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)

                 

Two Is Not A Winner and Three Nobody Remembers

WHO WILL TOP triple j's HOTTEST 100?

by Matt Bond

"Who do you think will be #1 on this year's Hottest 100?" 


It's around this time of year I start getting asked that question a lot, despite my inability to predict even the most basic stuff correctly. Yes, even I could predict that Gotye and Kimbra would be #1 on the Hottest 100 in 2011, but I'm pretty sure anyone could have picked that one. 'Somebody That I Used To Know' was EVERYWHERE. I know people that listened to it so much back then that they still can't listen to even those weird opening beats today. Anyway, there's only nine days left to get your votes in for the world's biggest music countdown and fourteen days until we get to head along to Australia Day parties, barbecues, solo adventures locked inside with the air-con on and only our feelings to keep us company or whatever it is you have planned for the day. Whatever you've got planned, I'm sure it'll be great and there's one thing that will make it even better... listening to the Hottest 100! 

So, back to that question... who's going to be #1 this year? I don't know. Not the answer you were looking for? Sorry 'bout it. What I can tell you is, there's a good chance you'll actually be hearing Justin Bieber come January 26. No, not 'Sorry' or 'What Do You Mean?'. There is that awful collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo though that got at least one play on the j's last year. And I've seen enough votes on Instragram to think that it's going to make the list. I can also tell you that one hundred percent Taylor Swift will not be in this year's countdown, but that's not news at all since the rejection of the #TayForHottest100 campaign last year. For those keeping score at home, Justin Bieber will likely find a place on the Hottest 100, Bruno Mars was able to sneak in last year but there is no room for Swift. The obvious solution is that she needs to guest on a Major Lazer or Macklemore track, because for a commercial pop star to guest on a track is ok by the j. 

Speaking of Major Lazer, it could be a little song you probably haven't heard of before called 'Lean On' that makes it all the way to #1. Along with DJ Snake and Danish musician MØ, the track scored a ridiculous amount of play by the national youth broadcaster, went to #1 in Australia, is the most streamed song in Spotify history and (this one is very important) was big on commercial radio too. So it's not only appealing to those hip, young thangs that listen to triple j, but that fucking NOVA crowd too. Yeah Macklemore is a thing still and 'Downtown' was catchy, went to #1 and got play across a variety of different stations. Working against him though, he didn't make the list of the top 20 artists that got the most play on triple J in 2015. Also, I distinctly remember when 'Thrift Shop' went to #1 on the Hottest 100 in 2015, I said it was the worst thing that had ever happened. I was much more dramatic back then, I'm sorry. It wasn't the worst thing that's ever happened, but like, maybe top 5? Maybe? It's not going to happen again. I suppose I should acknowledge Ryan Lewis' involvement with Macklemore, but no one else does so why should I?

Tame Impala are guaranteed to land multiple entries on this year's countdown. But #1? Unlikely at this point. Also unlikely... that we'll finally see a solo female artist top the list. In a perfect world, Courtney Barnett would stand a chance, but we've already seen the online reaction from triple J listeners when she wins things. Oy vey. Appearances by 'Pedestrian At Best', 'Depreston' and 'Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party' would be appreciated nonetheless. Last year's countdown saw more Australian artists than ever crack the 100 and hopefully we'll have another record breaking year in 2016. Tkay Maidza should return with 'M.O.B' and hopefully 'Ghost' too. Jarryd James, Alison Wonderland, Chet Faker (along with that other bearded man who is not Australian), Gang of Youths, The Rubens, San Cisco, Alpine, Daniel Johns and Flight Facilities were played on high rotation throughout the year, so expect to hear a little something something from them. Perennial Hottest 100 favourites The Hilltop Hoods could sneak in with new track 'Higher' as well, giving James Chatburn his first appearance on the list. If you're expecting to hear a whole lot of Florence + The Machine, I'm right there with you. Is there a #1 in the bunch of Flo songs? Absolutely. Will it get the votes? Absolutely not.     

We've covered that I have no idea who will actually take out the #1 spot on this year's triple J Hottest 100. But let's say one of you walked up to me and held a gun to my head and whispered so softly, pick some freaking songs that could be #1... then I suppose I would say:

#1? Major Lazer and DJ Snake ft. MØ - 'Lean On'

#1? Chet Faker and Marcus Marr - 'The Trouble With Us'

#1? The Weeknd - 'Can't Feel My Face'

#1? Kendrick Lamar - 'King Kunta'

#1? Jarryd James - Do You Remember?

#1? Meg Mac - Never Be (one can dream)

Who did I actually vote for? Well... 

Montaigne - 'Clip My Wings'

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

Ngaiire - 'Once'

Gang of Youths - 'Magnolia'

Courtney Barnett - 'Pedestrian At Best'

Little May - 'Home'

Tkay Maidza - 'Ghost'

Jack Colwell - 'Don't Cry Those Tears'

Sarah Blasko - 'I'd Be Lost'

Japanese Wallpaper ft. Airling 'Forces'

Feel free to use those ten as a template for your own votes. Alternatively, pick ten songs that would make your Australia Day awesome. That also works. 

Top 25 - 3 January, 2016

2016 Sounds Like... Tkay Maidza, Kanye West, Emma Louise + Kiiara

1. Tkay Maidza - Ghost





2. Emma Louise - Underflow





3. Jack Colwell - C.O.A.T





4. Gang of Youths - Restraint and Release





5. The Weeknd ft. Future - Low Life





6. Sia - Cheap Thrills





7. Ecca Vandal - End of Time





8. Taylor Swift - Out of the Woods





9. St. Lucia - Physical





10. Chvrches - Empty Threat





11. Sleigh Bells - Champions of Unrestricted Beauty





12. Kiiara - Intention





13. Alessia Cara - Here





14. BOOTS - I Run Roulette





15. Kanye West - Facts





16. Little May - Chemicals





17. Sia - One Million Bullets





18. Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell Williams - WTF (Where They From)





19. Snow Ghosts - The Hunted





20. Radiohead - Spectre





21. jj - Paranoid





22. The Jezabels - Come Alive





23. David Bowie - Lazarus





24. Troye Sivan - YOUTH





25. Foxes - Amazing

Top 115 Songs of 2015, #80 - 71

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

#115 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80. THE HILLS

by The Weeknd





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

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


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

#79. SHIP TO WRECK

by Florence + The Machine





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

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

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

#78. STALLIN'

by Airling





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

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


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

#77. HANGING UPSIDE DOWN

by Lime Cordiale





Hang me up the right way
Right way round. 

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

#76. WORK

by Saux x The Septembers





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

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

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

#75. MAYFAIR

by Winters End





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

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


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

#74. SUCK

by Tired Lion





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

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

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

#73. PERFECT PICTURE

by I Know Leopard





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

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

#72. UNDERFLOW

by Emma Louise





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

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


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

#71. ONE IN A MILLION

by Jessie Frye





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

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


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

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

  

Top 20 - 11 November, 2012

CSS!

1. Sarah Blasko - Cast The Net (#1 for 2 weeks!)


 


2. CSS - I've Seen You Drunk Gurl (NEW)


 


3. Flight Facilities ft. Christine Hoberg - Clair De Lune (NEW)


Flight Facilities - Clair De Lune (feat. Christine Hoberg) by flightfacilities  


4. Crystal Castles - Transgender (NEW)


 


5. Placebo - B3





6. San Cisco - Nepal (NEW)





7. Texas Tea - I Love You Like I Love This Black Eye



8. Foals - Inhaler (NEW)





9. Ghost Beach - Tear Us Apart





10. Sarah Blasko - I Awake





11. BenZel and Jessie Ware - If You Love Me (NEW)


 


12. Lana Del Rey - Ride





13. Calvin Harris and Dillon Francis ft. Dizzee Rascal - Here 2 China





14. The Presets - Promises





15. The Weeknd - Twenty Eight (NEW)


 


16. Flume ft. T-Shirt - On Top (NEW)


 


17. Flume - Change (NEW)


 


18. Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin - Don't You Worry Child





19. Bertie Blackman - Boy





20. The Zolas - Knot In My Heart

Top 20 - 28 October, 2012

Sarah Blasko!

1. The Presets - Promises





2. Sarah Blasko - I Awake (Re-Entry)


 


3. Lana Del Rey - Ride





4. San Cisco - Wild Things





5. Texas Tea - I Love You Like I Love This Black Eye (NEW)