robbie williams

Top 30 Songs of Summer 2015 (30-16)

I wrote this last year and feel it’s still a succinct and fitting introduction to this list: Music carries a special weight in the summer. It can whisper with the wind, lay and linger with the light, and kiss ears like the sun kisses skin.

For many, the warmth of summer brings a certain type of hope and happiness (especially to those of us living in a 4-season part of the world), and songs have a singular capacity — unlike any other art form — to soundtrack the season and the moments therein.

Here are my favourite 30 songs from the summer of 2015:

30. Yukon Blonde – Saturday Night

More dope with every listen.

 

29. Omarion f. Jhene Aiko & Chris Brown – Post To Be

Thanks for the heads up on this GD. 🙂

 

28. Ratatat – Nightclub Amnesia

The record version is awesome, the live version (linked below) is bonkers. I love Ratatat’s use of guitars in this track.

 

Bonus: Chet Faker – Talk Is Cheap

From last year, but I just got into it this summer. For me, the best song he played at Osheaga too.

 

27. Alessia Cara – Here

The tune by this Torontonian is sexy and sultry. So is Alessia Cara. She’s one to watch.

 

26. Silversun Pickups – Nightlight

So glad Brian and co. are back. 🙂

 

25. George Ezra – Blame It On Me

I think his performance of this at Osheaga shone a light on the track that had kept it hidden previously. I’m glad for that. Really fun to sing along to.

 

24. Robbie Williams f. Avicii – The Days

Because of Robbie’s vocals. Anything that Robbie touches, he becomes the star of.

 

23. Atlas Genius – Molecules

Banging lead single from their new album.

 

22. Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity

Why did I think this was a new song? I don’t have a good answer for that. I thought it was new, and that is what will matter for the purpose of this list.

 

21. Twenty One Pilots – Car Radio/Guns For Hands/Trees/Lovely

Hooks abound. I played a lllllllot of Twenty One Pilots this summer. These four tunes were constants. I really like all of them, but “Trees” is something special.

 

Bonus: Watermat – Bullit

Hard to resist.

 

20. DIIV – How Long Have You Known?

Again, I had no idea this was an older song. I discovered and listened to it a bunch this summer.

 

19. First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining/Stay Gold

Thanks again GD for the heads up on these. I really like these two tracks.

 

18. Small Black – Boys Life

Love this 80’s indebted dance track. So easy to get lost in. And so I did.

 

Bonus: Notorious B.I.G. f. Ja Rule – Old Thing Back (Matoma Remix)

I have to thank the Pilkman for this one. I’ll always remember taking a limo to Wasaga beach (winning at life) and having this scorcher blaring, getting all occupants turnt up. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard this remix before. It’s sensational. And don’t let the fact that Ja Rule is on the track fool you. Not only does he not make the tune worse, his verse is actually pretty cool. Rose-coloured glasses maybe, but such is the power of summer.

 

17. Ryn Weaver – Promises/The Fool

Two brilliant pop songs. Loved her set at Osheaga too.

 

16. The Decemberists – Make You Better

My favourite song from them in a looooong time.

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.