Top 119 Songs of 2019, #10 - 1

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40 - #31

#30 - #21

#20 - #11

#10. VIDEO

by Cub Sport ft Mallrat

Did you forget I am no pedestrian recycling art

I am Mozart

I saw these Cub Sport characters in a café near my place recently, and I spent the whole time I was there waiting for my takeaway trying not to look at them, leaving my sunglasses on and pretending I was looking at menus of the restaurant next door, because I didn’t want to look like a loser and be like “Hey. Are you Cub Sport? (knowing exactly who it is) I really like you guys a lot” because that would be lame. So here I am on the internet, declaring my love for the rest of the world to see instead, because that’s not embarrassing at all. Isn’t life weird? Hey Cub Sport! I like you guys, a lot. (Jo Michelmore)


You take two of Brisbane's most exciting acts, put them together on a song and you get GOLD. Obviously this is what happened when Cub Sport and Mallrat teamed up for 'Video', a track that's as romantic as it is sex-ay. As someone with nothing notably 'sexy' going for them (exhibit A, the use of sex-ay) it even makes me feel a little bit goooood about myself. 'Video' was the diamond amongst the many rich gems populating Cub Sports' 2019 self-titled release, standing out as a shining example of the absolute confidence Cub Sport have found in their music. (Matt Bond)

#9. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF

by Alex Lahey

You say, that things are spinning around and around

And you've lost control and you need to slow down

If I got any of these top ten songs stuck in my head, I feel like this one would be the most useful. Been sitting at a laptop for hours on end, Jo? Can’t think of any more positive words after writing about a hundred songs in the last few weeks, Jo? Think your writing is garbage but put it on the internets anyway, Jo? Hungry, Jo? Don't be so hard on yourself, Jo. Alex Lahey’s little brand of pop punk and self-depreciating saxophones are what I should be listening to. This is advice I like to give often, and advice I should take often. If only I could present it as well as Alex Lahey does. Don't be so hard on yourself, Jo, and so on... (Jo Michelmore)


A musical pick-me-up, an upper in song form... it's 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself' by Alex Lahey. It's the perfect cure for those mild cases of the sads, ready made for those moments when you're thinking you have no idea what you're doing with this whole 'life' thing. Sometimes you just need a reminder to get out of your own way and that things are never as bad as they seem (being caught for committing a crime is excluded from this narrative). Lahey has you covered in this department with the lead single from her sophomore album, The Best of Luck Club. This might very well be the best we've heard from Alex Lahey so far, but I think we all know THE best is still to come from an artist that keeps topping what came before with each new release. (Matt Bond)

#8. KITCHEN

by Annie Hamilton

I could try to recreate it

The memory is overrated

Annie Hamilton’s music was my pleasant surprise of the year, I was so hoping she’d keep releasing incredible things. Completely unexpected and now seemingly obvious, she was part of one of my favourite acts of the decade (see number six), so of course she was going to remain incredible on her own. And a song about my favourite room in the house. Whatta dream. So many layers of sound like some kind of cake one would find in such a room, I want to listen to Annie Hamilton in all the rooms of the house, across all the stages of the world where she deserves to be. I’m so looking forward to seeing which room she’s in next. (Jo Michelmore)


Continuing her brilliant run of single releases, Annie Hamilton is now 3 for 3 with 'Kitchen'. It's one of the finest rock releases of 2019, something you'll agree with from the opening distorted guitar that leads into Hamilton's stunning opening lines, "clouds are rolling down the hills, I tell you that it kills when you look at me like that." The imagery these lines and the music paint in your mind, I mean get out of here, this is too good! 'Kitchen' takes the first started by 'Fade' and 'My New Tattooed Chameleon' to another level as it builds to a thrilling conclusion with Hamilton letting loose the final time she prepares to let us know what she's missing as she stands there in the kitchen. Like I said, it's just too good. (Matt Bond)

#7. MONEY

by Lime Cordiale

Make a lifetime full of small talk

Pretendin' he's so funny

I nominate Lime Cordiale for having some of the greatest hair in Australian bands at the moment, but I also nominate them for being one of the greatest Australian bands ever as well. That’s not too big a call to make is it? Have you heard this song? It’s got a 70s groove bassline, a simple driving beat and a horn section half of the 80s would be jealous of. As well as half the 00s, and most of 2019 as well. They sing about the pressures of society and our collective thoughts about money, but the best part about music is that almost anyone, regardless of pay scale, can enjoy rock like this. (Jo Michelmore) 


The echo in the vocals, the perfectly times keys, those harmonies, a chorus that somehow manages to be apathetic and indignant at the same time. Yeah, Lime Cordiale are pretty good at this whole making music thing. 'Money' grows on you as you listen to it more and more And you won't be able to not listen to it more and more. It's a catchy jam that's worthy of a singalong. It will have those toes tapping at quiet social occasions and feet stomping at those unexpected, less quiet ones. Oli and Louis Leimbach aka Lime Cordiale have had a huge year built off of banging tunes. 'Money' is the most banging of them all. (Matt Bond)

#6. APPLES

by Little May

I wish to be governed by something else

I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams

This is a song I have been dreading writing words about, not because of the song itself, but because of knowing it will be the last time I write anything about a band I have adored so much in the last few years. How excited I was to hear new material from Little May in 2019. Their second album Blame My Body was everything I expected it to be; emotionally charged, an incredible strength woven through every note, all of the songs quickly becoming new favourites and every moment a sense of hope of what was still to come. When I heard they had called it quits midway through the year, I admit I felt a bit empty for a couple of days. While I’m so hopeful that both Hannah and Liz will find their musical feet somewhere else, and I’ve no doubt they both have the talent to make amazing music separately, it’s tough when your favourites move on without you. Thanks for ALL the music Little May, you filled a hole in my life soundtrack, covered it with your own brand of perfection and won’t be forgotten. (Jo Michelmore) 


Oh, Little May. This chapter of the musical adventures of Hannah Field and Liz Drummond might have come to a close, but what a way to go out. Their second album, Blame My Body, was one of the best releases of the year with 'Apples' quickly becoming my most listened to track. It takes some inspiration from 90s alternative rock, both in the music and the lyrics, but keeps Little May's trademark ability to construct a layered track that breaks your heart while putting it back together at the same time. Drummond takes the lead vocals with Field backing her up, ensuring those Little May harmonies can still shine. I could go on and on, but I'll just highlight my favourite part of the song. As the second verse begins, Drummond sings the lines, "I wish to be governed by something else, I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams." It's a devastating thoughtfulness that gets me every time. And devastatingly thoughtful is the best description I can think of for Little May's music. Thank you for the music and we can't wait to hear what comes next from Liz Drummond and Hannah Field. (Matt Bond)

#5. PARADISE

by The Presets and Golden Features

You and I are face-to-face

While the world up above keeps burning like a riot

I love how reliable The Presets are. There’s one thing for sure and that’s if I’m writing about The Presets it’s going to be positive. They just keep doing their thing, and everything they do turns to electronic gold, or in this case they work with Gold(en Features) and everything turns to…Paradise? I don’t know, I’ve written a lot of words, excuse my random ramblings at this point. I do know if you smash the ever reliable Presets together with another of this country's electronic heavy weights, Golden Features, you get what I think is actually as close as you’re gonna get to any of the songs Matt likes to call ‘bangers’, or ‘bangerz’, with a z, should you be so inclined. Either way, this song is perfection in paradise. (Jo Michelmore)


Not that they ever lost 'it', whatever 'it' is, but The Presets still have 'it' and so does Golden Features. Golden Features definitely has 'it'. Let's just say 'it' is being able to put together a song that makes you want to dance and it also makes you think you can dance when you know you can't. And what is paradise, if not a magical place where you think you can dance and then you can dance like no one is watching because you're on a tropical island with endless drinks and fancy food and you're alone and that's why you can dance like no one is watching because there's literally no one there to watch you. And 'Paradise' is playing. And it's perfect. Take me there now! (Matt Bond)

#4. READY

by Montaigne

And I'm at the edge of the cliff

So let's begin

One of the things I love about Montaigne is her love of the dramatic, her appreciation for her music as not just a song, not just an album, but an experience; she pieces everything together in such beautiful theatrical ways that one can’t help but feel spellbound by her ways. The confident percussion, the layered vocals and the important messages in 'Ready' (and all of her second album Complex) are unparallelled, her performances captivating and her voice mesmerising. She has a long list of influences that can be heard amongst her songs and seen in her stage presence, but what’s most exciting is the influence Montaigne will be on others as she keeps evolving and creating and growing. I will be happy to see where she goes and so ready to follow her wherever she heads next. (Jo Michelmore)


A click of the fingers and beating drums. You know you're in for something epic. This is a Montaigne song, you already knew you were going on a journey. It starts with a frank admission of frustration that explodes following Montaigne's promise, her mission statement. She's ready. We're ready. Let's begin. In the chorus we find soaring vocals and lyrics that show how much growth her occurred between albums. No wings will be clipped today, Montaigne is destined to jump off the edge of that cliff and fly high. Montaigne set the bar high with her 2016 debut, Glorious Heights. But with this year's follow-up, Complex and on the song 'Ready', one of the true new classics smashes all expectations to dust with fearless precision. Her name is Montaigne, her time is now. And we are so ready for this. (Matt Bond)

#3. WE DON'T CARE

by Polish Club

This could be a start

Do it for the art

I’ve had some of the greatest nights of my life in a Polish club. Well, at least I think I did. Apparently I did. Those Poles sure know how to distill a vodka. That has nothing to do with this Polish Club though, except to say I think of that other club whenever I hear this Polish Club, and ‘We Don’t Care’ is pretty much exactly how one feels when one is consuming said vodka in the aforementioned club. It’s the ultimate rock I love; pounding drums, gritty guitars and a vocal that smashes its way into my brain the way all the best rock lyrics do; “For the night I can live like a stranger, for the night I'll forget all the mess…”and so began and ended my Polish vodka evenings. And one more thing. Greatest clip of the year, because I may or may not have been all those guys in that karaoke bar. Every single one of them. (Jo Michelmore) 


Funnily enough, my experience with an actual Polish Club is the exact opposite of Jo's, but the less said about it the better. The band Polish Club is nothing like the night that shall not be spoken about, they are amazing. Unrelated to their track 'We Don't Care', Polish Club recently released a little New Year's collection of songs that you should GET ON NOW, because it's guaranteed to start your 2020 in the best way possible. With a Kylie cover. As for 'We Don't Care', all swagger, sex appeal and too cool to give a fuck vibes... yes please and thank you. We are not worthy. David Novak howls his way through the rock anthem of the year, as essential track for any playlist that includes the word 'party'. This is fun, doesn't take itself too seriously and encourages you to make choices so bad they have to be good. Actually, this is the New Year's Eve jam you need to be playing. (Matt Bond)

#2. EVERYTHING'S BETTER WITHOUT YOU

by Kira Puru

You asked me how I've been

Like we're just friends

You really wanna know?

A groove that begs to be danced to, beats that stick in your mind long after they’re over and words that must be sung along to, ‘Everything Is Better Without You’ is the anthem we all need every now and then. Bold, sassy, strong, confident and so very fabulous, Kira Puru seems to be the person I want to be. I said everything I think about Ms Puru back at number 26, but the thing is that in this song she sings a set of words I would never, ever think of her, because my world is a much, much better place with Kira Puru in it. (Jo Michelmore)


We've been saying it for years... everything is better with Kira Puru. And now she offers up the quintessential post-relationship pop smash with 'Everything Is Better Without You'. It captures everything you'd want in the moment you encounter your ex at the local discotheque, saloon or frozen vegetable section at Coles. You're looking good. Damn good. And you're feeling it. All because a certain someone is out of your heart, out of your mind and out of your life. The glorious feeling this song give you, the sheer joy? It should be bottled into a fragrance, yeeewwww du Puru. It's official, Kira Puru can do no wrong as she continues to pump out bop after bop. Everything really is better with Kira Puru. (Matt Bond)

#1. BETTER IN BLAK

by Thelma Plum

But if I just keep quiet

I'll be the one who's dying too

It seems so appropriate that a decade after Matt started this blogging thing and six, maybe seven years after he invited me to start writing with him that our number one song of the year be this one, because it is a song that somehow represents so much of what this blog has been about all this time.

‘Better In Blak’, from Thelma Plum’s incredible album of the same name is an important piece of music, a personal tale but also a reflection on our society and just some of the things Thelma, and so many others have had to face in said society; told with an incredibly strong and danceable beat, a bassline to move to, a chorus to groove to and it includes something Thelma does so well, a resounding “fuck that” lyric to sing along to, which I can say is so very powerful when performed live. It’s a song of fight and song of strength, a song of confidence and a song that needed to be heard in 2019, a song that shows us where society has gone wrong and which way to head to be right. It’s Thelma Plum at her best, coming from a place so dark and turning it into something we adore, and I only hope she doesn’t have to face such awful things again to make her next piece of incredible music.

But with all of those things, all of those life affirming words and reflections of ourselves and each other, it’s also basically a perfect pop song. Life wrapped up in music, which is the thing that Matt and I have always loved. It’s the thing that has inspired us to spend endless hours over the years writing all the words to share with someone, anyone who has wanted to join us, the thing that tells us all about ourselves, the thing we desperately search for in darkness and the thing we love to love in the light. It’s pretty much everything, and our lives would be nothing without it. Music. Thanks for loving it with us all this time. Until the next perfect pop song… (Jo Michelmore)


What makes a song your favourite of the year? Is it how many times you listened to it? Is it the feeling that it gives you; happy, sad or something in-between? Does it make you think or feel less alone? Does it send a message? Is it defiant? Rebellious? Triumphant? Maybe it's all of those things. Maybe it's more. Thelma Plum's 'Better In Blak' ticks off a lot of those boxes, but that's not necessarily why it's our most loved, number one song of 2019. All those things play a part but, and I'll use this one last time and then retire it forever... 'Better In Blak' is an absolute banger of a track. A perfect pop song. It builds on all the elements of Thelma Plum's work we've loved over the years and crafts a song that will stay with us forever. Jo has mentioned before that there's songs that will be part of your life's soundtrack and 'Better In Blak' is one of them. We'll be listening in 10, 20, 30 years time. Hopefully long after that too. It's a song that will stay with you for a lifetime. And it's an absolute banger. The best banger of 2019. Love. (Matt Bond)

Top 119 Songs of 2019, #70 - 61

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70. SUGAR

by Peking Duk and Jack River

Want to be with you

Want to be right there by your side

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

#69. TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY

by Texas Tea

This way you have no regrets

And each day it comes and each forgets

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

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

#68. BACKSEAT

by Ali Barter

 


No, we've never really met

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

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

#67. NOT ANGRY ANYMORE

by Thelma Plum

You can try to make amends

Tell the world that we're still friends

But was it worth it?

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

#66. MODERATION

by Florence + The Machine

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

I'm trying to be good

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

#65. EYES TO THE SKY

by OKENYO

Save the best oh yeah

For last but not the least oh yeah

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

#64. EVERYTHING I DO IS REPLACED BY TWO

by Jeremy Neale

We were building a dream

Now it's over

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

#63. ANOTHER DAY

by #1 Dads

Lay down just don't lay down

Let this be a little song for you

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

#62. PARTY FOR ONE

by Carly Rae Jepsen

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

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

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


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

#61. ROBBERY

by Lime Cordiale

 


Wait that's her, stop that girl

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

Top 25 - 4 October 2016

Tkay Maidza, Bec Sandridge + Kimbra!

1. Bec Sandridge - High Tide (NEW)





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


2. Tkay Maidza - Tennies (NEW)





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


3. Kimbra - Sweet Relief (NEW)


 


4. Tkay Maidza ft. Killer Mike - Carry On





5. Big Smoke - Best of You





6. Allie and Ivy - Best Friends





7. Gretta Ray - Unwind





8. Tash Sultana - Jungle





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


 

10. Jack River - Palo Alto (NEW)


 

11. Jess Kent - The Sweet Spot





12. Sparrows - Get To Know You





13. Lime Cordiale - Waking Up Easy (NEW)


 


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





15. Alexander Biggs - Tidal Wave





16. Lanks - Holla





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


 


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


 

19. Tami Neilson - Holy Moses





20. Ali Barter - Girlie Bits





21. Remi ft. Jordan Rakei - Lose Sleep





22. Olympia - Self Talk





23. Lastlings - Time





24. Babaganouj - Sorry





25. Sia - The Greatest

Top 115 Songs of 2015, #80 - 71

The Weeknd, The Septembers, Tired Lion + Florence and The Machine!

#115 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80. THE HILLS

by The Weeknd





I only call you when it's half past five
The only time that I'll be by your side. 

A little something about me... I don't listen to the radio very much. Sure, I listen to the Hottest 100 on 'Straya Day and B105 Hit 105 in Brisbane have these great R'n'B Fridays that I tune into when I can. Other than that, there's not a lot of radio in my life. It's not because I'm too cool for commercial tunes or anything like that. I'm really not (love you, T-baby Swift!). What I can't stand is the chat from the presenters. Like, the dumbest chat in the world must be on Australian FM radio. Nova is pretty much the Jerry Springer show in the morning. Gross. Anyway, what does this have to do with The Weeknd and 'The Hills'? It means I was a bit late getting around to hearing this one and if I had been listening to literally any radio station I would have heard it. Even the j's are backing the Canadian artist born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. Which also isn't surprising, because they've been doing that for a while now. You can understand the universal appeal 'The Hills' has going for it. It's cooler than cool, the beats are what some would call 'sick' and once it's stuck in your head there's no getting it out. Some of the lyrics are pretty blurgh, but that doesn't take too much away from a song that spent six weeks on top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Weeknd became one of the defining artists of 2015 and 'The Hills' one of the year's most outstanding songs. I only wish I had heard it sooner. (Matt Bond)


Here’s one of those ones I find totally fascinating, because while this one is all drugs and sex and bad decisions and “fucking two bitches ‘fore I saw you”, it’s also been played on high rotation on commercial radio for the last couple of months, right in between Swift and One Direction, who are known more for their fashion choices than their ‘lifestyle’ choices. How does a song like this become so commonly popular, with the same people who would ridicule all these decisions made by The Weeknd should they appear on an episode of their favourite current affairs show? It’s those catchy hip hop beats I guess. I don’t think it’s a concept I’ll ever understand or a question I’ll ever really be able to answer, but what I’d really like to know is, what does your average commercial radio listener think The Weeknd is talking about when he’s “(censored) someone at half past five” or “when I’m (censor)ed up that’s the real me babe”? Suggestions welcome. Your guess is as good as mine.  (Jo Michelmore) 

#79. SHIP TO WRECK

by Florence + The Machine





And oh, my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed. 

The absolute beautiful simplicity of the words of the chorus of Florence and her Machine's second single from How Big How Blue How Beautiful are more than enough for me, but apparently there’s a whole song here I need to write about. It's everything Florence + The Machine have always been; dramatic, sweet, insular, loud and fabulous. Seeing it live only a few weeks ago was a live music highlight of my year and hearing it in my headphones as I write this reminds me of everything I love about everything Florence. And then I hear that chorus again and get a little reflective and get stuck in a Florence-a-thon which isn’t a bad place to get stuck. Except I’ve got 78 other songs to write about yet. Next! (Jo Michelmore)

"What's with the long face, do you want more?" I'll always want to hear more from Florence and her machine. With the release of the LP How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful we found Ms Welch reflecting on some pretty crappy times. Nothing new from one of the UK's biggest music exports. But their was more of a light at the end of the tunnel this time around. It wasn't all dramatic imagery of death, war and the notion that life was slowly dragging our leading lady down. Nope, this time you could actually believe that things were looking up, with the album ending in the most positive fashion yet for Florence + The Machine. For the most part, gone too was the supposedly overbearing (to some, not I) orchestration of Ceremonials. With a more grounded sound, the music became far more relatable and you only have to listen to 'Ship To Wreck' to understand why. A more classic British rock sound with one of the most powerful voices in the world. How you could not love this, I'll never understand. (Matt Bond)

#78. STALLIN'

by Airling





And when you wanna call, don't call
How can you love me from the pay phone? 

At the start of the year, I wasn't expecting the smoothest R'n'B jam to come out of Brisbane, let alone from a young, blonde (occasionally pink) haired singer who goes by the name of Airling. Here at the end of the year I have no hesitation in saying 'Stallin' is just that. It's smooth. So smooth. Smoother than that extra smooth peanut butter I ate too much of over the past twelve months. And that was pretty fucking smooth. If this was the 90s, Airling would be sitting alongside TLC at the top of the charts, maybe even collaborating with them on what would be the greatest slowjam of all time. I'm dying just thinking of it. Anyway, it's only up and up for Airling going forward. If there's a new EP or a debut LP coming in 2016, you know it's going to rock your world. I think I saw an Instagram video of Airling and Thelma Plum doing some writing together. Now if they were to do a song together I may actually die for real. (Matt Bond)


Ah little Airling. How good is she? Not only is she a regular feature of the Instagram account of Thelma Plum’s, she also writes and records some pretty sweet tunes. I saw her at BIGSOUND one year, she was very good and very popular, which makes me wonder why more people don’t know of her glorious sounds. Must be all the self-important types at BIGSOUND, busy looking at themselves and each other instead of the talents of people like Hannah, AKA Airling. The important part here are those beats and Airling’s glorious vocal, the sweet, simple synths and mid-tempo grooves that make you dance in weird ways in the dark. Unless you’re a self-important type. But how good is she? (Jo Michelmore)

#77. HANGING UPSIDE DOWN

by Lime Cordiale





Hang me up the right way
Right way round. 

A couple of songs back I might have said a little something about me not listening to radio. Do you know what would make me listen to the radio a bit more? Hearing songs like 'Hanging Upside Down' getting some play. It's got a great vibe, it's super catchy, you can sing along to it. Are you not entertained? Did you read that in the Gladiator voice? Ten points to you if you did. Lime Cordiale have been churning out hits I'd love to be hearing more over the airwaves and 'Hanging Upside Down' could be their best effort yet. Here's to the Sydney outfit getting the attention they deserve in 2016. I'd even listen to those wankers on the Nova breakfast show if I got to hear more music like this. (Matt Bond) 

#76. WORK

by Saux x The Septembers





And I saw the world, yeah, when my spirit died
I started to cry... 

There’s a comment on the Soundcloud account of Saux x The Septembers that sums up in four words what I’m about to say in 100 or so words. Suave and saucy (no pun intended) the slow groove is a little too catchy to cope with, the vocals as perfect as they get, there’s a sass about this track that is undeniable, it’s a rainy day and a sweet summer afternoon all at once and as that comment said so simply “this is actually brilliant guys”. Yep dear commenter, that exactly. (Jo Michelmore)  

We heard a fair bit from one half of The Septembers throughout 2015. That would be James Chatburn and his slew of excellent jams, slow or otherwise. I was hoping we'd get to hear the gorgeous tones of Donna Arendse too and in a sign that dreams do indeed come true, The Septembers released 'Work', a collaboration with Dutch producer, Saux. Chatburn and Arendse's voices fit so perfectly together, complimenting each other in every aspect. I'm pretty much convinced they could sing anything together and I'd be on board. But they haven't given me a chance to find that out as yet, because everything they've released is 10/10 goodness, with 'Work' being no exception. More. Please and thank you. (Matt Bond) 

#75. MAYFAIR

by Winters End





And I wonder what it's like, when you look into my eyes
You see nothing there at all. 

Sister/brother duo, Winters End are no strangers to our songs of the year countdown. Last year they made the cut with the first song of theirs we heard, 'Walls'. Marissa and Christopher Pinto outdid themselves in 2015 with the single 'Mayfair', a quality track that grows on you more and more with each listen. And you're going to want to listen to it a lot. Marissa's voice stands out with just the right amount of emotion bubbling under the surface, while the rolling drums and guitar lines seal the deal on this song truly being one of the year's best. As a side note, anytime I play Monopoly from now on and get Mayfair and people have to pay me money, I'll sing to them that they're leaving me with no other choice to make. (Matt Bond)


Winters End are made up of a brother sister duo, Chris and Marissa Pinto, which I think is an achievement in itself. My brothers and I have such varying tastes in music I’m not sure what kind of sounds our band would make, should we start a band. It wouldn’t be pretty, I don’t think. And unless either of them have been hiding some secret musical skills from me, it might just be an acapella group. An acapella group that argues more than harmonises. Still, Chris and Marissa seem to have worked something out, this song being some evidence of that. Those drums at the beginning are scarily solid and the surprising vocal of Marissa’s keeps me intrigued the entire way through. Somehow both dramatic and light, Mayfair is such a great piece of music I really hope Winters End keep making music like it so they can appear in our countdown next year, which would then make it countdown appearances three years in a row. (Jo Michelmore)

#74. SUCK

by Tired Lion





Oh, no, I cannot do this without you
Want to suck me up and throw me away. 

Please remind yourself it’s not 1995, that was twenty years ago, but thankfully that's now long enough to make everything that sounded cool then sound cool again now, which means bands like Tired Lion have appeared this year sounding oh so indie and oh so grungy, that one would be forgiven for going to a Tired Lion gig wearing doc martens, a floral skater dress, ripped jeans and flannel checks. Wait. What are the kids wearing these days? Everything that was old is new again, but new in a good way, not new in an “it’s been done before way”. Tired Lion are making their own brand of rock, albeit so very 90s inspired, but they’re very good at it. So much so I’m almost convinced it’s never been done before. (Jo Michelmore)

Perth is a strong contender for being the home of Australia's best emerging rock acts. A hard point to argue when you've got Tired Lion on your team. Sophie Hopes, Matt Tanner, Ethan Darnell and Nick Vasey stormed through 2015 with tracks from their second EP, Figurine. For my money (and I paid for it, so literally for my money) that EP was the best pure rock release of the year. It was the collection of songs I was desperately waiting for, speaking to the person that's still hiding somewhere inside of me that wishes he could have been cool enough to become a rock star like Hopes and the lads. Because they are rock stars, in every single way. After seeing them twice in Brisbane, I can say they 100% do not suck. Or blow. 'Suck' breezes by with blazing guitars and Hopes' contrasting sweet and soaring vocals. Best Australian rock act in 2015? You can't beat Tired Lion. (Matt Bond)

#73. PERFECT PICTURE

by I Know Leopard





Darling I saw you laughing
Never I, was the same. 

I wish hadn’t, but I’ll be honest and say I actually forgot about this little track from Sydney’s I Know Leopard, which is really embarrassing now that I’ve pressed play again and realised how very good they are. It’s just so, incredibly, perfectly happy. They describe themselves as making 70s inspired tunes, but I beg to differ, because the 70s were responsible for Justin Bieber’s parents and look where they've got us. Not everything from the 70s were good. No, I have not jumped on the Bieber loving bandwagon. But I digress. Everything about I Know Leopard is everything Bieber is not. Good. More in 2016 please Leopard friends! Thanking you in advance. (Jo Michelmore)

#72. UNDERFLOW

by Emma Louise





And we miss each other in the dark
Like ships in the night. 

You know just when Matt and I had almost finalised the songs we wanted to appear in this long list of songs, I received a message from Matt that said something along the lines of “people won’t stop releasing amazing music…like, fuck off Emma Louise!” which, you know, was a total compliment to Emma Louise because let’s face it, this song of hers is amazing and couldn’t possibly be ignored in a wrap up of our favourite songs of the year. It’s gloriously obvious, smooth and an exceptional addition to the already impressive catalogue of one of our faves. Don’t fuck off Emma Louise, we like you far too much. (Jo Michelmore)


All of the feels. When you listen to Emma Louise's music, you're going to get all of the feels. We learned this way back when with songs like '1000 Sundowns' and, well, everything on her debut Vs Head Vs Heart. 'Underflow', which previews Louise's sophomore album Supercry (due early 2016) doesn't buck the trend of providing you with an all-inclusive 'feels' delight. It's a tale of love being sent all the way across the seas, with the bulk of the emotional weight resting solely on Emma's stunning voice, which I really wasn't expecting to hear in 2015. It was just *BAM* single dropped, listen and love. Listen and love. What else do I need to say? (Matt Bond)

#71. ONE IN A MILLION

by Jessie Frye





We can't count the stars, but we know
Who we are.

Jessie Frye is one of our favourite people. Not only can she craft a mighty fine pop/rock tune, but we're convinced she's actually a bonafide superhero. If you need something to support that theory, you only need to check out the clip for 'One In A Million'. But back to the crafting of mighty fine tunes bit. 'One In A Million' works its way into your head and refuses to budge. This is a good thing. A very good thing. Frye gets to show off her impressive vocal range, while also playing up her strong pop sensibilities. With any luck, Jessie will be breaking out of Texas over the next year and taking on the world. We already know she's enough of a badass to handle anything the world can throw at her. Again, if you need something to support that theory, check out the clip for 'One In A Million'. Jessie Frye ain't the lady to mess with. (Matt Bond)


Every time she has appeared in our top 25 I remember to think, who is this Jessie Frye and how did Matt even find her? And why hasn’t someone else found her? Like, hello people who play music on radio stations and you over there, this is Jessie Frye! She sings these super catchy part pop, part kind of rock, part kind of awesome songs and she makes words like million sound like mill-yun and it’s super cute and she’s probably one in a million. Sorry, had to do that. But it’s true and I’m hoping she keeps making music so more people start asking; “who is this Jessie Frye?” so I can answer “I have no idea but she’s really, really good.” (Jo Michelmore) 

Like 2015, this countdown is going way too fast. Time flies when you're having fun, right? See you tomorrow for #70 - #61!