Right, that’s quite enough anticipation. It’s time for the best tracks of 2014 according to Noisey AUS/NZ. Tracks 25 to 11 were announced yesterday and you can read them here. For now though, the business of the top ten…
10. Sia – “Chandelier”
Whether veiled in irony, the dream of every alternative pop purveyor is mainstream success. Though nowadays the gap between the underground and Billboard is smaller, it seems few can make the crossover. Adelaide’s Sia is one of those who has been able to jetpack from respectable quirk-pop into mainstream #bangerz. Though she has helped out scribing hits behind the scenes and guested on Flo-Rida hooks it was the powerhouse vocal gymnastics of “Chandelier” that landed her into the living rooms and SUVs of middle America. Lachlan Kanoniuk
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9. Iceage – “Forever”
Why? It’s a builder. A grower. Like the best Iceage songs, it’s angry and ominous and the guitars rule. Plus it’s punk with mariachi-style trumpets. Josh Gardiner
8. The War on Drugs – “Red Eyes”
The first time I heard “Red Eyes” was as a live performance on Letterman where The War on Drugs seemed to embody Gen X dad rock. But on subsequent listens to Lost in the Dream it’s the song that I keep going back to for the sheer beauty of reverb, echo and ringing guitars. Jose Bautista
7. Bones, Xavier Wulf & Chris Travis – “WeDontBelieveYou”
Bones transcends this post-Lean world and his DIY approach to releasing and promoting music is not unlike Dischord records or other backyard 90s labels. With ‘Team Sesh’ a small group of collaborators and a talent for two- minute ‘choons he is in a league far superior to underground counterparts Yung Lean and Lil Ugly Mane. Bones’ lived experience is a metal kid diversifying his scene and leading an unlikely gang of Triple 6 Mafia fans and hardcore nerds into a chorus of the misunderstood. His latest tape ‘Rotten’ features songs about lavender scrubs, flaxseed and taking care of your body. Maquarie Fletcher
6. Angel Olsen – “Windows”
The final track on Olsen’s stunning album Burn Your Fire For No Witness is one of beauty and power. Forget Rick Alverson’s arty and pompous video, the song is pure class and showcases a voice that Lana Del Rey can only dream about, one that blends dusty romanticism with scorched hurt. Tim Scott
5. Total Control – “Flesh War”
The thing about “Flesh War” is that it’s a pretty song by a band that isn’t necessarily known for pretty music. Like the inside of a hurricane, the sedate bpm calms and disarms the listener from the more menacing post punk tracks found on the album. Alongside taut synths, Daniel Stewart sings with a measured almost mantra/croon that lends an ear of beauty and grimness to what is a massive track. Lachlan Kanoniuk
4. Andras + Oscar – “Looking Back”
Melbourne duo Andras & Oscar have moved on from the ‘Embassy Cafe,’ and found a new late night venue in Cafe Romantica. The first single off their latest album mixes up Andras’ quirky productions with the sensual vocals of Oscar. Just like the video that was inspired by the RSPCA, and Aussie band ‘The Reels’, it’s a track that is about connections and connectedness. Reuben Fidock
3. Sleaford Mods – “Tied Up in Nottz”
“I woke up with shit in my sock outside the Polish off-licence” could by the lyric of 2014. “I got an armful of decent tunes, mate. But it’s all so fucking boring” could be the sentiment of 2014. There’s nothing boring about Sleaford Mods, two lads from Grantham, Nottingham Nottz (“Nottz with a Z you cunt”) whose Divide and Exit is one of the best disillusioned and potty mouthed punk albums of the year. Comparisons to the Streets and the Fall are fair but here they are like a more frantic but no less deadpan Arab Strap. Tim Scott
2. HTRK – “Chinatown Style”
Amidst the 11-minute NSFW clip lies a track of seemingly effortless beauty and cool. “You know / I got / mood swings that I got no control of” coos Jonine Standish while the understated production of Nigel Yang sits under the song like low static. Sensual, erotic, stylish and creative it’s a track that captures what HTRK do best.
Though it’s called “Chinatown Style” it seems the song could be for and about New York, Berlin, Melbourne and London. Jose Bautista
1. Low Life – “Dogging”
It was a close call between Total Control’s Typical System and Low Life’s Dogging for best Australian album of 2014. But in the end it was the opening line of the title track from the long awaited Dogging that tipped the scale. When Mitch Tolman’s wearily sighs, “As if I got a choice, as if I asked for this/As if I ever thought things could get as dark as this”, it feels as if he’s railing against life in Sydney in 2014. A diatribe against work, friends, no work, fights, rent, drugs, egos and idiots, it’s punk rock at it’s shabbiest and scabbiest. Forget Lou’s Lower East Side of the late 70s this is Sydney’s Central Station at 10:30 on a Friday night. Tim Scott
And here’s a final recap of the top 25…
25. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib – “High”
24. Tirzah – “No Romance”
23. Thrill Collins – “John Key”
22. The Ukiah Drag – “Final Prayer”
21. Shamir – “On the Regular”
20. Lee Gamble – “Motor System”
19. Blank Realm – “Falling Down the Stairs”
18. Jock Club – “Late Night Nile Cruise”
17. FKA twigs – “Two Weeks”
16. Orion – “Sexy Alien”
15. Prime Boys – “I Heard”
14. Las Tetas- “The Plains”
13. QT – “Hey QT”
12. Kendrick Lamar – “i”
11. Nun – “Evoke the Sleep”
10. Sia – “Chandelier”
9. Iceage – “Forever”
8. The War on Drugs – “Red Yes”
7. Bones, Xavier Wulf and Chris Travis – “Wedontbelieveyou”
6. Angel Olsen- “Windows”
5. Total Control – “Flesh War”
4. Andras & Oscar – “Looking Back”
3. Sleaford Mods – “Tied up in Nottz”
2. HTRK – “Chinatown Style”
1. Low Life – “Dogging”
