In case you missed it, last week saw voting open for the Hottest 100 of 2018.
Of course, this is the time of the year where everyone is feverishly making their shortlists, or going through their most-played lists on Spotify to ensure their favourites aren’t forgotten.
However, as we recently examined, there are plenty of amazing tracks that never quite made the countdown over the years, leading many music fans to wonder what happened.
With so many amazing songs in the running for this year’s countdown, we’ve decided to curate a list of some of our favourite tracks from the last 12 months that we hope won’t also be forgotten when January 27th rolls around.
‘Dinosaurs’ – Ruby Fields
From the second that Ruby Fields’ ‘Dinosaurs’ was unleashed onto the world, music lovers (and triple j staffers) were standing up and taking notice. A slow-burning gem that comes complete with stark, confessional lyrics, the track was a pretty important one for the stunning muso to write.
“‘Dinosaurs’ is a song I’ve been itching to write to bring up some super big insecurities of mine,” Ruby explained of the track. “I still wanted it to have the Australiana flair but also showcase a bit more emotion – and obviously I couldn’t go a whole song without some drums.”
Having wrapped up an Aussie tour in support of the track last week, 2018 has undoubtedly been a huge year for Ruby Fields, whose debut EP – Your Dad’s Opinion For Dinner – was also unleashed earlier in the year.
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Check out Ruby Fields’ ‘Dinosaurs’:
‘Smogged Out’ – Skegss
Skegss’ My Own Mess was a long-awaited, warmly-received, debut record for this trio. Following a few years of EPs and singles, the Byron Bay rockers knocked it out of the park with their debut album, full of catchy tracks like ‘Up In The Clouds’ and ‘Smogged Out’.
Of course, the latter track has been resonating with listeners the most, having served as one of triple j’s most played tracks throughout the year. Even with a vocal line that invokes memories of Barry Manilow’s ‘Mandy’, ‘Smogged Out’ is as fresh as they come, and will go down as one of the bangers of 2018.
Check out Skegss’ ‘Smogged Out’:
‘UFO (feat. Allday)’ – Mallrat
In about five years time, music fans the world over will be looking back and remembering the day that they first heard Mallrat. Since bursting onto the scene a few years back, she’s been delivering tune after tune, and Aussies have been loving them.
Teaming up with Allday for ‘UFO’, this slick track has become one of the year’s best, and is slowly becoming an veritable anthem for anyone who likes upbeat tunes and a catchy chorus.
Check out Mallrat’s ‘UFO (feat. Allday)’:
‘Clark Griswold (feat. Adrian Eagle)’ – Hilltop Hoods
Veterans of the Aussie music scene, Adelaide’s Hilltop Hoods returned earlier this year with ‘Clark Griswold’, the first taste of their upcoming album The Great Expanse.
Featuring fellow South Aussie Adrian Eagle, this anthem of fatherhood sees the Hilltop Hoods at their catchy best. Given their consistent track record, this one is basically destined to give the Hoods their fourth #3 spot in the countdown, right? Or will we see them finally top the entire poll?
Check out the Hilltop Hoods’ ‘Clark Griswold (feat. Adrian Eagle)’:
‘Killing My Time’ – G Flip
At the start of the year, the name G Flip would’ve meant almost nothing to most of the Aussie public. But within the space of a few months, we’ve received a handful of killer singles and been introduced to one of the most exciting musicians in the country right now.
With tracks like ‘About You’ and ‘Killing My Time’ doing the rounds this year, it’s ‘Killing My Time’ that is on track to be one of the most iconic tunes of 2018 thanks to its catchy nature and mind-blowing delivery from this talented muso.
Check out G Flip’s ‘Killing My Time’:
‘I’m Good’ – Wafia
Described as the perfect post-breakup song, Wafia’s ‘I’m Good’ aims to see the good in the bad, and look forward to the positivity that lies ahead. A perfect track for almost any negative experience, it’s clear to see why listeners have been loving this absolute belter of a tune.
Check out Wafia’s ‘I’m Good’:
‘WOW’ – Kwame
There’s a reason why Kwame has been named triple j Unearthed’s most-played act of 2018 and won the J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year, and it all comes down to the absolute jams he pumps out.
Seemingly named after everyone’s reaction to the tune, ‘WOW’ was Kwame’s breakthrough hit and has not only made him one of the fastest-rising stars in Australia, but has also seen his profile begin to grow internationally as well.
Check out Kwame’s ‘WOW’:
‘Stuck On You’ – West Thebarton
Releasing their debut album, Different Beings Being Different, earlier this year, Adelaide’s West Thebarton have undoubtedly kicked things up a couple of notches. Gaining widespread acclaim for their explosive tunes and ferocious live shows, they’re undoubtedly one of the most versatile bands of the year.
With tracks like ‘Stuck On You’ under their belt, West Thebarton (and no, it’s not pronounced ‘The Barton’) are one of those groups that stick with you until you find yourself unable to get their mesmerising lyrics out of your head.
Check out West Thebarton’s ‘Stuck On You’:
‘Molotov’ – Kira Puru
Having been on the scene for a few years now, 2017’s ‘Tension’ saw Kira Puru appear on everyone’s radar, while this year’s ‘Molotov’ saw her completely la-la-la-la-light up our lives with her catchy tunes.
Easily one of the most explosive gems of the year, ‘Molotov’ has been scoring itself plenty of airplay, and turning heads wherever it may be heard. With a refreshing vibe and a mesmerising chorus, you can be sure that we’ll be singing this one for years to come.
Check out Kira Puru’s ‘Molotov’:
‘Bubblin’ – Anderson .Paak
One of the year’s most anticipated records, Anderson .Paak’s Oxnard was released back in November, and was met with some pretty widespread acclaim. However, it was the non-album single ‘Bubblin’ that got folks pretty excited in the lead-up.
Full of the classic .Paak vibe that we’ve come to know and love, and paired with some of the freshest vocals going around, this tune could be on track to be the highest entry that Anderson .Paak has seen in the Hottest 100 to date.
Check out Anderson .Paak’s ‘Bubblin’:
‘All The Pretty Girls’ – Vera Blue
Only released back in October, ‘All The Pretty Girls’ is Vera Blue’s first release since her debut album, Perennial, back in 2017. Already, it’s managed to become one of the most popular tracks on triple j in recent months, and rightly so.
Described as a “cheeky play on stereotypes”, this breezy anthem is already on track to be one of the most memorable tracks of the summer. Considering how much listeners have been loving this track, we might even see it named as one of the year’s Hottest.
Check out Vera Blue’s ‘All The Pretty Girls’:
‘Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin’ – Phantastic Ferniture
Phantastic Ferniture have been a Sydney favourite for a few years now, but earlier this year, Julia Jacklin’s other project finally released their debut album. Bolstered by the success of lead single ‘Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin’, Phantastic Ferniture have quickly gone from a bit of a lark to the real deal.
Featuring a sound not unlike some of the greatest indie-rock records of the ’90s, ‘Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin’ might be considered a throwback to some, but to others, it’s just as fresh as ever.
Check out Phantastic Ferniture’s ‘Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin’:
‘For Your Love’ – Montaigne
Released just last month, ‘For Your Love’ is the first taste of Montaigne’s new record, and her first piece of new music in two years. Needless to say, when triple j listeners wrapped their ears around this one, they didn’t want to let go.
Described as being “darker” than her 2016 classic ‘Because I Love You’, Montaigne’s ‘For Your Love’ has been growing on listeners for a while now, and it looks set to go down as one of the year’s greatest tunes.
Check out Montaigne’s ‘For Your Love’:
‘BOOGIE’ – BROCKHAMPTON
It might have been released late in 2017, but ‘BOOGIE’ is one of the most exciting tracks ever released under the BROCKHAMPTON name. Opening their third album, Saturation III, the track goes off like a frog in a sock and doesn’t let up for a single second.
Filled with the collective’s stunning production, lyrical genius, and upbeat vibe, this is undoubtedly one of the finest moments, and one of the last year’s most memorable releases.
Check out BROCKHAMPTON’s ‘BOOGIE’:
‘Suburbia’ – Press Club
Melbourne’s Press Club have been going from strength to strength over the last couple of years. Supporting some amazing acts and earning their own reputation as a fierce live act, the group released their debut album, Late Teens, earlier this year.
However, it was the record’s third single, ‘Suburbia’, that has been winning listeners over. A slow-burning alt-rock anthem, it’s hard to ignore the dedication and emotion in this track. Just try to listen to this one without screaming out those stunning chorus lyrics: “I left my heart in the suburbs!”
Check out Press Club’s ‘Suburbia’:
