While 2017 was a year that many would have preferred to have flushed down the toilet, it was a great 12-months for Australian music. From hip-hop, punk, techno, EDM and ambient oddness we were constantly reminded of the talent and diversity of music across the country.
Here are the tracks that we couldnât get off our turntables, playlists, radio shows and car stereos. Enjoy.1. Alex Cameron â âStrangerâs Kissâ
Here are the tracks that we couldnât get off our turntables, playlists, radio shows and car stereos. Enjoy.1. Alex Cameron â âStrangerâs Kissâ
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The song of the year comes with its own dance move. In the Jemima Kirke directed video for Cameronâs duet with Angel Olsen, Kirke and Cameron jimmy and shake their scuffed boots like a greasy mix of Fred Astaire and River Phoenixâs My Own Private Idaho character Mikey Waters. Itâs a move that oozes style and sass and the song, a beautiful and real exploration of failure, hasnât left our playlists since August.2. Orion - âSexy AlienâPunks playing melodic and electronic goth was nothing new in 2017 but few delivered the gloom as well as Orion. Taking some of the pop magic of the Pet Shop Boys and New Order and mixing it with a dark Sydney cool, the four-piece created a stylish sombreness. All tracks on their debut hold a level of brilliance but âSexy Alienâ, one of the first the band wrote, stands out as vocalist Yuta Matsumura pleads âWhy do I care?â over lush synth and drum beats.3. Alex Lahey - âEveryday's the WeekendâLahey may claim to be âjust some random from Melbourneâ but sheâs a random who can also write some pretty fine pop tunes. As she seemed to appear on every music publicationâs ârisingâ or ânext big thingâ sections, Lahey was happy to let her punchy and wry, three-minute songs do the talking. A good example is âEveryday's the Weekendâ the opening track on her album Love You Like a Brother.4. Genesis OWusu - âSidewaysâInspired by his African heritage and the music of Nigerian performer William Onyeabor, Genesis OWusuâs âSidewaysâ is a catchy piece of Afrofuturism thatâs sprung from possibly the least Afrocentric city in Australia, Canberra. Produced by Hiatus Kaiyote's Simon Mavin and Perrin Moss, the track starts with a unique piece of creaking percussion that buries into your head and sets up shop for a number of days.
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5. UV Boi - âBleeding OutâUV Boi ÙÙÙ ŰšÙÙŰłŰŹÙ âs debut EP cracked last yearâs Noisey 100 top ten and heâs followed up with an even better record in Returned Alone. This, the opening track, proves that the young Brisbane producer and vocalist is one of the most talented in Australia as he blends soft beats and lushly textured and sensitive R&B. When he sings âI think it might be my time nowâ. We scream, âDamn straight it is!â And we arenât bullshiting when we say that weâre really looking forward to his upcoming full-length debut.6. Divide and Dissolve - âBlack PowerâHeavy comes in many forms but when Divide and Dissolve turn up the volume on their monstrous low-end doom, the weight of injustice and systematic oppression comes crashing down. Liberation, black empowerment and indigenous movements are present in the minds of Sylvie and Takiaya when they write music and none more so then on âBlack Powerâ one of many powerful instrumentals on their album Basic. Starting with a beautifully haunting solo the track rises to become a ferocious epic. There may be no words but the song has a lot to say.7. Miss Blanks â âBreadâIn hip-hop parlance, âbreadâ is a euphemism for cash money. For Miss Blanks itâs a symbol of where sheâs come from and where she wants to get to. It also happens to be her straight up boss track that will knock you on your sweaty ass. Taken from the Brisbane rapperâs debut EP D.O.A.T (Diary of a Thotaholic) and featuring Queens rapper Dai Burger, itâs a track that pushes Blanksâ agenda in stepping over all the basic bitches.
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8. Carla dal Forno - âThe GardenâIn 1996 experimental Berlin band EinstĂŒrzende Neubauten released the album Ende Neu which contained the haunting track âThe Gardenâ. Carla dal Forno, a Berlin-based Australian has paid tribute to the song on her EP of the same name. A beautifully dark take, the track is built around dal Fornoâs striking voice that is mediative and melodic. Full of eloquence and ambience this is a flawless piece of dream pop.9. Lil Spacely - âYou Know ItâLil Spacely is proud to rep Blacktown, 2148. His experience living in the Western Sydney suburb shines through his music including on the fence shaking hype of âYou Know Itâ. Confident and polished, it brings the aggressiveness of American trap but rinses it through a Greater Western Sydney reality. It may be a little too early to be asking if Manu Crooks has a contender for Sydneyâs best MC but Lil Spacely is definitely on the rise.10. Sex Drive - âHate HomeâThereâs a look that comes over Beau Kearsley when heâs fronting punks Sex Drive thatâs reminiscent of old footage of Bon Scott in peak form. Itâs a look that spells mischief and a snarling agitation. On âHate Homeâ the Gold Coast band capture the same energy found in some Aussie pub rock greats and kids throwing rocks at cars. Itâs a messed up and busted song that comes with a distinct rage.
11. Michael Beach - "I Never Had Enough Time With YouâWhen we premiered âI Never Had Enough Time With Youâ in July we described it as one of the best songs of 2017 âthat not nearly enough people have heardâ. More people have heard it since but itâs still one of the most underrated songs of the year. Yes, describing the âarrangementâ of a song makes you sound like a tosser, but in this case the driving melody, rhythm and changing pace have helped make it a 2017 classic.
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12. Jikuroux â âThemed BreakâWhether listening to it played through a club PA or your small earbuds when scanning groceries, the lead track from Sydney-based producerâs Jikuroux Cradle Bay EP makes your head nod. We swear, the warm ambience that drops at around the 30-second mark is the sonic equivalent of the 5am sunrise peeking through the curtains. From there it jitters and moves through various movements and moods. Forward moving club music that is both serene and anxious, it's stuff we want to hear more of.13. RVG - "A Quality of Mercyâ2017 was a breakout year for Romy Vager and her band RVG. The Melbourne actâs debut album A Quality of Mercy shone with melody, emotional intelligence and the kind of pop oriented darkness found on much of the early 4AD catalogue. On a lyrically brilliant album, the title track stands out for itâs powerful call for empathy. As Romy sings âYou wonât find what you are looking for, thereâs no evil in meâ, the song builds into a powerful piece of honest and emotional storytelling.14. LiL BO WEEP - "Less Power More Control"Thereâs a lot to love about Lil Bo Weep. Thereâs her unique style for one. We love that sheâs down with Tweety Bird and Lisa Frank backpacks, we love her prodigious Soundcloud output and of course we love her lo-fi, emo hip-hop. Originally from Adelaide, she now spends most of her time on the road but still finds time to release amazing music like âless power more controlâ. A jazzy piece with horns, acoustic guitars and her beautiful vocals, it comes across as some amazing mix of Elliot Smith, cyber goth and Lil Peep.
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15. DIN - âUhâSydneyâs DIN is a collaborative project between Rainbow Chan and Alex Ward aka Moon Holiday. Together they produce dance music built around creative freedom, or as they put it, "a project born from a weariness of having to be the 'face' of a creative project.". Their debut âJinniâ was one of many standouts on Fantastic Effects, Body Promiseâs compilation of experimental club leanings.16. Lonelyspeck - âSettleâA strong sense of vulnerability and intimacy shines through Lonelyspeckâs âSettleâ, a track of dreamy experimental R&B that appears on the Adelaide producerâs second EP Lave. Things move at an unhurried and relaxed pace and when Sione Teumohenga sings âYou canât tell me what I ought to knowâ it brings to mind the hushed and delicate melody of acts such as Majical Cloudz and How to Dress Well.17. Hatchie - âSureâHarriette Pilbeam has been playing in Brisbane bandâs like Go Violets and Babaganouj for years. As Hatchie she steps out on her own to produce some shoegazy pop perfection. Her track âSureâ reminds us of early Juliana Hatfield or The Sundays or just really good guitar harmonies that makes you feel better about life and your shit job.18. Kirkis - "Our HouseâThere are many facets to Melbourne artist and musician Kirkis. That heâs worked with UK producer Floating Points and has made a video based on a 1990 riot at Manchesterâs Strangeways prison are just some that may pique your interest. But we find that his own album, self-released on his MODED label, is among his most interesting creative pursuits. âOur Houseâ is a track that is experimental, fun and more than a little odd. At times it sounds like early Ariel Pink at others like early Pink Floyd. Itâs different.
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19. Blank Statements - "Building a RampâWe donât really understand why we love this so much. Thereâs nothing really to it, just a simple bass line melody, a drum beat thatâs in serious need for some CPR, and a weary vocal delivery that borders on straight up indifference. But after playing the heck out of the Melbourne bandâs track on Bandcamp we actually shed a tear after receiving the "the time has come to open thy heart/wallet" pop up.20. Kira Puru â âTensionâA heavy 80s pop funk flows through âTensionâ and when the Melbourne singer drops, âIs something on your mind? Where there's smoke, there's fireâ just before the chorus, itâs like a memory from 1985, a fine year for pop music.21. Kardajala Kirridarra â âYoung Girls SongâKardajala Kirridarra's name translates to âSandhill Womenâ and relates to the mysterious bush woman who inhabit the sandhills outside the remote Malinja community in the Northern Territory. This beautiful song, sung in both Mudburra and English, tells the story of the connection between Aboriginal women and country and are reminders of the importance of women as creators.22. The Stevens - âChancerâA song made for driving at night. Preferably in your housemate or Mumâs car with the dodgy fuel gauge. As you cruise the streets this song pops and buzzes with massive hooks and melodies. Singing along with Travis MacDonald as he pleads âGive me a chance to be forgotten / I want to know if youâll be pleased to meet meâ you wonât even care about the family in an opposite car laughing at you as you wait for the traffic lights to change. Yes, itâs that kind of song.
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23. Sex Tourists - âDisconnectââDisconnectâ could be one of the words of 2017. With a world seemingly run by clowns and overrun with shysters, the urge to tap out becomes more real. Sydney three-piece Sex Tourists nail this sense of awkwardness and vulnerable despair on âDisconnectâ a track from their 12" LP that was released on the excellent Paradise Daily label. You can almost feel Ewan Finleyâs creaking fatigue as he dolefully sings, "I've heard you've had a minor car crash" over ominous synths and drum machines.24. Roza Terenzi - âWorld OffâFloat with Roza Terenzi, aka Katie Campbell, on this blissed track that combines some weird house, ambient type breaks and sounds that make you want to dance closer to the DJ booth. The Perth DJ and producer who made a name as Catlips is now based in Melbourne but continues to experiment with some unique sounds and rhythms.
25. Publique - âAxe of LoveâBurning Rose is a label pushing some of the more interesting sounds from the Australian underground and Publique is one of the best acts on their already exciting roster. âAxe of Loveâ, the first single from the Sydney/Melbourne bandâs debut album Outlying Self is raised with moody aggression and ragged post punk melody. While their sound has drawn comparisons to early Psychedelic Furs and UK goth, here it seems more in line with the terseness of Austin punks Institute.
26. Total Control - âFuture Cremeâ
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27. Baker Boy - âCloud9â28. Penthouse - âLast Nightâ29. Party Dozen â âThe Living Manâ30. Buzz Kull - âYouthâ31. 3NDLES5 - âPolyester"32. Phile ft. Karina Utomo - âAbhorâ33. Camp Cope - âFootscray Stationâ34. Amyl and the Sniffers- âWestgateâ35. Two Steps On The Water - âSword Iâ36. Tropical Fuck Storm - âSoft Powerâ37. Time for Dreams - âLighthouseâ38. Cable Ties â âThe Producerâ39. Stella Donnelly âBoys Will Be Boysâ40. Mod Con - "Do It Right Margoâ41. Beaches - âVoidâ42. Bed Wetting Bad Boys -âThing Called Loveâ43. Hexdebt - âJobhaus/Deathcardâ44. Emma Russack - âEverybody Caresâ45. Jen Cloher - âKinda Biblicalâ46. Alex McFarlane - âUnder Anvil Cloudsâ47. Blank Realm - âJesus Part Twoâ48. Jess Locke - âBetter/Bitterâ49. Crop Top - âSad Loverâ50. Air Max '97 - âReductâ51. Mikey Young - âYou Feelin Me?â52. HTML Flowers - âGod On My Hitlistâ53. A. Swayze & The Ghosts - âSmooth Sailingâ54. Girl Zone - âSkating For Evaâ55. Terry - âTake Me to the Cityâ56. Kirin J Callinan - "Family Homeâ57. Nasho- âBlack Star Flies Freeâ58. These New South Whales - "Meat Hook"59. Batpiss - âWeatherboard Manâ60. Parsnip- âDummkopfâ61. Multiple Man - âPower Fantasyâ62. Miss Destiny - âRandyâ63. Bitumen- âHoney Hunterâ64. Christopher Port - âUppersâ65. HVNCOQ - âBlackoutâ66. Andy Garvey - âClub Music [Tool]â67. Angie - âA Ringâ68. Kllo -âVirtueâ69. Baro - âPrettyâ
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70. Gussy - âIn Order to Loveâ71. Imbi the Girl - âVIPâ72. Blanket - âSouth Eastâ73. Mezko - âSteady Onâ74. Body Type - âSilverâ75. Wireheads - âTechnical Manâ76. ALTA - âSentimentâ77. Dag - âGuards Downâ78. Rebel Yell- âHigh Authorityâ79. SHOUSE - âWithout Youâ80. Death Bells - âAlone, Into an Empty Buildingâ81. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - âRattlesnakeâ82. Ciggie Witch - âMeet Me in the Middleâ83. Spike FUck - âGreatest Hits (Suicide Party)â84. Lakes - âSilver Thornsâ85. The Living Eyes - âSpringâ86. Fair Maiden - âCoalâ87. Cult Shotta - âCheat Codeâ88. School Damage - âTall Poppiesâ89. Mere Women - âBig Skiesâ90. Montero - âVibrationsâ91. Rolling Blackouts CF - âFrench Pressâ92. Kandere - âBB GOYâ93. Roland Tings - âOne Hundredâ94. Spotting - âGood Jobâ95. ORB - âYou Are Rightâ96. Suss Cunts - âNewbyâ97. The Stroppies - âProduction Linesâ98. Trevor - âSensual Meditationâ99. George Michelle - âDrive It like a Rentalâ100. Fortunes - âDaddiesâ