For many Australians in university and school, it is time, or almost time, to break for the summer. Once those finals are done, you can finally relax and have a moment with fewer worries. For those of us not in school, we can use these songs to look forward to the weekend, or remind us to look forward to anything, really. Perhaps you are seeing this after or during the holidays, and need something to remind yourselves to breathe and smile through your relatives asking why you aren’t married yet. Either way, here’s a playlist to dance to and let out a mental sigh of relief.
1. Cashmere Cat – Throw Myself a Party ft. 2 Chains, Tory Lanez, and Starrah
You’re through what it is you were going through. And now it’s time to throw yourself a party. This incredible track was the second single off of Cashmere Cat’s upcoming project Wild Love, and promises great things coming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYl7_L8U28Y
2. Ryan Hemsworth – Burying the Sun
Whatever it was that you needed to bury, leave it behind. This song from Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth is a beautiful journey, from it’s gentle softness to jumpy percussion, this odd yet beautiful song will help us bury our demons.
3. Yogi – Blow You Up ft. AlunaGeorge
This is a song purely designed to make you feel good. Yogi is known best for his harder works, such as the classic song Burial with Skrillex, Trollphace, and Pusha T, but this softer side made for a rather infectious beat.
4. EPROM and G Jones – Warrior
To contrast our last track, we have possibly some of the hardest, soul-crushing trap released this year. Eprom’s iconic subterranean bass sound and G Jones’ expertise birthed an absolute banger fit to make you feel like a warrior.
5. Nick Murphy – Fear Less
Nick Murphy, previously known as Chet Faker, released this as his first single on his project with a new name. This building intensity with the voice and production we all know and love bring us less fear and we look forward to what he’ll do next.
https://soundcloud.com/chet-faker/fear-less
6. Flosstradamus and TroyBoi – Soundclash
“A sound clash enough to heal ya” indeed. After America’s election and after a hard semester at school or day at work, we could all use some healing. The immediately recognizable trap styles of Flosstradamus and TroyBoi expertly mix to create something that’s become a staple in the sets and libraries of many.
7. Willow Beats – From Under the Ground
A bit of an indie flair from one of Australia’s best female-led electronic duos. Lead singer Kalyani’s vocals are reminiscent of a siren song, and this bouncy, almost hip-hop style beat blends well with this floating melodic voice.
8. Major Lazer – Night Riders ft. Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, Pusha T & Mad Cobra)
Major Lazer has become something of a worldwide force, and the song Lean On became the most streamed song on Spotify of all time. This song is a perfect way to blend electronic, reggae, and hip hop without outshining the vocalists, creating a song about getting what you want and having the best night ever with none of the cheesy.
9. RL Grime – Core (Djemba’s Selassie Bootleg)
Perhaps you’ve heard Core by RL Grime, or maybe you have and you didn’t know it. Now, not just anyone can remix one of the most iconic trap songs of all time, but Djemba Djemba, who’s done production for names like Sia, Chris Brown, and Alison Wonderland, did it successfully without removing any of the song’s original flair, and that flip near the end is an absolute killer.
https://soundcloud.com/djembadjemba/core-djembas-selassie-bootleg
10. Flume – Free
As the end to a playlist to a song about relief, we had to have the one song that makes us feel freest of all. This song is a release to bad energy, a new clarity or beginning from Australia’s own, who has had one of the biggest years of his life following the release of his sophomore album, Skin. Listen below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytgx9aiGHkU
This is a playlist meant for nothing but enjoyment, to get a taste of many genres and let go of our inhibitions and stressors for a half hour or so.
Everyone’s favourite bearded Melbournite, Chet Faker, is no longer Chet Faker. Announced via Facebook, the ARIA-winning producer and singer will be releasing his next album under his real name, Nick Murphy.
https://www.facebook.com/Chetfaker/posts/1088075637897050
“There’s an evolution happening,” he mysteriously revealed.
“Chet Faker will always be a part of the music,” he wrote, but whether this is symbolic or not is unclear. As to whether or not he’ll be working under Nick Murphy for the remainder of his career is unknown, but for now, I’m interested in seeing where he’s heading next musically. It’s a fascinating move, albeit not the first time we’ve seen it lately. Young Thug just released his new record under his own name, Jeffery. And who could forget when Billy Corgan tried forcing everyone to address him by his full name William Patrick Corgan?
Plenty of artists have adopted other names and even alternate personas throughout their career, and it seems like Chet Faker might have been that for Murphy. There’s Eminem and Slim Shady, Beyonce and Sasha Fierce, David Bowie and Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and beyond.
No word yet as to when we’ll be hearing any of this new music either, but if he’s announcing this now, we can most likely presume that new music is on its way quite soon.
Image: Run the Tap
It’s happened. The summer is well and truly over. With a bunch of festivals, sideshows and tours over the New Year absolutely blowing our minds, it’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye as it all drifts further and further back into our memory. However, before it leaves completely, there’s still some time to bring the heat.
Future Classic’s series of MCA shows have over the last few months seen some absolutely legendary performances. Kenton Slash Demon, Roland Tings, Harvey Sutherland, Tornado Wallace, Sampa The Great, Wafia, Anthony Naples, Pelvis and Kenji Takimi have all graced the MCA’s Sculpture Terrace with their presence, and crazy fun shows. So it’s only fitting that the mega-label is seeing it off with a bang, putting on a final show this Sunday packed full of Future Classic Allstars. They’re being super secretive about the lineup and not giving any hints until it’s actually happening, so we’re here to speculate and myth-bust as to who may be jumping behind the decks.
Our little dog friend is barking all over the northern hemisphere at the moment. He’s just done a bunch of shows in the U.S. and Paris, and his Saturday night is taking place in London. That’ll be the 9th of April, which, with time differences, is almost exactly when the FC Allstars show will be going on. We can sit on his latest track Chroma, to make him feel a little bit closer, but we won’t be able to see him do his thing at the MCA.
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Since the release of Built on Glass in 2014, Chet’s been all over the world playing shows, and even making an appearance on Ellen. Towards the end of last year though, he released Work, an EP he produced alongside London’s Marcus Marr. It’s 4 tracks of beautiful house, which would be phenomenal to see played live. He’s proven himself to be very comfortable behind the decks, having a slap at the Ray Ban x Boiler Room show in Melbourne late last year, so we can hope we get to see it go down again.
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His show alongside Cyril Hahn in late February is still fresh in our minds, and sadly, leads us to believe that he won’t be back to play so soon.
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Though it’s been a while since we’ve heard from LA duo Classixx, their last album releasing all the way back in 2013, it’d make sense to get a surprise appearance from them on the Sculpture Terrace. They’ve just released their latest single Grecian Summer from their second album Faraway Ranch, and been announced as part of that absolutely mammoth Lollapalooza lineup, we imagine to tie in with its release. So, maybe to kick off what is to be an absolutely massive year for them, we’ll see them Sydney-side this weekend? Fingers crossed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q_Pr9hYzo
Though we’re on the precipice of the release of Skin, Flume’s second album, and yes it would make sense for a huge hometown show before it releases – it’s super unlikely. He’s playing Ceremonia Festival in Mexico on Saturday, so we can live in the hope that maybe his set is early and he could make a flight, but let’s not get them up.
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Side-project of beatmakers Ta-Ku and Kit Pop, HWLS’ most recent release was two months ago with Ty Dolla $ign as part of Adidas’ #songsfromscratch series. They’ve played a few shows here and there, their last one in Sydney being the Laneway Festival afterparty with Hudson Mohawke. With them going quite for a while, it’d make sense to have them as part of the allstar lineup, but Ta-Ku is doing so much at the moment that he legit may not have the time. He’s debuting his live show with Wafia (who just released her own EP) at VIVID LIVE, and has a residency at the MCA starting next week – though maybe that’s in our favour set-wise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UQ3WHMfcD8
It’s been quite a long time since we’ve heard anything from these two boys from Sydney. They’re playing quite a few shows in Europe over the next three months, starting in May, but haven’t done a Sydney show in quite some time. Reading between the lines though, Future Classic call specific attention to the fact that the Allstars are “jumping behind the decks”, and so we may not be able to get the full Jagwar Ma experience if they are to make an appearance. Maybe a lil DJ set though? Time will tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP8k6fmxWe4
Not much is known about Midnight To Monaco, the project of Donnie Sloan, co-producer for Empire Of The Sun, and Ricky Ducati, but their sound speaks for itself. 50’s doo wop flung far into the future, Midnight To Monaco are set for big things the world over. Their latest single One In A Million was released on the latest Future Classic compilation, also called One In A Million, so we can clutch at straws and hope that they’re on the lineup, but would we consider them allstars yet? No doubt they will be eventually, but so far they’ve only been around a minute.
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Panama have just come home from a tour across Asia, though their last release was a while ago with Jungle just last year. Unless they do a DJ set, we imagine they won’t be gracing the MCA stage due to the fact that they use live drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1m0mceKkx4
The boys are doing a bunch of European shows in September, and just last week did a DJ set in Berlin. They seem to be spending more and more time overseas at the moment, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were still kicking it European style, but they are definitely one of Future Classic’s most allstar teams, so it’s very possible they’ll come home to pay a visit.
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Melbourne producer Thrupence has been flying under the radar for a while now, releasing New Light, his only track since Lessons all the way back in 2014, in September of last year. Though his lush and textured sounds would fit right at home at the MCA, if you follow his Instagram you’ll know that he’s been much more busy working in his design and art scheme of things.
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Off the back of his remix of Flume’s Never Be Like You, Wavey is unfortunately, for those of us at home, also on tour. Taking his Flash Drive tour across North America, Saturday night sees him play Madison, Wisconsin, alongside Promnite. This Sunday won’t be as wavey as we’d hoped in Sydney, take care of him Wisconsin.
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They’ve just wrapped up their Avocado Galaxy tour to promote their EP of the same name, but it’s unlikely we’ll be travelling through the Avocado Galaxy come this Sunday. Why? Instruments.
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OTHERS
Now though everyone else has gotten their own section on why they might or might not play, there’s some very simple explanations for the ones in this section. Though we’d love to see them again, Kenton Slash Demon and Perth singer songwriter Wafia have already played as part of this round of FC x MCA shows, so we’re banking on them not making a return just to give others a red hot go. Sidenote: Wafia could maybe come back, but it’d probably only be to accompany Ta-ku like she will be as a part of VIVID Live. Now, you may have also noticed that Charles Murdoch, Flight Facilities, Hayden James and Touch Sensitive haven’t been mentioned till now. Though all these artists are phenomenal in their own rights, and definitely all a part of Future Classic’s Allstar roster – these boys are the real allstars. Allstars are the players who come back and play in the game day after day, or in this case, rock the house again and again. They’re our best bets for Sunday’s show, but we can’t wait to found out properly.
It was up there with one of the best releases of the year, and now it’s been giving an all-star remix treatment. That’s right- four remixes have now been released from Shlohmo‘s brooding, mysterious Dark Red, and they are just as good as the originals which is really saying something.
Baauer, Jacques Green, Chet Faker and Jim-E Stack have all offered up their own takes on cuts from Dark Red, and have all brought their A-game by turning the tracks on their heads. Jim-E Stack’s percussion-led take on Slow Descent; Chet Faker providing some intimate and vulnerable vocals over Remains; Baauer and Jacques Green both choosing the stunning Ten Days of Falling to lend their signature touches to- these remixes provide even more mystery and depth to an already really dark, mysterious and deep record.
You can purchase the remixes on iTunes now, or head to his Soundcloud to download them for free. Shlohmo was in the country earlier this year for a quick jaunt around his Splendour In The Grass set, and will be wrapping up 2015 as one of the most successful years he has had. Whilst the unnerving sounds on Dark Red would have caught more than a few fans off guard, it has opened a new sonic chapter for Shlohmo. Here’s hoping we get a lot more of this next year!
Chet Faker has re-released 1998 from Built On Glass, featuring a very special guest. Alluring songstress and one of the 2015 Laneway headliners Banks has lent her sultry vocals to the beard-loving Melbourne artist, and the result is a gorgeous new remix of the much-loved single.
Zane Lowe premiered the track on Apple’s lauded Beats 1 radio yesterday, and it has already made a great impression on fans everywhere. We can easily hear why. The track has the same sound as the original during the beginning of the song. The lyrics haven’t changed either. Faker sings out the first part in his folk-like, woeful voice until Banks storms in and steals the spotlight. Her beautiful voice compliments his perfectly, giving the song a smooth atmosphere alongside the original house medley. Their voices sound even better when they’re layered on top of each other.
If you haven’t heard, Faker is touring the country after releasing a track that was cut from Built On Glass in a few months. Hopefully Banks will come back for a tour soon as well, but we haven’t heard any new music from her in months, so we imagine (read: hope) that she’s busy working on new material first.
If you think you’re ready for this explosion of greatness, listen to the track below.
Words by Luke Bodley
Chet Faker is back with Bend, a last minute off-cut from his award-winning 2014 album Built on Glass. The song has moments when it is bundled up and muscular, and others when it is diffuse and watery. As expected, Faker’s voice lilts in its sleepy but coarse way, in a kind of soft-sandpaper drawl. As a sonic foil to his vocals, a tense synth heaves the song forward. The end is this layer upon layer collation of fractured vocal samples, wide electronic pulses and neat off-centre beats.
Faker’s music (and Bend, of course) has a powerful way of capturing the sonic underbelly of Melbourne, of giving a musical shape to the urbane, the grungy and the eclectic. This song, in particular, is a mangled sound sculpture not too dissimilar to the weird permutations of Aussie modern culture. I see images of multicolour graffiti paintings danced about by beanie wearing beards, of semi-lit dens containing Health Goth enthusiasts, and of barely functioning trains packed with tracksuited screamers. Thanks Faker and thanks Australia.
Chet Faker has also announced a string of national tour dates later this year – full details right here.
Two of Australia’s biggest current exports are heading out on tour! We’ve got the scoop right here.
Chet Faker
He is already working on new stuff, but today Chet Faker decided to share an unreleased track from his highly praised debut album. Bend, which premiered on Triple J this morning, was originally supposed to be on Built On Glass, but was replaced with To Me. “Ever since it got cut from the album it’s just been sitting on my iTunes, sitting there looking at me,” Faker said. Luckily for us, the guilt eventually got to him.
Despite the fact that he already had a massive tour at the beginning of the year, he has announced that he will be on the road again in October to promote this perfectly effortless track. For the Built On Live Tour, Faker will be performing some previously unheard tracks and will be joined by some guests. Faker will start in his home city, Melbourne, at the end of October before heading to Brisbane and then Sydney. Get ready East Coast, tickets were high in demand last time so you’d better get in quick!
Friday, 30 October – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Saturday, 31 October – The Riverstage, Brisbane
Friday, 6 November – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
Tickets available from June 25th HERE.
The Preatures
Also touring in the coming months, The Preatures released a new video clip for Cruel yesterday. To go with the 80’s feel of the song, the video has a cool live show setting with coloured lighting. The camera work in made to look amateur and slight low quality to reflect the style of music videos back then, giving the video a more personal atmosphere.
Their incredible performance at festivals Groovin In The Moo and Dark Mofo have proved that a live show from The Preatures cannot be missed. After their Cruel Tour starts in Perth on August 20th, they will move around the West, East and South coasts of Australia, before ending up in Wollongong for the Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival on October 4th. They will be joined by Brisbane pop group The Ceases in most locations.
Thursday, 20 August – Artbar, Perth WA (U18)*
With special guest Hamjam
Friday, 21 August – North West Festival, Port Hedland WA *
Thursday, 27 August – Anu Bar, Canberra ACT
With special guest Low Lux
Friday, 28 August – The Metro, Sydney NSW (All Ages)
With special guest Low Lux
Saturday, 29 August – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay NSW
With special guest Low Lux
Friday, 4 September – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns QLD (15+)
Saturday, 5 September – Flinders Social, Townsvilled QLD
With special guest Sam Wright
Thursday, 10 September – Kay Street Entertainment, Traralgon VIC
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Friday, 11 September – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Saturday, 12 September – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC (All Ages)
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Sunday, 13 September – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Saturday, 19 September – The Met, Brisbane QLD (All Ages)
With special guest The Furrs
Friday, 25 September – The Gov, Adelaide SA (All Ages)
With special guest Glass Skies
Friday, 2 October – The Cambridge, Newcastle NSW
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4, October – Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival, Wollongong NSW (18+)*
*The Creases not appearing
Get you tickets HERE.
1. Chet Faker
It’s fair to say Chet Faker is the man of the hour. After placing no less than four times in Triple J’s Hottest 100 on the back of his immaculate Built on Glass record, the bearded Melbournian is taking his breathtaking live show around the country. Needless to say, tickets are in very high demand, and consequently further dates have been added to the tour.
Chet Faker tour dates:
Wednesday 11 February – Royal Theatre, Canberra (All Ages)
Friday 13 February – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
Saturday 14 February – Convention Centre, Brisbane (All Ages)
Sunday 22 February – Arts Centre, Fremantle* (18+)
Wednesday 25 February – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
Thursday 26 February – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
Friday 27 February – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
Saturday 28 February – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (All Ages)
Tuesday 3 March – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
Thursday 5 March – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
Saturday 7 March – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
All tickets here
2. Gang of Youths
Sydney rockers Gang of Youths are headlining a smattering of gigs down the east coast in support of their punchy new single, Benevolence Riots. Having already visited Brisbane in January, the boys are set for hectic shows in Sydney and Melbourne later this month.
Gang of Youths tour dates:
SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY
MELBOURNE | THE WORKERS CLUB | http://theworkersclub.oztix.com.au/?Event=48941
SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY
SYDNEY | GOODGOD SMALL CLUB | http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/gang-of-youths-benevolence-riots-tour/74791
3. Angus & Julia Stone
2014 saw Angus & Julia Stone release their third album – their first truly collaborative effort – with producer Rick Rubin. The self-titled LP was very positively received, with lead single Heart Beats Slow cracking the Hottest 100 at #62. After kicking things off in Perth on Wednesday, the siblings have embarked on an extensive national tour throughout February. Supported by Cloud Control and Little May, this is set to be a fantastic run of shows.
Angus & Julia Stone tour dates:
Saturday, 7th February 2015 – SOLD OUT
Entertainment Centre, Darwin*
Tickets: Live Nation
Tuesday, 10th February 2015
Convention Centre, Cairns*
Tickets: Live Nation
Wednesday, 11th February 2015
Entertainment Centre, Townsville*
Tickets: Live Nation
Friday, 13th February 2015
Riverstage, Brisbane
Tickets: Live Nation
Saturday, 14th February 2015 – NEW SHOW
Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast
Tickets: Live Nation
Sunday, 15th February 2015 – NEW SHOW
C.Ex, Coffs Harbour
Tickets: Live Nation
Wednesday, 18th February 2015 – NEW SHOW
Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
Tickets: Live Nation
Friday, 20th February 2015
Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
Tickets: Live Nation
Saturday, 21st February 2015 – NEW SHOW
Panthers, Newcastle
Tickets: Live Nation
Tuesday, 24th February 2015
Aec Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Live Nation
Thursday, 26th February 2015
Costa Hall, Geelong*
Tickets: Live Nation
Friday, 27th February 2015
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Tickets: Live Nation
Saturday, 28th February 2015
Odeon Theatre, Hobart*
Tickets: Live Nation
4. Lime Cordiale
If you like the sound of brass-infused indie pop, then Lime Cordiale are the band for you. At the core of the Sydney outfit are brothers Ollie and Louis Leimbach, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing at BIGSOUND last year. This time around they’re touring in support of their new single, Hanging Upside Down. Their live shows are full of energy and, having recently toured with The Delta Riggs, they’re sure to have a well-practised set ready to go.
Lime Cordiale tour dates:
FEB 20 FRI – HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TOUR – Northcote Social Club
FEB 26 THU – HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TOUR – Black Bear Lodge
FEB 28 SAT – HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TOUR – Newtown Social Club
All tickets here
5. Client Liaison
If you have to see only one Australian act perform live this year – for the love of God – let it be Client Liaison. The Melbourne duo, purveyors of turn-of-the-’90s Australiana and Lords of the Dance, put on a magnificent, life-affirming show. Fronted by the hair, hips and shoulder pads of Monte Morgan, Client Liaison are the epitome of hedonism, and leave nothing in the locker. The Pretty Lovers tour kicks off in March.
Mar 04 Pretty Lovers Tour w/ Retiree, Wrooks – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane
Mar 05 Pretty Lovers Tour w/ Retiree, Wrooks – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane
Mar 06 Pretty Lovers Tour – Jimmy’s Den – Perth
Mar 07 Pretty Lovers Tour – Pirie & Co. Social Club – Adelaide
Mar 14 Pretty Lovers Tour w/ Retiree, Wrooks – Oxford Art Factory – Sydney
Mar 18 Pretty Lovers Tour w/ Retiree, Wrooks – 170 Russell – Melbourne
Mar 20 Pretty Lovers Tour w/ Retiree, Wrooks – 170 Russell – Melbourne (Sold Out)
6. Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers are perhaps the most popular band in Australia right now. So popular, in fact, that their imminent tour famously sold out before it was even announced. In order to cater for this overwhelming demand, new dates have been added to the tour schedule, so there’s hope for you yet if you want to catch the Sydney boys in action.
Sticky Fingers tour dates:
13 March 170 Russell (Formerley BILLBOARD) | Melbourne,VIC AUSTRALIA
15 March 170 Russell (Formerley BILLBOARD) | Melbourne,VIC, AUSTRALIA
21 March Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA
26 March The HI-FI | Brisbane, QLD, AUSTRALIA
27 March The HI-FI | Brisbane, QLD, AUSTRALIA
28 March Great Northern Hotel | Byron Bay, NSW, AUSTRALIA
All tickets here
It’s here! 2,099,701 votes tallied from over 188 countries and we have our Hottest 100 of 2014. A lot of us will be attempting to piece together which songs we heard when, with blurry memories from our Australia Day celebrations. Let’s rummage through and dig out which artists had major wins.
First off, some honourable mentions:
Odd Mob – #70 Is It a banger? – “If there are any acoustic instruments used? It is not a banger” Coming in at 70, Aziz Ansari’s voice mixed with a funky bassline – well deserved!
Flight Facilities #59 Sunshine feat. Reggie Watts, #39 Two Bodies feat. Emma Louise – Any song featuring Reggie Watts is sure to make the Hottest 100! Two huge tunes from Flight Facilities that I’m sure we will hear all throughout 2015.
Run The Jewels #72 Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck) ft. Zach De La Rocha – anyone who reads Howl & Echoes knows how much we love RTJ. We were a little upset that they weren’t higher up in the countdown, but fucking stoked that they were represented at all. Bring on RTJ3 (and read our interview with them here)
Alright. Here’s the Hottest 100 years of 2015.
Chet Faker – #8 1998, #7 Gold, #1 Talk is Cheap
Chet, we salute you. To have one song in the top ten is a massive achievement, let alone three. The only other artist to achieve this feat was Powderfinger in 2003. Chet is no stranger to the Hottest 100, this being his third consecutive year. However, this year Prince Chet arises King Chet – smashing the Hottest 100 to pieces and capturing a cultured Japanese Instagram in the process.
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The Preatures – #29 Somebody’s Talkin
The Preatures have stormed in for their second year in a row at No. 29. The 5 piece from Sydney often fly under our radar but have slowly been gaining a huge rep. Opening for The Rolling Stones last year on their tour around Australia, it’s weird to think that none of them were alive when the Stone first formed in 1962. I’m sure The Preatures have some goodies for us in 2015, and no doubt I’ll be including them in next years wins of the countdown.
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Peking Duk – #5 Take Me Over (feat SAFIA), #2 High (feat. Nicole Millar)
Peking Duk, we also salute you. Two songs in the top 5 is another incredible feat for the Canberra duo. Last year they tore up festival stages at Groovin in the Moo, Splendour in the Grass, Beyond the Valley and Stereosonic. Also a quick tip – if you haven’t seen them live, they often open with a personally recorded message from Karl Stevanovic – well worth a watch. When quizzed about they’re two songs in the top five they answered “we don’t write music to make lists, but more for the awesome feeling people get when listening to it.” Well guys, you achieved that and made the list, twice!
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Alison Wonderland – #37 I Want U
Studies have said that the 2nd time you hear a song is the most likely point that it will resonate with you positively. The second time that I heard I Want U was at Alison Wonderland’s packed out show at the Metro Theatre last year. To say that it resonated positively would be a vast understatement. Hailed by Annie Mac and Diplo last year as “one of the best DJ’s coming out of Australia” Alison’s new album Run is coming out on March 20th, so keep your eyes peeled.
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Hilltop Hoods – #57 Walking Under Stars, #36 Won’t Let You Down (feat. Maverick Sabre) #3 Cosby Sweater
Hilltop Hoods are one of those bands that continually surprise us. Did you know their last 4 albums have all gone No. 1 in Australia? That’s a huge feat and they are deserve each place in the Hottest 100 of their last album Walking Under Stars. The Adelaide trio has been at the forefront of the Aussie Hip-Hop scene since they started out in 1994. Three years in a row at the third to spot…. Does that just sting a teensy bit though?
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Since its inception in 1974, Triple J’s crown jewel has easily been the annual Hottest 100 Countdown. The largest music poll in the world, establishing what was truly the best song of the year. That’s not to say the poll is always accurate, with some victors wining in questionable circumstances, however as 2014 draws to a close, its now time to count your votes, and establish who will take out this years crown. In light of this, Howls & Echoes has listed its top picks for the 2014 Countdown. (In no particular order)
Peking Duk: High feat. Nicole Millar
Possibly the only good thing to come out of Canberra since Kevin Rudd’s ‘Sorry’ speech, Peking Duk have had an incredible year. The release of High saw the duo solidify their standings in the shit-fight that is the Australian dance scene. This release resulted in incredible performances at both Splendour in The Grass and Groovin The Moo, and most recently saw the two tear Sterosonic’s main stage a new one. Considering how far these boys have come, and the incredible rotation High has had across the airwaves, we will be very surprised if this doesn’t make top 5, let alone grab pole position.
Chet Faker: Talk Is Cheap
That said, it’s not like there isn’t any strong competition. Chet Faker’s ‘Built on Glass’ saw the Melbournite go from a well kept secret, to Australia’s favourite son. Talk Is Cheap has amassed an impressive 7 million views on YouTube and his debut album reaching Gold status, accompanied with a number one spot. It’s going to be an incredibly close race, however our boy Chet is in with a seriously good shot.
Future Islands: Waiting On You
The fact that Future Islands have been kicking around since 2006 will never cease to surprise us, however its extremely fortunate that their single Waiting On You broke them into the global music scene this year. After their incredible performance at Splendour In The Grass, it would come as no surprise if the American Outfit claimed the number one spot. Accompanied by their incredible performance on Letterman, 2014 has definitely been the year of Future Islands.
The War On Drugs: Red Eyes
Similar to Future Islands, The War On Drugs’ past two albums were not only extremely underrated, but one of the best-kept secrets we had. However in the immortal words of Nelly Furtado, ‘All Good Things (Must Come To An End)’. The War On Drugs’ Red Eyes divided listeners, either deeming it incredible, or incredibly boring. At Howl & Echoes however, we back the Philadelphian outfit and know that the group will feature heavily in this years countdown.
Sam Smith: Stay With Me
Rolling Stone slotted UK tear-jerker, Sam Smith, into their top 15 tracks of 2014 with his heartfelt ballad Stay With Me. Having wowed crowds at Splendour In The Grass, and his debut album, Stay With Me is definitely a change of pace form the upbeat nature of the countdown, but rest assured that it will be in there.
Flight Facilities: Two Bodies feat. Emma Louise
We had Chet Faker, we had The Smith Street Band, however its so profoundly obvious that Flight Facilities album ‘Down To Earth’ was the single most anticipated Australian album of the year. The duo have been kicking around for years, however in 2014 the finally release their hugely awaited debut album. From this album stemmed Two Bodies, featuring Emma Louise. Spearheading the electronic vibe which has taken over Australia, ‘Two Bodies’ has been received with nothing but love.
DMAs: Delete
Before they had released a song, performed a gig, or given the public anything to show – Australia was already talking about Sydney’s DMAs. With several tours and soon to be two groundbreaking EPs under their belt, its no surprise. The unique formula of an Australian spin on that Brit-Pop sound we’d all forgotten has resulted in them being loved the world over. Having just finishing up supporting The Courteeners in the UK to rave reviews, their ballad Delete is a definite feature on this years Hottest 100
DZ Deathrays: Gina Works at Hearts
Having recently taken out the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album, the DZ lads are hardly slowing down. The release of Gina Works at Hearts saw a cross-over between their signature hard hitting riffs and a accessible lyrics, accumulating in some serious loving for the song. Here’s hoping that this cross over, which did them justice at the ARIAs, rewards them even further with a top 10 spot come January 26th.
ILLY: Tightrope
ILLY has been kicking around for years, however the release of Tightrope from his album Cinematic, hit a sweet spot with both Triple J and voters alike scoring Platinum status. Having headlined this years One Night Stand, it really has been a jam-packed year for the Victorian rapper, and he is in serious contention to cap it off with taking that number one spot.
Jungle: Busy Earning
The boys from Jungle came out of nowhere, and their self titled debut release took the world by storm. The British outfit have spent the entire year touring, capitalising on what is one of the better albums of this year. Their feel-good downbeat vibes will be making an appearance in this years countdown, the question is where?
Wild Card: Taylor Swift – Blank Space
I honestly don’t care what you say, Taylor Swift’s 1989 was one of the best albums of the year. Yeah it’s pop, but it was genuinely one of the most honest albums we’ve seen in a long time. Unfortunately I doubt that Blank Space will be considered for a nomination, but it should be. Taylor is love, Taylor is life.