It’s that time of the year again when the AU team vote on their favourite songs of the year, resulting in our annual top 40 song list… taking in a mix of local and international music that we haven’t gotten enough of this year. We start things local though at number 40…
40. Thelma Plum – Young In Love
Larry Heath: A stunning track from one of Australia’s finest young voices. Taken from her latest EP Monsters, “Young in Love” is the album stand out, and shows the maturing singer/songwriter in fine form, ultimately delivering one of our favourite tracks of 2014.
39. Augie March – After The Crack Up
Carina Nilma: Five years feels like a ridiculously long time to be without the magical sounds of our Augie March but they’re back and it’s wonderful. With layer upon layer upon layer of voices and piano and guitar and drums. It’s luscious and whimsical.
38. St Vincent – Digital Witness
Larry Heath: Just press play, repeat and play it again…
37. Bluejuice – I’ll Go Crazy
Larry Heath: We’re sad to see these guys go, but damn it if they aren’t leaving us in style…
36. Banks – Begging for Thread
Sosefina Fuamoli: The production of this single is great, though it’s Banks’ gravelly vocals that drive the song that instantly hooked me in. For someone who looks so gorgeous and quintessentially ‘girly’, Banks sounds like a total badass on “Begging for Thread”, shedding any preconception.
35. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Cellophane
John Goodridge: I love how this song stands alone as well as melding in with the rest of the songs on the album…
34. DZ Deathrays – Gina Works at Harts
John Goodridge: A good growth and maturity for this band expanding their sound into a more diverse range…
33. Ball Park Music – Trippin’ The Light Fantastic
Bree Cohen: Ball Park Music keep getting better and better and with this track it proves without question that are one of the best bands in the country at the moment.
32. DMA’s – Laced
Andrew Campbell: Yes they wear their influences clearly on their sleeve but this track convinced me that they really are talented songwriters. O’Dell’s strutting, cocksure vocals and the rhythmic, driving acoustic guitar underpin a song so melodic and catchy it recalls The Church at the height of their power.
31. Alt-J – Every Other Freckle
Nazia Hafiz: This track is so primal, I mean c’mon with lyrics like ‘turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet’ there’s something dangerous about the desire in it. The make-up is signature Alt-J dark and fuzzy with some light hearted almost medieval harmonies to keep it aurally interesting and a lilting beat to get the limbs moving.
Stay tuned for the top 30 songs and also our top 40 albums!
