Top 119 Songs of 2019, #70 - 61

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70. SUGAR

by Peking Duk and Jack River

Want to be with you

Want to be right there by your side

On ‘Sugar’, Peking Duk and Jack River prove they’ve got the recipe down pat for the most perfectly delicious musical treat. I know we’re not supposed to compare things (for reasons?), but I love seeing listeners say they’re getting ‘Steal My Sunshine’ vibes from this one. Like Len’s seminal and possibly only track, ‘Sugar’ comes so close to falling off the sickly sweet cliff, but unlike that smash hit I don’t think I’m going to have any reservations 20 years from now about openly discussing my love for this one. River slides easily into Duk’s anthemic electronic sound, owning the dance stage in the process. Maybe it’s a little unexpected, but it’s a pleasant surprise. Who wouldn’t want to hear more from these two acts? (Matt Bond)

#69. TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY

by Texas Tea

This way you have no regrets

And each day it comes and each forgets

Brisbane’s own Texas Tea makes the surprise comeback of the year with the release of the album Röda Tråden. It had been seven long years of a wait for the obscure tea bag fan group, but that wait was well worth it. Texas Ben took the lead on ‘Tomorrow Is A New Day’, a track that rolls over and over. Kind of like a new day beginning. Kind of like a new bit of quiet heartbreak with each promise that maybe tomorrow’s that new beginning you’ve found yourself hoping for. I’m listening to this and can’t stop thinking about how each time I order Uber Eats I’m thinking I’ll be better tomorrow, knowing full well I won’t be. Things aren’t going so bad when that’s the extent of my pain... I’m sure Texas Ben had something much deeper on his mind when putting these words down. Or maybe this is truly the regretful Uber Eats soundtrack tune we’ve all been longing for. Maybe it’s best we never know/I never put these thoughts in hearts and minds around the world ever again. (Matt Bond)

And here we are at what was probably my most unexpected but so awesome surprises of the last twelve months. I didn’t know how much I’d really missed Texas Tea until they returned early in the year. As soon as I heard Ben Dougherty’s voice I was spellbound, taken back a few years to a couple of albums that defined some time for me earlier this decade. I googled them while thinking about what I was going to write about them and found a quote about their music defining a season, “it will be one I play years from now and remember this summer, it’s an album that will transcend time but bring me back to the first warm afternoon I heard it” which is pretty much how I feel about Röda Tråden now, which is kind of funny, considering I wrote those other words in the first place. And now that Texas Tea have returned, and I’ve begun quoting myself, this blogging and countdown thing really has come full circle, hasn’t it? 'Tomorrow Is A New Day', indeed. (Jo Michelmore)

#68. BACKSEAT

by Ali Barter

 


No, we've never really met

But if we did, then I think that'd we be perfect

I mean, I love this song and everything Ali Barter does, but can we talk about her facial expressions at the start of the video for ‘Backseat’ because that’s damn good comedy right there. Get this gal a TV Week Logie award. What? It’s not like we have real awards in this country... ‘Backseat’ is a lot of fun. It feels like it’s packing a whole lot of sarcasm, a scandalous touch and a catchy energy that will have you dancing around your room before the song rockets to its end. Is it ironic that it’s taken from an album titled “Hello, I’m Doing My Best,” when it’s so painfully clear Barter’s delivering her best work? I’m genuinely asking... Alanis Morissette really screwed with my understanding of what irony is. Killing it as always, Ali Barter. Total jam. Can you play on my EP? (Matt Bond)

#67. NOT ANGRY ANYMORE

by Thelma Plum

You can try to make amends

Tell the world that we're still friends

But was it worth it?

I was lucky enough to see Thelma Plum live earlier this year and during the show, in between songs, she told lots of little tales of herself and her life and as she so sweetly does, giving lots of little glimpses into who she is and who she wants to be. It was so nice to hear her talk of past tales and future dreams and what it’s like to text Paul Kelly accidentally and tell him you’re so nervous you’re going to be sick. But the secret about Thelma Plum that you get to know once you see her live telling those tales, is that you don’t really need to hear the tales to tell who she is, because if you want to know, she puts it all out there, right in the songs. Humble and sweet sit perfectly alongside broken and empty, which also live with exasperated and the opposite to that in this song, not angry anymore, each as important as each other.  There’s never anything to hide with Thelma Plum, and that’s one of the things that makes me such a big fan. (Jo Michelmore)

#66. MODERATION

by Florence + The Machine

Can't hold it back, I can't take the tension

I'm trying to be good

It was a bold choice for Florence + The Machine to add ‘Moderation’ to their setlist before it was released in the ENCORE slot. As the non-album cut started playing during Florence’s performance at the Brisbane Riverstage at the start of the year I couldn’t have been alone in looking around and thinking, “what’s this all about?” It didn’t take long for the entire crowd to get right into this even though they hadn’t heard it before. This is rock and or roll, it sends Florence’s voice soaring and takes you along for the ride. There’s nothing moderate about it, but like our leading lady says, who do you think you’re talking to? We want what we want from a Florence + The Machine song. We want it to be dramatic, shameless and over the top. And that’s everything ‘Moderation’ is. Please don’t ever change, Lady Flo. (Matt Bond)

#65. EYES TO THE SKY

by OKENYO

Save the best oh yeah

For last but not the least oh yeah

I read something about OKENYO and someone referencing her “signature swag” and I was like, what even is a signature swag and how do I go about getting myself one? Are you born with it, or can I learn it? OKENYO has swag in doubles and triples, making her brand of hip hop sound like she woke up like this, completely effortless cool. And here I am sitting in my pjs with a cup of tea writing words about her. That's my signature swag. (Jo Michelmore) 

#64. EVERYTHING I DO IS REPLACED BY TWO

by Jeremy Neale

We were building a dream

Now it's over

Swinging guitar pop and a way with words, Jeremy Neale has never disappointed with his brand of straightforwardness, his keen observation of the absurd and his way of turning those things into riffs and harmonies and hooks that are born to be heard and made to sway to. He wears his pants high and his heart on his sleeve and ultimately, they are both very important things we can all learn from. (Jo Michelmore)

#63. ANOTHER DAY

by #1 Dads

Lay down just don't lay down

Let this be a little song for you

I’ve got a whole bunch of things I think about one of Tom Iansek’s other things, No Mono, after stumbling into a gig of theirs earlier this year, which I’ll discuss later in this little countdown of ours (spoiler alert), but for now, this thing; #1 Dads. The clip as sparse as the song, ‘Another Day’ is a really nice example of how little is needed to make an impact sometimes. Nothing unusual, just a sweet little swinging tune with a winning whistle in the middle, there’s nothing confronting but all comforting and it's so very pleasant. (Jo Michelmore)

#62. PARTY FOR ONE

by Carly Rae Jepsen

You don't want my love, if you don't care about me

I'll just dance by myself, back on my beat

I was a little late to the Carly Rae reinvention party. See, I was thinking she was running around finding new ways to record ‘Call Me Maybe’ (a certified banger) and she sort of disappeared form the mainstream eye and also disappeared from everywhere I’ve been consuming the musics. But I should have been actively seeking this reborn C Jepsen, the Robyn of a new generation. Like the super gay friendly electro Queen that came before her, CRJ put her one hit wonder ways behind her, threw her amazing personality into her tunes and became a dancehall goddess. It’s a whole thing, you haven’t done it? Everyone’s doing it. You should do it. I’ve done it. It was a thing. Anyway long story short or whatever that TL;DR thing is... I should have been on board the Carly J express this whole time, because it’s banger after banger like ‘Party For One’. Give it a listen and say to yourself, “here’s another banger.” You won’t regret it. (Matt Bond)


I don’t know what to make of Carley Rae Jepsen, because if you look at music in a traditional way, she’s pretty much a no one hit wonder. But music (thankfully?) isn’t traditional in any way, so if you look at views and likes and online such things, she’s a bit of a big deal. If you ignore that song that you know, even though it was perfect pop in itself, she’s a perfect definition of pop music; bouncy beats, quirky relatable lyrics and colourful clips. ‘Party For One’ is all of those things. Perfect pop. (Jo Michelmore)

#61. ROBBERY

by Lime Cordiale

 


Wait that's her, stop that girl

How flippin’ good is it to see all the success that Lime Cordiale have found over the past couple of years? It’s pretty damn flippin’ good. Oli and Louis Leimbach have been churning out top notch, quality tunes and this trusty and true method of being musically awesome is winning them more and more fans with each release. We’re expecting to hear them more than once when it comes time for the Hottest 100 and you just know ‘Robbery’ is going to be on that list. Everyone’s going to be shouting along to, “hey that’s her, stop that girl!” And you’re going to love it. (Matt Bond)

Top 119 Songs of 2019, #80 - 71

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80. RE: STACKS

by Gretta Ray and Dustin Tebutt

This is pouring rain

This is paralysed

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)



Top 25 - 4 October 2016

Tkay Maidza, Bec Sandridge + Kimbra!

1. Bec Sandridge - High Tide (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: So last Friday morning when I heard the new track from Bec Sandridge I was pretty sure I had my pick for this week's Top 25 sorted, then Friday afternoon Matt sent me the link to Kimbra's little surprise release and I was like "WHA?" because I couldn't believe two incredibly awesome women could release two awesome songs on the same day and then I was torn between which one to write about. We've got a long history of loving Kimbra, with her making numerous appearances on our Woman of the Year and our end of year countdown lists, so I decided to leave Kimbra to Matt (should he choose to write about her, I don't tell him what to do with his life) and write about Ms Sandridge, who's more than likely to make our lists this year - spoiler alert! And beside that, only days ago I was listening to Blondie's 'Tide Is High' so maybe that was a sign I was going to love 'High Tide'. With comparisons to both Blondie and Fleetwood Mac there's pretty much no chance I was going dislike this song, but it's not the comparisons that are important, it's the vocal that demands attention and the rolling, shadowy guitars that hypnotise you into listening again and again. I declared myself a big fan after we saw her play at BIGSOUND, but if she keeps releasing tracks like this there's no doubt that my big fan status will turn into massive fan status very, very quickly. Bec Sandridge plays with Cub Sport on a national tour beginning 21st October in Adelaide, which pretty much sounds like a gig one needs to attend! (Jo Michelmore)


2. Tkay Maidza - Tennies (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: "When I put my tennies on, when I put my tennies on." I can't stop singing it and I don't even really know what it's about. Such is the power of Tkay Maidza. A thorough investigation (Googled it) showed that 'tennies' are tennis shoes. So I'm assuming that when Tkay puts her tennies on, it's the equivalent of Penny Wong taking her glasses off on Q&A. Shit is about to get real and someone is about to get a verbal smackdown. Released as the follow up to 'Carry On' as a preview to the upcoming debut album TKAY, 'Tennies' will have you putting on your finest Dunlop Volleys and ready for one sick night on the town. The badass transference is strong with this song. It will give you attitude like you wouldn't believe. Listening to this song will make you feel like you're walking into a club with a wind machine blowing your glamorous hair out while everyone stares at you with jealousy dripping out of every fiber of their being. In this regard, 'Tennies' is the new 'Pass That Dutch'. Perfect for any dramatic entrance, to get any party started and to make you furiously attempt to memorise the rhymes as fast as you can. #putyourtennies out in support of Tkay Maidza, get this song and get even more excited about the October 28 release of TKAY. (Matt Bond) 


3. Kimbra - Sweet Relief (NEW)


 


4. Tkay Maidza ft. Killer Mike - Carry On





5. Big Smoke - Best of You





6. Allie and Ivy - Best Friends





7. Gretta Ray - Unwind





8. Tash Sultana - Jungle





9. Ariela Jacobs - Leave Your Light On (NEW)


 

10. Jack River - Palo Alto (NEW)


 

11. Jess Kent - The Sweet Spot





12. Sparrows - Get To Know You





13. Lime Cordiale - Waking Up Easy (NEW)


 


14. Just A Gent ft. Ella Vos and Joey Chavez - Rolling Dice





15. Alexander Biggs - Tidal Wave





16. Lanks - Holla





17. The Naked and Famous - The Runners (NEW)


 


18. The Bear Hunt - Who Made You God? (NEW)


 

19. Tami Neilson - Holy Moses





20. Ali Barter - Girlie Bits





21. Remi ft. Jordan Rakei - Lose Sleep





22. Olympia - Self Talk





23. Lastlings - Time





24. Babaganouj - Sorry





25. Sia - The Greatest

Top 25 - 25 July, 2016

The Naked and Famous!

1. The Naked and Famous - Higher





2. James Vincent McMorrow - Rising Water





3. Sarah Belkner - Time (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: "Time is what you make of it, time has let you down." We've loved what Sarah Belkner has been putting out into the music world over the past couple of years. Her vocal work is awesome, she's a wonderful songwriter and the atmosphere created on her tracks can take you out of your world and place you firmly in hers. Last year's Humans EP earned a lot of repeated listens and you should totally check it out when you get a chance. So yeah, big fan of what's come before... but this track right here, 'Time', is just really, really gorgeous and has me thinking that her upcoming debut album is going to be very special. Every element that makes up the song is as perfectly considered and crafted as each shot in the video that accompanies it. Sarah's vocals are as beautiful as ever, with an almost defeated restraint to help the words hit home with the listener. Listen out for a sneaky and welcome Brendan Maclean vocal cameo too, but that's definitely not him starring alongside Belkner in the Brian and Karl directed video. Just in case you thought it was? Anyway, can't wait to hear more from Sarah this year. And next year. And hopefully for many years after that too. (Matt Bond) 


4. Grouplove - Welcome To Your Life





5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra





6. Ross Henry - The Deep (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Until this week, I didn't know who Ross Henry was. I mean, he may not be the first Ross Henry I've known, because I have a vague recollection that one of my favourite primary school teachers was called Mr Henry, but grade five was a long time ago, so pretty sure that Mr Henry isn't this Mr Henry. This Mr Henry, however, could become a different favourite of mine because after hearing the beautifully distant and warm feelings of 'The Deep', I may have found my newest favourite headphones on in the middle of the night sounds. There is something comfortably uneasy about these beats, a feeling of the clutches of insomnia combined with the captivity of sunrise and after reading Ross' words about how this was written; "on a peak between the earliest of mornings and the latest of nights", I'm so impressed with his way of turning feelings into sounds and times into vibrations. The confusing beauty of silhouettes and light in the clip are the perfect accompaniment to a song that has easily and quickly become the highlight of my week. Also, Mr Henry, if you know another Mr Henry who is a teacher, tell him I said hi. (Jo Michelmore)


7. Stonefox - Dreamstate (NEW)


 

8. Kid Runner - Give Me Something To Love





9. Feki ft. Dom Vino - You Got Me (NEW)


 

10. Babaganouj - Sorry





11. Emily Wurramara - Black Smoke





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





13. Jack River - Talk Like That (NEW)


 

14. The Montreals - Lo-Fi (NEW)


 

15. The Winter Gypsy - Took Me By





16. Stevie - Decay





17. JP Klipspringer - Can't Be





18. Little May - Where Do You Sleep (NEW)


 


19. JOY. - Like Home





20. Justice - Safe and Sound





21. Regina Spektor - Bleeding Heart (NEW)


 


22. Rachael Yamagata - Nobody (NEW)


 


23. Ngaiire - House On A Rock





24. Montaigne - Because I Love You





25. Big Scary - The Opposite of Us