Top 20 Songs of 2019

One day friends. One day I will post to this blog semi-frequently. Over the next couple days or weeks or months I will post a couple poems maybe, and another music post that will not be my fav albums of 2019. For in lieu of an AOTY post for 2019, I am doing something a little different and possibly more fun. The first of those things is a top 20 songs of the year post.

2019 is the first year I’ve felt that's been more songs > albums. There are some exceptions obvs, but I feel majority of the year has been more about brilliant moments, singles, teasers (for what I can only assume will be absolute world class records next year), etc, over full albums.

So here in no particular order I give you my 20 favourite songs of the year. I’ve also compiled a handy playlist for anyone who wants to listen to these songs, which you can find right here.

Pup // Morbid Stuff

I did not like this album when I first heard it, but the first couple songs have grown on me something fierce. I hope the rest of the album eventually does too. This song is exuberant and fun and catchy as fuuuuuuck. I love fuzzed up pop punk that sounds like it belongs on sideonedummy!

The Xcerts // Growing Old

A never before released b-side from a ten year old brit rock record is one of the best songs of 2019? FUCK YEAH IT IS. The Xcerts really didn’t have to go that hard for us but they did and I think that’s pretty cool.

Spanish Love Songs // Losers

Hook that big old post rock bridge in a punk song right into my veins please. We’re mediocre, we’re losers forever is transcendent. Carve those lyrics into my tombstone, tattoo them into my flesh, stitch them into a back patch and hand me a denim jacket, whatever, I don’t care. I want to wear that bridge like a badge of pride because I am mediocre. And I am a loser forever. And that’s okay coz there are a lot worse things to be in this life.

Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties // Just Sign the Papers

From the end of my name I swore I saw daylilies bloom. That’s it. That’s why this is here.

Beach Bunny // Dream Boy

Prom Queen should’ve been on my 2018 list and this is my apology for the fact it wasn’t. This song is adorable and that’s great for me because my aesthetic for 2020, and beyond, is Lumberjane cosplays and adorable music. I was also listening to this in in the lounge room one night a few months back and one of the Band Guys™ in my housemate’s band came over and said “beach bunny are just boneless snail mail” and that takes the cake as the worst first impression anybody has made on me ever. Beach Bunny have more spine then every Brisbane Indie Boy Band ever and they do it while writing the actual sweetest songs on the planet.

Bec Stevens // 10 Minute Drive

Aaaaand the best song ever written about a dog award goes to... 10 Minute Drive! This song pulled on my heartstrings something fierce before I knew it was about a dog. Then when it actually clicked, boy, did it click. I have not stopped crying since. This song inspired me to write a poem for my best boy Larry. You were too pure for this world and I miss you ever so dearly <3.

Fireworks // Demitasse

Band writes one of the best pop punk albums ever, follows it up with an album I’m less keen on, then disappears. Fast forward to comeback week 2k19, and band, well, comes back. And boy do they come back in glorious fashion with a six minute almost post rock song that still fits perfectly into their pop punk catalog. Dear Fireworks, pls turn me into a dark hole. Yours sincerely, the Challenger of this generation’s space exploration.

King 810 // Heartbeats

Pssst. Hey. King 810 are more than that weird, possibly criminal, edgy, dude metal band from Flint that it was really cool to hate in around 2013-2014. This song is savage as fuck and I’m a big sucker for the production on it.

Soul Glo // 31

I don’t even know what to say about music like this anymore. If it’s fucked heavy I’m just a mark for it at this point. The second half of the song totally threw me for a loop though. The way it just flows in is cool as hell.

Hesitation Wounds // Charlatan Fuck

Speaking of songs that go hard, god I just love everything Jeremy Bolm touches. Hesitation Wounds are no different. Straight down the line hardcore. I will also forever be a fan of the xyz + fuck combo. Forever a winner.

Stray From the Path // Fortune Teller

Twin Peaks song #1. There’s not a single song this year that has slapped as hard as this bad boy. Songs have gone harder, for sure, but not one has slapped with the ferocity and consistency of this song. From song start to song end it’s just backhand after backhand and I’m all about it.

Touché Amoré // Always Running Never Looking Back

Okay so this entire redux fucking rips and everybody knows it. It’s taken an album I barely listened to, and made it one of my go to Touché albums. And Always Running is the crowning moment on the whole redux. When you hear those sirens sounds massive with those drum rolls and honestly there’s never been a better second half to a song.

Counterparts // Imprints

Metalcore choruses with sick lead guitar lines all over them are literally crack cocaine to me and I neED MORE. The go to song for that hit on this album, for me, is Imprints. Wings of Nightmares is a damn close second.

Blood Command // Afraid of Water

Twin Peaks song #2. Been a big year for occasionally-sneaky Twin Peaks references apparently. And it's been an even bigger year for the biggest choruses ever. Blood Command continue to be the best death pop band and if you’re not excited for their new record next year, have a word with yourself.

La Dispute // You Ascendant

I’ve already decided that The 59 Sound is going to play at my funeral (and if it doesn’t, ghost James will be mad and haunt all you fuckers). I’ve now decided they’re playing You Ascendant, softly, in the background, at my wake.

John Floreani // Oh Brother

Bae extraordinaire John Floreani rips my entire soul apart with a single line. Thanks for that. I hope you find your way I hope you make it right and that the last thing that flashes in front of you makes you smile.

Chelsea Wolfe // American Darkness

This song sits somewhere between porcelain delicate and velvet soft. And then that piano comes in for the chorus at about 1:05 and I’m the one that shatters???? Weird that.

Brockhampton // No Halo

Sorority Noise eat your heart out. This is the song that started my wonderful wonderful obsession with all things Brockhampton. It’s the perfect vibe. Take the depressing flavours of the music I usually listen to, add in a good helping of rap, and a pinch of boy band and you have a winning recipe. Also, Wash it out of all of me to feel the fire is gorgeous and I am absolutely in love with everything Bearface.

Jimmy Eat World // 555

The most unlikely Jimmy song to make my fav songs of the year list, especially when All the Way and Love Never exist. I think 555 is the best song on Surviving, and possibly the best Jimmy Eat World track since Big Casino, or maybe Sure and Certain. It hearkens back to the more subdued numbers from Clarity but with the vocal hooks of their biggest bangers.

Brief Habits // In-Itself, Pt. 2

Yet more proof that I am the biggest sucker for too many voices sections in songs. This album has also made it into my very small and personal landscape / moment in time albums. It joins such albums as Sound Awake and the drive from Bundaberg to Darwin, Impressions and the Bundaberg to Brisbane Tilt Train ride after the hurricanes in 2017. Now we have Teleport and the coach from Brisbane to Toowoomba during the great brown fire season of 2019.