Top 119 Songs of 2019, #10 - 1

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40 - #31

#30 - #21

#20 - #11

#10. VIDEO

by Cub Sport ft Mallrat

Did you forget I am no pedestrian recycling art

I am Mozart

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


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

#9. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF

by Alex Lahey

You say, that things are spinning around and around

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

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


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

#8. KITCHEN

by Annie Hamilton

I could try to recreate it

The memory is overrated

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


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

#7. MONEY

by Lime Cordiale

Make a lifetime full of small talk

Pretendin' he's so funny

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


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

#6. APPLES

by Little May

I wish to be governed by something else

I can hold your hand while you wash away our dreams

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


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

#5. PARADISE

by The Presets and Golden Features

You and I are face-to-face

While the world up above keeps burning like a riot

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


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

#4. READY

by Montaigne

And I'm at the edge of the cliff

So let's begin

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


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

#3. WE DON'T CARE

by Polish Club

This could be a start

Do it for the art

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


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

#2. EVERYTHING'S BETTER WITHOUT YOU

by Kira Puru

You asked me how I've been

Like we're just friends

You really wanna know?

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


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

#1. BETTER IN BLAK

by Thelma Plum

But if I just keep quiet

I'll be the one who's dying too

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

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

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


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

Top 119 Songs of 2019, #40 - 31

#119 - #111

#110 - #101

#100 - #91

#90 - #81

#80 - #71

#70 - #61

#60 - #51

#50 - #41

#40. BRING ME HOME

by G Flip

I am breaking down, I am losing my patience

They say that winding roads lead to great destinations

I never expected it when I first heard this song, but sometimes life gives you interesting gifts over and over and you just have to accept them. So when ‘Bring Me Home’ first appeared in one of my social media feeds at the beginning of the year, I proceeded to listen to it a million times over, knowing this was going to be one of those special ones that would stay with me a long time after that first listen. It spoke to me, doing that thing that all the most special songs do, becoming a friend, one I would turn to in those moments alone with my headphones, sending all the goosebumps with every listen. Little did I know how good a friend it would become, now giving me some of the greatest laughs as well, after Matt and I saw GFlip playing at the end of this year, where we witnessed a room full of appreciative fans lift their phones into the air during said song, and one man lift his light up shoe into the air, waving it with such emotion as the sole flashed away in unison with a sea of iphones and androids. What a moment. Live music is unpredictably the best. I will be forever thankful to GFlip for the gorgeous song, and the hilarious fan. (Jo Michelmore)

#39. SHIVER

by Ngaiire

I'm looking right into your eyes

And it feels like I could die

I’m yet to hear a Ngaiire song that I don’t love, and ‘Shiver’ is no exception, it’s quickfire beats and danceable sounds are perfectly Ngaiire, but it was when I read what the shiver in ‘Shiver’ means, it made me love it even more than I originally thought, it being a tribute to her late Grandmother and how Ngaiire remembers her, sees her and knows her presence surrounds make it even more special than just a simple pop song. I can’t help but smile at the thought of someone’s memory floating over dancefloors and making people move for years to come, and I hope Ngaiire gets a giant smile out of that too. (Jo Michelmore)

#38. FINALLY

by No Mono

Finally, I was all I had to be

Mid way through this year, I spent an evening with one of my best friends in which we both accidentally on purpose managed to somehow make our way into a (not so) random gig in a beautiful venue and see No Mono, a name I previously knew very little about, except knowing that my friend liked them. What we witnessed was incredibly beautiful material being performed to a crowd much smaller than their talent deserved, but while we drank gin and were taken away on a gorgeous wave of electronic emotion and a voice from another world, I couldn’t help but appreciate how lucky I was to see Tom Iansek and Tom Snowdon’s project before it ended, as it did with the release of this song. It’s dramatic and its exquisite, it’s a perfect combination of both their connection and their talents and I could write a million positive words about one of the greatest nights of my year, and some of the greatest talent I found in 2019, but they say it all themselves with their last lyrics; “finally, I was all I had to be…” (Jo Michelmore)

#37. CELLOPHANE

by FKA twigs

But I just want to feel you there

And I don't want to have to share our love

On the hauntingly beautiful ‘Cellophane’, FKA twigs wears her heart on her sleeve and shows her vulnerable side like never before. Everything seems to be working against a relationship that’s likely already over and her world is crashing down around her. She takes this to a literal level as she crashes through time and space in the video that’s just as perfect as the song itself. All this and ‘Cellophane’ also gives you the perfect lines to scream at anyone in any situation when it’s not going your way. WHY DON’T I DO IT FOR YOU? WHY WON’T YOU DO IT FOR ME. It’s the little things in life that get you through the day. (Matt Bond) 

#36. LOVER

by Taylor Swift

And there's a dazzling haze

A mysterious way about you, dear

Oh, T-Baby Swift. You know I only like to hear the word lover when it’s used in the name of a particularly meaty pizza. But for you, I’m willing to make an exception, because the title track to Swift’s seventh studio album is the most romantic thing going around. It’s the part in the movie when Kate Hudson says yes to love. It’s the part of the TV show when Ridge and Brooke get married for the 15th time. It’s that feeling you want to have in the real world (the what?) with that special someone. It’s love. Taylor Swift has made love into a song. Feel her love, mortals. Feel it! (Matt Bond)


I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that this is not Ms Swift’s best song. But when someone has as much fame and chart success as Ms Swift does, one can’t deny that even my least favourite song isn’t that bad. And what does it matter if I despise it, she’s written a song that I’ll no doubt hear for years to come in soundtracks and at amateur theatre and weddings and engagement events, so she’s done a Mariah and insured she’s certainly not going to go broke any time soon. Well done Ms Swift. This song isn’t the greatest song I heard all year, but it is the greatest business move I’ve heard for years. She’s a smart one that Swift. (Jo Michelmore)

#35. REAL THING

by Middle Kids

Two trains and a bus to get home
Sleeping on each other's shoulders

Hopeless romantics, anxiety tragics and the sounds of Middle Kids. What more does one need? Nothing. That’s what. ‘Real Thing’ is a rocking and rolling heartbreaker of a track that puts those questions out there that run through all of our heads when we’re falling in luuuurve. Is this the real thing? Could this be it? The opening lines are full of hope and possibilities and then it turns so quickly that you barely have time to catch your breath. Hannah Joy sells the performance brilliantly, like she’s confessing a secret that’s not supposed to get out. Middle Kids continue to spoil us with their emotionally layered tracks, while also firmly establishing their place as the best of the best when it comes to storytelling. (Matt Bond) 

#34. CHARLIE

by Mallrat

I'm gonna love you forever

I hope you warm up to me

I remember hearing this song for the very first time, listening to those oh so warm first notes and words, desperately reaching for some kind of technology, anyone’s technology so I could remember it forever, manically remembering lyrics while trying to unlock my phone, all the while trying to lose myself in the words, because I knew this one was a special one. One of those songs that finds some part of your life and plays it back to you with every sound, I don’t know who Charlie is but if I was to have enough talent to write a song for all the people I have adored in my life, then this would be the song that I would write.  Instead, I only have the ability to write about this song, which has made itself onto a list of all the songs I have adored in my life. (Jo Michelmore)

#33. EYES WIDE

by Bec Sandridge

And I've got plenty of heart

But is there limit to us?

Manic pop with an 80s throwback twist has become Bec Sandridge’s speciality. ‘You’re a Fucking Joke’, ‘Animal’ and ‘Stranger’ have all showcased how amazing Sandridge is when she’s rocking this vibe and you can most certainly add ‘Eyes Wide’ to the list too. I’ve said this before about Sandridge’s songs, but they really do get you feeling like tonight’s a good night to get yourself out on the town and have some of this ‘fun’ you’ve heard so much about, dancing the night away until the sun comes up and heading home with a large Big Mac meal at 5am to watch whatever bizarre true crime documentary Netflix has decided you need to see. That’s what fun is right? If you said no you’re still young, you’ll change. But we don’t ever want Bec Sandridge to change, because she keeps on bringing the actual fun to the music world and we couldn’t be loving it more. (Matt Bond)

#32. LET IT OUT

by Seeker Lover Keeper

I can see you're struggling

But it won't be long, 'til I'm home

How many years was it between Seeker Lover Keeper albums? Seven or eight? To be honest, I didn’t expect we’d be hearing another album from the Sarah Blasko-Holly Throsby-Sally Seltmann supergroup and then this quiet, moving number ‘Let It Out’ was released and everything just seemed right in the world. You can find a thousand songs out there with a vague message about being true to yourself, but it’s rare to find one as genuine and heartfelt as this. A celebration of the unique with a healthy side of the best kind of friendships. It’s the music we need and deserve and it’s all thanks to Seeker Lover Keeper. Even if it takes another seven, eight or twenty years, I hope we hear more from Seeker Lover Keeper. The world’s a kinder, brighter place with them in it. (Matt Bond)

#31. DANCE MONKEY

by Tones and I

And how I beg to see you dance just one more time

For some, it seems an impossible task to celebrate the success of Australia’s musical exports. But the backlash against Tones and I as ‘Dance Monkey’ dominates charts and airwaves worldwide has been on another level. Instead of dwelling on that, let’s just celebrate Tones extending her record breaking run at the top of the ARIA singles charts for another week. Be happy for an artist that has the longest running solo, female number one in the UK of all time. Applaud a new artist smashing her way into the top ten of the US Billboard charts. Relish in the possibility of the biggest Australian song of the year topping the Hottest 100, from a triple J homegrown act no less. Because why wouldn’t you? Tones and I’s achievements in 2019 have been astounding. Oh, and ‘Dance Monkey’ is a BANGER too. So there’s that. (Matt Bond)


Anyone who hasn’t been living off the grid in the last six months has definitely heard this song, and most probably heard about the amount of records it has broken in it’s chart topping positions across the world, even though I have no idea who or what makes a chart these days. And whether you liked this song in the first place or not, I only hope for T and I’s sake it doesn’t carry the number one curse, where everyone loves it for a while, then groans in annoyance a few months later because they’ve heard it far too many times and couldn’t stand those opening notes one more time. Just like another song I used to know, although I’m not sure whether Tones or I is Gotye or Kimbra. Fingers crossed we hear more from all of them. (Jo Michelmore)

Top 117 Songs of 2017 - #117 to #101

Surprise! Bet you thought you saw the last of us, given that we haven't been around much in 2017 to chitty chat about the music we all love. Just because we haven't been doing reviews and hilarious, award winning and insightful articles (of which possibly none of those points are true), it doesn't mean we haven't been paying attention to our favourite artists, old and new. So here we are with the Top 117 Songs of 2017. Don't even act like you're not totally excited about this. You are. Go with it. And enjoy the music...

TOP 117 SONGS OF 2017:

#117. WASTE

by Oh Wonder

I said I would never come back

Screaming at the walls in jet black.

We've got 117 songs to talk about, and what a place to start, because we really need to talk about Oh Wonder. Every single track of theirs is either a track to fall into love to and/or a track to fall out of love to, and after the hypnotic "what a waste to be so alone (repeat)" lyrics at the end of this track, I'm not even sure whether I've fallen in or out of love, or maybe both and back again, but one thing is for sure, Oh Wonder always make me happy to be heartbroken and heart mended over and over again. (Jo Michelmore) 

#116. NATIONAL PARK

by Oh Mercy

How do those eyes inspire such devotion?

You can tell Oh Mercy are led by a man who is respected for his songwriting skills, because this one grips you word by word, string by string. What you can't tell when you listen to Oh Mercy is why that name isn't a household one. While they're admired by peers and been nominated and won a bunch of different awards, I feel like more people should know who they are. Hello industry, hello radio. People should talk more about music like this; they make a wonderfully Australian sound, one that should be heard by many more Australians, and everyone else too. (Jo Michelmore) 

#115. SUPER FAR

by LANY

Don't be mean if you wanna go

You can leave and leave my heart alone.

I can’t say I know much about LANY. Is LANY a band? A solo artist? a robot with a soul made in Europe, bound to one day turn on its human masters? Who can say? Certainly not me, what do you think I am... okay Google or something? You can ask Google about LANY later. For now, just listen to the surprisingly heartbreaking synthy vibes of ‘Super Far’. These robots with souls sure have come a long way.  (Matt Bond)

#114. YOU DIDN'T REALLY DO THAT

by Sharon Van Etten

The time is passing right before our eyes

The stars are dead, but they still shed light.

From one surprisingly heartbreaking song to one that was never going to be anything but devastating. It comes with the territory when the music of Sharon Van Etten is involved. Released as a special bonus alongside the anniversary reissue of SVE’s “Because I Was In Love”, ‘You Didn’t Really Do That’ both warms the heart and crushes it. It’s in the vacant acceptance held within the vocal delivery of the song’s title you might just find yourself reflecting on those moments in your own life that you could and couldn’t believe someone supposedly special could do something so fucked up. Why do you do this to us Sharon? And please never stop.  (Matt Bond)

#113. ON OUR WAY HOME 

by Empire of the Sun

Say what you mean, do what you will.

I’m putting ‘On Our Way Home’ into the category of songs that have verses I love far more than their choruses. More specifically the pre-chorus segment of this one that I could put on a loop and listen to forever and ever. “Say what you mean, do what you will.” Katy Steele’s brother and that guy from Pnau still do things very well.  (Matt Bond)

#112. NEW RULES

by Dua Lipa

And if you're under him

You ain't gettin' over him.

I had a conversation with Matt recently, explaining that I actually have no idea who Rita Ora is, which I've since found out isn't an uncommon thought. This actually has nothing to do with Dua Lipa, as far as I know, except in my own mind, because while I know this song inside out I actually have no idea who Dua Lipa is. One person? Group? Dua duo two? Apparently she's one, and English. Rita Ora is as well. Are they the same person? Have they collaborated? I can't answer any of these questions without google, but I know Dua Lipa spent 2017 singing incredibly catchy pop tunes. (Jo Michelmore) 

2017 was a great year for the pop musics, which you’ll see reflected in this year’s countdown and which you’ll already likely know because you have ears and a brain and stuff. Dua Lipa was one of the new faces to make a huge impact all over the world with the single ‘New Rules’. It’s catchy, equal parts sass and educational words to live by and a whole lot of fun.  And seriously, you know he’s only calling you because he’s drunk and alone. Catch flights, not feelings. #draghim2017 (Matt Bond)

#111. BETTER

by Mallrat

Things I couldn't ask for anything

You're always on my side.

The evolution of Mallrat is coming along swimmingly. ‘Better’ is a beautiful little slice of dreamy pop that will leave you feeling just as the title suggests.  It’s amazing how much an artist can grown in such a short amount of time, even since last year in this case, but grow Mallrat has as she takes steps to becoming one of Australia’s best emerging songwriters and artists in general. This sounds like the start of even bigger and, for lack of a better word, better things for her.  (Matt Bond)

#110. BOM BOM

by Tkay Maidza and Danny L Harle

And I dance on chicken looking glances

People from the west to the south and I lead it.

Here I am, just casually going through the list of songs and there's Tkay, just casually popping up, yet again, as she does every year in our music loving ears and year loving lists. It's Tkay with Danny L Harle being just casually Tkay, always taking the lyrics in her stride, the rhythm along for the ride and the best part? No matter who she collaborates with, she always makes you feel like you're part of the process too. Don't know the words? Don't care, you got all you need to know in a pair of hips and the title. Bom bom. (Jo Michelmore) 

Ladies. Gentlemen. Your yearly reminder that Tkay continues to slay all in the rap game is here. It came late in the year, a day before we locked in this countdown, but it’s here. And it is the bom-bomb. See what I did there? Come for the jokes, stay for the Tkay and Danny L Harle show. Stick around, this isn’t the last you’ve seen of Ms Maidza in this year’s list. (Matt Bond)

#109. ...READY FOR IT?

by Taylor Swift

But if he's a ghost then I can be a phantom

Holdin' him for ransom.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Taylor Swift’s goofiness. Well, that and her total boss-ness when it comes to business and her brand. But I’ve always enjoyed that genuine goofiness to Swift that shines through in the videos for songs like ‘Blank Space’ and ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’. It  was even there in the video for ‘Look What You Made Me Do’, but when it comes to ‘Ready For It?’ that Taylor can’t come to the phone, FaceTime or send a text. She dead! For the first time, T-Sweezy is committing to just being the coolest of the cool. More importantly, she’s pulling it off.  (Matt Bond)

When Ms Swift released her new tracks this year, after her tiny hiatus, I'm gonna admit I was like "What? Isn't she taking a break?" because the general media and commercial radio world certainly haven't stopped playing her tracks during her 'break', so did she ever go anywhere? No, she really didn't, but I guess that just means we keep getting to enjoy her brand of pop for another few years yet. I'm ready for that. (Jo Michelmore)

#108. A DAY IN THE PARK

by Airling ft. Tom Iansek

Only accept the love you think you deserve

Drink it from a cup.

Airling released her hugely anticipated debut album, Hard to Sleep, Easy to Dream earlier in the year and what a debut it was. Full of ethereal pop gems like those we've come to expect, but with a couple of surprises to boot. One of them was 'A Day In The Park', a stripped back piano led duet with frequent collaborator and producer Tom Iansek of Big Scary. The use of minimal instrumentation and effects puts the focus on the vocal work and the lyrics and when it comes to a team like this, you know they're going to deliver the goods when it comes to the singing and the songwriting. These guys should team up more often, yes? (Matt Bond)

#107. THE JOKE

by Brandi Carlile

I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends

And the joke's on them.

There are songs that are just made for soundtracks, or TV drama. Made for emotional scenes in stories filled with faces staring out windows, or staring blankly at walls with subtle tears running down cheeks. It wouldn't have surprised me if Matt found this track on a TV soundtrack he loves, because that emotional filled drama description describes this song and let's face it, that's where a lot of (amazing) music lands. I can't comment on whether or not he plans on using 'The Joke' in an upcoming production, should he start producing television programs. If he did, they'd be full of piano and voice like Brandi's and they'd probably mostly be gloriously amazing like this one. (Jo Michelmore) 

One of the great storytellers of her generation, Brandi Carlile triumphantly returned in the latter days of 2017 with ‘The Joke’. If it’s an indication of the quality of the forthcoming album “By The Way, I Forgive You”, this will be another 5 star addition to a catalogue full of them. That raw power and emotion in Carlile’s voice and the imagery it paints solidifies her standing as one of the greats.  (Matt Bond)

#106. THE MAN

by The Killers

When it comes to Friday, I always earn

But don't try to teach me, I got nothing to learn.

The Killers enjoyed a revival of sorts this year, particularly in Australia after they played the non-Macklemore footy ball final. Maybe a couple of bland Brandon Flowers solo albums was all that The Killers needed to remind us that they’re better together. No, they’re never going to recapture the glory days of their debut, but they’ve still got it. Whatever ‘it’ is. In this case it’s a funkified testament to Flowers being not a man but The Man. Suddenly I’m not sure about The Killers again, but the track is undeniably appealing. (Matt Bond)

It's funny how some bands write songs  that make their way into the general public's consciousness until everyone, fans or not, seem to know the words. This can be witnessed when one chooses a Killers song at karaoke. Meanwhile, those musicians keep getting paid royalties every time someone sings along, which means they keep getting to write other killer (boom) rock songs, like this one. (Jo Michelmore)

#105. SMALL TALK

by Jeremy Neale ft. Pool Shop

Feeling unstoppable, I was a party animal

But the next day I felt so low.

Honestly, small talk is something I'm not the best at, it's generally awkward silences and me kind of humming some elevator music in my mind so hearing Jeremy Neale had a song of that title made me slightly apprehensive, but he can't do much wrong in my eyes, so I was happy to give this a go. It's no wonder I wasn't surprised at the handclaps at the beginning and I wasn't still in my seat by the "do do do" repetition  at the end. Jeremy's small talk, with it's perfectly dreamy way of moving in ways inspired by sounds from other decades is the only small talk I'm willing to participate in. (Jo Michelmore) 

#104. HUMAN CONNECTION

by Little Earthquake ft. Rosa Morgan

I wanted to call on you

But you're so far away, so far away.

Little Earthquake moved into producer territory towards the end of the year with the release of ‘Human Connection’. The fellas have traded in vocal duties to focus on the electronic music making things I’m not going to pretend I know the names of and brought in ‘Rosa Morgan’, who absolutely kills it on the track. There’s a world-class electronic feel to this, which should come as no surprise since we already thought Little Earthquake are a world-class act, but you can totally imagine ‘Human Connection’ getting some club play around the world. If this is the direction the Hyland brothers are taking going forward, I’m all for it. But I hope they don’t give up the vocals completely.  (Matt Bond)

#103. PERFORMANCE

by The xx

Since you stopped believing

I've had to put on my own show.

It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone how much love Jo and I have for The xx. Or maybe it is these days since we haven’t written anything for 84 years. But a quick refresher for everyone - we love The xx. Big fans. So there’s nothing I can really say critically of them. If I was pushing for something, it would be that their songwriting, while good, can be a little too abstract for its own good sometimes. Which doesn’t really matter when the British three-piece is so good at storytelling through atmosphere and the gorgeous tones in Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s voices. Still, it’s something critical and I’m only bringing it up because it’s not something you can say about ‘Performance’, which is songwriting perfection. The Romy-led number might not be The xx’s flashiest track, but it’s just as commanding and emotive as everything that’s come before. Your heart will break just as Romy’s does. And you’ll love her for it. (Matt Bond)

#102. BETTER SIT DOWN BOY

by Confidence Man

Let me teach you something 'bout love

Okay repeat.

A couple of friends and I were reminiscing recently about Machine Gun Fellatio from back in the day (whatever happened to them?) and how much we liked them because they were so fun. Then I jumped upon this song in our list and realised it gave me the exact same feeling all those MGF songs did way back when. Guess that means I'll be doing the same thing about Confidence Man in a few years, except in a few years I'll be old and taking their songs as advice. Better sit down. Cycle of life and things. (Jo Michelmore) 

#101. GILDED AGE

by Holy Holy

You said, "I used to care," well I used to do a lot of things.

Like Tkay earlier on, here's Holy Holy yet again hanging about in our countdown like a bad...wait a minute, there's no bad smells here, just the rocking sounds of a band that started simply, and have managed to keep their sounds humble with their simple rock roots, but also manage to keep growing their sound, by nurturing their talent with the old school ways of touring, playing, touring and playing. I hope they keep doing these things for a long time. (Jo Michelmore)