September was absolutely, positively stacked with giant songs. Here lie those monoliths:
20. Chvrches – Clearest Blue
19. Rita Ora – Body On Me
18. Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean
17. Youth Lagoon – Highway Patrol Stun Gun
16. Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing/New Person, Same Old Mistakes
15. Wavves – Way Too Much
14. Bleachers – Like A River Runs
13. Jim Adkins – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun/I Will Go
12. The Neighbourhood – RIP To My Youth
11. Vance Joy – Fire And The Flood
10. Brandi Carlile – Wherever Is Your Heart
9. Charlie Puth f. Meaghan Trainor – Marvin Gaye
8. Nathaniel Ratecliff & The Night Sweats – S.O.B.
7. Foals – Mountain At My Gates
6. Shakey Graves – If Not For You
5. Deerhunter – Snakeskin
My favourite Deerhunter song ever.
4. Kurt Vile – Pretty Pimpin’
My favourite Kurt Vile song ever.
3. Chvrches – Never Ending Circles
It’s hard to gush any further about how talented these 3 artists are. Their way with pop music is unparalleled right now. Hit after hit after hit after hit after hit after hit after hit…
2. Pure Bathing Culture – Pray For Rain
“Was it pleasure, was it pain, did you pray for rain?” The downpour came at me in waves and I embraced the water as if it were air.
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.
The Pun Is Sure 