Our readers poll for 2013 is done and dusted and it’s time to look at what you all voted for.
It’s been a huge year for Australian artists both domestically and overseas, with the world embracing everything from our heavy Ocker charm (see Courtney Barnett) to our well produced soul-infused pop jams (hello, Flume & Chet Faker). With our musos going from strength to strength it feels only right that this list of the top 15 local songs of 2013 as voted by you, the readers gives a varied and eclectic taste of everything Aussie music has to offer.
From the rise of the bedroom producers like Melbourne’s Leaks, Japanese Wallpaper, and Fractures to more established rock acts like The Drones and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds it seems that those listening are just as diverse as those making.
Have a read of our rundown of the top 15 Local Songs Of 2013 as voted you, the readers in our poll and listen to the mix below. Read the full results of the 4th Annual Readers poll here.
1. Vance Joy – ‘Riptide’
The folk-popster has never been one to disappoint, and it’s fair to say 2013 was a great year for the Melbourne singer/songwriter. The up-beat tune reeks of sweet summer vibes and was a great look into the mind and musical aesthetic of Mr. Joy. Here’s hoping the next 12 months bring us more of these sweet jams! Check out our review of his EP here.
2. Courtney Barnett – ‘Avant Gardener’
We couldn’t be prouder of our Court. She’s smashing it overseas and showing foreigners (and reminding us here in Australia) that there isn’t anything wrong with a bit of Ocker charm. The latest single from her Split EP release has us so goddamn excited for more of her slacker rock. Read our recent interview with Barnett here.
3. Leaks – ‘Often It’s You’
Oh how far he’s come! The 19-year-old Melbourne by way of Geelong producer released his debut EP De Landa to rave reviews (read ours here ). This down tempo loved-up offering only officially dropped a month ago but has already garnered countless listens. Leaks is definitely one to watch. Check out our profile with him here.
4. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ‘Head On/ Pill’
The opening track from their oh-so-celebrated album Float Along – Fill Your Lungs (our former album of the week) reminded anyone who’d forgotten that fuzzy rock is back for a reason. The Melbourne seven-piece have been touring the record. The 16-minute track proves that the boys’ musical appetite shows no signs of waning in the new year.
5. The Preatures – ‘Is This How You Feel?’
Do you remember the first time you heard this tune? Did the Stevie Knicks imagery flood your mind in all the right ways? Thought so. The Sydney-five piece have been going from strength to strength with this track serving as a collective ‘aha!’ moment in most people’s musical memories. With boy-girl harmonies and a killer video to boot, we can’t fault this one, not even a drop. Read our interview with singer Isabella Manfredi here.
6. Bliss N Eso – ‘Act Your Age’ (feat. Bluejuice)
With a great piano hook and the melding of Aussie indie-pop and some good ol’ fashioned hip-hop, ‘Act Your Age’ ended up being a huge summery hit this year and it’s not hard to see why. This tune also answered the question of “what happens when Sydney acts get together to best the rest of the country?’ Awesomeness happens you guys, awesomeness. (Read our review of Circus In The Sky here)
7. Fractures – ‘Twisted’
2013 was a great year for the bedroom producer with the likes of Leaks, Oscar Key-Sung and now Fractures, rocking the RnB infused jams to the core. The Melbourne muso has been causing some mega-stirs this year with his first ever show selling out on the back of this single. Check out our interview with Fractures ahead of his sold out first performance here.
8. Japanese Wallpaper – ‘Breathe In’ (Feat Wafia)
Here’s another that’ll shake you to your emotional core. Partly because the music itself is fucking incredible, partly because the guy making it is 16 years old. He described his music as “electronic music to make your heart feel, rather than your feet” and we reckon he’s dead on. Read our interview with the teenager wunder-producer here.
9. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘Jubilee Street’
What a great juxtaposition – with so many teenage producers on this year’s list it’s nice to see some tried and true veteran rockers representing as well. Cave’s storytelling and sexy crooning are still around in full force. Taken from the band’s 15th studio album Push The Sky Away, there’s not too much we can say about the legend.
10. Chet Faker & Flume – ‘Drop The Game’
In what can only be described as one of the most inspired musical collaborations of 2013, two of Australia’s most hyped musicians got together again, and the world is forever thankful. After the success of their first joint single ‘Left Alone’ a follow up seemed like a no brainer. With Flume’s of-the-moment beats and Faker’s sexy as hell vocals and lyrics, this is just a little slice of Aussie perfection. Read more about their collaborative EP Lockjaw here.
11. Ngaiire – ‘Around’
Taken from her staggeringly beautiful debut album Lamentations (read our review of our former album of the week here) ‘Around’ is a track that showcases the best of Ngaiire. With her beautiful voice at the fore of some killer beats and a great electro hook, the Sydney-singer skirts the line between organic and synthetic perfectly. Read our interview with Ngaiire here.
12. The Drones – ‘I See Seaweed’
As the title single of one of the most celebrates local releases this year from one of the hardest working bands in Australian rock, it’s no surprise that ‘I See Seaweed’ placed highly this year (after all, we did give the record a 9.5). The band’s signature story telling style is back in full force. With a perfect number, Gareth Liddiard and co. have still got it and if this record doesn’t prove this, their incessant touring should. Read out interview with the band here.
13. Violent Soho – ‘Covered In Chrome’
Since signing with Melbourne based label I Oh You, they’ve very much been back in the forefront of Australia’s music scene and we couldn’t be happier With rolling guitar hooks and attitude to boot, the Mansfield boys made a staggering return to musical consciousness this year with this single from their new record. Read our review of their album Hungry Ghost here.
14. Birds Of Tokyo- ‘Lanterns’
Not surprising the Perth outfit cracked the top 15 considering they were recently revealed to be the most played band on Aussie radio this year. Taken from their fourth album, ‘Lanterns’ is a sweet little ditty that’s bound to stay on rotation for a long while to come. Read out review of March Fires here.
15. Cloud Control – ‘Scar’
The Blue Mountains four-piece have been getting a lot of love for their second album, this year’s Dream Cave (we gave it a 9, give the review a read here) which has seen the band experimenting more than on previous releases. ‘Scar’ showcases the new direction of the band in a very real way with boy-girl harmonies and mixed percussion playing a huge role. Read our recent interview with the band here.
Check out the Top 15 International Songs Of 2013 As Voted By You here.
