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Showing posts with label Janelle Monae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janelle Monae. Show all posts

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Top 100 Songs of 2018 - #10 to #1


Thelma Plum, Cub Sport, Kira Puru + Little May!




#10. ALL YOUR LOVE
by Dustin Tebbutt





Those wide eyes, bright blue
Pulled me from the tide and cold water.


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
Runner-Up: 'XXXO' by M.I.A 

                

Saturday, 8 December 2018

Top 100 Songs of 2018 - #40 to #31


Alexander Biggs, Janelle Monae, Baker Boy + Eves Karydas!




#40. WITH OR WITHOUT
by Tired Lion




Take me away with you I'll be your come down
I'll be there for you now.


When an announcement came across the Facebooks that Matt Tanner was leaving Tired Lion, I had a bad feeling Tired Lion was about to go the way so many of my fave bands had gone before. Dropping a banging debut only to fade away, like so many young AUS bands do. Luckily for us, Sophie Hopes and the rest of the band took some time to regroup and have come back sounding as full of energy and attitude as ever with their most immediately engaging track yet. ‘With or Without You’ has one of the funnest, most loveable choruses of the year and you know you want to be shouting along with Hopes as she promises she’ll be there for you. Written in response to the band’s line-up changes and an uncertain future, ‘With or Without You’ acts as a riotous send off to the first Tired Lion era and promises an exciting second. Bring it on. (Matt Bond)


#39. WHITE DRESS
by Dunes




I forget, what were my dreams?
Come to the end, what have I seen?


It is surprisingly hard to find out a lot about New Zealand’s sisterly duo Dunes using generic searches like Dunes/Dunes Music/Dunes Music New Zealand/Dunes Album and so on and so forth. Sure they’re generic searches, but when your an act with a song as good as ‘White Dress’ you should be getting bombarded with search hits relating to how amazing said act is. Those words, those dreamy vocals, the hopeless romanticism of it all... they need to know the air you breathe, people. Why won’t you let them? Dunes count Florence Welch amongst their growing fan base and if it’s good enough for Florence it’s good enough for us all. I'm pretty sure that's international law. (Matt Bond)


#38. CLOSE ENOUGH
by Alexander Biggs




You're making sense to me
Feels like I can see, the forest for the trees...


Oh my gosh this is lovely. This is just lovely. The twisting and turning guitars, the percussion that drives but doesn’t overtake, the swing along sing song melody and the sweet, sweet lyrics; “feels like I can see forest for the trees and they grow in your vicinity”. Alexander Biggs manages that magical balance between confident yet humble throughout his music and he somehow makes it seem so easy to get lost within the storybook feel of his songs, if I could literally step inside any song on this countdown, this could be the one. (Jo Michelmore)


#37. MR LA DI DA DI
by Baker Boy




God dam, not breaking a sweat
Walking with a bounce in my step.


There’s about a billion things I want to write about Baker Boy and how important he and artists like him are to the Australian music landscape, and, as music is pretty much everything, how important he and artists like him are to Australian society in general, but then I always come back to that exact point, which is that music is pretty much everything. Which means that I can say or write a bazillion things about the impressiveness and importance of Danzal Baker, aka Baker Boy; but the most important thing is this. He writes and performs really good songs and if you’re not moving by the end of ‘Mr La Di Da Di’, you may want to check your pulse. You feeling ok? (Jo Michelmore)


#36. PYNK
by Janelle Monae ft. Grimes




Let's count the ways we could make this last forever.


No, it’s not just that song with the vagina pants video. Yes, it is that song. But Janelle Monae’s ‘PYNK’ is so much more. No, it’s not just about lady parts, but sure there is a delightful amount of time dedicated to female anatomy in the verses and that’s totally fine considering a whole bunch of us were brought into the world via lady business, yeah? Even if 'PYNK' was just that vagina song with the vagina pants video, that would be okay too. In 2018 we can listen to a great pop song about vaginas and the world won't fall apart. On a reasonable list of all the things that are making the world fall apart, this song wouldn't be on it. Janelle Monae wants to make the world a better, more inclusive place through her art and music and she's doing a mighty fine job of achieving her goals. Oh, and about those vagina pants (technically vulva trousers), you might find it as lovely as I do that some of the dancers aren't wearing them because Monae doesn't believe, "that all women need to possess a vagina to be a woman," and if that's not a lovely shout out to those that identify as women then I don't know what is. The part of the song including the following words is just the bestest thing ever too. “I wanna fall through the stars, getting lost is my favourite part, let’s count the ways we could make this last forever.” (Matt Bond)


#35. DOWNTOWN SHUTDOWN
by The Presets




Downtown shutdown, I can feel it
It's coming over, turnin' my lights out.


Take your standard/amazing Presets brand of eclectic, electronic soundscapes and throw in a gospel choir from Shepparton and you get the magical ride that is 'Downtown Shutdown'. Like the majority of their most memorable tunes, The Presets want you to take more from the song than just a strong desire to get wasted and dance the night away. You could totally do that with 'Downtown Shutdown', don't get me wrong, but you can do that while also remembering this was written in reaction to Sydney's controversial lockout laws that have essentially killed off the Kings Cross entertainment district. You want to enjoy the music for what it is, go for it. You want to enjoy the music for the message and the protest party vibes, you can do that too. The Presets continue to cater to all. (Matt Bond)


Firstly, let me get my rant out of the way: lock out laws are ridiculous. They are a bandaid solution. I've more to say on that, but I've got words about songs to write, so; end rant. Now to the song, which is a healthy reaction to said lockout laws. One of my closest friends saw The Presets play earlier this year, and enjoyed it immensely, but I cannot listen to this song, or any of The Presets 2018 album, Hi Vis, without thinking of my beautiful friend, who sent me a message days later, stating; “I just realised why so many people were wearing tradie shirts at that gig”. Did they start a revolution of tradie hi visibility safety fashion with this album? I’m not sure, but this is probably my favourite track from said album. (Jo Michelmore)


#34. I LIKE IT
by Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny and J Balvin




They call me Cardi Bardi, banging body
Spicy mami, hot tamale.


I couldn't tell you all that much about Cardi B. I've listened to some interviews and she is laugh out loud funny with a larger than life personality. From those interviews you can tell she's worked very hard for a very long time to get to where she is. I believe she was on a reality show (?) featuring emerging rap acts. There was a fight between Cardi and maybe Nicki Minaj or Minaj's security guard at a fashion (?) show. She's recently split with a fella called Offset (?) and they had a little one named Kulcha (?). There's a lot of questions there, but there's no question about how infectious her music is. She's been the hottest rap act in all of music this year and a lot of that has to do with her worldwide star-making turn on 'I Like It' featuring Bad Bunny (?) and J Balvin (?). Cardi kills it on her opening verse and the choruses. Misters Bunny and Balvin (?) are there too, but 'I Like It' is all about the lead artist and I think we'll find that the rap game is going to be all about Cardi B for a long time to come. (Matt Bond)  


It’s a countdown of all of 2018. Of course Cardi B was going to feature. I can’t say I know much about her, as I probably don't follow the right celebrity accounts on the socials, or many for that matter, but she's made enough of an impact this year that I know it wouldn't be a 2018 countdown without her. I'm not sure Bad Bunny or J Balvin would have made it without her though. I don’t know who they are. To be honest, I don’t know much about anyone anymore, but I know I’d enjoy a beverage as I listen to this track, because I like it like that (obvious what I did there) and as Matt said to me, we like ALL of the beverages, I mean musics. Damn right we do. (Jo Michelmore)


#33. LADY BLUE
by Emily Wurramara




I wish I could swim here forever
Miss Lady Blue, me and you.


If I knew nothing about Emily Wurramara then with the first notes of ‘Lady Blue’ I may be forgiven for thinking she’s some kind of blues or jazz singer from another time, her stunning voice is from somewhere else, and as it washes over the instrumentation, those constant repeated beats create the exact feeling of the constant rhythm of the ocean that ‘Lady Blue’ is written about. Is this onomatopoeia in a musical sense? Is that how one spells onomatopoeia? I’m unsure if there is such a thing what that would be called, but I do know when I listen to ‘Lady Blue’ I’m sitting by the seaside, I’m watching the waves, and I’m feeling…good. Good. You can’t ask more of a beautiful song than that. (Jo Michelmore)


#32. FURTHER THAN THE PLANES FLY
by Eves Karydas




Shoot, shoot, shoot
I'm so bored of all the talking.


Dammit. I like to be really positive about these songs, because after all they’re a representation of our faves of the year, but I’ve got a problem with this song. Eves Karydas has a voice that is too good. How am I meant to hit those high notes when I’m singing in my car? Huh? I sound like a bad, bad ringtone wailing ‘shoot shoot shoot…further than the planes fly” in my highest squeaky mouse tone, which Miss Karydas hits with not a concern in the world and sounds more magnificent than mouse. This kind of confident pop is going to take Eves K a long long way. Planes fly a long way but Eves Karydas voice flies higher. (Jo Michelmore)


#31. ALL THE STARS
by Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA




Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you?
I know the feeling haunt you.


WAKANDA FOREVER... part 2! I think it's universally acknowledged that Kendrick Lamar is brilliant and that's exactly what he was throughout the entire Black Panther soundtrack. But especially on 'All Of The Stars'. So yeah, Kendrick Lamar's awesome. But let's talk about SZA, who completely owns every moment she appears throughout the track. The second half of the song really belongs to her and as that booming SZA delivered chorus finishes up the track, you're left wanting to hear so much more from her. The shots of SZA dancing her way through the stars in the video are gorgeous too. I just want to keep saying SZA. Is that because I was only recently told it's pronounced 'sizza'. Yes. Yes it is. (Matt Bond


                   

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

The Last 5 Years, #30 - 21


Sia, Arctic Monkeys, Montaigne + Robyn!


100 - 91
#30. ELEPHANT
by Tame Impala



 


He knows that you're dreaming about being loved by him
Too bad your chances are slim.


'Elephant' is my kind of Tame Impala. It's got those throwback vibes the kids all love. It's moderately trippy, but unlike most of their catalogue it doesn't make me shrug and want to dismiss it as music for druggies. I'm sure it goes great with acid, but I'll never know these sorts of things. Each to their own etc. etc. But when you've got the most infectious bluesy guitar riffs going on and borderline ridiculous/amazing lyrics about shaking your big, grey trunk for the hell of it you don't need any help with feeling the goodness of the music. Those guitar lines dominate the track and make you want to get up off your feet and shake it around. That can't just be me, right? The track might have been a little out of place on the ARIA Award winning Lonerism, but that doesn't mean it wasn't the best track on it. I'm hoping they sneak a little something like it onto their upcoming third LP, Currents. (Matt Bond)


#29. GO!
by Santigold




That means I'm really hot
I rap and make hits
And I'll never stop.


There is very little chance that I was going to dislike a song that involved one of my favourite women of…what shall we call it? Rock? Indie? Pop? Any of those; she’s Karen O, and also one of my favourite women of…what shall we call it? Electronica? Hip hop? Dance? Pop? Any of those; she’s Santigold and the two of them produced one of my favourite tracks of…let’s say this millennium, not just the last five years. There’s nothing not to love; Santigold’s typically confident sneer pushing itself in between manic beats driving the track right through to Karen O’s verse, as perfectly vicious as Karen O wants to be. When all of those talents met…what did I call it? Perfection. (Jo Michelmore)


#28. I'M A FANTASTIC WRECK
by Montaigne




And if nothing else can change me
And I am just this way then
Would you love me?


When songs work their way into your existence like they’ve been watching you, seeing what you’ve been doing and how you’ve been feeling, there’s a special something that happens. Sometimes it’s a tingle on the back of your neck, sometimes it’s a weakness in the back of your knees, sometimes its three minutes and sixteen seconds that lay themselves upon your shoulders and keep you warm on your darkest of days. When songs know who you are, when songs speak words that have been silently screaming from your heart and when songs understand your journey, they place themselves in your consciousness and they don’t let go. When songs expose your weakness and when songs accept your flaws, they become you for a little while. They become everything you need to make everything alright and when songs like Montaigne’s come along, everything may not be alright, but everything is a little easier, and that’s exactly and everything ‘I’m A Fanstastic Wreck’ is. (Jo Michelmore)


#27. JOSIE
by Go Violets


 


If you ever feel so sad
If you ever feel so bad
You can come to me
Every night of the week.


I know they only broke up last year, but reunions are all the rage and if there's one band that should get back together and make sweet, sweet music again it's Go Violets. Alright, it's probably not going to happen because they've all moved on to new projects. One can dream though... because Go Violets gave us tracks like 'Josie' and it was all very 90s rock and catchy lyrics like, "this is not the end or as the Spanish would say fin." You wish you wrote lyrics like that. Oh well, these four gals from Brisbane gave us what will be one of our all time faves in 'Josie' and we'll always be thankful for that. But yeah, if they do want to get back together and release a totally awesome album full of 'Josie' like hits, that would work for us too. (Matt Bond)


#26. Q.U.E.E.N.
by Janelle Monae


 


And am I weird to dance alone late at night?
And is it true we're all insane?


"It's hard to stop rebels that time travel." I've loved everything about 'Q.U.E.E.N.' from the first time I saw its emotion picture. I love that Janelle Monae calls her videos emotion pictures. How could you not love everything about Janelle Monae? Her music is chock full with messages of self empowerment masked within funky beats and soulful vocal performances. And nothing's delivered in quite the way 'Q.U.E.E.N.' did back in 2013. It's the 'Shake It Off' before 'Shake It Off' was ever a thing, not that empowering anthems are anything new, but when Janelle Monae does it, it's just better because it feels a whole lot more genuine. And she brought Erykah Badu along to the party... so that definitely works in her favour. Badu's segment is too much fun and leads into a political Monae rap that you won't soon forget. One of the best tracks of the past five years? One of the best tracks of ever. (Matt Bond)


#25. DANCING ON MY OWN
by Robyn




Somebody said you got a new friend
Does she love you better than I can?


Swedish pop sensation, Robyn. Is there anything she can't do? Her love for sad disco songs led her to writing 'Dancing On My Own' and while I never thought I'd love someone with a deep love of sad disco songs, stranger things have happened. Because I've got a lot of love for Robyn and it really started with this track. Sure, she'd been kicking around since the 90s, asking us to show her love and her reinvention to electro-pop Queen began with 'Be Mine', but 'Dancing On My Own' was Robyn securing her status as one of the best pop acts in the world. Maybe even the best. An argument could be made is all I'm saying. It feels like forever since the release of her Body Talk series. I know, we got the Royksopp colab EP last year. But I wants some new Robyn goodness. Don't we all? (Matt Bond)

 
#24. DO I WANNA KNOW
by Arctic Monkeys




There's this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow
When I play it on repeat.


I’m not sure how to phrase this. I mean, how do you put into words the mouth open deep breath exhale type thing that happens when you hear those drums of Matt Helder’s at the beginning of this track, because you know the rootsy guitars and voice of Alex Turner are going to kick in seconds later? I don’t know, but I do know that the exhale happens every time I press play the lyrics begin; “have you got colour in your cheeks?” and why yes Alex, I do, because this song is so damn sexy. I thought it the very first time I heard it and I hear it every single time I listen. There’s just no other way to say it. That mouth open deep breath exhale thing I was trying to describe is caused by that one word, which is everything ‘Do I Wanna Know’ is. It’s awesome, it’s rock, it’s guitars and snarling vocals and it is  great and it was great, but most of all it’s that one word; it’s hot. (Jo Michelmore)


#23. IS THIS HOW YOU FEEL?
by The Preatures




Bright lights
Feel alright
I'm gonna see her again tonight.


Here we go, come with me on another ride where I tell you how much I love all things vintage, because that’s probably one theme that has come up again and again and again over the last five years. Well, it’s true. Like I’ve said before, I was raised on a diet of all genres of all music from all decades, which means when bands like The Preatures release songs like ‘Is This How You Feel?’ I have an automatic attraction to them. The 60s groove would have sat perfectly well in the 60s as it did in 2013 and now that we’re talking about it, see how good it still sounds now, in 2015? Yep, you’ll be hearing it again and again and again over the next five years, so get used it. I love things old as much as I love things new which means I love songs like this and bands like The Preatures. (Jo Michelmore)


#22. CHANDELIER 
by Sia




Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame.


Remember all those years we spent wishing and hoping that Sia would get the recognition she deserved for her talents? After the release of 'Chandelier' she's become one of the most celebrated acts in music. It's one of the best stories in pop. The hardworking artist that took some time off to write for the biggest names in music, who kept the best tracks she wrote for herself and then triumphantly stepped back into the spotlight (without showing her, uh, face or anything), becoming one of the biggest names in music. It's awesome and Sia deserves all of the success she's now enjoying. Who cares if she wants to hide behind wigs? We get amazing pop songs played on the radio. If the price of that is Sia hiding her (beautiful) face, so be it. (Matt Bond)


#21. FAR FROM VIEW
by Jack Colwell 






And the night shines through
And the night shines through...


We have written about so many amazing artists over the last five years, but there are certain names that come to mind when I think about this little blog of ours, because there are certain artists we’ve written about that have such a talent they’ve made a real impression on this little heart of mine. Certain musicians have managed to write songs that are not just strings and harmonies, not just words and sounds but intense feelings of heartache and voyages of despair, stories of hopelessness that have meant more than just another song to write about, but a journey of emotion with each and every listen, and that’s a journey we desperately hope someone else will love taking as much as we do. When artists like Jack Colwell and the Owls come into our lives, we write about them, because we love writing about music, but also in the hope we can introduce this kind of talent to one or two other people as well. If writing for all these years means only one thing, then I’d be happy if that one thing meant hearing an artist like Jack Colwell; and sharing songs like ‘Far From View’ makes the hours of sitting in front of my laptop, blogging with all of that little heart of mine, totally worthwhile. (Jo Michelmore)

Sunday, 5 April 2015

Top 25 - 5 April, 2015


JOY. + Morgan Bain + Quintessential Doll!


1. Torres - Sprinter





2. Japanese Wallpaper ft. Airling - Forces





3. MYAMI - Soldier





4. Harrison Storm - Be Yourself





5. JOY. - Weather (NEW)





6. Ruby Boots - Wrap Me In A Fever





7. Adria - Falling





8. Tired Lion - I Don't Think You Like Me





9. Kendrick Lamar - King Kunta (NEW)





10. Heloise - This Is Home (NEW)





11. Avaberee - Can't Get You Off My Mind



 

12. Big Smoke - Try A Little Love





13. Quintessential Doll ft. Clio Em - Thunder Gods (NEW)





14. Muse - Dead Inside





15. Morgan Bain - Why Don't You Stay (NEW)





16. Lupa J - Waiting For Her





17. The Japanese House - Pools To Bathe In





18. Elizabeth Rose - Another Earth





19. Saskwatch - I'll Be Fine (NEW)





20. Banff - The Great Unknown





21. The Stiffys - Kissy Kissy (NEW)





22. Bad Pony - White Russian





23. Okenyo - Just A Story





24. Janelle Monae and Jidenna - Yoga (NEW)


 


25. BAD//DREEMS - Cuffed and Collared


Sunday, 30 November 2014

Vintage Top 25 - Best Songs of 2013


Lorde, Janelle Monae, Daft Punk + Thelma Plum!


Well, it's the last Sunday of November. In just two days, we'll be kicking off the It's My Kind of Scene Top 114 Songs of 2014 countdown, but before we get to that we thought we'd take a little look back. Do you remember 2013? It was aaaages ago, yes? So here's a little reminder of what we thought were the best songs of 2013. Enjoy and stick around for all of the end of year goodness that's to come! You might just see some of the incredible acts below show up again this year...


1. Lorde - Royals





2. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams - Get Lucky





3. Thelma Plum - Breathe In, Breathe Out





4. Go Violets - Josie





5. The Preatures - Is This How You Feel?





6. Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N





7. Chvrches - Recover





8. Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know





9. The Griswolds - The Courtship of Summer Preasley





10. Thelma Plum - Around Here





11. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sacrilege





12. Little May - Hide





13. Ngaiire - Around





14. Cloud Control - Dojo Rising





15. Lester The Fierce - Howl





16. Kanye West - New Slaves





17. The Trouble With Templeton - You Are New





18. Jeremy Neale ft. Go Violets - In Stranger Times





19. Emma Louise - Stainache





20. Harts - Leavn In All Behind





21. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors





22. M.I.A - Bring The Noize





23. Asta - I Need Answers





24. Texas Tea - The Alphabet Song





25. Crystal Castles - Bridge of Bones


Sunday, 9 March 2014

Top 25 - 9 March, 2014


Clare Maguire, Lykke Li, Sharon Van Etten and Mia Dyson!


1. Clare Maguire - Whenever You Want It


 


2. Son Lux ft. Lorde - Easy (Switch Screens) (NEW) 





3. Lykke Li - Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone (NEW)





4. Jack Colwell and The Owls - Far From View





5. JP Klipspringer - Bury Me





6. Mia Dyson - When We're Older (NEW)





7. The Presets - Goodbye Future (Re-Entry)





8. The Growlers - Humdrum Blues





9. The Tambourine Girls - Blood and Bones





10. Achoo! Bless You - Wild Eyes





11. Jessie Frye - Never Been To Paris





12. The Trouble With Templeton - Soldiers (NEW)





13. Megan Washington - Who Are You





14. Harts - Lovers In Bloom





15. Sharon Van Etten - Taking Chances (NEW)





16. Sons et al. - Day By Day (NEW)





17. Cathedrals - Harlem





18. Oliver Tank - You Never Know ft. Hayden Calnin (NEW)





19. Second Hand Heart - Spending My Time


 


20. Janelle Monae - What Is Love (NEW)





21. Iluka - 12th of July





22. The Twoks - First Light





23. Hercules and Love Affair - Do You Feel The Same (NEW)





24. Holy Holy - House of Cards





25. Ngaiire - ABCD  


Saturday, 8 February 2014

Such Hip, Much Valentine's




Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Well, love is the major theme in every newsagency I've walked into and lingerie or chocolate store I've passed by lately. Because nothing says 'love' like frilly and red Playboy panties. Anywho, Saint Valentine's Day is almost upon us, the one day of the year that's all about love, love, love. It's easy to be a hater if, like me, you're the perennial single, listening to stories from your loved up friends about all the romantic things they have planned. Does it cross their minds as they detail their purchases from Naughty and Nice that we're resisting so many urges to hurl all over them? I doubt it, but you know what, it shouldn't. We should be happy for them. I guess. Whatever.


To mark my shift from outright disdain to unaffected apathy, I thought I'd help out those amongst us struggling to find the right playlist for their prospective paramour. You'll go online and find a plethora of love song mixtapes featuring All-4-One's 'I Swear' or Whitney Houston's 'Saving All My Love' at the best and Jimmy Buffett's 'Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw' or James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful' at the worst. Note well, songs about stalking, no matter how passive, are not going to endear you to your man and/or lady love. You're a hip young thang that wants to leave an impression through your musack choices (which probably just means you want to get some [some some of this in a bun?]). Well, you just think of me as your musical wingman. Here's a playlist that will leave potential lovers* impressed enough to momentarily forget everything that's wrong with you. Or not. Whatever.


VALENTINE'S DAY PLAYLIST 2014
by Matt Bond


XO
by Beyoncé




Romantic lyrics you can share with your beloved:  
"Your face is all that I see, I'll give you everything, baby love me lights out." 

Translation: You're all up in my face, but I've had too much to drink so I'mma gon' pass out now, babe.


With Love
by Christina Grimmie




Romantic lyrics you can share with your soul mate:  
"You fought my flaws, my teeth, my claws, with love, with love."

Translation: I love you because you're cool with me biting and/or scratching you. 


How Long Will I Love You
by Ellie Goulding




Romantic lyrics you can share with your new-found love:
"How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you."

Translation: This is a one night thing and in a couple of hours you'll be taking the walk of shame. 


PrimeTime
by Janelle MonĂ¡e ft. Miguel




Romantic lyrics you can share with your life partner:
"Cause baby it's a primetime for our love, ain't nobody peekin' but the stars above."

Translation: I've set up a hidden camera in the bedroom.


Look of Love
by The Jezabels




Romantic lyrics you can share with your eternal flame:
"You got me lit up with a look of love, I could take you in a pick up truck, like I'm choking."

Translation: DO NOT GET IN THE TRUCK!

 
All Of Me
by John Legend




Romantic lyrics you can share with you one and only:
"Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you, you're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning."

Translation: Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you, you're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning. What? If you're going to trust somebody on the whole 'love' thing, it might as well be John Legend. 


Bound 2
by Kanye West
 



Romantic lyrics you can share with your better half:
"I wanna f*ck you hard on the sink, after that give you something to drink, step back, can't get spunk on the mink, I mean damn, what would Jerome Romey Romey Rome thing?"

Translation: I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I also love your booty and yes, I mean both your money and 'junk-in-trunk' booty.
 

Unconditionally
by Katy Perry




Romantic lyrics you can share with your significant other:
"Acceptance is the key to be, to be truly free, will you do the same for me?" 

Translation: Will you accept me for the jerk I am, if I do the same for you? I'll throw in me not muttering under my breath that I hate your face each time you stop talking.


Old School Love
by Lupe Fiasco ft. Ed Sheeran




Romantic lyrics you can share with your special someone:
"And give me that old school love right now, you know when I hold you, you won't be alone."

Translation: Me hold you. You not alone. Duh.  
 

Love Letters
by Metronomy
 



Romantic lyrics you can share with the [x] of your dreams:
"You're got me writing love letters, I'll always write you love letters."

Translation: And one day, long after we've broken up, I'll probably do up a letter made from magazine clippings and post it to you. Something like this...  


 

Fall In Love
by Phantogram




Romantic lyrics you can share with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with:
"Love, it cut a hole into your eyes, you couldn't see, you were the car I crashed, now you're burning alive."

Translation: N/A 


Love Sublime
by Tensnake ft. Nile Rogers and Fiora




Romantic lyrics you can share with your darling admirer: 
"Don't wake me, I feel it, our love sublime."

Translation: Yes, I care, but I also care about sleeping so kindly eff off.  


Light up the candles, put the champagne on ice and set up the playlist ready to play in full over on 8tracks.com, you filthy animals.


*Like Liz Lemon, I hate the word 'lovers' without meat in front of it and pizza after.