Top 100 Songs of 2018 - #30 to #21

Courtney Barnett, Kimbra, Liza Anne + JOY.!

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40 - #31

#30. LOVELY

by Billie Eilish and Khalid

Tear me to pieces, skin to bone

Hello, welcome home.

Isn't it lovely? Well... yeah. It's so lovely that Billie Eilish and Khalid's 'Lovely' is the pop collaboration of the year. From the simple piano and strings introduction, the song welcomes first Eilish and then Khalid. From the first chorus, we find their voices circling and complimenting each other, with Eilish's ethereal and haunting tones sitting perfectly alongside those of Khalid. Both the song and the video tackle the inability to get out from under, so to speak, for those battling depression. You don't even need the video for that to be made clear, but the beautifully shot clip captures the idea of being trapped in your own head in an exceptional way. If you're lucky enough to be heading to Florence + The Machine's Australian tour next month, you'll get to see Billie Eilish performing as support. Since that's going to be oh so lovely, you'd better make sure you're getting there early to enjoy all that she has to offer. (Matt Bond)

#29. HUNGER

by Florence + The Machine

Tell me what you need, oh, you look so free

The way you use your body, baby, come on and work it for me.

I read something Florence Welch said, where she said something like; “Sometimes when you can’t say it, you can sing it”. Which is interesting, because here is this song, making all the sounds, saying all the words about filling one’s life with things in the search for the ultimate things, Florence doing that in her own way, but something which we all do in our own ways, consciously or not, every minute of every day, in an attempt to make sense of it all. Which brings me to here, writing all the words about all the songs, for reasons only Florence is strong enough to sing about. (Jo Michelmore)

#28. NAMELESS, FACELESS

by Courtney Barnett

I'm real sorry

'Bout whatever happened to you.

I think we've covered a couple of times on here that we can't wrap our heads around what is it about Courtney Barnett that ignites such a rage in a particular group of listeners over at triple J. So we're not going to look at that. I'm also not going to preach to you about things like statistics, online trolls and violence against women. These are all things that Courtney Barnett addresses in a superb way throughout 'Nameless Faceless.' Instead, I'd like you to listen to the song and read some articles: Eurydice Dixon and the myth of women "being careful"
'Disturbing Details About The Incel Community And Their Warped View Of The World'
We really need to do something about making the world a better place for everyone. Because when a show like The Handmaid's Tale seems more like reality than fantasy, there's something very, very wrong. (Matt Bond)

#27. I'M TIRED, YOU'RE LONELY

by Liza Anne

And if I was a softer person, I could give you the kindness you are deserving

But I'm not and maybe that's just it.

Has a song ever made you feel a bit sick? Not in a 'Blurred Lines' or Charlie Puth/Meghan Trainor 'Marvin Gaye' kind of way. More in a 'this is all just a little too real right now' kind of way. As in, the song is playing and Liza Anne is singing about looking at who's calling on her phone and she just lets it ring out and you're looking at your phone at that exact same moment as it's ringing and you know you're not going to answer it because of who's calling. It's not Liza Anne calling, but if it was I would be answering and be all like, "same, Liza Anne. Same. Big mood. Yeah I don't really know what that means either." And we'd laugh and laugh and be best friends forever. Liza Anne, call me. (Matt Bond)   

#26. LABRADOR

by WAAX

You must be high if you think that you're gettin' ahead

No, it never begins, no, it never begins.

I’m fairly certain I’ve driven through Labrador once or twice, but I couldn’t tell you much about it. WAAX’s Marie DeVita spent a bit of time there and her ode to the old Labrador days speaks volumes to what I’ve been told about the Gold Coast destination. I believe the words shit and hole might have been used in describing it, but my memory isn’t what it used to be for I am old now. I wouldn’t use the words shit or hole to describe WAAX’s ‘Labrador’.  For the former I’d use whatever the exact opposite word is and for the latter I’d add a ‘w’ at the start and say it’s a whole lot of fucking awesome, subdued disdain and rage from WAAX on a song that’s going to get stuck in your head whether you like it or not. And why wouldn’t you want it to? Are you from Labrador or something? (Matt Bond)  


I’m just so all about WAAX. They never fail to deliver all things I love. Loud, dirty classic guitar riffs, drums pleading to be smashed and bounced around to, basslines that make you wanna mix with all the treble and bass in your speakers, vocals that demand listening to and a lyric straight outta my own head, or someone else’s, or my own again, in this case. One note and suddenly I’m twenty one again and not happy with the world, or myself, or the world, and it’s taken a few years but WAAX make me feel happy about feeling unhappy then and happy now. Whoever ‘they’ were, they were right all along then, WAAX, but then you wrote the song and proved them wrong. It’s not just in your head, now you are more. (Jo Michelmore)

#25. CHANGE

by JOY.

I keep running back to you, I don't know what for

I just cannot seem to find my peace.

There’s some power in acknowledgment of the fact that sometimes one isn’t going to feel great about someone or something else, and there’s real power in admitting one’s need to feel despair. I’m sure there’s a million self help books about that exact topic, but my self help routine always involves music, which brings me to JOY and that lyric; “these books I read don’t have the answers I need”. They rarely do, but music so often does, like this one; a stunning song, a stunning clip, and such a beautiful low tempo ode to melancholy. (Jo Michelmore)

 

#24. MOLOTOV

by Kira Puru

 Rolling through the front door six drinks in

Point me at the dancefloor, throw me in.

I (almost) didn’t want to write words about this song, because I knew once I hit play it was going to be another couple of days of “m m m m m molotov” and while I really don’t mind singing about Soviet statesmen and nasty (amazing) cocktails, I’m not sure my housemates and work colleagues are as appreciative. It’s one of those songs though, once it’s heard it ain’t leaving and by the time it leaves you’re pretty much ready to hear it again, and so on and so forth and the vicious cycle begins and ends. Also, one of my favourite lyrics of the year/ever; “I can’t find a fuck to give...” because so often. Yes, so, so often. Kira Puru, so strong, secure, bold, beautiful, brave; she’s had my heart for such a long time now, I couldn’t be happier that this song and this year finally had her placed into so many more hearts as well. (Jo Michelmore)

#23. SANCTIFY

by Years and Years

So don't break

Sanctify my body with pain.

If you google the word sanctify alone, you run the risk of coming up with all sorts of religious links and pages, which is fine if that’s your thing, and have a nice day, but if you’re looking for the song, maybe follow that Sanctify with Years & Years, or you’ll be spending that much time trying to get out of an internet black hole of judgement. If you google Sanctify plus Years & Years, you end up with some sweet beats, a whole lot of manically choreographed incredible movement, a feeling of old school pop with a hint of rnb updated and some powerful lyrics with a killer vocal track, and that’s much more my kind of religion. (Jo Michelmore)

#22. LIGHTYEARS

by Kimbra

As long as we're together

We could go wherever you like.

How do you digest an album when you first get it? Hopefully you don’t actually eat it, if you’re still on the physical form of albums and continue to resist the digital age. Me, I do a quick listen to the start of songs that haven’t already been released as promo or singles. It’s like slightly spoiling yourself on what’s to come. Anyway, when I downloaded (I did join the digital age FYI) our lady love Kimbra’s third album Primal Heart I was scanning through those unheard songs and I got to the third one (the album’s seventh track) and it was so good I forgot about that whole quick scan thing and listened to it in full and then I listened to it again. And again. And again and again and again. If you haven’t figured out how this whole countdown thing works yet, the song I’m talking about it ‘Lightyears.’ I’m here for the imagery created by the opening lines, for the explosion of energy and joy that comes with the chorus and I’m always going to be here for the musical wonder that is Kimbra Johnson. (Matt Bond)

#21. MIRACLE

by Chvrches

Ask me no questions, I will tell you no lies

I'm not asking for a miracle.

Chavurches, how I love you so. And if you’ve read through a couple of these posts you’d know I also love a good build throughout a song. You know, it starts off a bit slow... the focus on the singer and the words. Then more and more elements slowly get added until the music unleashes about halfway through and then it’s on, oh is it on, and you know you’re going to have to go back and pick up on all those little pieces of the puzzle that you missed. That’s when you know you’ve got a good build. Chvrches mastered the build a long time ago, but on ‘Miracle’ they owned it. (Matt Bond)


I hear all the things I love about the group that are probably my favourite electronic outfit; I hear the familiar delirious keys of Martin Doherty and I hear that strong stamp of Iain Cooks in production, I hear all the customary boldness in Lauren Mayberry’s vocal; but it wasn’t until I realised where the influence came from that I knew why I loved it so much; it’s the harshness of a 90s kind of influence, a feeling of full with an overpowering wall of sound that’s makes it so satisfying, bursting with confidence and demanding to be heard. I’m taking back my first sentence. Not probably my favourite electronic outfit – ARE my favourite electronic outfit. (Jo Michelmore)

                 

Top 100 Songs of 2018 - #70 to #61

The Kite String Tangle, Florence + The Machine and Amy Shark!

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70. COUCH

by Eves Karydas

Something tonight makes me ambitious.

The artist formerly known as Hannah Karydas/Eves/Eves The Behaviour and currently known as Eves Karydas had a huge 2018, culminating in the release of her debut album Summerskin. The album stands as one of the finest of the year, with huge pop hooks and electronic jams from one of Australia's brightest exports. 'Couch' was the second single to be lifted from Summerskin and it's ready made for the Netflix and Chill generation... sleek, sexy and there's a couch involved and that's where we all do our best TV watching, yes? Netflix and Chill is about TV watching, yes? As someone that's spent an unhealthy amount of time on the couch watching what seems like every television show ever created, 'Couch' really spoke to me in 2018. Seriously though, 'Couch' is a lot of fun and it's not even the best track on the album... we'll come to that a little bit later. (Matt Bond)

#69. PANIC ATTACK

by Liza Anne

I never learned to pull myself

Out of my own damn head.

I don't know why, but I somehow convinced myself that Liza Anne was from Melbourne, but she's actually from Saint Simons Island, Georgia in the USA. Maybe there's something about her incredibly relatable lyrics that makes it as if Anne could be your next door neighbour or the rocking Aussie indie vibes that made me think this... but I'm wrong (shocker, right?) and I'm sure Saint Simons Island is lovely and will have to visit one day. Anyway, the first time I heard 'Panic Attack' I was in love with all things Liza Anne and had this song on repeat for a long, long time. I'm still going back to it regularly because, even though it feels like even the listener is about to be visited by that old friend anxiety, the music is still incredibly inviting and Anne's voice is something else. Fine But Dying, the brilliant album that 'Panic Attack' comes from, sees Liza Anne tackling her emotional and physical issues head on (in this instance, panic disorders) with incredibly nuanced results. (Matt Bond)

Admittedly, I know very little about Liza Anne, but I do know that very few songs have to ability to speak in ways like they understand you, because they find a place in your head that doesn’t get visited that often, thankfully. But there’s a set of chords and a series of words in this song that does all of those things; their simplicity hiding a deceptively complex process; “This feels like a hot summer night, in a turtleneck, I think I wanna die, but I guess I know I’m fine…” and you’ll know if you know what that means, that you’ll love this song when hearing those subtle words. And here’s kind of hoping you don’t understand. In the nicest way possible. (Jo Michelmore)

#68. DON'T TURN AROUND

by Amy Shark

You just never know, we might dance slow

At somebody's wedding that we used to know.

As I write these words, Amy Shark has just won a bunch of ARIA’s, so it seems kinda silly for me to be sitting in my lounge writing a few words when she clearly has the adoration of a nation beside Matt and myself, but it’s just really nice to know that sometimes dreams do come true, and watching Amy Shark’s dreams unfold has been an absolute delight. On a slightly different topic, note to self; do not enter into a relationship with Amy Shark should the opportunity arise, because one is bound to become the subject of a popular song. Just saying. (Jo Michelmore)

#67. 20/20

by OKENYO

Back to the love we had, I'd do it all again

I'd do it all again.

I’ve got such a dream that one day I’ll randomly switch the ol' telly over to ABC Kids and find (Zindzi) Okenyo on the ol' Playshool, throwing down some old school nasty beats for the kids, rapping in amongst the cardboard creatures, crepe paper streamers and Jemima. I’m sure Jemima likes some hip hop beats.  Not to mention Humpty. But I digress. 20/20 is both sweet pop and superb hip hop and an indication that Okenyo isn’t going to be able to be one of those old school PlaySchool hosts who spent a hundred years hanging out with those toys, because she’s got some old school new school incredible hip hop to be working on too. (Jo Michelmore)

#66. FEELING YOU

by Harrison Storm

I won't let you go

Believe it, I mean it.

Why haven't I been hearing this all over every radio station the past couple of months? What's that all about? There's universal appear in Harrison Storm's 'Feeling You' that should have it on the j's, the Nova's and the 4KQ's (or AM equivalent to wherever you find yourself). Storm has never sounded better than right here and now and I'm pretty sure everyone, with the exception of the seven people that have down-voted the video, will love this from the first listen. So if you haven't already, go and listen to 'Feeling You' and continue to stream it, buy it, request it on the radio... do whatever you gotta do to get this one out there. (Matt Bond)

What a set of ten songs. Two songs by a Shark and one by a Storm, I’m really, really hoping that’s his real name. Like, he was destined to become an artist in some form or other, and with those falsetto notes in 'Feeling You' it’s pretty obvious he had to sing. I’ve got a lot of songs to write about and I can’t google all of them, but if you find out what his real name is, don’t tell me. I like to think he’s a singer by day, some kind of superhero at night. Meanwhile, super good song. (Jo Michelmore)

#65. SKY FULL OF SONG

by Florence + The Machine

From what I've seen so far

The good ones always seem to break.

Us mere mortals continue to be unworthy of the goddess that is Florence Welch. Here's some supporting evidence from the YouTube comments section of 'Sky Full of Song' - "She's a real life siren. I could drown and die in her voice and I wouldn't fight it." "Jesus christ I just had a soul out of body experience. Wow." "After listening to this I just realised that I haven't felt an emotional connection to a song for so long. This just made me feel things again." See... an ACTUAL goddess that is healing people while also possibly luring them to their deaths. Are you not entertained?! 'Sky Full of Song' introduces us to the High As Hope era for Florence + The Machine and found the artist and band at their most stripped back and vulnerable. It's still as perfect as what's come before, but there's even more focus on Welch's voice, arguably the best in the business, and there's not a single thing wrong about that. (Matt Bond)

#64. ENNUI AND ME

by The Kite String Tangle

So you run for cover, cover up your tracks

Until you can find yourself another, with a better pain.

There’s a line in this song, repeated; “You put yourself through hell, just to feel alive, just to feel alive…” which poses interesting philosophical questions, regarding something about what price happiness, is delight worth pain, is to feel alive to feel anything or something or is the feeling of nothing a feeling in itself etc. etc. etc, but when The Kite String Tangle repeats such lines; the sound of strings pushing along the beats, the words floating around, you can’t help but be taken to other places in your mind where everything is peaceful and the questions take over. Taken from his mini-album; The Kite String Tangle Presents: In A Desperate Moment, I can’t help but listen and ask all the (un)important questions…what makes a mini album a mini album and not an EP? What is human existence? Do eleven tracks make a mini album or a major album? What's the real difference? Will anyone other than Matt read these words? (Jo Michelmore)

#63. TAKE IT TO THE HEART

by Odette

I got nothing but power, I'll strike you like lightning.

Breaking out in a massive way in 2018, Odette delivered unto us one of our favourite new voices of the year and a sound that won't be denied. 'Take It To The Heart' can be found on Odette's debut album, To A Stranger, a must-listen for fans of... well music. Because no matter what your musical inclinations are, songs like 'Take It To The Heart' are so easy to get behind. Let is wash over you, get those toes tapping and enjoy the ride that Odette takes you on for just a little over three and a half minutes. Then hit repeat and do it all over again. (Matt Bond) 


I’ve got no idea what the kids are listening to these days, so the first time I heard Odette was actually her Like A Version cover of Gang Of Youths ‘Magnolia’, which was quite lovely, should you wish to youtube that. Also lovely is the sweet, sweet pop that Odette does a lot of, apparently. Ah the things you learn on your phone. Her debut album, To A Stranger is filled with piano, strings and vulnerable lyrics and this one’s got all of those as well as the beats that make you wanna move away from said phone and dance. Just hit that ‘+ADD’ button on your preferred streaming service before you put the phone down. You won’t regret that. (Jo Michelmore)

#62. SATELLITE

by Dustin Tebbutt

I'm a satellite for a fading fire

I'm a satellite for you.

You know, technically a satellite is an artificial body orbiting to collect information, which means the lyrics stating “I’m a satellite for a fading fire, I’m a satellite for you” suggests Dustin Tebbutt is either a little bit stalky, or a little bit sweet.  Let’s go with the former and assume the best, because the uncomplicated, beautiful sounds that are Dustin Tebbutt deserve to be circling the whole earth like those satellites we speak of. (Jo Michelmore)

#61. I SAID HI

by Amy Shark

And I lie awake, thinking what's it gonna take

For my moment to arrive, so sick and paralyzed.

Given just how popular Amy Shark has truly become over the past year, I don't think it's necessary to cover the journey she's taken to get to where she is now. Or that 'I Said Hi' must feel like the most perfect, passive-aggressive fuck you to anyone in the industry that never gave her a chance to get there sooner. Or that seeing Shark living her dream now gives hope to a whole bunch or artists that might have felt like they're never going to get a chance at all once they find themselves waving their twenties goodbye. Instead, let's just put on 'I Said Hi', celebrate all things Amy Shark and say "hi" to everyone we've ever wanted to say "hi" too. Hint: "hi" is code for fuck you right now, k? (Matt Bond)