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 100 Songs of 2018 - #50 to #41

The Paper Kites, OKENYO, Kendrick Lamar + Emily Wurramara!

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50. PRAY FOR ME

by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar

I'm always ready for a war again

Go down that road again, it's all the same.

Ah, all the films I’m yet to see, all soundtracks I like. I’ll get to the moving images when I stop loving the music so much, which pretty much means never, sorry films. It pretty much wouldn’t be the latter half of this decade without The Weeknd or Kendrik Lamar appearing somewhere in the countdown. In the future they won’t mention these years without mentioning one of these artists, and in years and years to come they’ll be sampled in other songs and the kids will say who was this by and the old people will talk about the way things used to be, and how good films were back in the day and then the kids will be like oy vey, I’m going to listen to The Wknd, pronounced the weekend, because by then we won’t need any e’s in the alphabet anymore. Or something like that. Great song. (Jo Michelmore)

WAKANDA FOREVER! Kendrick Lamar put together an incredible soundtrack for Black Panther aka the highest grossing movie of the year in the United States (beating out the global champ, Avengers: Infinity War). Like an old fashioned superhero team up, Lamar and The Weeknd work their magic on 'Pray For Me', with a fist pumping intro from the latter leading into the former pulling off a verse that features the word fight about a million times. Now that's a heroic feat. (Matt Bond)  

#49. LIKE THEY DO ON THE TV

by Kimbra

I'm older now, but I feel my time

Start to begin.

For any younger readers, I’d like to give you a small history lesson and introduce you to the TV. You see, once long before you watched your favourite shows and things in the palm of your hand while lying in bed/on the train/walking the streets (please be aware of your surroundings young and old readers alike), the moving images used to appear on glass fronted boxes, much like the one that appears in Kimbra’s clip. Who is Kimbra you ask kids? She’s an incredibly talented pop singer who appeared on a song that was super popular all over the world about seven years ago, and now she makes excellent pop songs, just like this one, full and bouncy and fun and imaginative. Her audience may be smaller than it was seven years ago, but we’re a very appreciative one.  (Jo Michelmore)

#48. FLASHES

by The Paper Kites

Wait, you're gonna feel something

You're gonna feel something, one day.

You know what, dear reader? You are going to feel something one day and that day is today or any day you choose to listen to The Paper Kites because they were born in a field of feels and have chosen to share those feels with you through the feel-y magic of song. 'Flashes' will give you all of the feels and that includes feels you didn't even know you could feel. It's a four minute, emotional rollercoaster of feelings that will have you reflecting on all the good times, the bad times, the sad times and those times that are any combination of the thre. If you'd like to have your heart broken and put back together in the most truly amazing way, let this be the soundtrack to get you through it. (Matt Bond)

#47. NGARRIKWUJEYINAMA

by Emily Wurramara

Ngogudlangwa enena Angalya

(We all belong to this land)

As soulful as it is peaceful, Emily Wurramara's 'Ngarrikwujeyinama' is the most beautiful protest song you're ever going to hear. The lead single from Wurramara's incredible debut album, Milyakburra, is performed entirely in the Anindilyakwa language. In her own words, the song, "talks about how we all come from the sea and how it's our duty to protect and cherish her, and the pain we cause when we don't." Originally written as Wurramara's response to seabed mining on Groote Eylandt (off the coast of the Northern Territory), it stands as a pointed reminder that there is both an impact and cost to the way we treat our environment. 'Ngarrikwujeyinama' transcends language barriers in its beauty to ensure the message is certainly not lost in translation. Absolutely stunning work from one of the country's most stunning young artists. (Matt Bond) 

#46. THE MESS WE'RE IN

by The Kite String Tangle

There's beauty in total breakdown

There's life behind each shadow...

So I may have got lost in a PJ Harvey/Thom Yorke time tunnel for a minute there when I first searched for this song, but I’m not going to complain about anyone who takes me to that song of the same name, so thank you TKST. Luckily this version is quite good too, so many layered sounds, so much fullness and a crescendo deserving of a soundtrack to a dramatic scene in a Netflix series, it’s very easy to get lost in the world of Danny Harley. I’ve still not figured out the difference between an album and a mini album, but whatever he likes to call it, I’m happy to listen when the music is this easy to get involved in. (Jo Michelmore)

#45. GET OUT

by Chvrches

I left myself behind

Never knowing what I wanted.

We clearly like all the music that’s appeared in this countdown, but I feel like I should just set the tone for a minute here and let anyone reading know that I love this band and you’re only going to get words that glow about them from me, so get out if you’re not a fan. Well don’t really, but just accept my bias now and we’ll be friends. It’s just so freakin contagious, it only took one listen before I was chanting “get out, get out, get get out of here…” and it only took two listens before I wanted to do that weird arm dancing that the best electronic music causes. Chvrches are a band I go to when I need to get happy/angry/sad/excited and all of the others. And that’s why they’re so freakin good. (Jo Michelmore)

#44. ARMS

by The Paper Kites

What can I give that is all for you?

These arms are all I have.   

"But I'll hold you like I do love you." Creating a bittersweet sound is nothing new for The Paper Kites. They've been doing it from the first and I hope they do it until the last, which I'm wanting to be a long, long way off. Because when they can make a song like 'Arms', a song that can be interpreted a hundred way and dissected word by word for the true meaning behind what Sam Bentley is singing, you're never going to want to stop listening. From the nineteen songs released across two albums in 2018, it's hard to pick a favourite, but 'Arms' was the song I came back to the most. Perfectly crafted and performed in every single way. (Matt Bond)

#43. ISO

by OKENYO

Looking for the light, now I found it

I think I'll stay and shout it out loud.

OKENYO showed no signs of slowing down the development of her sound this year, pushing it further and further with the release of The Wave EP. Songs like 'Iso' felt incredibly fresh in the way they blended R'n'B/pop and electronic influences into something addictive, exciting and unlike anything else you would be likely to here out there in the music world right now. The way 'Iso' builds up from a tender mystery into an explosive jam when OKENYO finds that illusive light she's searching for provides one of the finest music experiences of 2018. (Matt Bond)

#42. FIGHTING

by Machine Age

Don't want to be here breaking apart

Until I know what I'm fighting for.

I always love the bedroom production sounds of Machine Age and his ability to experiment with his sound, even though he probably makes his music somewhere much more exciting than his bedroom. Who am I to say how exciting his bedroom is? This has gone somewhere I wasn’t planning to go. Good song. Moving on. (Jo Michelmore)

Brisbane's own Machine Age, the Adrian Mauro-led electronic/indie outfit has been drip-feeding us their musical brilliance at the rate of approximately one song a year since 2015. 'Chivalry', 'Don't Look' and now 'Fighting' have all shown slightly different sides of Machine Age, all have been top notch and all have left us wanting to hear a whole album of songs just like them so... all we want for Christmas is news of a Machine Age album that's coming in 2019. We've been pretty/fairly/sort of good this year so can someone (namely Machine Age) make this happen please? 'Fighting' offers the first big singalong chorus from Machine Age that will have you screaming along to Mauro not wanting to be heeeeeere anymore and we want to be screaming along to more and more from Machine Age real soon. If you get a chance, check out the Unplugged clip too, because that Mauro fella can sing yeah? Yeah. (Matt Bond)

#41. SINK IN

by Amy Shark

That I'm weighed down by your beautiful

Collapsing underneath your perfect.

I probably should have seen that Love, Simon film considering how much I like so many of the songs on the soundtrack, but if I saw all the films that had all the good soundtracks, how would I ever get the time to listen to all the soundtracks? Now answer that riddle for me. Another riddle; how does Amy Shark always make creepy kinda stalky lyrics sound so sweet and relatable? “Everywhere I go I’m reminded of you, like the bed, the bathroom floor the bar downstairs at 2am” I guess it’s because she tells the truths that are so familiar, and yes, sometimes the floor has reminded me of someone which maybe says more about me or that person than the floor itself, but there’s something really creepy about saying that but really engaging about actually admitting that to music. Mix those thoughts in with words about being weighed down by someone’s beautiful and you got that sweet balance of creepy and kind. She does it so well, and that’s a sincere compliment. (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)

                   

Top 117 Songs of 2017 - #40 to #31

#117 to #101

#100 to #91

#90 to #81

#80 to #71

#70 to #61

#60 to #51

#50 to #41

#40. WOMAN'S WORLD

by OKENYO

 


Wear my heels not to appeal to your senses

I'm not covered up because you're senseless, they can put that shit on the census.

The amount of lyrics that jump out in this song like I could have written them myself is amazing. "You can call me feminazi, go ahead and call me nasty" well that's happened more than once or twice, "wear my heels not to appeal to your senses" well I'm certainly not putting myself through that pain of for anyone else, ain't that the truth...and the words they just go on and on. You put them over a hip hop beat, you match them with a stunning and simply shot clip, and there you have an anthem of sorts, with a powerful message. I guess because it feels like it's true "I'm a very busy woman with a lot on my plate so you better eat it up before I take it away..." (Jo Michelmore) 

#39. HEY LOVE

by Emily Wurramara

 


But the winds will guide you back

To mother, to mother, to mother.

We already knew what a beautiful talent Emily Wurramara has, with songs from last year like 'Black Smoke' and 'Blue Moon, Black Sea' earning the Brisbane-based artist critical praise and the support of triple J. We loved the warmth and positive vibes that radiated from 'Black Smoke' so much, we named it the #1 song in last year's countdown. In 2017, Wurramara grew even more as a songwriter by bringing a voice to the racial and physical abuse her mother endured as a child simply for having a full blood Aboriginal mother. Wurramara has the voice of a true storyteller and her performance throughout 'Hey Love' commands your attention with evocative lines like, "her mum was the skin of the blanket of the night, the stars were inside her so she could follow the light back home to where she belong." Another powerful addition to Emily Wurramara's collection of tracks. We can't wait to hear more from one of our favourite emerging artists and we also wish her all the best and all of the happiness for next year as she welcomes her first bub into the world! (Matt Bond)  

#38. WHAT CAN I DO IF THE FIRE GOES OUT?

by Gang of Youths

 


Can you still show me the way? Can you still show me a light?

'Cause I was only a kid when I fell and you left me behind.

There is a certain kind of controlled mania in those first few notes of 'What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out' that seems to be the perfect musical description of exactly the way I feel about this band. Those quickfire drums echoing my heartbeat and the intense high pitched melodies matching the feelings of happiness and melancholy and recognition and acceptance in my stomach whenever I hear their tones. This is a rock anthem, a combination of desperation and acceptance, a tale of acknowledgement and defeat, a story of bittersweet that these five boys from all over the world tell so well, over and over again. It amazes me that this is a band of boys in their 20s, because within their songs lies a maturity much older and wiser, but I guess that's part of the magic of music. I think I recall hearing one of them recently say they believed in the power of rock n roll, and it's questioning but confident songs like this one that make me still believe in that power too. (Jo Michelmore)

#37. LOVE

by Lana Del Rey

 


You're part of the past, but now you're the future

Signals crossing can get confusing.

Lana Del Rey will always be an artist that exists in a romantically melancholic world. Gestures of commitment have been defined by a willingness to die for the one she loves, questions of fidelity as she ages and her looks fade have been raised and she's prone to getting those summertime blues when her paramour goes away for like a weekend or something. But those are all exaggerated stories, a bit of drama... great for a song, but once you're over say the age of nineteen you might be able to appreciate the tales, but you can hardly relate to them. If I told someone they were my 'ride or die', I imagine we'd both laugh and laugh and then never be able to see each other again. We wouldn't want Lana Del Rey any other way than how she's been thus far, but you might have noticed something a little different throughout this Lust for Life era. She's happy. As genuinely happy as I think she'll be able to sound on a record. Perhaps it's because she's in love, but I don't know what gave that away... maybe the lead single being called 'Love'? Reflecting, offering advice and saying love really can be enough. And she's smiling. The incredible cinematography in the video is the icing on the cake for one of LDR's best singles yet. (Matt Bond)  

#36. CILANTRO

by Tired Lion

 


Should of asked you, should of asked you to

Should of asked you to come clean.

Tired Lion more than delivered with their debut album Dumb Days.  They've continuously improved since arriving on the scene in 2013 and I doubt anyone would be disputing the fact they're now one of the best rock outfits in the country. And if you find someone that does dispute that, you just play them 'Cilantro' and then tell them to run away and never return, like you're Scar in The Lion King, but you're totally justified and not evil. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to why the track is called 'Cilantro', but something about it fits. Maybe it's got something to do with a lot of people really hating coriander or cilantro or whatever you want to call it. It makes people angry and Sophie Hopes is fueling her rage on the track into that epic chorus. As a unit, Tired Lion work so well together that you'll find yourself picking up on so many little things they're doing throughout 'Cilantro' that add up to it being one of their best tracks yet. Was it the best song on Dumb Days? I don't know... maybe we'll see them show up again sometime soon. I do know though. They're showing up again. (Matt Bond)


Tired Lion are a band that make song after song that make me say "YES" in caps with each and every release. Like, it doesn't even matter what the lyrical content is, every dirty guitar and every manic beat makes me wish I was 17 and angry again, which is weird because I didn't particularly enjoy 17 anyway. Oh screw it, it can't be denied, there'll always be a part of me that relates far too well to that line "happy when I'm fucking up..." which means as long as Tired Lion keep writing about such things, I'll keep listening. (Jo Michelmore)
 

#35. I'LL NEVER WANT A BF

by Bec Sandridge

 


I'll never have a boyfriend

Just because you think I should, Just because you think I will...

Same, Bec Sandridge. Same. But enough about me and my troubles, we should be talking about the infectious sounds of Bec Sandridge's 'I'll Never Want A BF'. The timing couldn't have been better for the release of this one, given that it sends a strong message about someone accepting who they are and not taking shit from those around them anymore because of it. I don't even have to imagine, I know it was something that a lot of LGBTI people needed to hear during the same sex marriage postal vote process. I like to think there were some kids (anyone younger than me is a kid) in Australia that turned on triple J in October and heard this song being played and smiled and danced and sang along and forgot how crappy thing can be, if even for a three and a half minute period. Thank you for that, Bec Sandridge. Also, boys are the worst and you're missing out on nothing. (Matt Bond)



Damn right Bec. Who actually wants one? Like seriously, regardless of who you like in life, how much effort are BFs anyway? As much as GFs, I suspect. Enough about my life though. Bec Sandridge's sense of theatre, her ability to flip and turn and spin her voice like vocal gymnastics is enough to love, let alone her ability to to make beats and synths that make me wanna bounce, but her absolute sense of self-assurance was and is the best; especially at a time when lots of people in the country I live in needed someone to say something, anything about being ok with being themselves. And back to my original point anyway. No one want a BF. They're boring.  (Jo Michelmore) 

#34. GROW

by Mark Harding

 


I'm not the man, that I could be

I wish I'd had someone here to break it to me.

If you're adverse to feeling all of the feelings, it's probably best you avoid listening to 'Grow'. Let me tell you though, if you skip over this one you are missing out my friend. Mark Harding has crafted something so pure and honest and absolutely perfect that you can't help but be moved by it. The choral flourishes (not sure if that's the actual term) against the guitar line are a nice touch, leading into Harding's opening lines, "fly through days in seconds, things I thought I'd have done." The emotional hits keep coming from there, as Harding takes a hard look at his life and realises there's so much more he had wanted for himself. It's a position many of us would have found ourselves in over the years, especially in those after school or university when life it at its most uncertain. What are you going to do with your life? Will this make you happy? Do you follow your head or your heart? On his best track yet, Mark Harding chooses the path that allows him to grow as a person. Bravo, Mark Harding. (Matt Bond) 

There was a time a few years back when someone was promoting bands and musicians playing gigs in cathedrals and churches, because, well, it was kind of cute I guess and let's face it, because acoustics. I saw someone once in such a venue. The start of Mark Harding's 'Grow' reminded me of that gig, with those voices almost chanting at the beginning and the simple, humble lyrics seemingly at home in a place of worship. If he keeps writing and releasing songs like this one, I'll be worshipping Mark Harding's talent for a long while yet. (Jo Michelmore) 

#33. OCEANS

by Vallis Alps

 


In the desert I will carry you

 I'll carry you and I'll carry you.

Making a statement in the form of shimmering electronic pop is something Vallis Alps should do all the time if it's going to result in brilliance like 'Oceans'. Envisaged as a track about "the daily sacrifices that women make in the fight for equality," and inspired by Tahirih, a 19th century campaigner for women's rights in Iran, 'Oceans' should be celebrated just as much for the message within as it is for Parissa Tosif's heartwarming vocal tones and David Ansari's party starting beats. It feels like the summer, like you should be in the car and on your way to the beach or dancing by the pool. But there's so much more to 'Oceans' underneath the surface... just like the actual ocean and if I was a better writer I'd be making something awesome out of that revelation. Another missed opportunity for me, another mighty fine song from Vallis Alps. (Matt Bond)

#32. TWO HEARTS

by Phebe Starr

 


Our lives entangled through time

With one desire.

Phebe Starr continues to astound and amaze with her brand of larger than life and out of this world pop. In 2017, Starr released the Chronicles EP, comprised of six tracks that showcase all that she has to offer the musical world. You should already know the explosive first single, 'Feel My Love' (#17 - Top 116 Songs of 2016). Hopefully you've already fallen in love with the follow-up, 'Two Hearts'. If not, get on board. Right now. Listen and love. Because this is epic super-pop that should be dominating the Australian airwaves and then the rest of the world and then the galaxy. Written as a take on Starr's self-doubt (nope, this is not a love song folks) and the internal battles she goes through as she creates her art, 'Two Hearts' nails it in every aspect. The writing, the performance the build to the final chorus... how is this not the number one song in the country right now? Please explain. (Matt Bond)


Ohmygoodness from the very first note this makes me happy. The synths and the beats, it takes me straight back to a time when I was much shorter than I am now, sitting in the backseat of my parents car while my Dad is tapping away on the steering wheel and I am staring out the window; imagining myself on stage with a bevy of back up singers, a band all dressed in well fitting pants, with a whole lot of spotlights and pyrotechnics. I'm not sure why my band are wearing such well fitting pants, but it was my childhood dream. The fact that Phebe Starr has written a song that immediately takes me back to my dreams of filling a stadium of fans means my Dad listened to great music when I was a child, and Phebe Starr has a way of making big 80s inspired pop music filled with big dreams, big vocals and big beats. (Jo Michelmore) 

#31. LOW BLOWS

by Meg Mac

 


You see I don't like it

Don't wanna be anyone again.

I heard my neighbour recently telling his teenage daughter he had a new favourite song by "some girl named Meg Mac, you should go Spotify it" to which I heard his daughter kind of grunt, then mutter "Daaaaaad" under her breath, which kind of made me smile, because Meg Mac has really swung full circle since her first upload to JJJ's unearthed almost five years ago, and now people are 'Spotifying' her (not an actual verb, by the way, for those interested) and uninteresting teenagers are rolling their eyes about her. 'Low Blows'; the title track from her debut album, is a bluesy, poppy track that sucks you in with her always soulful vocal and spits you out with it's punchy rhythm. It also has an incredible way of making it's way into and around and around your head, which might be just what my neighbour's daughter needs. (Jo Michelmore)