Top 116 Songs of 2016, #80 - 71

#116 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80. INDIGO CLUB

by The Montreals





I don't want you to see what I've done...

'Lo-Fi' grabbed our attention, but it was 'Indigo Club' that really made us stop and take notice of The Montreals. Representing (r)Adelaide in the indie music stakes I just made up in my mind, The Montreals do the city of churches proud with huge hooks and summery rock vibes. I don't know much else about Adelaide except the 'rad' and churches thing, but I want to know a lot more about The Montreals. (Matt Bond)  

#79. SELF TALK

by Olympia





In the night, you drive, taking in, it all
When you talk, to her, lonely hearts, will call. 

I was alive in the 80s, but I don't really remember any of them. If the 80s were my time, I would have been all shoulder pads and bigger than you hair and pink stilettos and electric blue drinks and I would have had some kind of glamorous job and a sports car with a mobile phone as big as a house and I would have listened to synth laden pop songs like 'Self Talk' while living my fast life and people would have thought I was so fabulous and so successful, but after it was all done they'd hear the words of the songs I was listening to and suddenly it would all make sense. "There's just self talk...when all you want is love". It's not the 80s, but Olympia makes the visit there an awesome experience. (Jo Michelmore) 

Olympia put on one of our favourite sets at BIGSOUND and 'Self Talk' was one of the live highlights. Which makes sense, it's one of the highlights on the debut album of the same name. The music is infectious (in a good way, not an itchy bits way), easily winning 'automatic replay' status for its 80s charms and Olympia's equally detached and inviting vocal quality. I don't know exactly what it is about the lyrics that makes me curious about the way Olympia's Olivia Bartley sees the world, but I'd be fascinated to see things the way she does. When your writing's this good, you're seeing things the rest of us might be missing. Luckily for us, we get the benefits of listening to music of this quality. (Matt Bond)    

#78. BEFORE, I AM

by The Belligerents





Take my hand and pull my heart
Don't be mad, I'm all you've got

2016 was like a coming out party for The Belligerents. Yes, just like debutantes of days gone by or teen dramas of today, The Belligerents stepped out into the world as the band they were meant to become. They've gone from Brisbane rockers to a band that can step onto any stage in the world and kill it. Which is hopefully what the near future's going to bring them; more stages to play on in more parts of the world. Because the music they released this year is ridiculously good. 'Before, I Am' is an exotic riot that will leave you tapping, humming and singing along until you find yourself wanting to jump around and scream along to your new favourite song. It must be time for a full album from these guys. (Matt Bond) 


To be belligerent, one would probably need to be fairly hostile and almost aggressive, so the name of this band has always amused me, because their brand of rock isn't anywhere near offensive, but it is good. I'll be honest and say I'm not even sure what all the lyrics really are, because I'm so caught up in the manic guitars and the quick drumbeat that I've got no time to be worried about belligerence. I have got time for some head nods though, of which there are a lot required in this track. Before I am belligerent, I am a big fan. (Jo Michelmore) 

#77. SWEET RELIEF

by Kimbra





You know I want skin to skin
So gimme that sweet relief.

Matt messaged me one afternoon this year with the news Kimbra had dropped a surprise track and a message saying something along the lines of "WTF?" because Kimbra was pretty much the last person we were expecting a track from that day. Any day really. Therefore, it turned into a good afternoon with the sound of 'Sweet Relief' as a constant reminder of who Kimra was, who she is and all the places she has to go. We'll always have a sweet spot for Kimbra and this track was such a nice way to remind us not to forget her talent while she prepares us for all the awesome to come. (Jo Michelmore)

Kimbra is ready to make it a night, to remember, from January, to December. I can't be the only one getting those vibes from 'Sweet Relief', right? Maybe not in the words of a Bryan Adams song, but you're definitely getting what Kimbra's getting at here. She wants to talk about all the good things and the bad things life can bring, she wants to talk about... getting that sweet relief. Released as something to satisfy any hunger for new material as she heads into the studio once more, 'Sweet Relief' was an unexpected Kimbra release that was greatly appreciated all the same. It's a musical fit for the brilliant era that was The Golden Echo and will likely bridge the gap to however Kimbra reinvents herself for her next album. You already know it's going to be brilliant. You already know it's going to give us all that sweet relief. (Matt Bond)  

#76. GET MY BANG

by Wild Beasts





No getting it right, no getting wrong
Just getting it on.

When I first wrote about this song earlier in the year, I said something about it not being something I expected from a band I never really knew what to expect from, which meant it really should have been something I expected from them, if you see what I mean. What I didn't know was that six or so months later I continue to find things in this track that surprise me, like the odd back and forth vocal in the chorus, which I still love each time I listen and the sudden end, which shouldn't really be a sudden end, considering I know when the song ends. Also, there is a lyric about eating cake, which means no surprise, I'm a fan. (Jo Michelmore)
 

#75. 1993 (NO CHILL)

by Paces ft. Jess Kent





There's always calm in the storm
Time is now, yeah, the time has come.

What were you doing in 1993? I was in grade 1. Life was pretty good... Power Rangers was a thing, I was loving 4 Non Blonde's 'What's Up' something sick. I'd like to think I was pretty chill, but the reality of that is probably something very different. I'd like to think I'm pretty chill now, but the reality of that is also probably something very different. IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU?! Sorry... sorry. Two artists that are the definition of chilled are Paces and Jess Kent. So even when they're putting out a song together about 1993 and having no chill, they're still the most chilled combo you're going to come across. 2016 was a breakout year for both artists, who've created a healthy amount of buzz around them over the past 12 months. I hope they carry that into 2017 and move onto even bigger and better things. (Matt Bond)  


Oh my gawd I love the chorus in this song. Like when I say love, I'm talking mad crazy repeat that bit again type love. And it's my favourite kind of chorus, because the words and the musics are so polar opposite they work perfectly together. The bouncy beats make every minute feel like summer on a beach but the words "no chill no chill" are hilarious, because chilled is exactly what these three minutes are all about. (Jo Michelmore) 

#74. JUNGLE

by Tash Sultana





Welcome to the jungle
Are you gonna dance with me? 

Right, well apparently Tash Sultana is 21. Maybe she's 22 by now, I'm not sure. Either way, early 20s? Are you actually serious Tash? How can it be possible you're this talented at such a young age? It's like those memes about "all my friends out getting married and I'm just over here (insert verb here). And that's exactly what I'm doing. Sitting in front of my laptop writing words while Tash Sultana is out there somewhere being amazing and writing songs about jungles. It's not all hopeless though. At least I've been listening to incredible songs this good all year.  (Jo Michelmore) 

I didn't know much about Tash Sultana until I saw Facebook blowing up about Jetstar losing some of her equipment/instruments while she was heading off on an overseas tour. Loving nothing more than people having a go at Jetstar, I read through my fair share of articles and got the impression that Tash Sultana was pretty rad. And then I heard this song 'Jungle' on the j's and was like, "who be this?" "This be Tash Sultana," said Shazam. Her radness confirmed, I got myself a copy of the Notion EP and I've been loving her music ever since. 'Jungle' is the track I keep coming back to. The level of musicianship is incredible, Sultana's performance riveting. I missed my chance to see her at BIGSOUND this year, but I won't make that mistake the next time she comes to Brisbane. I'll pay for some Virgin tickets myself to make sure she has a comfortable journey. (Matt Bond) 

#73. LET'S GO OUT

by Alex Lahey





Let's go out and have fun tonight
Let's go out and get drunk tonight.

Yes. Let us all go out and have fun tonight and get drunk tonight and I'm really not going to do that because I totally love bed and sleep. Something else I totally loved in 2016 is the music of Alex Lahey, she of the quirky/classic lyrics and shout-a-long choruses. I love her dry delivery that's neither apathetic or enthusiastic. And I love that there's nothing even remotely pretentious about her music. Through songs like 'Let's Go Out', Alex Lahey comes across as a totally normal person, just like you or me. She's totally that friend that you'll go out on the town for, even though you value those precious bed/sleep times. And this isn't even our favourite Lahey track of 2016. We'll get to that later. Much, much later. (Matt Bond)


This super bouncy number needs no words, the energy kind of speaks for itself, but I can't quite figure out when Alex Lahey started stalking me so she could represent my entire life in her clip for 'Let's Go Out'. She has my slippers, she knows my bank balance, she ignores text messages, she burns unhealthy snacks and she keeps money under her furniture. The only bit she got wrong was the running out the door. Find fifty bucks? I'm getting Uber Eats and staying in. (Jo Michelmore)

#72. GIVE ME SOMETHING TO LOVE

by Kid Runner





There is no box to put me in
You can't close me up, no not again.

So in that award winning film that I'm going to write, direct and and play the lead in, there is going to be an amazing scene at the end where I have defeated all the villains and a smouldering dusty city awaits behind me while I embrace the long lost love of my life. 'Give Me Something To Love' will be playing because it's a song made for glory and the camera will pan back on an orange sunset and everyone will smile and cry because love is  exactly what my character has been fighting for during the whole film, while also combating evil villains attempting to take over the world, of course. We're going to win an Oscar, baby. Ok, we may not, but Kid Runner will, definitely. Oh my gosh, regardless of how ridiculous my imagination is, I really love it if that last bit happens. But for real. (Jo Michelmore) 

#71. TIME

by Sarah Belkner 





Time is what you make of it
Time has let you down.

Sarah Belkner kept herself busy this year. She spent some of the year supporting Sarah Blasko and the rest of it supporting Olympia. And when I say supporting, I believe she pulled double duty for a lot of these shows as an opening act as well as playing in Blasko/Olympia's bands. She backed up Elk Road for Like A Version last month too, no biggie. On top of all that, Belkner has managed to put out the best music of her career and that's exactly what 'Time' is. 'Time' has a maturity, depth and level of class that will leave you in awe. Backing up Belkner on the track is a who's who of local legends, with Brendan Maclean, Ngaiire, Elana Stone and Billie McCarthy featured. But it's Belkner that stars on 'Time' and it will hopefully be Belkner starring in her own headline tours going forward. Hers is a rare talent to be celebrated. (Matt Bond)  

Top 25 - 15 November, 2016

The xx!

1. The xx - On Hold (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: It's probably just the simplicity of hearing Romy Madly Croft's vocal that really had the most impact, but from the very first note of The xx's newest single 'On Hold' I am so reminded of how much I've missed them and how much I've really, really liked them over the years. When the beat kicks in and things seem slightly cheerier than I ever remember either x to be, I am much more excited than I expected to be. This is The xx that I've come to know and love, but there's a sense of hope on this track that I don't generally associate with their sounds and I've got to say, I really, really like it. The quick break midway through is perfectly paced and perfectly placed and they say Jamie Sim has sampled some Hall and Oates, but all I know is whatever he's doing, he's doing it right. Their next album I See You is due in January, so until then I'll just have to obsess over the latest back and forward between Romy and her other x, Oliver Sim and cling onto his last words; "when and where did we go cold, I thought I had you on hold..." with the answer being that I didn't go cold at all, I really, really, really like them and am SO glad they're back. (Jo Michelmore) 


2. Washington - Saint Lo (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: Megan Washington, how I've missed you. Even though I should just say Washington, because you're back to going by only your last name instead of the full name, but Megan is still your first name so I think it's okay to say, "Megan Washington, how I've missed you," and people will get it. Only Megan Washington would return to us with a song framing love as a deal with the devil, her writing as on point and wonderful as ever, and she's stepping into a more rhythmic electronic sound than that of her last album, There There. Producer to the AUS music stars Eric J Dubowsky might have something to do with that - his resume includes the likes of Flume, the artist formerly known as Chet Faker and Lisa Mitchell. Quite a lovely return from one of our faves and we'll be hanging out until we've got a whole record of gems like 'Saint Lo'... which will hopefully be coming our way sooner than later. (Matt Bond) 


3. Pnau - Chameleon





4. Tkay Maidza - Simulation





5. Holy Holy - Elevator (NEW)


 

6. WAAX - Same, Same





7. Katy Steele - It Ain't Me





8. I Know Leopard - Rather Be Lonely





9. Broods - All Of Your Glory (NEW)


 


10. Moreton - Specimen (NEW)


 


11. Take Your Time - Sleep In





12. Novelties - City





13. Lossy - You Who's Guiding Me (NEW)


 

14. Francesca Gonzales - Memories





15. Hayley Couper - Caught Up





16. Sarah Belkner - Cellophane (NEW)


 


17. Alex The Astronaut - Already Home (NEW)


 


18. The Montreals - Indigo Club





19. Fractures - Fall Harder





20. Nicole Millar - Signals





21. Mr Little Jeans - Stitches





22. Little Wise - Don't Hurry Back (NEW)


 


23. Husky - Late Night Store





24. Tired Lion - Agoraphobia





25. Ariela Jacobs - Leave Your Light On

Top 25 - 25 July, 2016

The Naked and Famous!

1. The Naked and Famous - Higher





2. James Vincent McMorrow - Rising Water





3. Sarah Belkner - Time (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: "Time is what you make of it, time has let you down." We've loved what Sarah Belkner has been putting out into the music world over the past couple of years. Her vocal work is awesome, she's a wonderful songwriter and the atmosphere created on her tracks can take you out of your world and place you firmly in hers. Last year's Humans EP earned a lot of repeated listens and you should totally check it out when you get a chance. So yeah, big fan of what's come before... but this track right here, 'Time', is just really, really gorgeous and has me thinking that her upcoming debut album is going to be very special. Every element that makes up the song is as perfectly considered and crafted as each shot in the video that accompanies it. Sarah's vocals are as beautiful as ever, with an almost defeated restraint to help the words hit home with the listener. Listen out for a sneaky and welcome Brendan Maclean vocal cameo too, but that's definitely not him starring alongside Belkner in the Brian and Karl directed video. Just in case you thought it was? Anyway, can't wait to hear more from Sarah this year. And next year. And hopefully for many years after that too. (Matt Bond) 


4. Grouplove - Welcome To Your Life





5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra





6. Ross Henry - The Deep (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Until this week, I didn't know who Ross Henry was. I mean, he may not be the first Ross Henry I've known, because I have a vague recollection that one of my favourite primary school teachers was called Mr Henry, but grade five was a long time ago, so pretty sure that Mr Henry isn't this Mr Henry. This Mr Henry, however, could become a different favourite of mine because after hearing the beautifully distant and warm feelings of 'The Deep', I may have found my newest favourite headphones on in the middle of the night sounds. There is something comfortably uneasy about these beats, a feeling of the clutches of insomnia combined with the captivity of sunrise and after reading Ross' words about how this was written; "on a peak between the earliest of mornings and the latest of nights", I'm so impressed with his way of turning feelings into sounds and times into vibrations. The confusing beauty of silhouettes and light in the clip are the perfect accompaniment to a song that has easily and quickly become the highlight of my week. Also, Mr Henry, if you know another Mr Henry who is a teacher, tell him I said hi. (Jo Michelmore)


7. Stonefox - Dreamstate (NEW)


 

8. Kid Runner - Give Me Something To Love





9. Feki ft. Dom Vino - You Got Me (NEW)


 

10. Babaganouj - Sorry





11. Emily Wurramara - Black Smoke





12. Cash Savage and The Last Drinks - Falling, Landing





13. Jack River - Talk Like That (NEW)


 

14. The Montreals - Lo-Fi (NEW)


 

15. The Winter Gypsy - Took Me By





16. Stevie - Decay





17. JP Klipspringer - Can't Be





18. Little May - Where Do You Sleep (NEW)


 


19. JOY. - Like Home





20. Justice - Safe and Sound





21. Regina Spektor - Bleeding Heart (NEW)


 


22. Rachael Yamagata - Nobody (NEW)


 


23. Ngaiire - House On A Rock





24. Montaigne - Because I Love You





25. Big Scary - The Opposite of Us

Top 115 Songs of 2015, #90 - 81

Gin Wigmore, Oh Wonder, The Paper Kites + Christine and The Queens!

#115 - 101

#100 - 91

#90. A SILENT CAUSE

by The Paper Kites

I don't want to love you, I want to learn you

But I'd love to know you well.

What's that sound? Oh... that's just the sound of your heart breaking. Yes. That's what it sounds like. Shhh. Shhh. Let it happen. The other sound (and the cause of said heart breakage) is likely The Paper Kites' 'A Silent Cause'. It's the oldest story in the book. Boy meet girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Girl has to move away. Boy remembers girl saying something about how all the people she knows are dying from a silent cause, which may or may not be their quiet desperation. Boy realises his own quiet desperation is in fact killing him too. Boy's heart breaks. Girl's heart breaks. Everyone is sad. And you wouldn't want it any other way. Stunning work from one of Australia's finest acts. (Matt Bond)


My love of lyrics is well documented, so it’s pretty much a no brainer that I love the little tale that The Paper Kites tell in this super saccharine sweet little tune. I love the little tale of love and the life and I love the feeling in my guts when front man Sam Bentley sings that line about people dying from the silent cause, but it’s the lump in the back of my throat that really hits it all home, at the “thought that I was different when you looked at me, but this quiet desperation is killing me too” When you put all those words with such a modest little guitar, well, oh my goodness, some songs are just divine aren’t they? (Jo Michelmore)

#89. HUMANS

by Sarah Belkner

This is why the rain comes down

Washes out everything, makes us feel like humans again.

I used to hate how YouTube thought it had the right to just automatically move onto another video once the one I had chosen to watch ended. Rude. Don't try to tell me how to live my life, application I pay nothing for and benefit from immensely. Anyway, I did hate that. Until I was watching a Jack Colwell clip one day and got up to... I don't know, make a sandwich or something and that song finished and then this song right here, 'Humans' started playing. It was exciting. Right from the start I was in l-o-v-e love. After questioning if Tori Amos had a little something new out, I made my way back to the laptop and saw the name Sarah Belkner. I didn't know who Sarah was at the time, but I sure do now. And she is brilliant. 'Humans' is the perfect showcase for her talents as a songwriter, vocalist and artist. She excels in all aspects of her performance. If you have the time to listen to her 2015 EP, also named Humans, it's well worth the investment. (Matt Bond) 

#88. DOLLARMITE

by Velociraptor

Hey, the world is not a race

Still I don't want to be left, behind...

So I’m clearly not the only one who remembers their Commonwealth bank dollarmite account from childhood. Whatever happened to that cash? Surely I had like 25 bucks in there at some stage. Is that still building interest? Am I a millionaire? Do they still have those things for the kids these days or do you just get a credit card in grade one now? Do the kids even know what cash is anymore? It’s just numbers on a magical card you wave at machines, isn’t it? If I had a dollar for every member of Velociraptor, I’d have 14 bucks and if I was in grade one and that was in my dollarmite account, I’d have thought I was rich. Now the only part of me that’s rich are my ears, filled with songs like this one from Velociraptor. How the times have changed. Anyone got fourteen bucks I can borrow? (Jo Michelmore)

While I may have lost count of how many people are actually in Velociraptor, I will never lose my love for the Brisbane collective. Could you ever really not love a band that finds inspiration in the way so many of us were introduced to money and banking and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia? *insert single tear, yet happy face here. I think there might actually be fifteen members of the band though and now I'm thinking they're more cult-like. Think Polyphonic Spree. No white robes, just skinny jeans. Don't think I don't see you kids around town in your skinny jeans. (Matt Bond)  

#87. HOLIDAY HOME

by The Grates

Do you want to light it up, yeah

In the sand dunes?

Patience can be a virtue, or she can be the lead singer of The Grates and pretty much the raddest person in all of the musics. True story. The return of Patience and John Patterson has been well reported on over the past twelve months. As has the idea that The Grates' fourth studio album Dream Team could very well be their best to date. Joined by new drummer-friend Ritchie Daniell, The Grates returned late last year (just missing the cut off for our 2014 edition) with 'Holiday Home', the lead track for their latest LP. It was loud, proud, in your face and a not so gentle reminder that The Grates were finally back. Not only Brisbane music royalty, The Grates are now total AUS music legends. (Matt Bond)


The Grates have been sounding like The Grates since forever, which is good really, considering things would be a bit weird if they started sounding like Katy Perry in the middle of things, although I wouldn’t complain about that either. ‘Holiday Home’ is perfectly Grates; quickfire, bass heavy, Patience sounding all manic even when she’s not being manic at all with a clip so perfectly VHS it hurts. Go google VHS kids. It doesn’t stand for anything you want to snapchat. Maybe it does. I can’t keep up with the kids these days. (Jo Michelmore) 

#86. WRITTEN IN THE WATER

by Gin Wigmore

Give me one kiss for the road

Now it's time I let you go.

You know what I loved this year? I loved hearing Gin Wigmore somewhere other than an ad on TV. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it’s not the sell-out factor I care about, people gotta make money to pay the rents. I love the fact that she was featured in heaps of ads, because it meant she got to earn some cash and spend some time recording songs like this one. I can’t easily think of anyone else with a voice like hers and the pace of ‘Written In The Water’ shows it off perfectly. Just her and those keys at the beginning set up such a tortured little tale, with such a great story telling clip. Also, apparently the guy in the clip is her real life husband. The youtube comments told me that, so I can’t guarantee it, but I hope so. What an attractive couple they make. (Jo Michelmore)


It only took some rapid piano lines and the opening words, "I was born by the devil, I was left here to die, I was held up for ransom under cold summer skies," to fall in love with Gin Wigmore's music all over again. Another artist that seemed to be out of the spotlight for too long, Wigmore dropped her Blood To Bone album halfway through the year and it was well worth the wait. 'Written In The Water' is everything we've come to love about the Kiwi songstress and her brand of flapper-pop. Can I say flapper-pop? I mean it in the best way. It's a roaring 1920s jazz delight re-imagined for the modern audience from one of our choicest bits of calico. And it is gooood. Oh the calico thing? I looked up 1920s phrases. Apparently it means a desirable woman, you dewdroppers. (Matt Bond)

#85. DEVIL IN A DRESS

by Anita Lester

We are lost in conversation

Underneath the pulsing lights.

Anita Lester may have dropped her pseudonym and moved across the seas, but there's one thing that definitely hasn't changed about her. That would be her ability to make bewitching music that leaves us wanting a whole lot more. 'Devil In A Dress' proved that in spades. Spades, I say! I don't get it either, but it was proved. The music certainly goes with The Witching Hour title bestowed on Lester's next collection of songs and there's a haunting quality lurking within the vocal performance that can give you chills. While the video was pulled at some stage, hopefully you'll be able to witness it soon. It was a beauty. There's been changes for Anita Lester in 2015, but she remains as fierce as ever. (Matt Bond)


Anita Lester used to be Lester The Fierce, but it doesn’t really matter what she calls herself, she’s very good. She don’t need no fierce, because ‘Devil In A Dress’ proves she still is. Much less guitar and 90s rock chick than I expected, but a slight turn back in time to some seriously good 80s influence means I’m still happy either way. Synths and beats abound, making me wish I was an extra in some kind of clip that involves soft lighting, strange freestyle interpretive dance moves, neon lights, probably a cape and some poorly filmed mountain scenes. I think I’ve missed my calling in life. Clearly I should have been an 80s slightly alternative pop star. Or Anita Lester. Either/or. (Jo Michelmore)

#84. PARADIS PERDUS

by Christine and The Queens

In the night I hear them talk

The coldest story ever told.

Ah yes, here’s the bit where we get all fancy like and pretend we’re classy n shit. Stick some French lyrics in the countdown and ta-da, we’re very impressive. We’re not fooling anyone, Matt. Thing is, you don’t need to speak French or care who Kanye West is to know how stunningly beautiful this song is; the keys, the strings, that tiny little beat and the tone in her voice. So soft and a little despairing, it all comes together so perfectly you wonder how Mr West could be referenced at all. I don’t know exactly how it works, but I know it works in the best way and is gorgeous and that’s more than enough. (Jo Michelmore)

How do I know incredible music transcends all language barriers? For one, I don't speak French. And even I 'get' what's going on in 'Paradis Perdus'. Christine and The Queens thrilled us last year with 'Saint Claude' and 'Christine', so we weren't exactly expecting to hear from her/them again so soon. I can't say we weren't happy to be surprised by her return though. Christine's (real name Heloise Letissier) performance is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts. If it doesn't, you just don't have one. And how could you be so heartless? (Matt Bond)

#83. 6000 MILES

by The Waifs

I've never really had much of a way with words

But God knows I love to sing.

Speaking of AUS music legends, I was stoked to see The Waifs not only return this year, but deliver unto us some of their best music yet. Take '6000 Miles' as an example. The Vikki Thorn led track is already right up there as one of my favourite Waifs songs. Like many of their cuts, it's like having a conversation with one of your wise friends. The ones that give you the best advice and you have open and honest chats to about anything and everything. The Waifs would be those kind of friends. I'm just taking this opportunity to tell The Waifs that we should be friends. Haha. Kidding, that's totally inappropriate. Or is it? (Matt Bond)


I’ll be totally honest and say I had no idea what ‘6000 Miles’ was actually about before I started writing these words that you’re reading right now. I’d heard the bittersweet tone and the sentimental chords, I’d heard the emotion in all the notes and I knew 6000 miles was a long way, but little did I know that 6000 miles is the distance between Perth and Utah. It all makes sense, right, because 9, 656 kilometres doesn’t have the same ring. And that’s where singer Vikki Thorn’s husband lived and that’s why the first track from The Waifs’ seventh album is so goddamn sweet. Ah the long distance love. Don’t do it. It’s expensive. And annoying. Or do it and listen to songs like this to make yourself feel better while you cry into your tea. Or something. (Jo Michelmore)

#82. WITHOUT YOU

by Oh Wonder

Lift up, carry the love

Do you know?

Oh Wonder were that crazy gang of two who insisted on releasing a song a month this year, before gathering them all together and releasing an album. While some have threatened-slash-promised to do that in the past, and some seemed to think it was a crazy idea while others thought it was brilliant, I think it was a certain kind of genius, because it resulted in some of the prettiest pop of the year and it resulted in one of my personal fave pop tunes of the year. Sure, lots of people can harmonise and sing around each other, but these guys sound divine squished into each other’s space, their voices were made for each other. How wonderful. (Jo Michelmore)


I've been living a lie, because I thought Oh Wonder were Australian. That is incorrect. They are not Australian, if Wikipedia is to believed. Anyway, these two do the cute love song thing well. What will be awesome though is the break-up album. What? It worked for Adele. (Matt Bond)

#81. MOLIERE

by Our Man In Berlin


For your lonely mind
For your lonely heart. 

When I wrote about this song at the start of the year, I said I felt like I’d written about Our Man In Berlin a bazillion times, because I probably had (more than ten counts as a bazillion in blog life) and listening to it again now I know why I had written about them that many times. They’re really, really good. Like, seriously. There they are over there in Perth, just plugging away, doing their thing, and their thing is kind of awesome. The organised mania created at the end of ‘Moliere’ reminds me of why I’ve liked them so much; they have this natural ability to write songs that demand attention, pose questions, chill me completely out and make me want to dance all at the same time. Their second EP Spirit Down was all of those things as well and while I haven’t quite made it to two bazillion posts about them this year, with this kind of talent, I’m suspecting we might get there sooner rather than later. (Jo Michelmore)

So many feelings, so little time. See you again tomorrow!

 

Top 25 - 15 June, 2015

Put your hands in the air with Kira Puru and Sarah Belkner!

1. Kira Puru - All Dulled Out (NEW)





2. ALTA - Moves





3. Tired Lion - Suck





4. Our Man In Berlin - Spirit Down





5. Holly Who - Gimme Gimme





6. Sarah Belkner - Susanne (NEW)





7. Dolo Jones ft. Passerine - Can't Give You Up





8. The Grates - Call Me





9. James Chatburn ft. Frank Nitt - We Drink





10. Stella Angelico - Fortified (NEW)





11. Montaigne - A Cinematic Plea For An End





12. Banff - All Again (NEW)





13. Jeremy Neale ft. Phoebe Imhoff - Hold On Together





14. Little Sleeper - Middle of the Night (NEW)





15. Golden Features ft. Thelma Plum - No One





16. Quintessential Doll - Saccharine (Rework) (NEW)





17. Melwonderland - Games





18. Colour Bomb - My Resting Place





19. Eves The Behavior - Electrical





20. Ben Folds and yMusic - Capable of Anything





21. TIO - Day Fort





22. Atlas ft. James Chatburn - Spinning Back





23. North Arm - Careless





24. Panama - Jungle





25. Beirut - No No No

Top 25 - 1 March, 2015

Asta, Karl S. Williams + Lurch & Chief!

1. Tired Lion - I Don't Think You Like Me





2. Tkay Maidza - M.O.B.





3. Lurch and Chief - Fading Out (NEW)





4. OKENYO - Just A Story (NEW)





 5. Our Man In Berlin - Moliere





6. Big Smoke - Try A Little Love (NEW)





7. The Rebel Light - Strangers





8. Florence + The Machine - What Kind of Man





9. Karl S. Williams - Is This Love? (NEW)





10. James Chatburn x Jordan Rakei - Holiday Love





11. Passerine - Set Me Alight





12. Ainslie Wills - Drive





13. Asta ft. Allday - Dynamite (NEW)





14. Sarah Belkner - Humans (NEW)





15. Big Strong Brute - Wedding Pages





16. Little Earthquake - I Am Alive (NEW)





17. Chris Watts - Broken Bones





18. Lanks - Hold Me Closer (NEW)





19. Gena Rose Bruce - Cheated





20. Taylor Swift - Style





21. Passion Pit - Lifted Up (1985)





22. NYUON - Your City





23. Best Coast - California Nights (NEW)





24. Wolf Alice - Giant Peach (NEW)





25. Winterbourne - Steady My Bones

Top 25 - 16 November, 2014

Eliza Hull + Husky!

1. Thelma Plum - Young In Love (#1 for 2 weeks!)





2. Tkay Maidza - Switch Lanes





3. Eliza Hull ft. Texture Like Sun - Used To (NEW)





4. I Know Leopard - Perfect Picture (NEW)





5. Little May - Bones





6. HOWQUA - Waiting





7. Hey Lady! - My Head, My Heart





8. Winterbourne - Cold





9. Michelle Xen - Short Term Plan





10. British India - Wrong Direction





11. Husky - Saint Joan (NEW)





12. Ali Barter - Community





13. Wayfarer// ft. Donna Arendse - Night Games





14. Taylor Swift - Blank Space (NEW)





15. Forest Falls - Heavy Hearted Girl (NEW)





16. Love and Other Crimes - Pray Woman





17. JP Klipspringer - Let You Go





18. Sarah Belkner - With You (NEW)





19. Crazy Old Maurice - Another Day





20. Betty and Oswald - Fragile Little Lover (NEW)





21. Maples - Stars (NEW)





22. Dear Plastic - Epic Delay





23. Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (NEW)





24. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat





25. Harts - When A Man's A Fool