Top 116 Songs of 2016, #60 - 51

#116 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60. MACHETE

by Amanda Palmer





You get the drill now don't you?
It's not a will or won't
You can't keep making symbols out of nothing. 

When you left, all those years ago, I didn't know what was to come, I didn't know all the the days I'd have to face and I didn't know how I'd see them all without you. Everyday seemed like I called you up yesterday and everyday was 24 hours further away from yesterday. When you left, there was nothing left, there was nothing in front and there was nothing behind and time stopped the stuff, and what was I to do with all the stuff? It's been fifteen years and I hear the piano and the strings and it still seems like yesterday you were alive and it's still as if you never really died. You would have loved Amanda Palmer as much as I do. She lost her best friend so recently, she has so far to go without him and I know how hard some of that so far is going to be. But she writes songs like 'Machete' to make it all a little less lonely and she gets it, like you, my best friend did. You would have loved her as much as I still love you. (Jo Michelmore) 

#59. HIGHER

by The Naked and Famous





Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Under the shape of years, and the weight that brought us here.

There's a lot to love about The Naked and Famous, but I think what I love the most about 'Higher' is that feeling of triumph it gives you. Like you've totally achieved something spectacular, even though you're sitting in front of a computer and dusting some Doritos dust off your pyjamas at four in the afternoon. Released as the lead single for the New Zealand band's third studio album, Simple Forms, 'Higher' is as jubilant and heartwarming as anything that's come before. It's 'Young Blood' on steroids and will, quite literally, have you raising your voice higher and higher. How it didn't crossover to massive commercial success is beyond me. (Matt Bond) 


I love this band. Like, I mean, I really love this band. Every time I hear that distinctive vocal of Alisa's, something triggers and a sense of hope and happiness washes over me, every time another beat makes it way out of my headphones something awakens and I want everyone in the world to know I like them. I didn't think I could like them more, but when they added that pop of 80s rock beats and guitar, and those words "tonight we bury this in fire" my little mind was blown. How can something so damn happy be so damn sad be so damn happy? I don't even care. I just love it. (Jo Michelmore)

#58. THE BOYS

by Lisa Mitchell





I think that I'm beginning to care
I think that I'm beginning to care. 

'The Boys' is a song that instantly won me over. Right from the very first beats, you can tell that it's a song that you'll fall in love with. Lisa Mitchell creates a euphoric atmosphere that holds up a track with undeniable charms, her performance is tender and full of understanding and it truly feels like she's found her corner of the musical world that is hers and hers alone. This could very well be the most perfectly chilled out pop song of 2016. The recently released (and absolutely stunning) third LP from Mitchell, Warriors, is full of gems like 'The Boys', but I've got just that little bit more love for its carefree nature that leaves you thinking of the happiest of days gone by. (Matt Bond)

#57. DRIVE

by Gretta Ray





Now I'm invested I am captivated and consumed
Seems you're my latest muse. 

How could you not fall completely, hopelessly, head over heels in love with this song? Gretta Ray struck gold in every aspect of 'Drive', proving at the start of her career that she's already an expert storyteller and melody maker. Is it any wonder the track took out this year's Vanda and Young songwriting competition? No. No it is not. There's wisdom far beyond Ray's young years on this planet in lines like, "and sure your taste and touch are two things that I want, but babe neither are what I ponder on the most." There's a strong message there when a young artist isn't saying 'love is everything' and it will carry Gretta Ray's career a long way. She's only just finished school and will be heading over to the U.S.A to lay down tracks for a debut album and that's going to be one mighty fine collection of songs if 'Drive' is anything to go by. (Matt Bond)  


And here I am, thinking I'm a success if I manage to wash my hair and get to bed before midnight once in a while, when someone like Gretta Ray is writing fabulous indie pop like 'Drive' and winning things like JJJ Unearthed High and the Vanda and Young Songwriting comp, all before she finished high school. Such a beautiful track, infused with feels of country and beats that really do make me wanna get in my car and find a long open road, she deserves all the accolades she's going to get as her talent grows along with her. (Jo Michelmore) 
 

#56. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU

by Montaigne





You say to me as we get home
There's no one like you. 

These are always my favourites, the poppy songs that make you want to dance madly, while madly crying little tears because they're so damn true. Everyone has done it, everyone has convinced themselves that something or someone is better than it is because they can't let go, because they want things out of their control, because love. What even is that? Probably an answer too big for these little words of mine, but something I might leave Montaigne to answer with that incredible voice of hers in another punchy kind of pop song in her next album. (Jo Michelmore)

Young love. The kind where someone says horrible things to you and you love them and you try to look good for them and you drive them places and wait in the car and everyone in your life is telling you this person is so wrong for you and you're drinking too much you feel super alone. Wait... no, that's totally fucked and not love at all, but I doubt there's many of us who haven't seen someone they know in a totally messed up relationship and they just can't see it. Or you've been in that relationship yourself and you haven't been able to see it for what it is. Even on Montaigne's 'poppiest' number on the brilliant debut album album Glorious Heights, she distances herself from the pack with a heartbreaking story that is the complete opposite of the boppy nature of the song. Brilliant. (Matt Bond)  
 

#55. MILLION REASONS

by Lady Gaga





I've got a hundred million reasons to walk away
But baby, I just need one good one to stay. 

One must assume that some very important people in expensive suits decided that 'Perfect Illusion' would be our introduction to Lady Gaga's fifth studio album, Joanne. It's so out of place with the tracks it sits alongside, songs with beautiful artistry like 'Million Reasons' that strips away all the glitz and glam of the Gaga we've known and loved. Here the focus is on that powerful voice, the expertly performed bare bones instrumentation and the story of a woman looking for just one reason to stay with the man she loves. 'Perfect Illusion' aside (which is still a decent track on its own), Joanne was LGG's most consistent and enjoyable collection yet, showing that there's still a very long career ahead for one of the most talented artists in the world. (Matt Bond)   


A few weeks ago, during some random chat, Matt asked me what the last song was that made me cry. We have really uplifting conversations you know. I'm not sure he was expecting the answer I gave. Perhaps it was because it's perfect pop, perhaps it's the way I feel about piano, which always has a way of desperate loneliness. Maybe it's the sense of genuine in her voice which is sometimes lost amongst all of her brightness. Perhaps some songs like this are so popular because they are built for memories and sadness and maybe some of us are still hoping for that one amongst millions. (Jo Michelmore) 

#54. HERE COMES KARMA

by E^ST





You think you're righteous
I think that's priceless.

I used to be a believer in karma. I'm not anymore. What I do believe in is a track I can't get out of my head, with so much attitude, if karma is a thing then karma best watch itself because E^ST is coming to deliver her own personal brand of it; hand delivered with a simple beat, some serious attitude, a sound that gets totally stuck in your head and a handclap, straight across your face. Take that karma. (Jo Michelmore)

Does this song not make you feel like you're bulletproof? Like, you could get up to some Bad stuff (with a capital 'B') after you've listened to 'Here Comes Karma' because it makes you feel invincible. E^ST is Australian music's biggest badass and it doesn't even feel like she's trying to be. She just is. I was introduced to the music of E^ST when I saw her supporting Little May on tour earlier in the year. It took approximately fifteen seconds into the first song for me to want to hear everything she had ever made. Pretty much the week after her Get Money! EP was released and I was in looooove. Especially with the track that we've already discussed makes you feel like the baddest M.F. in town. "I said a bad word, I made some hearts hurt." Gets me each and every time, right from the start. It's going to be really exciting to hear what comes next from E^ST. (Matt Bond)  

#53. DECAY

by Stevie





So far from home, out on your own
You moved away from me, so independently. 

When I wrote about this song earlier in the year, I wrote of all the Stevie's I had to cross paths with before I got to this one. As I googled this time, I came across a guy on Facebook whose username is Stevie Decay. He's pretty dull though. Phoebe Imhoff and Miro Mackie on the other hand were far from dull with their brand of Brisbane electronica, which was simple and elegant with a creepily stark but gorgeous clip, kind of like Brisbane. Or not. The perfect song to listen to in the middle of the night while casually stalking random people on Facebook. Or not. (Jo Michelmore) 

#52. DO RITE WITH ME TONITE

by Babaganouj





Oh girl, you make me insane, you make me do things I just can't explain
Well, oh boy, what can I do, you gotta pull through, you gotta pull through now.

Babaganouj have had a HUGE 2016. By the end of the year, one of our favourite Brisbane bands will have released not one, not two, but three EPs, they delivered an ace set at BIGSOUND and they've gone and got themselves all famous in Japan. Because why the heck not, that's an exciting market to break into. 'Do Rite With Me Tonite' was released as a single from Charles, Ruby and Harriette's first 2016 EP, Pillar of Light and it's definitely up there as one of the catchiest tracks they've come up with yet. You get boy/girl singing combos, that delicious Brisbane garage sound and some tenpin bowling in the video. What more do you want? Nothing. That's what. Spoiler alert, this isn't the last you've seen of Babaganouj on this countdown. Sorry about it. Get it? Eh... you will. (Matt Bond)   

#51. IT AIN'T ME

by Katy Steele





Let's go straight in from the start
Of this here tragedy.

When you hear 'It Ain't Me' for the first time, you're left wondering why it's taken so long for Katy Steele to get around to releasing some solo tunes. Because this right here is the business. You get to sing along and clap your hands and I already know that you're going to have the biggest smile on your face while you're doing it. It's a break up song, but not a downer. It's the opposite of, 'it's not you, it's me', because it's most definitely not Steele as the title would imply. It's soulful and as fun as it is smart. And it leaves you wondering why it's taken so long for Katy Steele to go down the solo route. At the end of the day though, whether it's solo Katy Steele, Little Birdy or something else, I'm just happy to hear new music from one of my most loved voices. (Matt Bond)    


Here's a confession. I was never really a fan of Little Birdy. I don't know why, I can tell you all about their talent, but you know how some bands just don't gel no matter how hard you try? Yeah well I'm not sure what was going on there, because this song, from ex-Little Birdy frontwoman Katy Steele is the biz. Does that mean good? Well, that's what I mean. You know, it's real good. All sass, all smart, all I'm fine on my own plus handclaps, that's exactly what Katy Steele is. Absolutely fine on her own. (Jo Michelmore) 
 

Top 25 - 10 October, 2016

Tired Lion!

1. Tired Lion - Agoraphobia (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Someone I work with recently recalled a funny little story about the first time they met me and how intimidating I apparently was during that encounter, which made me laugh because I remember the first time we met and my version of meeting is remarkably different to theirs. Mine involved a time I wasn't really enjoying and while my intimidating demeanour was daunting to them, all I was actually doing was desperately trying to be a normal, functioning, well adjusted human; avoiding questions and conversations at all cost in the fear someone would figure out just who the intimidated one was and it's more than likely all I wanted to do was run home and crawl under a blanket to never see natural light again, which is pretty much where I would have dragged myself from in order to get to work in the first place. All of this long story has very little to do with Tired Lion, except to say it is guitars like theirs that are some of the reasons to keep crawling out from under the blankie as well as voices and words like Sophie Hopes' that make leaving the house ok and it's awesome songs like 'Agoraphobia' which are the type of songs that people who are often more intimidated than intimidating, need to get through some days. (Jo Michelmore)




Matt's Pick of the Week: So today is World Mental Health Day, a day for education, awareness of advocacy of mental health issues that takes place all over the world. You might have seen some articles about it popping up on your Facebook feed. Anyway, anything that creates broader discussion about mental health is great, or in the case of Tired Lion's new single 'Agoraphobia', it's excellent. The four band members that make up Tired Lion (Sophie Hopes, Matt Tanner, Ethan Darnell and Nick Vasey) wrote the song with their own perspectives and experiences with mental illness. Now, I should probably make it clear that 'Agoraphobia' wasn't written for World Mental Health Day. It just happens to be today and the subject matter of the song couldn't be more appropriate to tie the two together, because talking about mental health and illness is super important and the more people do it the better. It's just coincidence that it's today and the song is what it's about. What isn't coincidence is that we've got another top tune from WA's leading rock outfit. "Getting through it, dried eyed, crying at the corner of a taxi rank, it's not a movie, now it's night time, those kids are itching for red wine." Tired Lion hook you from those opening lines and riffs and they don't let you go until the track ends. It's becoming a thing with them; tracks that immediately grab you and leave you wanting to hear them over and over again. Hopes continues to grow into the role of Australia's finest front and the guys kill it, as usual. More soon please. Also, this is the first time Jo and I have picked the same song, so bonus points for that, yeah? Yeah. (Matt Bond)   


2. Bec Sandridge - High Tide





3. Tkay Maidza - Tennies





4. Kimbra - Sweet Relief





5. Ariela Jacobs - Leave Your Light On





6. Big Smoke - Best of You





7. Tkay Maidza ft. Killer Mike - Carry On





8. Jidenna - Long Live The Chief (NEW)


 


9. The Bear Hunt - Who Made You God?





10. Lady Gaga - Million Reasons (NEW)


 


11. Jack River - Palo Alto





12. Lime Cordiale - Waking Up Easy





13. Lisa Mitchell - Warhol (NEW)


 

14. Allie and Ivy - Best Friends





15. San Cisco - B Side (NEW)


 


16. Gretta Ray - Unwind





17. Crystal Fighters - Ways I Can't Tell You (NEW)


 


18. MØ - Drum (NEW) 


 


19. Tash Sultana - Jungle





20. Jess Kent - The Sweet Spot





21. Sparrows - Get To Know You





22. Alexander Biggs - Tidal Wave





23. Lanks - Holla





24. Ali Barter - Girlie Bits




 
25. Remi ft. Jordan Rakei - Lose Sleep

In The Year 2016...

This is going to be a really good year for us music fans. Yeah, I know... we say that every year. It's not our fault it's true. We aren't the ones making all that 'really good' music that's going to be put out over the next twelve months. So maybe just calm your farm and get ready for all of the musical delights that are coming your way. "But from who?" you ask with a bewildered, childlike smile forming on your face. "Well, little Jimmy and or Jane, that's what we're here to discuss," I reply as I chuckle and tousle your hair. "Don't touch my hair!" you scream. "Fine, whatever," says I.

IN THE YEAR 2016...

by Matt Bond

...debut albums from some of Australia's finest young acts are going to be gracing us with their presence. We've seen that Montaigne is hard at work on hers and the new tracks previewed at her recent 'Clip My Wings' tour were absolute knockouts. While there's been no formal announcement, 2016 is likely to be the year we also hear debuts from Thelma Plum, Tkay Maidza and (hopefully) Tired Lion and Airling. Holy Holy are showing no signs of slowing down and are already back in the studio following their own debut LP release in 2015, When The Storms Would Come. If you follow Thelma Plum on the socials, you'll be treated to some snippets of new material every now and then. Her and her old mate Airling were in one recently singing about ghosts and making me want to cry... so looking forward to that one, woo! Other than that, Emma Louise is going to have a huge year. 'Underflow' is getting a ton of play on triple J and the lead single from sophomore album Supercry has already amassed over 140,000 hits on YouTube. 

...innovation will be the name of the game. Kanye West might be at war with Nike at the moment, even giving his upcoming seventh studio album the title Swish, but that will hardly be the only surprise he's got in store. Expect creative and ambitious projects from the likes of PJ Harvey, Gorillaz and (again, hopefully) Radiohead and Jay-Z to knock our socks off. And hey, maybe Beyonce will attempt the smoke-bomb, digital album drop thing again as 2016 comes to a close. 

...the nu-gen divas are back. With a vengeance? Maybe. Lady Gaga is supposedly going in a darker direction following her memorable stint on an otherwise forgettable show. Britney Spears is tweeting up a storm about new tracks she's laying down in the studio and Christina Aguilera is going to do... something? Gwen Stefani is kicking around too and there's always the chance that Katy Perry will drop an album made up entirely of Taylor Swift diss tracks. But it's Rihanna that will release a career defining album with Anti. If it ever sees the light of day. 

...we will build this city on rock and roll. It's expected the Red Hot Chili Peppers will release a new track any day now. Guns 'N Roses are back, with the announcement the iconic outfit will headlining  Coachella. Can Slash and Axl get along for long enough to make it through an entire world tour? We'll find out sooner or later. It must be time for some new Pearl Jam and that actually makes me super excited because their last couple of albums have been stellar. Quiet. They have been stellar. 

...we won't be able to keep up with all of the incredible new music. 2016 is going to be nuts. Think about it, if all the acts mentioned above release music it's already going to be out of control. Keep your anti-Britney and Xtina sentiments to yourself thank you very much. But you've got all that bunch, plus expected new stuff from Frank Ocean, Haim, Lorde, Santigold, Missy Elliott, M.I.A, The xx, Sia, Primal Scream, James Blake, M83 and the other hundred albums that will take us by surprise. Well, we're already satisfied customers with 2016. 

It's going to be one fun ride these next twelve months. Oh and Madonna is finally touring Australia after a million years, so there's that too. That is also a thing. 2016... it's going to be a really good year for us music fans.

The Last 5 Years, #50 - 41

Ngaiire, Curxes, The Black Keys + Lady Gaga!

Hey hey, here we are again, celebrating our fifth birthday by looking at all the things we've loved in the last five years. Well, all things musically that is...

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60 - 51

#50. ABCD 

by Ngaiire





We only die once not twice
So call off the fire brigade, douse me in kerosene
Turn away the rescue ships, anchor me from the hips.

 

This is easily one of the best pieces of songwriting to come out of Australia is years. And when you combine that with the stunning vocal power that Ngaiire has? Well you're in for a treat, friends. Ngaiire's impeccable performance is packed full of emotion and works as the light to the darkness of the words she's singing. 'ABCD' is an internal battle for the ages, with our leading lady valiantly fending off the crushing reality around her. I interpret things weird, get over it and just enjoy this epic track from one of our greatest talents. And then look forward to the release of Ngaiire's upcoming sophomore album! (Matt Bond)

#49. LONELY BOY

by The Black Keys





So you pulled my heart out
And I don't mind bleeding
Any old time you keep me waiting...

 

I question anyone who doesn't feel the need to at least nod their head in some manner as soon as the opening notes of 'Lonely Boy' are heard. Ok, if you have to wait until the drums kick in, then I might just accept that, but if you don't feel the muscles in the back of your neck forcing your head backward and forward by the time Dan Auerbach starts singing "Well I'm so above you and it's plain to see" then perhaps we may need to check your heartbeat. Still alive? What's your excuse then? I'm not saying you have to have the moves of the incredibly funky guy in the clip, because let's face it, very few of us are that cool, but if you can stop yourself from moving at least a fingertip then, well, I'm glad you're here, but have you checked that heartbeat I mentioned earlier? (Jo Michelmore) 

#48. HOWL

by Lester The Fierce





You want me quiet, I don't know how
My spirit sings, so here I howl.

 

Oh, Anita Lester. You created just over three and a half minutes of pure magic here. 'Howl' was the most pleasant surprise to come into our blog inbox back in 2013 and the perfect introduction to Lester The Fierce. It's like stepping back to the mid 90s, when rock was all about sexy guitars, beating drums and wailing voices. Or in this case, howling voices. See what I did there? See? My feelings for the track are exactly the same as when I first heard it. So much love. How did this not blow up? I just can't get enough. That chorus. Urgh. Amazing. Can we get some more of this goodness as soon as possible please, Anita? Thanks in advance. (Matt Bond)

#47. MY HEAD, MY HEART

by Hey Lady





Push me to the limit
Taking it all the way.

 

Ooh ooh ooh I do love me a good bit of rock. I love the driving guitars and I love the solid combined vocals and I love the little bit of angst and I love the dirty beats and I love being thrown back into somewhere in the 90s and I love the grungy feelings and I love wanting to chuck on my docs and some ripped tights and a floral dress and I love wanting to bounce around a dark dingy room to the sounds of two girls from Newcastle. I also love that they are called Hey Lady, which I of course can’t say without an accent every time I say it, which is kind of silly, but I also can’t stop myself from listening to ‘My Head My Heart’ which is not silly at all, especially when the rock is this good. (Jo Michelmore)

#46. BEWARE THE DOG

by The Griswolds





Beware the dog who's selling songs about defeat
Begging for love but you're old enough to know better than you know.

 

The Griswolds should be way more famous. Don't get me wrong, they're doing really well for themselves. Out touring the world, releasing a banging debut album, hitting it big on the Hottest 100. But come on, they're the funnest. Everyone can enjoy their ridiculously catchy party anthems that the young'uns and the old'un can get down to. Ridiculously catchy party anthems like 'Beware The Dog'. You'll know it. Triple J were all over it last year, with good reason. It's the bomb, from the opening guitar lines to the closing drums. The accompanying clip is some Red Riding Hood meets the Wold Man weirdness with limbs flying errywhere. You'll love it. And you'll love The Griswolds. But you should already. (Matt Bond)

#45. CIRROHSIS

by Our Man In Berlin





Just a little more time
Just a bit of control.

 

I don’t even know how this band came to our little blog, I think Matt found them somewhere sometime in 2013, but I do know our love of these guys from Western Australia has been well documented over the last couple of years. There's a reason we've kept writing about them and that reason is pretty simple. They just keep writing and recording such impressive songs. ‘Cirrhosis’, the third single from their debut EP is it right? is everything Our Man In Berlin are; it’s dreamy, mesmerising, subtle but honest, complex without being confusing and so very hypnotic. The spell they manage to put me under over the last couple of years hasn’t lifted yet and I’m hoping they soon share more of their magical sounds to keep me entranced for the next few years as well. (Jo Michelmore)

#44. VALKYRIE

by Curxes



I've never been patient, subtle or vacant
When thinking of ways that could persuade...

 

I can't remember exactly how Jo stumbled upon UK blitz-pop duo, Curxes. But I'm sure glad she did. With every new slice of industrial-electronic goodness released I'm left loving them more and more. 'Valkyrie' is totally out of control, with beats coming at you from all around making you want to jump around... jump around, jump up, jump up and get down. Yep. We've got Mr. Macaulay Hopwood to thank for that. Roberta Fidora kills it, as she always does, and you'll be screaming along to every word with her. You just won't be as good as her. Fidora's voice is A+, 100%, 10/10 level good. I think 'Valkyrie' could be my favourite Curxes track yet. I'm assuming you'll be able to find it on their upcoming debut album Verxes. And you can add that to your list of must-listen albums for 2015. (Matt Bond)

#43. I FOLLOW RIVERS

by Lykke Li





You're my river running high
Run deep, run wild.

 

It’s so funny how some songs are ones you follow and others are ones that follow you. Some songs take you straight back to wherever it was you first heard them, or to a place and time in your life and then other songs are ones that keep creeping up on you, following you through your life as you go, a little bit creepy like. Lykke Li seems to have a way with music that does a little of both; I can almost remember exactly where I was the first time I heard this song, but I can also name you many times I’ve sung along and nodded my head to those drums, singing the “I I follow, I follow you” over and over again. Is Lykke Li stalking me? Well I don't really mind, those beats, those synths, that voice, they're all so fabulous, like almost everything Lykke Li does. (Jo Michelmore)

#42. 90s MUSIC

by Kimbra





And then the radio played that song we used to sing.

 

I’m not sure where it was it that Kimbra was meant to go after the massive commercial success of ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ and therefore the huge amount of interest in her own debut Vows. I guess she could have released a quick-fire pop tune about love and parties and other straightforward (read: dull) things and she could have gathered herself a little legion of listeners who love playful pop. That wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing, but anyone who really listened and understood her first releases would understand that’s not the kind of thing that artists like Kimbra do. Artists like Kimbra go wherever they goddamn please and Ms Kimbra took us somewhere so unexpected but impressive when she released ‘90s Music’. It was a journey of pop and guitars and electro sounds and (almost) prog rock and vocal effects and it was a little confronting and sometimes confusing and it was exactly as I expect Kimbra to be. She’s an artist not afraid to experiment, not afraid to wear her musical heart on her sleeve and she’s an artist with a boldness that most can only wish they had. With all of that, she’s an artist that we here on this blog have loved for most of our five years and will probably be loving for another five yet. (Jo Michelmore)

#41. THE EDGE OF GLORY

by Lady Gaga





There ain't no reason you and me should be alone
Tonight, yeah baby
Tonight, yeah baby.

 

Can't we all go back to 2011, when the world was obsessed with Lady Gaga. We can all be happy again, like we were in middle school. Or not, whatever. Those were great times though. When we knew all the moves to the dance in 'Bad Romance', a good night out was determined by how many times we heard 'Poker Face' (ma ma ma maaaa) and Ariana Grande wasn't a thing. Lady Gaga might not ever be THE major force in pop again (although never say never), but for a couple of years she was the biggest star in the world. Born This Way was one of the most anticipated albums of ever and it didn't disappoint. How could it when it had tracks like 'The Edge of Glory'. Alright, 'Hair' was ridic, but 'The Edge of Glory' brought the saxophone back in a big way. It's pure, undiluted pop perfection that pays homage to the big, stadium ready hits of the 80s in a way that no other pop act today could pull off. (Matt Bond)

The A to Z of Pop - U is for Under Dressed and Underrated

U is for unfortunate face

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Call me crazy, but if I have the intention of leaving my house in the morning, there's a few things I like to do before I walk out the door. Generally the usual, you know, brush my hair, put some shoes on, grab my house keys, the personal rituals we all have. There's something I do though, that some pop stars seem to be able to get away without doing. I find it intriguing, because if I popped down to my local supermarket in the same manner, I'm not sure my fave checkout boy would appreciate it. Guess that's what makes me a blogger and not a pop star though. The U in the A to Z of Pop? It stands for under dressed. 

"Ooh, it's a little chilly outside, I'll just pop a jacket on..." Um, Lady Gaga, perhaps some pants would have helped with the climate issue. 

Gaga-no-pants, you are under dressed. 

"Just picking up something I forgot at the supermarket..." Um, Britney, next time you forget something at the shop, you should check your outfit before you leave the house. You may have forgotten some of that too. 

Britney-no-pants, you are under dressed.

"Just gon' head out and work on my fitness..." Um, that's the only thing people should be doing in sporting apparel, right? Miley, the next time you want to get some fitness on, perhaps you should remember your shorts. And trainers. Those heels will never work. 

Miley-no-pants, you are under dressed.

"Wait Kim...!" Um, I have to give credit where credit is due, at least Kanye has his pants on. They may not be done up, but he's gone to more effort than Miley-Britney-Gaga combined and for that I say thank you Kanye. 

Kanye-some-pants, you nay be loathed by many, but your pant wearing abilities are underrated.

The A to Z of Pop - T is for The Things I Think

Well I would have just stuck my arms out sideways, but...each to their own

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

You read the blog, you read my thoughts. Sometimes. Today, my thoughts on pop, which I probably think about a little too much. Shut up. That's why I write on a blog. Whatever.

Things I think: Gaga played a gig with Queen this week. She wasn't very good. but neither are Queen without Freddie, so you can't win them all.

Things I think: Miley is so annoying, but she sings some great pop songs.

Things I think: Ariana Grande will be Ariana Who? soon enough. Give it a year...or two.

Things I think: Taylor Swift sings one of the greatest pop songs ever written.

Things I think: Madonna will always be the queen of pop. Not because she's good, but she was there in the 80s when pop first became what it is today. You can't take the crown away from old Elizabeth II just becuase she's old and a bit useless and you can't take the crown away from Mads for the same reason.

Things I think: Boy bands make me uncomfortable. See above. When listening to boy bands, leave the lights on, always. End.

10 and 1 - Paws Up, Little Monsters

10 OF THE BEST: LADY GAGA

by Matt Bond

Ma ma ma maaaa. Mother Monster herself is in Australia right this second (AHHHH!) and she's delivering artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball to her legion of fans. Ok, so things have cooled on the universal love for LGG since the release of her 2013 album, ARTPOP, but she's still one of the biggest acts in music. So stop thinking you're cool for breaking free of the party-disco-fun-time hold she had on you while she was THE biggest music star on the planet for a couple of years there. Anyway, I am totally excited about Queen Gaga being in our corner of the world because I'll be heading along to the Brisbane show with Jo and Katie. It's my first time seeing her live and I can't wait until we're best friends. What? Nothing. But seriously, I think we'd get along famously. We live for the fame and so on and so forth.


Since I've been going back through Lady Gaga's discography over the past week in the lead up to what's going to be one crazy/amazing live show, I thought I'd get my '10 and 1' on with a list of Gaga's ten best tracks and the one song I could really do without hearing next Tuesday night. Sorry, my Queen. But nobody's perfect, right? Don't worry, you're on the right track baby... you were born this way or something. Now... let's stop bluffin' with our muffins and just dance!

THE TEN:

POKER FACE

PAPARAZZI

BAD ROMANCE

TELEPHONE

ft. Beyonce

SPEECHLESS
 

JUDAS

THE EDGE OF GLORY

AMERICANO

GYPSY (Live Piano Version)

SEX DREAMS

THE ONE:

JEWELS N' DRUGS

ft. T.I., Too $hort and Twista

When you've got ten songs as good as the ones above, you're allowed a dud here and there. 'Jewels N' Drugs' was the gangsta side of Gaga no one really needed to see. Thankfully we won't be hearing anything like this on the upcoming collaboration album with total dude, Tony Bennett. Now... paws up, little monsters. Bring on the artRAVE Brisbane Entertainment Centre show on Tuesday night!        

The A to Z of Pop - L is for Likes

It's all done with mirrors. Right?

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Social media has provided us with such a simple little way of approval. It's all there, in one quick click of a button you can tell the world (your friends, or the internet world I guess, depending on your privacy settings) exactly (well, not quite exactly, I mean, nothing in depth) what you think of certain things. I post a photo of myself and only got 45 likes? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? I post photo the next month and got 57 likes. Must have been a good hair day. I post a photo of my cup of tea and get 83 likes. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? WHY DO YOU LIKE MY TEA AND NOT ME? (I do make good tea, by the way). Anyway, the point is, the world (at least the social media world) revolves all around the 'like'. So of my social media world, when it comes to pop, who likes who?

Lady Gaga has an impressive amount of likes. 66,751,491. A tiny bit more than the population of France, actually. "J'veux ton amour, et je veux ton revanche, j'veux ton amour" indeed. Of that population of likers, twenty-six of them are my facebook friends. Make of that what you will. Like.

Lily Allen has 3,868,186 likes on the books. That's only slightly more than the entire population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Why do I always say that name with an accent? Of all those Balkans, nine of them are my facebook friends. Lily Allen fans that is, not Balkans. I wish I knew a Balkan. Anyway, I actually liked 'Air Balloon'. As in really liked. Not just thumbs up-ed 'like'. I don't care what you think. Like.

La Roux have had a bazillion (not exact number) more views on their youtube clips than they have facebook likes, of which they have 974,231, which is more than there are people in Cyprus, but not as many as there are in Mauritius. This is something a marketing person somewhere should look at. Of all of them, only two are my facebook friends. Oh well, I can't help everyone I know. At least I like the two that like La Roux. Like.

Here's one that intrigued me, because on one hand I was expecting this, on another not so. Lionel Richie has 2,975,220 facebook likes. That's not the bit I was surprised about. After all, that's more than the amount of Lithuanians in Lithuania and Lionel Richie is a popular man, that's no surprise. What is a surprise? Only one of my facebook friends 'likes' him, which is interesting, because I know of at least three that actually like him, not just facebook style and that I genuinely like. Like. 

Lindsay Lohan. She has 2,975,220 fbook likes. It upsets me slightly that she has more likes than people live in Uruguay. Something makes me happy though. None of them are my facebook friends. I knew I chose my social media friends wisely. What I like even more is that I know one of them is bound to go and 'like' on her facebook page after reading this just to spite me. Social media is funny. (Mostly). Like.

The A to Z of Pop - G is for Gaga

This just seems kind of awkward. Kinda like Gaga, so it's fitting really.

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Gaga: adjective, informal: slightly mad, typically as a result of old age, infatuation, or excessive enthusiasm.

When you google Gaga, you get one of a couple of things. Either a bombardment of ‘news’ about Lady Gaga, who probably does deserve the G is for title in the A to Z of Pop, or you get the definition above and because I generally don’t like being obvious, let’s not talk about the only pop star who is a bit gaga, let’s talk about a few of them.

The lady of Gaga may have worn a meat dress, but that doesn’t make her the craziest.

Britney. Head shearing + bodyguard fighting + 55 hour marriage + becoming friends with Will. I. Am = a little bit crackers. In fact, gaga.

Mariah Carey. Moment + moment + moment = a little bit crackers. In fact, gaga.

Beiber. Vom + vom + backing track + vom = a little bit crackers. In fact, gaga.

Miley. Not the twerking, not the tongue, not the bad habits, but the thinking she can sing a Fleetwood Mac song = a little bit crackers. In fact, gaga.

Gaga. Really, need I explain? A little bit crackers. In fact, gaga. That's Lady Gaga to you.

10 and 1 - Up In The Gym Just Working On My Fitness

BIG BOY'S GOTTA EAT

by Matt Bond

I'm not a huge fan of going to the gym. What am I a huge fan of? Eating cakes and pies. And since I eat A LOT of cakes and pies, I have to go to the gym. Now, entering a small room full of people with amazing bodies that can lift seventeen times more than I can, seemingly without breaking a sweat, doesn't exactly do wonders for my social anxiety. Especially when I'm already developing a sweaty brow just from walking up the stairs for a cardio warm-up (aka walking on the treadmill for five minutes). Really though, the main reason I go to the gym is to listen to music uninterrupted for an hour or so. 

But it can't just be any old thing that you listen to when working out. If it's not fast paced and upbeat (or angry metal), you run the risk of giving into that temptation to throw those dumbbells down and drive on over to McDonald's and order a large quarter pounder meal, ten nuggets and a McFlurry. Listening to the right kind of music means you can at least finish your work out before going to Maccas. Yes, I know... I'm bad and I should feel bad. But I don't. Back to the music... you need to sweat it up to the right kind of music! 

You may be a big fan of the same five songs that get played at your local YMCA and that's great. But after listening to a dance remix of Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' for the five thousandth time, you might want to try something else. Tonight, I'll be sharing ten tracks that will give you a belief in your strength, stamina and overall gym prowess that's disproportionate to your actual abilities. As is the case with the '10 and 1', I'll be leaving you with one song you might want to keep out of the work out playlists. If I can save you from the stares of jocks and babes that I've endured in the past for certain music choices, I'll consider that a community service. Enjoy! 

THE TEN:

Y.A.L.A

by M.I.A

Push

by The Presets

Music that will make you dance. Music that isn't by David Guetta and does not feature Akon. Music that isn't by LMFAO. 

Not Afraid

by Eminem

The more Eminem, the better. 

Change

by Deftones

Duality

by Slipknot

Let the anger build up inside with something a little heavier. Rage. Rage, rage, rage! On another note, Rage Against The Machine are also highly appropriate. 

UFO (Van She Tech Remix)

by Sneaky Sound System

Judas

by Lady Gaga

All those pop songs you diss while trying to be cool to your friends will definitely come in handy. The first time I really listened to 'Wrecking Ball' was at the gym. And I did come in like a wrecking ball. Or something. 

Come With Me

by Puff Daddy ft. Jimmy Page

Stronger 

by Kanye West

Rap. Rap all the way. A bit of Puffy-Diddy-Daddy whatever and a whole lot of Kanye. These are people with huge egos. Let them inception some of their ego into your mind.

I Don't Think Now Is The Best Time

by Hans Zimmer

Music from the movies. Yes. Go for battle scenes and pretend your part of the action and you'll run faster with this weird look on your face like your fighting off pirates. I'm not joking, this works. Each track goes for like ten minutes too. So your workout is that much closer to being over!

THE ONE:

Beauty and The Beast

by Stevie Nicks

Now, I make no apologies for having this, um, lesser known (these days?) track from Stevie Nicks on my iPod. But you do not want a track like this blaring from your headphones as you vacantly stare into the distance. Someone is going to walk past and hear it. Someone is going to look at you weird. And the more you listen to Stevie's voice, the less you'll want to work out. You'll just want to go listen to more Stevie Nicks. Stevie Nicks is awesome. Actually, screw this... put more Stevie Nicks on your iPod! What were we talking about? The gym? Who needs the gym? 

      

Top 25 - 30 March, 2014

Holly Who? Holly Clayton, that's who. Get ready for some soulful goodness, straight out of Newcastle!

1. Holly Who - Get A Little More (NEW)





2. Sia - Chandelier





3. Our Man In Berlin - Flight (NEW)





4. tUnE-yArDs - Water Fountain





5. Hopium - Cut (NEW)





6. Safia - Paranoia, Ghosts and Other Sounds





7. Kingswood - Suckerpunch





8. The Black Keys - Fever (NEW)
 




9. Michelle Xen - My Cells





10. Dear Plastic - Buck Up And Pay The Reaper (NEW)





11. Inouwee - Explode





12. Bec Laughton - Number 1 (Heartbreak) (NEW)
 




13. Velociraptor - Ramona (NEW)





14. Twin Lakes - The Ageing Field





15. Clare Maguire - Whenever You Want It





16. Tempura Nights - Cocky (NEW)





17. Brody Dalle - Don't Mess With Me





18. The Cairos - Desire (NEW)





19. Steve Smyth - Shake It





20. Jack Colwell and The Owls - Far From View





21. Bonjah - Honey





22. Tori Amos - Trouble's Lament (NEW)





23. Lady Gaga - G.U.Y (NEW)





24. The Good Sports - Walking





25. Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked