Top 115 Songs of 2015, #70 - 61

Ecca Vandal, Jeremy Neale, Sia + Santigold!

#115 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70. THIS WAY

by She Rex

Born this way

I'll stay 'til the day I die.

I don’t even wanna write about this one, it makes me kinda angry. I mean, the song is all crunchy guitars and spooky sounds and I’m sure there’s something a little angry going on, but it’s not that. It’s the fact that they disbanded only a couple of months ago, which means no more of this weird and excellent mix of hip hop and rock, electronica and metal, floral shorts and leather jackets. There are things that aren’t always mixed together so skilfully, but She Rex made it look easy and alas, now no more. If this song review were emoji, I’d include the crying face, the sad face, the thumbs down, the shocked face, the fist, a red exclamation mark, the black square of doom and salsa lady. Because I love that no hands salsa lady. She makes everything better. (Jo Michelmore)


How did I exist without She Rex in my life? Before hearing 'This Way', I merely existed. Now, I've never felt more alive! And life is for the living! Ok, I'm being dramatic, but this is so much fun and I truly do wish I had gotten into She Rex earlier. Nikkita, Darcie, Skarlett and Sarah have been around since 2011, if their Facebook page is to be believed. And why wouldn't it? It's not Wikipedia. How they haven't blown up huge is beyond me. They're the funnest combination of rock and rap since Run DMC and Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way'. But more fun and way cooler. Loving the message of the song and, well, everything about She Rex. And just as I'm finishing writing this, I've seen Jo's blurb above... and checked their Facebook status from September... and they've fucking disbanded, haven't they? I can't say what the actual circumstances are surrounding their break up, but I hope it has nothing to do with the fact they were an all-female group in a male dominated industry. First Go Violets, now She Rex. Do we need to have a greater discussion about why these amazing all-female, Aussie rock band can't get a decent run? (Matt Bond)

#69. THE LOVE CALLING

by Jeremy Neale ft. Harriette Pilbeam

It's clear to us

That you might have to be my love calling...

Jeremy Neale, Brisbane based warrior of love and all around good guy, unleashed an onslaught of mega jams over the past twelve months. We especially loved it when he let his powers combine with former members of Go Violets, like the time he teamed up with Harriette Pilbeam for 'The Love Calling'. As expected, wackiness ensued and by wackiness I mean amazingness and by amazingness I mean this is a really great song. After living the life of a 60s revivalist for his last bunch of releases, Neale jumped forward a couple of decades and embraced the 80s. Results were, as expected, spectacular. At this rate of evolution, I'm expecting his next batch of the musics to falls somewhere between Ja Rule and Ashanti's 'Always On Time' and Usher's 'U Got It Bad' (Soulpower Remix). (Matt Bond)

If it was 1984, Jeremy Neale would be the world’s greatest new wave artist, who, for those who don’t know, was an 80s genre of music with hair like no other, fashion a little better than most others, whose artists had a relationship with synths like the rest of us have with cake, whose lives were full of attitude so they could write some of the most 80s tunes ever written, even though they weren’t 80s tunes at the time, they were just tunes. Is new wave still alive somewhere in the back streets of London? Does everyone else like cake as much I do? Is Jeremy Neale the re-incarnation of an entire genre of music? See what J Neale does? Makes you dance and ask the big questions in life. He’s very good isn’t he? (Jo Michelmore) 

#68. ALIVE

by Sia

I was born in a thunderstorm

I grew up overnight.

I love my pop music, especially when it's all soaring vocals, oh so shiny production and triumphant messages of self empowerment. Sia's become somewhat of an expert in crafting songs to fit that description. She's got a voice that can't be matched, her music is put together by some of the finest producers in the world and she's a go to person for those 'swing from the chandelier' anthems. What I'm trying to say is, I was always going to love 'Alive'. And then there's the Adele factor. Originally intended for the biggest album of the moment, 25, 'Alive' was co-written by Adele and Sia, with the British superstar eventually passing on the track. You can understand why. This one belonged in the care of Sia. (Matt Bond) 


Sia and her hair prove they can still do no wrong with 'Alive'. I’ve read about a million times that it was co-written by Adele (who didn’t want to sing it herself) and it isn’t written from Sia’s perspective, but is instead her ‘acting’ as a performer, and if I have to read that fact again I might throw my ipad out a window, but that annoying piece of info from a press release isn’t enough to take away from the fact that Sia is a great songwriter with a great voice, probably a little better than a lot of the performers she has pitched songs to over the years, which proves that talent is not about hair. Or something. (Jo Michelmore)

#67. ANTISOCIALITE

by Jim Lawrie

If I could find a way to make this house a home

If I'm not in your way then leave me on my own.

It’s probably an indication of my personality that I automatically feel a sense of companionship and understanding of a song names 'Antisocialite', which is not to say I'm actually an antisocialite, today,  but more that I wish I was one. Strange thing to want to be, I know, but isn't there something about standing outside of society that you feel a natural attraction to? No? Maybe it's just me. Whatever, norm. Jim Lawrie captures a spirit of freedom, abandonment and rebellion perfectly in his alt-rock-country tune, the clip's vintage footage matching his frustrated and driven lyrics perfectly. Mr Lawrie is yet to disappoint with any of his sounds and ‘Antisocialite’ is no exception. (Jo Michelmore) 


Jim Lawrie's heading out on the 'Antisocialite' single tour in a couple of weeks, so what better time for you, dear reader, to give the track a good 'ole listen, embrace it as one of the best songs of the year and then go and see it performed live! Long sentence, sorry. Lawrie's been working his butt off the past couple of years, getting better and better all the while and 'Antisocialite' could be his best offering yet. It's got Americana soul driving it, best seen in Lawrie's at times frenetic vocals. All you anti-socials out there, get on board the Jim Lawrie train. All you socials, get on board the Jim Lawrie train and go see him on his tour. (Matt Bond)
  

#66. SECRETS

by Le Pie

So I tell a little lie, lie, lie, lie, lie to you

So you'll look at me the way you do.

Ah, yes. The Pie. Between the sounds of classic teen idols and apathetic grunge stars of the 90s you can find the gorgeous music of Sydney based artist, Le Pie. Her mighty fine debut, 'Secrets' is like a dark spin on tracks released from 60s girl groups, complete with a dreamy spoken word segment lamenting a love that I'm still undecided is lost or not. Le Pie's journey is just getting started and I can't wait to hear what comes next. (Matt Bond) 

First things first, pretty much a guarantee I’m going to like a band that involves pie. Sweet, savoury, mini, family; there’s not a pie invented I don’t like. That being said, Le Pie may not actually have much to do with actual pies, but they have a lot to do with making tasty music I want served on a plate with a huge dash of mood. Guitars all crunchy and a voice all mushy, they are like the perfect mix of sweet and savoury, like a meat pie lunch with a custard tart chaser. The only way to make this better would be if they were named Le Cake. Or Le Pie Cake. Or they kept making songs like this so I could continue to enjoy them…while thinking about pie. And cake. Life wouldn’t get better than that. (Jo Michelmore)

#65. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

by Little Sleeper

I want you back all the time, I think about you all night

Fuck my life, fuck my life.

It's always refreshing to hear someone being genuinely honest in their lyrics. Little Sleeper doesn't hold back when it comes to revealing those super low moments. Like those nights when you lie in bed thinking about someone who's probably a massive douchehole that's no longer in your life anymore. Nobody talks about that kind of stuff because it might make you look weak, but whatever, everyone does it. It totally happens, that person is totally a douchehole, you're amazing and thanks Little Sleeper for the reminder that other people think the way you do. Maybe this track came along at the perfect moment for me in 2015. Aside from the powerful words, 'Middle of the Night' is also a standout moment from a musical standpoint for Amy Billings (aka Little Sleeper). The best is yet to come from this Gold Coast wonder. (Matt Bond)  


The second appearance by Little Sleeper in this list of songs suggests we like her, lots. There was a lot of good music released this year, way more than 115 songs, so to give spots to the same artist twice is going to suggest some real fandom happening here. I like the raw honesty of Amy’s (AKA Little Sleeper’s) music; her skill as a lyricist and poet is complemented perfectly by her skills with sounds, the irresistible minimalist production is exactly what words like hers need. Completely upfront without being pathetic, she has a way that makes you feel like she knows everything about everything, but nothing at all. It’s a special talent that needs to be heard and I hope to hear more next year. Here’s to three places in next year’s song list! (Jo Michelmore)

#64. RADIO

by Santigold

I'ma run up on the radio

Ambush the scene, oh, and you 'bout to know.

There was a quiet little moment back there in July that passed by so much quicker than it should have, because it should have been met with balloons and parties on the street. Three years since her last release, Santigold quietly placed herself back in the public consciousness by appearing on the soundtrack to something called Paper Towns (this is a music blog, not a movie blog, but I’m sure it’s lovely if you like teen angst/boredom. If it’s not, who really cares? Good soundtrack, hey). Upon listen, I was immediately reminded of how much I like Santigold, all the anthemic wailing and me thinking I can sing in my car “on the radioooooooooo” as well as feeling the need to head nod manically. I can’t wait until she releases her next album, which will hopefully make for some much louder moments in 2016.  Someone get some balloons ready. (Jo Michelmore) 


Wherever Santigold goes, I will follow. Even if that place is the Paper Towns soundtrack. Which, I should admit, is actually quite good... continuing the trend started with the soundtrack to last year's The Fault In Our Stars. I'm assuming it's the same team behind it, given the source material for both films comes from the same author. Paper Towns might not have had the same emotional weight as The Fault In Our Stars, but the soundtrack managed to pack the same punch. It even exceeded its predecessor in the fun department and when Santigold's at the party, you know she's going to be the life of it. 'Radio' is just the right amount of careless fun that announces the imminent return of one of our favourite genre-bending superstars. Santigold's new album 99c is out in 2016. We already know it'll be on of the year's best. P.s. I am a huge fan of teen angst/boredom. (Matt Bond)

#63. EMBRACING ME

by Safia

Said you say, you wanna be alone

But someone loves you more than you know.

I read a review about this song when it was released, which described it as having "tropical sounds" which sounded like something I liked, those keyboards always had me picturing palm trees and mojitos and inflatable donuts in pools. Then I saw the clip a few weeks later, which has a whole bunch of Amish themed imagery and I was so confused, because where were the mojitos in the Amish lifestyle? They don’t do donuts, let alone inflatable style, do they? The lesson in this was that everyone hears things differently, but regardless of whether you think ‘Embracing Me’ should be played under a palm tree or in an awkward community situation, those keyboard sounds at the start of this song are absolutely irreplaceable. Now, someone pass me a modest headscarf and a mojito. (Jo Michelmore) 

#62. WHAT YOU WANT

by Curxes

You'll always get you want and just what you ask for

Because you ask for nothing more.

A few years ago now, I stumbled across a two piece band from Brighton in the UK who were unlike anything else I was listening to at the time, making incredible sounds with guitars and synths and a vocal that blew my mind. I became a big fan, waiting for each new song to be released, I saw them play while I was on holiday in the UK and they released some of my out-and-out favourite songs over the last few years, all the more favourite because they are largely unknown, a little secret; a little discovery of my own. They welcomed a drummer into the mix this year and their debut album, Valkyrie, released in May, was a vision of everything I have learnt to love about them. They recently announced on their facebook page that some of the members of Curxes were going their separate ways, so here’s hoping this isn’t the end, but only a new beginning. “You always get what you want, what you ask for…” is what Roberta gloriously wails in ‘What You Want’. If I could always get what I wanted, it would be a giant career for a band I still have giant hopes for. (Jo Michelmore)


I would love nothing more than to be standing in a sizeable venue, screaming the chorus to 'What You Want' along with a huge, appreciative crowd and taking in a live performance from Curxes. The UK duo, then trio and now possibly solo effort, have wowed us for almost the entirety of this here blogs' existence. It seems like forever ago that Jo stumbled upon their thrilling brand of blitz-pop. Here we are in 2015, still loving their industrial vibes and the booming, powerhouse vocals of Roberta Fidora. Their journey may or may not be over for now, but if the music gods are kind we'll be hearing something from the members/former members of Curxes in the near future. (Matt Bond)

#61. FATHER HU$$LA

by Ecca Vandal

Where are the trees with the money?

Where are the trees with the money I can burn?

  

If I was a betting man, or had some trees with money so I could afford to gamble, I'd put a whole bunch of that money on backing Ecca Vandal as the next big thing. She's a breakout superstar that at this point is just waiting in the wings for her moment to step onto the world stage and, as the kids would say, slay. Her hybrid hip-hop, rock, electronic and pop influenced sounds are fascinating and demand your full attention. 'Father Hu$$la' grabs you from the opening beats and whispered 'hussla', before taking you on one hell of a ride. You can't take your eyes of the video for the song either, with some incredible visuals that only add to the mystery that is Ecca Vandal. Effortlessly cool is the only way to describe it. And you just try getting the breakdown sequence of the track and the video out of your mind. 'Father Hu$$la' falls somewhere between egotistical swagger and important social message, an achievement in itself, which is giving me shades of M.I.A goodness. I'll be keeping an ear out for anything Ecca Vandal related in 2016. She's well worth the investment. (Matt Bond)

We are powering through this countdown! We'll be back Tuesday night with more fun time tunes as we head towards the top 50!

 

  

Video Review - Antisocialite

Antisocialite

by Jim Lawrie

See of course I'm going to like this because A) the clip involves a whole bunch of vintage imagery of kids wearing things I wish I was alive to have worn when it was fashionable and doing things I wish I would have done should I have been alive in said vintage times (not that anyone should do those things, remember, drugs are bad kids) and it B) features a band I probably wish I was a member of and C) the song is called 'Anti-Socialite' which appeals to the 90s part of my personality that wishes at some point in my life I'd published a zine and screams "damn the man, man!" every time I drive past a McDonalds or drink a Diet Coke (which is probably more often than I'd like to generally admit) and D) it's by Jim Lawrie, who is a guy I may or may not have developed a minor obsession over in the past couple of years. Which brings me to the concept of 'Anti-Socialite' and blogging, because here is where I get to say "damn the man (or whoever commercial radio is playing at the moment), man" and write about things I like on a computer instead of a dodgy photocopied bit of paper I sell at the local independent bookstore. Ah, the 90s. Anyway, enough reminiscing, here's the hope that someone else likes the slightly country not even remotely 90s beats and hears the words of Jim Lawrie's voice and likes them, lots, like I do. Because essentially I'd have to say, there's nothing wrong with being antisocial sometimes Mr Lawrie. In fact, there's a part of my personaity that will always encourage it.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Anti-Socialite' three and a half beers out of five...

Top 25 - 11 October, 2015

Little May, Hey Lady!, Bloc Party (?) + Seinabo Sey!

1. Montaigne - Clip My Wings (#1 for 6 weeks!)





2. Little May - Sinks (NEW)





3. Hey Lady! - Routine (NEW)




4. Bloc Party - The Love Within (NEW)





5. Sia - Alive





6. Anita Lester - Devil In A Dress





7. Disclosure ft. Lorde - Magnets





8. Chvrches - Clearest Blue





9. Jim Lawrie - Antisocialite (NEW)





10. Bad Pony - Michael Moore





11. Stillwater Giants - Patience (NEW)





12. Mia Dyson - Tearing Up The Lawn





13. Riley Pearce - Brave (NEW)





14. Passerine - Look Up





15. Lupa J - Dirty Skin (NEW)





16. Evangeline - My Kingdom (NEW)





17. MKO Sun - Black Seaweed





18. Gordi - Can We Work It Out





19. Little May - Bow and Arrow (NEW)





20. Little May - Seven Hours





21. Inga Liljestrom and Michael Lira - Horses (NEW)





22. Jack Garratt - Weathered





23. Seinabo Sey - Poetic (NEW)





24. Daughter - Doing The Right Thing





25. Auguste - Slow Motion

Top 114 Songs of 2014, #114 - 101

Megan Washington, Client Liaison, Kingswood + Chelsea Wolfe!

We've listened to hundreds and hundreds of songs this year and loved oh so many of them. Cutting through all the goodness to select our favourite 114 was no easy task, but it's done and over the next eleven days we'll be counting down the Top 114 Songs of 2014! So let's not waste any time, let's listen to some excellent music. Enjoy!

#114. Walls

by Winters End

With eyes too soft to see,

The jagged edges, that are surrounding me. 

By saying this, I may or may not be giving something away very early about our top 114 songs countdown, but it must be said anyway. I’m really, really happy that we’re kicking off the 114 with an Australian artist and I’m really, really happy it’s with a pair as talented as Winters End. After releasing their debut EP in 2012, it was nice to hear a new single from this brother sister duo, but even nicer when it was a track as strong as ‘Walls’. Marissa’s vocal is solid from the very beginning and Chris’ percussion skills drive the track from the start to the end. It’s no wonder these two have recently been playing across the US because if they keep making these kind of sounds hopefully Winters End have a lot of playing, recording and touring ahead of them. (Jo Michelmore)


Sydney's sibling duo, Marissa and Christopher Pinto make up Winters End and they make quite the team. 'Walls' makes an immediate impact with the opening lines and there's so much to love about what comes after. The story packs an emotional punch and the music is top notch with some great hooks, but for me it's Marissa's voice that has me really loving 'Walls'. The delivery walks a fine line between showing strength and vulnerability in a truly impressive effort. I'm not sure what comes next for the Pintos, but I'm definitely looking forward to it. (Matt Bond)

#113. Feral Love

by Chelsea Wolfe

Crossing the water,

Lead them to die. 

Here’s where I have to make a confession and it’s not going to be a popular one amongst some. Even some of my fellow bloggers don’t like this one. I don’t watch Game Of Thrones and the facts are, I don’t watch it because I don’t like it. Eeeeeek. Don’t hate me. I don’t watch a lot of TV. But ‘Feral Love’; one of the tracks featured in one of the trailers for GOT’s fourth season has so much angst, drama and experimental noise that I don’t even need to watch the TV show. The angsty, dramatic, experimental and noisy nineteen year old me (who doesn’t appear so much these days) comes out to play as soon as the first notes are heard and she really likes what she hears. (Jo Michelmore)


There is a dark, brooding anticipation to this song that appeals to my gothic wannabe tendencies. It feels desperate and grim, and gives me the urge to burn all coloured clothing I own (because using a bin is so passé), dress in my blackest black and linger around the Hungry Jack's in Brisbane Queen Street Mall. (Katie Langley)


Game of Thrones 4 Eva, winter is coming etc. etc. Yeah. I'm in the GOT obsessed camp and I'm more than ok with that. If I wasn't, I likely wouldn't have heard Chelsea Wolfe's 'Feral Love' in the first trailer for the 2014 season. I'm glad I did though, because Chelsea Wolfe is all the right kinds of alternative cool for me and 'Feral Love' is one mighty fine song. The accompanying clip will have you thinking Wolfe is the heir apparent to Marilyn Manson's 90s shock-rock-alternative throne. Which is actually a compliment. Manson was great back then. 'Feral Love' creates some captivating imagery in the clip, with the most captivating creature being Wolfe herself. (Matt Bond)

#112. Just Like Normal

by Jim Lawrie

We don't need to dream no more...
 

It's interesting that a song called 'Just Like Normal' is one of the most genuinely uplifting songs of the year. Jim Lawrie doesn't need to use a thousand different adjectives to tell you how extraordinary you are. All he needs to do is tell you that, "we don't need to dream no more," and you can feel absolutely normal. And there's nothing wrong with being normal. (Matt Bond) 


So I first heard the sounds of Jim Lawrie way back in 2013 with his track ‘Midnight Run’ and then his performance at BIGSOUND that year. Back then he was Grizzly Jim, but nowadays he’s a little less Grizzly and a little more Jim, whatever that means, but both Jims are ones I like so who cares anyway? Having evolved from the first Jim I knew, ‘Just Like Normal’ still held all the things I loved about Jim when he was grizzly; a little folky and a little indie, but now a little richer with a six piece band to help him out. It’s a fabulous track that made me feel all warm and fuzzy the first time I heard it and those same lyrics “we don’t need to dream no more…” create the same feelings now that made me feel so comfortable with an artist I hope to hear more and more from in 2015. (Jo Michelmore)

#111. That's Why Darling

by Tanzer

Careful, forever turning stones,

That's why darling, I've come back for you. 

When I say this, I say it in only the best way possible, because while some people may not understand this statement, those who do are the only ones who count anyway and those that know me will understand how much of a compliment this is when I say it. There’s something really Eurovision-esque about this, the debut track from Tanzer; it starts in one place and ends in another, it’s dramatic and begging for lights, pyrotechnics and choreography, its vocals are so strong and end up so surprising and it belongs on a soundtrack, in a theatre production and in my playlist all at once…and all of those things are what make it Eurovision-esque. I don’t know how anyone could find that anything but the most amazing compliment anyway. (Jo Michelmore)


Be still, my beating heart... I am in love with the enigmatic Tanzer. This Melbourne-based songstress is another ridiculously engaging artist to emerge in 2014 and have us looking forward to 2015 in anticipation of what will come next from them. 'That's Why Darling' is a moody, atmospheric slice of dark electronic pop that showcases Tanzer's incredible vocal range and power. It's dramatic without being overbearing and waltzes into performance art territory when you add in the striking black and white music video. And I'm pretty sure she drops into French while dropping some operatic vocal bombs on us. For all that and more, you should be loving Tanzer. That's why, darling. That's why. (Matt Bond)

#110. Oh Lover

by Ruby Boots

Take this one sided love, oh to the grave...

 

Ooh ooh ooh, from the very start, that country-twang-Americana-type thing that sends a sense of anticipation through my whole being, this is a super cute little number from the alter ego of Bex Chilcott, who happens to be Ruby Boots. Which reminds me, I need to get myself an alter-ego, except my alter ego would be much like Ruby herself, a little heartbroken and a big bit torn between right and wrong and a whole lot of banjo and a big portion of drama. Funnily enough, all of those things are what makes up ‘Oh Lover’, which is probably why I like it so much. Ruby Boots and my yet to be named alter ego? They’re going to get along so well. (Jo Michelmore)


Ruby Boots aka Bex Chilcott is another one of our favourite people to gift us with some sweet new music this year and we've spent a lot of time with 'Oh Lover'. It's all very 'heartbreak in the wild, wild west' and Ruby Boots and her alt-country leanings sells this so very well. Chilcott goes from strength to strength as a performer, with her vocal control putting you right where she wants to. A slight pause at just the right moment or a note held for a second longer than you'd expect... it's stellar work. But we've come to expect nothing less from Ruby Boots. (Matt Bond)

#109. Cupid

by Boyeur

You don't know, don't try understand,

Why this love lives inside my head. 

Boyeur made the most of their year. They made the finals of the Melbourne Music Bank competition and it didn't come as a big surprise when they've got tracks like 'Cupid' in the catalogue. It lets them show off how talented Hugh Middleton and Tom Ischia are as multi-talented musicians and as excellent creators of catchy pop music. The done in one take music video was also one of my favourites of the year. You haven't seen it? Do it. Do it now and it'll likely be one of your favourites too. (Matt Bond) 


The angsty, dramatic etc etc nineteen year old that loved Chelsea Wolfe back at number 113 doesn’t get along with the one who likes the song at number 109, but I’m such a sucker for strings that the current me can’t resist. Six instruments amongst two band members impresses every me and I’m also a sucker for a clip with an actual storyline and while I’m not totally sure what’s going on in that room full of vinyl, I do love my vinyl, so as far as current me is concerned, Boyeur are a duo I like and ‘Cupid’ is a track I love. (Jo Michelmore)

#108. Pray To God

by Calvin Harris ft. Haim

I pray to God, I just don't know anymore...

Haim can do no wrong. Like, nothing against Mr. Harris. He can make some bells and whistle-y noises to back up stellar talent who I imagine wrote the song to go with the music. A bit like most of the catchy stuff that Guetta fella comes up with when he's working with someone like Sia. What? Yeah... I should focus on some positives here, shouldn't I? Haim! Everything comes with a side of 'sunnier disposition' when the sisters Haim are around. With any luck, we'll be hearing more from them in 2015. But at least in 2014 we got a reminder of their fantastical-ness. Calvin, old chap? You're alright too I guess. I feel like I wrote something very similar when Calvin Harris roped Florence Welch into recording with him. Moving right along... (Matt Bond) 

#107. I Can Feel That You Don't Love Me

by Kingswood





And I know that you know I can feel your disease,
I can feel that you don't love me. 

I can’t even decide what this is. Is it 80s big hair rock? Is it 90s stoner rock? Is it 00s indie rock? It must be 2014s rock, because it was called ICFTYDLM, without a hashtag, which wouldn’t have made much sense in the 80s or 90s or even a lot of the 00s, but somehow Kingswood made sense of all those decades, threw them all together and came up with one of my fave Aus rock songs of the year. I love a good bit of depression with my guitars and I love a good bit of self-doubt with my grungy vocals and I also love a good Australian rock band. Here we have all of those things and a tiny bit of an Arctic Monkeys feel as well. I love it all. (Jo Michelmore)


Kingswood have shown they can pull off the larger than life, powerful rock jams. And with the release of their debut album Microscopic Wars this year, they were able to show there's a lot more to them than just being that really, ridiculously cool rock and or roll band. They have feelings, y'all. They can feel when you don't love them. Which is pretty darn silly, because when the music is as good as 'I Can Feel That You Don't Love Me', there's only going to be a whole lot of love. Bluesy rock goodness with layered vocal parts and a sudden, dramatic ending. Yep... there is only love. (Matt Bond)


Matt and Jo are going to try and convince you that I only like Kingswood because they have lovely beards. In all honesty, I would be lying if I said that wasn’t some of the original appeal. C’mon, can you blame me? But I soon discovered there is much more to these guys than facial hair – they are uber talented and this song quickly became one of my favourites of 2014. It may have something to do with the countless dead end dates that I went on and subsequent ice cream pity parties and tears with the realisation that I may indeed be forever alone. I cannot confirm or deny.  (Katie Langley)

#106. Free Again

by Passerine





The strength that I needed I had all along,
Now I'll make my own way. 

Passerine always take me back to a special little time in the early 2000s when dance music made people happy. You weren't hearing about all this dubstep nonsense and it wasn't all lame sampling, auto-tuned vocals and a general vibe of skanky-ness. Think of like... Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' or Paulmac's 'Just The Thing'. Music that's a little bit funky with soulful vocals and when you listened to it, you just wanted to have some fun and a bit of a dance. Passerine are bringing back the fun and the criminally under-appreciated 'Free Again' is an excellent example of this. I'm a big fan of Phoebe Dubar's smooth vocal tones and they're the perfect match for the funk-infused guitars and horns that stand out as a welcome change from the standard bump and grind electronic noises that dominate so much of dance music today. The clip for the song is so full of win from the moment Dubar emerges from the ocean in her gold jacket and should have about seven 0's added to its view count to match the quality of its production. Anywho, with a recent lineup change, it looks like we'll be getting to hear more from Passerine in 2015 and that's putting a big smile on my face. (Matt Bond) 

I remember being really excited when I first saw the clip for ‘Free Again’ earlier this year, because it was filmed in one of my favourite parts of one of my favourite cities in Australia, which is kind of stupid, because it’s probably one of a lot of people’s favourite parts of their favourite city, but nevertheless, leave me be, it wasn’t the only thing I liked. I also liked the jacket she’s wearing, the headphones on her head and I really liked the chorus to this catchy little pop song, which should probably have received much more attention and acclaim than it did. You watch those talent TV shows and think Australia can produce some really, really good pop music and then you hear people like Passerine and realise you don’t always need a TV show. Love to hear more from Passerine in 2015. That rhymes. Why am I not writing pop songs? Don't answer that. (Jo Michelmore)

#105. Blazing Radio

by Gena Rose Bruce





I keep falling through the window,
I can feel you coming closer... 

I’m resisting a strong urge to comment on Gena’s choice of head-wear in the video clip. I’m resisting because it shouldn’t and doesn’t matter what she’s wearing on her head – she has an amazing voice! Her sound isn’t my usual musical choice, but after seeing her perform earlier in the year I couldn’t help be captivated by her sweet melodic sound. Although that was the initial lure I was pleased to discover that there’s much more to Gena than meets the eye – she has soul and she isn’t afraid to cover some interesting lyrical content. I was going to make a reference to Gena being the Australian Taylor Swift, but I foolishly told Matt I was going to do so, and I’m sure he’s plagiarised my idea already. (Katie Langley)


Let me just say, I had no idea what to expect from a song called ‘Blazing Radio’ when I first saw the title of Gena Rose Bruce’s song. Blazing Radio? This could be anything; a terrible dance number full of boring beats and repetitive lyrics, it could be a rock song gone terribly wrong full of air, or it could be exactly what I got - a fantastic rollicking indie pop song with a teeny tiny country twist to make it just that little bit interesting. I suppose if I’d bothered to do some research I would have predicted that last option, considering she spent some time in Nashville last year, but you know, sometimes it’s nice to be surprised with these things, isn’t it? (Jo Michelmore)


I'm not usually one to hit up the merch stand at a gig. It's not that I'm a jerk and don't want to support the artist or whatever. Like I'm at the gig supporting. Get out of my face about it. But when I was first introduced to the music of Gena Rose Bruce at Ella Hooper's Brisbane gig earlier in the year, I was won over to the point that I had to pick up one of her EP's. Swoon-worthy vocals? Check. Top-notch storytelling? Check. Fashionably on-trend as a crossover country star in the making? Check. She was ticking all the boxes for me. Bruce made mention of new music coming and sure enough, we got it in the form of 'Blazing Radio' and it did not disappoint. It's completely and utterly engaging, with Bruce building her own little world for the listener to take a quick three and a half minute wander through. She's got the right attitude shining through that unique and powerful voice that you can't help but love. And this is just the beginning for her. I can only imagine that the best is yet to come from this intriguing new act. (Matt Bond)

#104. Burn This House

by Mwansa





Picture me, dark as night and her, sitting China white,
Magic. 

I feel like 'Burn This House' is a song that everyone needs to experience. It's a shining example of how well an emotional and real story can be delivered in song form. Beginning with fairly sparse electronic touches and then slowly building up as the track progresses, Mwansa's voice and the story never get lost or pushed to the side. Mwansa's voice and the story make the song. And you'll want to hear a lot more from this emerging Perth-based artist as soon as possible. (Matt Bond)

#103. Free of Fear

by Client Liaison





I don't have time to be home,
To slow down when I'm told... 

This is just ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous how much I like Client Liaison. No, really, it is. Ridiculous. There’s not another word to describe it. The beats are straight from the 80s, the vocals a little from the 90s, the synths just walked out of a Pet Shop Boys song, the percussion sits somewhere else altogether, the lyrics are insanely silly, the band member’s hairstyles belong on an Australian made for TV mini series and the clothes? Well some of them belong in my own closet, which could be what makes them so ridiculously good. All of this. That and the fact they put all of those things together with such finesse and such panache, I feel like I’m watching an ad in the middle of an episode of ‘East Of Eden’ (google it) which was taped on a VCR and all of these things make me cringe and make me laugh and all of these things make up ‘Free Of Fear’, which seems to sum up the philosophy of Client Liaison totally, right? (Jo Michelmore)

#102. Paranoia, Ghosts and Other Sounds

by SAFIA





All that I needed,
I need your love,
They said time isn't waiting for you. 

You listen to songs all the time and they’re just songs you know, something to bounce or sway along to and then they’re gone again. Safia did something really special with their brand of electronic pop with this song to make me hear it, sway to it and remember it. They made me feel like I could hear all the layers, every single piece of the puzzle individually, the track as sparse as it is full, each part as important as the other and each sounding delicious in its own right. But then somewhere midway through each listen, I realise how good everything sounds together, how all the pieces match and swap secrets with each other to make a perfect little piece of electro goodness. I don’t actually know how they did that, but whatever they did, they did it really well. (Jo Michelmore)

#101. Limitless

by Megan Washington





Won't you please remember to mention me to the ones who love you...

Oh, Megan Washington. It's so good to know you're not alone in the world. It's so good to know that someone else has felt that, "certain kind of lonely where you sleep in your jeans." Well, it's not good, it's kinda sad-o, but when it's being told to you in an incredibly catchy four minute Megan Washington number, it's easily digestible. 'Limitless' is a song I love just a little bit more each time I hear it. For a long time I couldn't get over how much I loved the lyrics. Then it was the yodel-ish section of, "oooOOOoooOOOooo," at the end. Then it was that hair in the clip, which you are pulling off lady. Where was I going with this? I don't know. But my love for this song has no limits. Ha! Yeah, I know. I'm hilarious. (Matt Bond) 

It’s bubblegummy and it’s poppy and it’s kind of cute with a dark cloud floating overhead and then it’s a little bit 80s and a little bit 00s and a little bit neon and I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. See, I never know what to expect from Megan Washington. One minute I think I know what she’s up to, then she goes and releases a song like ‘Limitless’, which is not the box I’d previously put her in and everything is turned upside down and round about and who the hell is Megan Washington anyway? I don’t know, I may never know, but I guess that’s why a song like ‘Limitless’ is perfect for her, right? (Jo Michelmore)

Top 25 - 3 August, 2014

Jim Lawrie, Gena Rose Bruce, #1 Dads + Jane Tyrell!

1. Tkay Maidza - U-Huh





2. Little May - Dust





3. Christine and The Queens - Saint Claude





4. #1 Dads ft. Ainslie Wills - So Soldier (NEW)





5. Kimbra - Miracle





6. The Kite String Tangle - Arcadia





7. HOWQUA - Fishing For Gold (NEW)





8. Jim Lawrie - Just Like Normal (NEW)
 




9. The Griswolds - Down and Out





10. Harts - Angels Walk Below





11. Jane Tyrell - Wild Waters (NEW)





12. Velociraptor - Sneakers





13. Courtney Barnett - Pickles From The Jar





14. Gena Rose Bruce - Blazing Radio (NEW)





15. Meg Mac - Roll Up Your Sleeves





16. Jessie Ware - Share It All





17. Shura - Just Once





18. Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence (NEW)





19. Little Deed - Neon (NEW)





20. The Presets - No Fun





21. Amy Shark - Spits on Girls (NEW)





22. Mammals - Wolf (NEW)





23. Grimes ft. Blood Diamonds - Go

 


24. Vance Joy - Mess Is Mine





25. Karen O - Rapt (NEW)

Song Review - Just Like Normal

Just Like Normal

by Jim Lawrie

Album: EONS (due 2014)

The internet makes it much easier now than I guess it was twenty years ago but there can be such a bombardment of good music when you look for it that it's not always easy to find it, which sounds strange in itself, but is actually so true. You can easily press play on a hundred songs in a minute and sometimes only the really special ones stick out which makes the little 'x' in the corner of the screen is too easy to hit some days.


All of this brings me to Jim Lawrie, a Melbourne based singer/songwriter who first came to my attention with his single 'Midnight Run' last year, so much so that it made our list of Top 113 Songs Of 2013. I loved it. I really, really fell for the charms of his sounds and his indie rock swing, for a few weeks there I listened to it countless times. After loving that song so much, it's no surprise that his latest single 'Just Like Normal' is one that stopped me in my tracks and that little 'x' in the corner of the screen is still yet to be hit with this one. The full, rich sound is warm in it's welcome, the keys heartfelt and the drums driving me toward that play button again and again. While the indie/folk/rock sound is going to draw some impressive comparisons, it's that line over and over again that caught me in the place that my favourite music does; "we don't need to dream no more, we don't need to dream no more...." and with those guitars I'm left with a melancholy feeling of contentment, ideal on a winter day.


Perhaps you will hear a hundred songs in the next week, perhaps you will only hear two or three, but either way,  'Just Like Normal' should probably be one of them and with sounds like these, when that new album is released later this year, I'm pretty sure I won't be hitting that little 'x' in the corner of my screen for months.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Just Like Normal' three and a half Michael Hutchence heads out of five...