, dance around electronica courtesy of the Gorillaz is exactly what we all need more of in our lives. It's also a small reminder that, uh, as the title suggest we have the power and I keep going on about how people need to riot more and make change blah blah blah because people power and so on and so forth. Okay, I'm not totally committed to the cause. But I want to live through as least one rebellion or mass 'rise up' of the people. I'll probably hear about it after the fact, possibly after waking up from an undeserved nap, but I still want to live through it, you know? Let's just call this music to gloriously rebel to. Or dance to. Whatever you prefer. (Matt Bond)

#95. YOUNG MELODY

by PNAU ft. Vera Blue

I won the other side of life,

For the most part.

We started these ten songs with some of the finest songwriters in all of the music landscape and we find ourselves now in the middle of a collection of some of the finest electronic dance music makers. We cater to all tastes here, you know? But we also like to dance and 'Young Melody', which sees PNAU team with rising star Vera Blue, is something you can get on down to. I imagine in a classy place, like an exclusive club on some remote island off the coast of Croatia overlooking the water and everyone is beautiful and obviously I'll never get in so I'll just stick to dancing to 'Young Melody' in my tiny, inner-city apartment. It's nice when music can take you places though, isn't it? (Matt Bond)

Am I allowed to write words about a song called 'Young Melody'? I'm not as young as some, and anyone who's heard me singing in the car knows sometimes I can be melody challenged, so I'm not sure I'm fit for the job. Regardless, I've hit play three times over on this one, because the familiarity of these beats is more than welcome and Vera Blue's vocal is, as always, something I can't stop wanting. And, even though I still stand by my original thoughts that PNAU are one of the worst named acts in this country, I also think they're one of the best. (Jo Michelmore) 

#94. CELLOPHANE RAINBOW

by SAFIA

Life is best served bland

Within a plastic wonder.

I can remember finding SAFIA a few years back and thinking that they were definitely destined for big things. About three people would have read the review I wrote about them, so clearly I was responsible for launching their career. (I wasn't.) People with this much talent don't need much more than themselves to find the success they deserve. 'Cellophane Rainbow' is just one in a list of many songs that prove those big things I predicted they were destined for became a reality. (Jo Michelmore) 

#93. SCIENCE FICTION

by The Belligerents

I've been losing sleep

I keep having dreams about science fiction.

Yeaaaah Brisbane! The Belligerents showed no signs of slowing down in 2017, releasing their debut album Science Fiction to a hugely positive response. Alternative radio was all over it and so it should have been, because it's got banging tunes like the title track (this one, for those not paying attention) which is 100% bouncing off the walls rock and roll excellence. The Belligerents just keep on getting better and better, growing into one of Australia's most promising future exports. And Lewis Stephenson is pulling out all the stops vocally these days. They've become a seamless unit that you can't help but get behind. Here's to even bigger things in the years to come. (Matt Bond)  

#92. SMOKE TOO MUCH

by JOY.

Now you're gone, feel like I'm choking

Here these words walk in circles.

I like how all the publicity images for this song show JOY smoking, just because it's something one doesn't see in marketing much these days. Has it been two years since I last spoke of JOY? And has she spent the last two years smoking? You know, all forms of it are supposedly bad for you and things, but if a little bit of smoking inspires a sweet little piano line and those breathy vocals like this, it can't be all bad can it? *Do not smoke kids. It's not good for you. (Jo Michelmore) 

Oh yeah definitely don't smoke any of the things, children. However, you should definitely listen to the music of JOY. because if there's one artist that lives up to her name, it's this one right here. Along with contemporaries like E^ST, mallrat and Airling - JOY. found a maturity in her music this year that took her to another level. There's something so reflective and powerful in 'Smoke Too Much', that despite the obvious interpretation has you looking a little deeper into what troubles such a young mind. PSA moment numero three; don't smoke the things. Do listen to JOY. (Matt Bond)

#91. DANCIN' AND ROMANCIN'

by Jeremy Neale

When the night is clear there will be dancin' and romancin'...

The coolest dude in music and a true gentleman and scholar, Jeremy Neale wowed the crowd in 2017 with songs from his debut album, Getting The Team Back Together. He's someone that seems like he could definitely get you through a night full of dancing and romancing, or at the very least through three and a half minutes of your day with some might fine rock and or roll music. The best thing is, you can repeat 'Dancin' and Romancin' over and over again to fill your entire day with little three and  a half minute segments of glory. You do you, boo. (Matt Bond) 

Song Review - Like Home

Like Home

by Joy

Matt and I saw JOY at BIGSOUND last year. I'm not sure I had intentions to see her until Matt texted and said he had a seat, which is like an oasis and shining beacon at a night like BIGSOUND, filled with much music, manic dashing from venue to venue, very little sustenance and an awful lot of standing. Oh so much standing. So of course once said text was received, I battled my way from one side of the Valley to the other for the joy of seating...and for JOY. Now, my memory may be slightly hazy almost a year later, but while both of us were more impressed with the seats provided than the sound system in the venue that night, we both agreed her talent was obvious and it would only be a short matter of time before large groups of people would not be able to sit down when JOY appeared, because standing still with music like hers would be blasphemy, or something like that. Her new single 'Like Home' proves we were right; perfectly understated, her vocal simply stunning with a feel impossible to not move to. The clip is beautifully shot, apparently the story of what JOY gets up to at about three in the morning, which involves hanging about brick walls and gliding through the streets, apparently. Whatever she's doing, she makes it look as good as she sounds. Which is quite good.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Like Home' three and a half fries out of five...

Top 25 - 17 July, 2016

Grouplove!

1. James Vincent McMorrow - Rising Water





2. The Naked and Famous - Higher





3. Grouplove - Welcome To Your Life (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: I have a couple of bands in my favourites list that sit in a strange little section of love. They aren't bands that I know everything about, they aren't bands that I know every song in the back catalogue and they aren't bands that I usually name when people ask "who do you love?" - but they're important. Actually, they're really important, because, quite simply, they make me happy. While I don't know all of their songs, every song I hear makes me smile and whenever I get the chance to see them live I most definitely will, because I know a couple of hours of dancing and smiling is not to be missed. One of those bands is Grouplove, who never fail to impress me with their brand of simple pop rock and 'Welcome To Your Life' is no exception. Beats to make me sway and words to sing along to, it's not going to change the world, but it is going to make me smile whenever it pops up on my playlist or in my social media feed, which needs more smiles some days and maybe that's enough to change the world some days anyway. (Jo Michelmore)


4. Kid Runner - Give Me Something To Love





5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: I haven't taken the time to listen to all of The Lumineers' latest album Cleopatra, but after the release of the title track I'm going to have to make that time. 'Cleopatra' is the kind of storytelling goodness I can't help falling for. It takes a look back on a life that saw highs and lows, with a healthy amount of love lost and just enough regret mixed in to start the slow breaking of your heart. And if the song's not enough to get at you, the beautifully shot and perfectly matched video surely will. "But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life. And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I'll be on time." This ain't your 'Ho Hey' Lumineers, but this is excellent storytelling and a must listen for those folky-Americana fans. Now to go and listen to that new album... (Matt Bond)


6. Justice - Safe and Sound (NEW)





7. Cash Savage and The Last Drinks - Falling, Landing





8. Emily Wurramara - Black Smoke





9. Stevie - Decay





10. JP Klipspringer - Can't Be





11. Babaganouj - Sorry (NEW) 





12. JOY. - Like Home (NEW)





13. Ngaiire - House On A Rock





14. Montaigne - Because I Love You





15. PJ Harvey - Guilty (NEW)





16. Harts - Power (NEW)





17. Big Scary - The Opposite of Us





18. The Winter Gypsy - Took Me (NEW)





19. REMI - Substance Theory





20. Lanks - Bitter Leaf





21. M.I.A. - Go Off (NEW)


 


22. MKO Sun - Boom Pow





23. Bec Sandridge - You're A Fucking Joke





24. Sleeping At Last - Saturn





25. Feuds - River of Wine

Top 25 - 12 April, 2016

Landings!

1. Phebe Starr - Feel My Love (#1 for 4 weeks!)


 


2. Little Earthquake - Honest





3. Kaleo - I Can't Go On Without You





4. Emily Wurramara - Ngerraberrakernama (Wake Up)





5. Landings - My Bones (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Landings are a little band from my hometown, Brisbane, which automatically means I’m interested in their sounds, but doesn’t automatically mean I’m going to like them. There’s a stringent test I put all bands through before I declare my interest publicly, which generally means writing something here and now on this blog. “Does their music make me move or does their music move me?” depending on which way I feel like asking the question. Landings passed the test with flying colours in their single ‘My Bones’, with beats that make me nod and words that make me listen to them. The clip, released this week, is a vision of European beauty, mostly shot in numerous European countries while they recorded some tracks for what I hope will be their debut EP. They describe themselves as ‘sad dance music’ on their Facebook page, which sounds like everything I like in life so you can just go ahead and declare me a fan now. (Jo Michelmore)
 

6. Alex Lahey - You Don't Think You Like People Like Me





7. Old Sault - Ghost





8. Seavera - Caving (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: I've been feeling like there's too much music sounding exactly the same as everything else going around at the moment. I really wanted to hear something this week that sounded unique and knocked my socks off and gave me that feeling that only a really creative, new track can. And then along comes this song called 'Caving' by Seavera and I got everything I asked for. So in some totally selfish news you probably don't care about, it's been an awesome week for me. But how about this Seavera? Comprised of Tori Zietsch and Daniel Pinkerton, their track 'Caving' offers some top-notch storytelling and killer vocals wrapped up in lo-fi gorgeousness. You're going to want to hear it over and over again and you're definitely going to want to hear more from this talented outfit. As a fan of the musics that provide what the kids describe as 'all of the feels', Seavera had me in their profile description of, "a self-prescribed mission to make you cry." Can't wait to hear what comes next. (Matt Bond)  


9. Emma Louise - Talk Baby Talk





10. Gypsy and The Cat - I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else (NEW)


 


11. Darling James - The Itch





12. What So Not x GANZ ft. JOY. - Lone (NEW)


 

13. Fitz and The Tantrums - HandClap





14. Ecca Vandal - Truth To Trade





15. Jesse Redwing - Crawlin' Up The Walls (NEW)


 


16. Lupa J - Numb





17. PJ Harvey - The Orange Monkey (NEW)


 


18. Machine Age - Don't Look





19. Royal Blood - Where Are You Now?





20. Highasakite - Golden Ticket (NEW)


 


21. Tegan and Sara - Boyfriend (NEW)


 


22. Remi ft. Sampa The Great - For Good





23. The Belligerents - Before, I Am





24. Band of Skulls - Killer





25. Ladyhawke - A Love Song

Top 115 Songs of 2015, #50 - 41

Tkay Maidza, JOY, Drake + ALTA.

#115 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60 - 51

#50. BURY IT THERE

by Kimberly Anne

Never gonna be your princess

Just another girl in the room.

I had a heated conversation with a friend after seeing Taylor Swift live recently, which involved them saying that in their opinion, Ms Swift was the most talented pop singer in the world today. I like Tay Tay, but I couldn’t agree, because the trouble with that kind of statement is exactly this; Kimberly Anne. Here's her example of pure pop perfection, a perfect beat, a relatable theme, a singalong tune sung by a lady who clearly has a beautifully strong voice. Given another set of circumstances, with this kind of pop perfection, Kimberly Anne could be in Taylor Swift’s position and we’d all be hashtagging kimkim followed by squadgoals instead of taytay and squadgoals, or something like that. So I’m going to be completely honest and say that of all the pop music released this year, it wasn’t Adele or Taylor or Goulding or Gomez that released my fave pop tune, even though they all released good songs. For me, it was this one. And this one is proof that pop isn’t just for giant stadiums and instagram followers, sometimes it’s just for the sake of pop. And Kimberly Anne does pop very, very, very well. (Jo Michelmore) 

When Jo reviewed 'Bury It There' earlier in the year, I'm pretty sure she pointed out that it was going to be one of the year's best pop releases. I don't think anyone would want to argue with that. Not only because it's obviously correct, but why would you want to mess with Jo? She will mess you up, likely wearing stylish boots, and you could have prevented this by just admitting what everyone knows... that 'Bury It There' is one of the best pop releases of 2015. It's got the 'underdog done good' story that speaks to a universal audience and it's so beautifully performed by one of our favourite, emerging UK acts. Ms Kimberly Anne might not have been the princess of some a-hole, but she's won herself a special place in our hearts and we can't wait to hear more. (Matt Bond)

#49. I FOR AN EYE

by WAAX

You could take it or leave it

Or I'll keep it...

One time, I saw WAAX drinking beer at The Elephant Hotel in Brisbane. It was awesome. Alright, it was during BIGSOUND so all of the bands are out and about during the two showcase nights. All of them. Unfortunately I didn't get to see WAAX doing their thing on stage, which was a massive shame because 'I For An Eye' would have been a festival highlight. It's confident, demanding of your attention and packs a mighty punch. The same could be said of WAAX. With a brash, no-nonsense and totally Brisbane sound going for them, combined with one of our favourite new fronts in Maz DeVita, you can definitely count us as members of the WAAX fan club. Which will need some sort of name, right? The Waaxies? The Cerumens? Let's just go with Waaxies. The other one is pretty gross. (Matt Bond)
 

Clearly I’m biased, but I love it when such great bands emerge from my hometown. It gives me hope for the future of my little city, that maybe it’s not quite as boring as I think it is when I’m searching for entertainment on an average dull Saturday night. Maybe I’m biased but I feel like the peculiarity and anger of ‘I For An Eye’ is perfectly Brisbane, the angst of those guitars exactly how one feels here on an average dull Saturday night. Frontwoman Marie DeVita is everything a rock frontwoman should be, her take no prisoners approach dramatically supported by her bandmates. I could be biased, but you only have to listen once to know why. Any guaranteed-to-be-dull Saturday night, when I’m driving the mean streets of my little city looking for entertainment, it might be right there in the speakers of my car. (Jo Michelmore)

#48. WEATHER

by JOY.

I could of made you better

I'm sorry I couldn't change the weather.

I know that I have mentioned this before, but I actually can’t help myself this time, because once you get yourself in a comment loop, you just can’t stop can you? The comments on JOY’s youtube account for the clip to ‘Weather’ involve words like “pretty intense”, “magical” and “massive”, but my favourites are much more wordy than that; “yooo can we do a joint?” and “the emotion man, holy shit” which probably indicate that those comments may not have been written in a completely sober state. Regardless, all of the comments seem to reflect the same feeling, which is mine too; it is rather beautiful, this little track. Matt and I saw JOY at BIGSOUND earlier this year and her potential then was enormous. Here’s hoping next time I see her it’s on a larger stage with a little better mix of sound, because songs like this deserve the attention of many. (Jo Michelmore)


If there's one thing the world can never have enough of, it's JOY. Yeah, like the feeling... but the Brisbane based artist too. While her nom de plume focuses on only one, her music will give you ALL of the feels. As our totally sober YouTube friend points out above, 'Weather' is packed full of emotion. JOY, real name Olivia McCarthy, produces serene beats that circle around her deeply effecting vocals. It all works together to create the feeling of a powerful storm brewing, appropriate given the name of the song. And how about that video? That's some intense stuff right there. JOY looks to be gearing up for an even bigger 2016 and I can't wait to hear what she comes up with next. (Matt Bond)

#47. PAUL

by Girl Band

Again, again

She's a gent, give her a call, my daughter, Paul.

You know how people ask those questions about “where were you when…?” which usually involve world changing events of the past? I don’t have a great memory for those kinds of things, but if you were to ask me where I was the very first time I heard of the band called Girl Band, I could tell you exactly. A Sunday morning in August. Sitting at my dining table, with a plate of toast in front of me, a coffee in hand and a Facebook message from Matt saying “I sat for a couple of minutes in silence and then couldn't stop laughing. I think I love this”. It only took a few minutes on my phone for me to love it too, because there’s really no other way to take it. It’s bass heavy Irish punk, which is kind of adorable in the first place but you pair it with that clip and, well, that’s when magic happens, boys and girls. I know nothing else of Girl Band, I don’t know who Paul is and I’m actually not sure I’ll ever hear of any of them again, but I’ll always be thankful for that clip and that Sunday morning in August. (Jo Michelmore)
 

'Paul' is a song that makes me feel incredibly (and equally) anxious and excited. When I first heard it, I felt almost uncomfortable, but I couldn't look away from the absolutely trippy video. The further I got into the song, the more it just seemed to take over. And it's not a short song, so by the time it's finished it's hooked its claws in pretty deep. Back to the video... how good is it? Terrifying, but good. Which is just Girl Band and 'Paul' to a tee. I think I've repeated the same thing several different times in the space of four sentences. So I'll do it again... 'Paul' is like the best horror trip you'll ever go on in your life. You'll have no idea what's going on, but you won't be able to make it stop. You'll look back on what's transpired and think, "that was amazing". The process will repeat over and over again. Um... thanks, Girl Band. (Matt Bond)

#46. LATELY

by Big Smoke

Oh you know you've got me falling to my knees...

I don’t know how they do it, but Big Smoke always have this way of taking me places far away from where I am, to much more exotic landscapes and scenery than the laptop that’s sitting in front of my face. When they appeared back in the 100s of our countdown, I was at a pub in some rural outpost across this big land of ours and now, with ‘Lately’ I seem to have landed in a world of ever changing beats and tempos, a hard driving bass and a twangy guitar reminiscent of the greatest country numbers, without being sad or really lonely, maybe just a little curt. There’s probably still a bar involved, because all the greatest tales of not being able to live without someone’s love generally involve drowning oneself in a beverage or two or twenty, but maybe Adrian’s voice is more than enough really. He’s certainly got that heartbreak thing down right with his strains of “can’t love without your love, lately baby”. Another incredible track from one of our country’s finest. (Jo Michelmore)

#45. MICHIKO

by MKO SUN

Lately, I've been having bad dreams

Heavy, that is how my heart is.

MKO SUN manage to top themselves with each and every release. Which means the expectations we're putting on them are pretty crazy. Those expectations clearly mean little to Hannah Macklin and Co. as they effortlessly smash them to pieces. 'Michiko' only continued MKO SUN's winning streak, with Macklin's voice as striking as ever and featuring innovative beats you will fall deeply for. There's only love for MKO SUN and I don't see that ever changing. Please get totally famous soon so the whole world can share in this goodness. (Matt Bond)


Another one to add to the list of great songs MKO SUN has released this year, this three piece from my hometown describe themselves as abstract r+b, but I’d probably throw a little pop and a little electronica in there as well. And I’d have to mention the outstanding voice of Hannah Macklin’s, because she always seems to have a knack for strength and softness and knowing when to use them both in every song. No idea what or where ‘Michiko’ is, but if this song is any indication, I wouldn’t mind finding out and visiting. ASAP. Please. (Jo Michelmore) 

#44. LOUD PLACES

by Jamie xx ft. Romy

You go to loud places to find someone who

Will take you higher than I took you.

 Let’s talk about this from the beginning, in order to remove any further confusion. Or maybe add to it. Jamie XX is very, very talented, but there’s no coincidence that his name is Jamie XX and his band’s name is The xx. There’s a theme that runs through all of his music, and especially so when he uses the talents of his bands vocalist; Romy Madley Croft. I don’t really know while this isn’t The xx but you know, whatever. It’s good. Like The xx are. I digress. A little more layering than anything his other band can put together, ‘Loud Places’ reaches high upon high, with that gospel sounding choir clapping like you wouldn’t believe and Romy doing her glorious thing and stretching those vocal chords all over it. A glorious song by one very talented guy, but here’s hoping The xx will be back sooner than later. (Jo Michelmore)

As close as we'd get to new music from The xx this year, 'Loud Places' was the most hauntingly moving track on Jamie xx's In Colour. That shouldn't be a surprise with the addition of Romy Madley-Croft on vocals. Hauntingly moving/beautiful is kinda her thing. As an added bonus, 'Loud Places' makes you want to dance in a way that most tracks from The xx could not. You know, because your heart is usually breaking or you're reflecting on life. Ok, enough about The xx. It's just hard not to bring them up when here you've got this amazing song that's been brought to you by two members of The xx. I can't stop writing it. The xx. Enough. The xx. We're done here. The xx. I'm pretty desperate to hear a new album from The xx in 2016. The xx. (Matt Bond) 

#43. MOVES

by ALTA

Hurry up and make your move.

With 115 songs to write about, you'll have to forgive me for repeating myself a couple of times. I've already said a couple of times that I don't get the magical radio playlist makers in Australia. Because a song like 'Moves' is made for the radio, to be heard by and loved by a huge audience. It's supposed to achieve a huge level of popularity and have unnecessary remixes playing in the clubs. It's supposed to inspire the creations of future artists. Sure, it's nothing new for one of the best songs of the year to not get the play it deserves. That doesn't mean it's not time for that to change. 'Moves' is without question one of the best songs of the year. Duh. It's here in a best songs of 2015 countdown. Hannah Lesser and Julius Dowson make quirky cool, with creative beats that will have you coming back again and again. And you can't tell me that 'Moves' doesn't have the best use of an elephant's trumpet since Missy Elliott's 'Work It'. I'm hoping to hear a lot more from ALTA very soon. Knowing already that it will be quality stuff, I'm also hoping they start getting the attention they truly do deserve. (Matt Bond)   

#42. HOTLINE BLING

by Drake

You used to call me on my cellphone

Late night when you need my love.

I'm not going to pretend I'm Drake's biggest fan. A song here and there of his has been responsible for fleeting moments of musical distraction. That one with Rihanna, maybe? Yeah. That was alright. While I'm still not fully on team Drake, I can't deny the impact he had in 2015 with 'Hotline Bling'. I've enjoyed the song almost as much as I've enjoyed the countless gifs and vines and whatever the new way of sharing stupid little videos is called. I'm hip to the technology talk. What I'm not, is as good at the dancing as Drake... doing his little... jig... to the song. Fella's got some moves. I can't keep up this ridiculous charade. The dancing is a joke. But the song? The song's pretty great. (Matt Bond)


The greatest thing about ‘Hotline Bling’ becoming as commercially popular as it has is not that mid-tempo beat that makes it one of those songs that circles your mind and it’s not the almost muted nature of its rhythms or Drake’s  intense way of saying those apparently captivating words “you used to you used to” but the best thing about his new found popularity is the concept of someone who knows nothing else about Drake googling his back catalogue and finding his perhaps not as commercially viable previously released songs. It could also be the amount of memes, gifs and other things the kids do made post release of that video, because really, that was what that clip was made for.  If nothing else, it sure made for some of my fave dance moves of the year. There’s still hope for me making a career in dance if Drake does that. Thanks Drake. More unintentional hilarity again next year please. (Jo Michelmore)

#41. GHOST
by Tkay Maidza

They're heading for me, they don't know a truth from a lie.

Like Emma Louise before her, here’s another late year release that had to replace someone else on this list once we’d compiled it, because there was no way we were leaving this one out. Sorry Bieber*, you didn't make it. I used to be one who didn’t have much faith in Australian hip hop. There was one name that changed all of that for me. Tkay. Ghost is glorious, the hooks addictive, that voice of Tkay’s shining above all, it’s a supposedly all-star line up on this one but we all know Ms Maidza is the real star…and what is that Matt says the kids say? Slaying? Is that what she does? Whatever they call it, it’s awesome. *It wasn't Beiber who got pushed off the list. (Jo Michelmore)

Tkay Maidza shows no signs of slowing down on the world domination front. After wowing us with hit after hit the past couple of years, Maidza ends 2015 with the release of another absolute banger. 'Ghost' shows just how far the Adelaide rapper has come in a relatively short time. Fresh and sophisticated productions from Baauer, What So Not and George Maple surround the energetic and rapid delivery of rhymes from Australia's finest rap export. We're also treated to more of Tkay's sweet vocal tones in the chorus, which you WILL sing along to. Tkay continues to do what Tkay does best. Slay. (Matt Bond)

There's only four posts left to go! Where does the time go? No, seriously... why is it going so fast? Don't stray too far, we'll be back tomorrow with #40 - #31!

 

BIGSOUND Live 2015 - Text Review

BIGSOUND Live 2015 

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane (9-10 September 2015)
Reviewed through the wonders of text messaging
by Matthew Bond and Jo Michelmore

It's almost impossible to believe one of our favourite music events is done for another year. Over 150 bands and musicians playing across fifteen venues in the Valley, it really is an amazing couple of nights for music lovers! Over the years we've witnessed some incredible acts; Thelma Plum, Holy Holy, Tkay Maidza, Adalita, Little May, KINGSWOOD, Airling...the names are endless, but probably the best part about BIGSOUND is discovering artists we didn't previously know; Kira Puru, Jones Jnr, Willow Beats, BAD//DREEMS...the list of awesome goes on and on. This year, it was just Matt and Jo tackling the mean streets of the Valley, determined to see as much as possible, all the while texting (sometimes while standing next to each other). Welcome kids, to the BIGSOUND 2015 addition of what has become legend in some parts of the world (mostly just our houses and a couple of our friends like it too)....the text review.

*No apologies given for spelling, grammar or other errors within texts. It was dark, late and tiring. And we loved it all.

Wednesday, 9th September

 
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Tempura Nights

 

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The Nouj

 

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Thursday, 10th September

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Ayla

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