alvvays

Top 20 Songs of September 2014

Mind-blowing hits. Amazing covers. September was a blast. Here are my favourite songs from an amazing month in music, described in ten words or less. (Use more words? In this economy!?)

20. ILOVEMAKONNEN f. Drake – Tuesday

Club goes up, squad goes in. Freedom is a Tuesday.

 

19. Bleachers – Rollercoaster

Reminds me of The Boss. Glory days on a rollercoaster.

 

18. Sam Smith – Life Support

He could sing the phone book and it’d sound fantastic.

 

17. Ed Sheeran – One

Sheeran slays often with melodies so strong. And that voice!

 

16. Flume – Sleepless

Relatively old, but new to me. Loopy, punchy, electro goodness.

 

15. Tom Odell – Another Love/Another Love (Zwette Remix)

Not sure which version I prefer. Here’s both.

 

 

14. Say Lou Lou – Instant Crush

Quite like this slightly dark, doom portending Daft Punk cover.

 

13.George Ezra – Budapest

The launch of a star? Who knows. Great tune though.

 

12. Manchester Orchestra – Escape

Yes I like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain.

 

11. Shad and Holy Fuck – Cy Borg (Pt 1 & 2)

Click the link below to hear this unique, immense collaboration.

Holy Shad Explain The Legend Of Cy Borg (Watch & Listen)

 

10. Merely – Princess Hervor

Merely mesmerizing, fiery fervour. So easy to get lost in.

 

9. Alvvays – Archie, Marry Me

Occurred to me recently, this song is pure, unadulterated brilliance.

 

8. Hozier – Like Real People Do

Beautiful, tender. We should just kiss like real people do.

 

7. Taylor Swift – Shake It Off

She’s on fire. Massive pop hit after massive pop hit.

 

6. alt-J – Intro

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

 

5. Enrique Iglesias f. Descemer Bueno & Gente De Zona – Bailando

Enrique’s best song in more than 10 years. Absurdly catchy.

 

4. The New Pornographers – Champions of Red Wine

I love Neko-led New Pornographers songs. This is amazing.

 

3. The Madden Brothers – We Are Done

Thought it was an awesome 70’s song. The Madden Brothers!?

 

2. The Tea Party – The Maker

One of the best covers I’ve ever heard. Completely floored.

 

1. alt-J – Bloodflood pt. II

Rivers of the soul, exsanguinated. Blood on the canvas, art.

Top 20 Songs of January 2014

These are my Top 20 Songs of January, in terms of plays and resonance:

20. Tove Lo – Habits

 

19. Lucius – Wildewoman

 

18. Massari – Brand New Day

 

17. Alvvays – Adult Diversion

 

16. Foster The People – Coming Of Age

 

15. Trust – Rescue, Mister

 

14. Britney Spears – Alien

 

13. Kaleida – Tropea

 

12. Beyonce f. Jay-Z – Drunk In Love

 

11. Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow/It Can’t Be You

 

 

10. Zedd f. Hayley Williams – Stay The Night

 

9. Broken Bells – Holding On For Life

 

8. Ghost (B.C.) – If You Have Ghosts

 

7. One Direction – Story Of My Life

 

6. Wildlife – Lightning Tent

 

5. Maximo Park – Leave This Island

 

4. Katy Perry – Unconditionally

 

3. Eternal Death – Head

 

2. Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You)

I thank the stars they’re back. What an immense, amazing tune. Future Islands own so much real estate in my heart that I think I’d disappear if they ever chose to sell.

 

1. Against Me! – True Trans Soul Rebel

NB: At present, and for the life of me, I can’t find the original version of this song to share. The acoustic version I’ve shared below is brilliant, but the original is one of the catchiest alt/pop songs I’ve heard in a long time. If you can find it, listen to it. Embrace it. Against Me! are on fire.