Top 20 Songs of January 2015

Even though I was working on my best of 2014 lists in January, there were still a heap of new/newish songs that got and kept my attention. Here they are:

20. Nicki Minaj f. Jessie Ware – The Crying Game

 

19. Black Coast f. M. Maggie – Enough

 

18. Natema – Everybody Does

INXS, in excess.

 

17. Sound Remedy – Victory

 

16. Ameriie – Mustang

 

15. Viet Cong – Silhouettes

Fierce. A little Of Montreal feel with a dose of fear and a pinch of vigour.

 

14. Caribou – Our Love

Heard it in 2014, let it slide in 2015.

 

13. Robbie Williams – Super Tony

After all these years, Robbie still does cheeky pop better than anyone else. Possibly the best (and most fun) tune from his surprise release in December.

 

Bonus: Casey Abrams – Get Out

From 2012, just heard recently.

 

12. Death From Above 1979 – Virgins

I’m not a big fan of this band, yet this tune is undeniable. For my money, the best song they’ve ever done.

 

11. The Airborne Toxic Event – Wrong

 

10. Marilyn Manson – Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge

Surprised. It’s clear Manson’s aiming to reach more ears with this type of sound. It works.

 

9. Marina and The Diamonds – Immortal

Love her voice and this pretty pop tune.

 

8. Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance

Was on my best of 2014 list; hit another gear in 2015.

 

Bonus: Hozier – Take Me To Church/Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene

I’ve no idea why it took me so long to fall for these two songs. Love the striking, transfixing new video for “Take Me To Church” by David LaChapelle.

 

7. Modest Mouse – Lampshades On Fire

Love it. Sounds like it belongs side-by-side with songs from “We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank”. This is a good thing.

 

6. The Black Keys – The Weight Of Love

I guess I didn’t give this one the time it deserved when their last album came out. Consider the issue rectified. This song is really good.

 

Bonus: Lady Antebellum – Bartender

They’ve an incredible way with melody. This song made my Top 100 of 2014, but I can’t get enough of it.

 

5. G.R.L. – Lighthouse

Amazing comeback song post-Simone Battle. This is pop magic.

 

4. Night Riots – Contagious

Darkness. Loudness. Synthness. Awesomeness.

 

3. Tove Lo – Talking Body

Replay button got worn out with this one.

 

2. Bad Suns – Cardiac Arrest

So, so, so catchy. I’ve played this song constantly since I first heard it.

 

1. Purity Ring – Push Pull

Beautiful. Simply, beautiful. What a brilliant comeback single.

 

Bonus: Cage The Elephant – Cigarette Daydreams

This song was on my best of 2013 list. It was also on my best of 2014 list. I just can’t shake it. I listened to it time after time in January and it helped to quell winter’s cold. I’ve shared the record version before, so here’s an acoustic take on this gem.

Top 100 Songs of 2014 (80-61)

The songs on this list are as cool as this doge. Well, almost.

The songs on this list are as cool as this doge. Well, almost.

 

Around this time, it starts to get really hard to place songs. I like all of these tunes — a lot. My Top 100 Songs of 2014 (80-61):

80. Vance Joy – Riptide/Mess Is Mine

 

79. Dum Dum Girls – Too True To Be Good

Favourite track from their really sexy last album.

 

78. Schoolboy Q – Man Of The Year

 

77. La Roux – Kiss And Not Tell/Sexotheque

These songs deserve waaaaaay more views.

 

Bonus: Omar Souleyman – Wenu Wenu (from 2013)

 

76. Lykke Li – No Rest For The Wicked

 

75. Foster The People – Best Friend

Best song on their latest LP.

 

74. Aphex Twin – Minipops 67 (120.2) (Source Field Mix)

Welcome back Richard. You were missed.

 

73. Marina and The Diamonds – Froot

 

72. ILOVEMAKKONEN f. Drake – Tuesday

So random. So fresh. So 2014.

 

71. Charli XCX – Boom Clap

 

Bonus: Kongos – I’m Only Joking (From 2011)

 

70. Bombay Bicycle Club – Luna/Home By Now

Two really, really good songs. Two good videos, especially the one for “Luna”.

 

69. Ex Cops – Black Soap

Heard this one late in 2014, but it grabbed me right away.

 

68. Interpol – All The Rage Back Home

El Pintor raging here, home, and anywhere else is always comforting.

 

67. One Direction – Story Of My Life

 

66. Hedley – Crazy For You

Methinks it’s the best song these canucks have ever done.

 

65. Ask Embla – Legion

 

64. A.G. Cook – Beautiful

Reminiscent of Happy Hardcore, yet still on the cutting edge of pop.  Banger.

 

63. Sam Smith – Stay With Me/Stay With Me (Rainer & Grimm Remix)

I’d previously mentioned the Rainer & Grimm Remix of this tune in my Top Remixes of 2014 list, but I had to link it again. Both it and the original are fantastic, though I do prefer the remix.

 

62. Paloma Faith – Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Big, brassy, bombastic pop.

 

61. Ed Sheeran – Sing/One

It took me a while to get into “Sing”, but when I did, I was hooked. “One” is simply gorgeous.