2015, what a great year for music! There were so many tunes that we loved here at Internal Jukebox, and there are some songs we can't believe missed our end of year countdown - 50 just seems too few. But take a look our list, and tell us in the comments section below which of these tunes you love, and what you would put on your end of year list.
It's November, so it must be time for a new One Direction album, the fifth in five years. The sad news, this may just be their last album - thank heavens it's a stellar one ... as usual!
The boys are back, well momentarily anyway. After their announcement this week of an upcoming 2016 hiatus, it seems a fitting time to celebrate the brilliance that is their new single, the UK and Aussie number one, "Drag Me Down".
Goodbye Zayn. What a sad day for One Direction fans yesterday, but I guess we could all see it coming - he clearly hadn't been happy for a while. So who knows what the future holds for the group? Robbie Williams came back to Take That for an album later in their careers but Take That were never really the same after Williams left. But no matter what happens with the boys, we had four excellent albums with some amazing tunes, tunes I'll be listening to for a while.
Well it's that time of the year again, time to highlight the best tracks of the year - and there have been some great songs this year. In fact I compiled a list of about 80 songs I liked this year and whittled it down to 50. Now this is a very pop based list, after all, it's a very pop blog! (If you hate pop, this list isn't for you). So here goes, here's the first 20:
50: Night Changes - One Direction
The 1D boys released this great little ballad as single two from their "Four" album. I liked the song at first, but was unsure if it should be the second single. But this song's a grower, so after a few listens I was in, completely. The boys vocals soar here, especially Zayn's. A worthy first song to start the countdown.
49: You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile - Sia
Okay, yes, it is from the ":Annie" soundtrack but come on, it's Sia. And Sia is definitely my favourite artist of the year. This is a fun little ditty, a song familiar to most of us; add Sia's signature vocals and it's a winner. I think I've had this song stuck in my head for the past month. Still don't want to see the movie though!
48: Bed of Lies (featuring Skylar Grey) - Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj also had a great year with a solid album that was her most consistent to date. It's more grown up and this songs proves it. Based in her hip hop roots, this ballad also has a great folk feel and a stunning chorus by Skylar Grey. More successful in Australia than anywhere else, this is Minaj at her best.
47: Crazy Stupid Love (featuring Tinie Tempah) - Cheryl
Good pop songs should be infectious, and this UK number one song is just that. A stomping dance track and a catchy melody, combined with Cheryl's great vocals make for a super track that is made for dancing. Just a shame this song was only a minor hit here in Australia.
46: Crying For No Reason - Katy B
I've been loving Katy B since I heard her second single, "Lights Out" in 2010. She's never really taken off in Australia, but that hasn't stopped me loving every one of her releases. There is something pretty stunning about this electronic ballad released way back in January. Lyrically it's beautiful, so are Katy B's vocals. If you haven't checked it out yet, have a listen - it's great!
45: Rick James (featuring Juicy J) - Keyshia Cole
This one could easily be written off a novelty track, an ode to a man who has himself become a novelty, Rick James. There's some pretty funny lyrics here, "Feet up on your couch, yeah bitch I'm Rick James". This a great hip-hop track with Keyshia Cole's trademark soaring vocals, in a top song about not being a victim in a relationship. Didn't chart anywhere, so you may not have heard it, check it out - I love it!
44: Maps - Maroon 5
Maroon 5 doesn't often appear in my favourite songs of the year, it's not that I don't like them, I do, I just don't always love their songs. "Maps" is my favourite Maroon 5 song since "Moves Like Jagger". It's a catchy pop rock song that as usual has Adam Levine's unique vocals at the forefront. Let's hope more Maroon 5 songs are more like this in future!
43: Pyschosocial - Brooke Fraser
Brooke Fraser's fourth album saw a major departure from the acoustic work of her past work. Brooke worked with new producers and an electronic sound that she showcased on this preview single from the album. It's darkly beautiful and Fraser's vocals are haunting. Lyrically it's also great, the words, "I love your protection but I don't love you", get me every time. A wonderful track.
42: Heart Beats Slow - Angus & Julia Stone
The Aussie brother and sister duo returned with a vengeance this year in this upbeat guitar driven track that sees the duo share lead vocals in a fun back and forth delivery. It's very Australian and also very catchy. The duo's vocals soar and it's a great fun song, an unexpected favourite of mine for the year.
41: Love Me Harder - Ariana Grande & The Weeknd
The first of many Ariana Grande tracks on this list. This one is less pop than her other tracks, this R&B infused track sounds more grown up. Grande and The Weeknd sound great together in this amazing track that make take a while to get stuck in your head, but once it's there, it'll be stuck there for weeks. A good track indeed.
40: Break Free (featuring Zedd) - Ariana Grande
Back to back Grande. This is a lush pop dance track that's highly addictive. Sure, the lyrics are a little silly but the beat is infectious. With this album Grande showed she was the heir apparent to Mariah Carey with her amazing vocals and clever tracks. This one in particular ticked all the right boxes to make a hit.
39: Super Love - Dami Im
This was Dami Im's first non X-Factor single and it's a great one from the former winner of the show. It's pretty simple, it's just a catchy pop song with sing along lyrics and spot on vocals from Im. Often winners of these shows aren't deserving, but it was clear that Im is one of the best talent show produced talents in years. "Gladiator" was also a great track this year!
38: Kings & Queens - Brooke Fraser
Track two on the list for talented Kiwi and the first proper single from her amazing album. This lush pop track is a showcase for Fraser's amazing vocals. It's a shame she has received no airplay for this song in Australia. It's a bloody good song, don't take my word for it, listen to it above. It's bloody awesome!
37: Eye of the Needle - Sia
Sia's second track on the list, this was a promo single released after "Chandelier". There's a reason why Sia has been a songwriter for hire over the past few years, she knows what's she doing. This is a great track that is all about showcasing Sia's unique vocals. My highlight of the song, the one strained note towards the end, so much raw emotion. Sia is pretty damn good!
36: Secrets - Mary Lambert
Mary Lambert is most famous for being the openly lesbian female vocalist in Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's "Same Love". It's great to see her back and in fine form. This is a very clever track where Lambert sheds all her layers to show her faults. It makes me laugh, it makes me smile, it warms my heart. It's also become a theme song for a close friend, so it has to be in this list for the best of the year.
35: My Song 5 (featuring A$AP Ferg) - HAIM
HAIM's first album was a great surprise, such a strong debut and some great singles released. So I was quite surprised when they re-recorded this track with A$AP Ferg. But you know what? It works, really well. The darkness added with the hip-hop elements make this one of the most intriguing songs of the year. Plus, then there's the great film clip starring Vanessa Bayer from "Saturday Night Live".
34: Fancy (featuring Charlie XCX) - Iggy Azalea
It was hard to go anywhere in 2014 and not hear this catchy track from Australia's biggest ever rap superstar, Iggy Azalea. This song took the world by storm and it's easy to see why - Azalea's rap sounds effortless, XCX's chorus is a winner and the film clip is great. Plus, I walked around for ages saying, "First thing first I'm a realistic". Even if this is her biggest hit ever, it'll go down as a classic.
33: Yellow Flicker Beat - Lorde
Lorde's a pretty fascinating celebrity, it has been fun to see her friendship with Taylor Swift growing and her love of the music industry. Even better, her music shines. This track from the latest "Hunger Games" film is a winner and a natural evolution from the tracks on her debut album. She's getting more accomplished as a songwriter and her vocals are sounding amazing. I can't wait to see what she does next.
32: URL Badman - Lily Allen
I'll be honest, Lily Allen's "Sheezus" album wasn't as strong as her previous albums, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its highlights. "Hard Out Here" was on my top list last year, and this year "URL Badman" proudly takes a position. It seems Allen is at her strongest when she is making satirical music, and this one, about her internet haters, is insightful, funny and a bloody good song.
31: One - Ed Sheeran
Though it wasn't an official single from the wonderful "X" album, this was released as an album teaser and still charted across the world. While I love the rest of the album, this is my favourite track. This self deprecating ballad about the loss of a love is wonderful. Lyrically it's spot on and vocally he sounds as good as he ever has. What a shame "Home & Away" have hijacked this song for their promos.
*Tune in tomorrow for the next 20 songs*
What's your favourite song of the year? Tell me in the comments section below:
It was a big year for the ARIA awards. There were three artists achieving massive success worldwide, One Direction and Katy Perry were in the building and the broadcast was back in prime time on Channel 10.
Let's talk about the production first. While it was pretty slick and the time passed quickly, I had serious concerns over much of the broadcast. The camera work was shocking, as was the direction. It felt like they decided they needed fast paced shot cutting to keep it fresh, it just seemed jarring. Plus, there were plenty of quick shots of nothing. Not good. Also not sure who's decision it was to play international artists during the ad breaks. I love some Ariana Grande and Beyonce, but this was supposed to be a celebration of Australian music. There's been worse broadcasts of the ARIA's over the years, but that shouldn't be the best thing I say.
Now let's talk about the awards and the music. It was pretty predictable fair, the only award that surprised me was that Sheppard beat 5 Seconds of Summer for best group. But all the favourites seemed to share the major awards. I was super pumped for Kasey Chambers to win country artist of the year and for Sia to win album of the year. It's a great album, and she deserved it - even if she is giving them all away today!
For many years I have hated that the ARIA's mostly snub pop artists. Kylie took years before she was winning ARIA's, even when she was a major international celebrity. It seemed if you were pop, you were snubbed for an indy artist who barely sells but was the darling of Triple J. So it's great to see pop diva Jessica Mauboy nominated most years for best female artist. And while Guy Sebastian will never win a best male artist ARIA, it was great to see him nominated. It's time that opinion is changed, just because music is pop or mainstream, it doesn't mean it's no good. Pop is popular for a reason - so back the fuck off haters!!!!
So how about the performances? There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. Poor Justice Crew, relegated to the red carpet. What that said was, "You've had a number 1 hit but we don't think you're cool enough to sit at the cool table." (See the above paragraph). 5 Seconds of Summer opening performance was great. The boys sounded great and it was a perfect opener. I also loved Jessica Mauboy's "Can I Get a Moment?", obviously. What a great pop performance, she sounded faultless and it was good to see a great production number, even if the staging of the event was average. As a music fan, how could you not enjoy Neil Finn and Paul Kelly's medley? Two powerhouses with a beautiful performance.
The most divisive performance of the night was that from One Direction. Yes, they are a massive act and won an award but should they really have performed on the night celebrating Australian music? And the performance was a little lacklustre, but still, I bloody well loved it! And I feel a little ashamed for loving it so much.
It was an okay ARIA's, I've seen better. In fact, I went to better. Back in 1993 I was a first year Uni student who went to the ARIA's at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. It was a massive night and I had amazing fun screaming for stars at the red carpet. I was a massive Frente! fan and was screaming every time they were mentioned during the ceremony. There's a was girl screaming for Diesel, and she was the only person louder than me in the whole Entertainment Centre, damn that girl, I wanted to be loudest.
So what did you think of last night's ARIA awards? Tell me in the comments section below.
Album review time. Or as I could call it, my secret shame. But I guess I have outed myself. My name is Wayne Tunks and I am a One Direction fan. I loved their first album, "What Makes You Beautiful" is as good as pop gets. The second album was okay, and I felt my devotion dropping. Then came the third album, the boys were losing the boyband tag and making some great guitar pop. "Story of My Life" was one of my favourite songs of last year. So I was cautiously optimistic about this album.
Firstly, this is a good album. These are all solid tracks, there are no weak ones here. And with the boys having a hand in writing most of the songs, they are becoming stronger and stronger. But in all honesty, if comparing this to "Midnight Memories", it's not as strong. There's no standout tracks like "Story of My Life" or "Strong", but still, this is a good album that I know will grow with more listens.
The lead single and first track, "Steal My Girl" fits into that category. One Direction (I feel I'm a bit old to call them 1D) have had stronger first singles, "Best Song Ever" or "What Makes You Beautiful" but this one is a grower. Sure, the lyrics are a little stalkery, "Find another one cause she belongs to me", but this song can stuck in your head. Earlier this week I literally had a dream where I sat and listened to this song. First time ever, it was like One Direction had taken out ad space in my psyche.
Second single "Night Changes" is another grower. A mid tempo ballad, within the second listen I was already convinced I liked this track. I'm actually surprised the Ed Sheeran penned "18" wasn't made the second single, especially with the success of "Little Things", the last Sheeran song they released. It has hit written all over it, sounding like a cross between Sheeran and Backstreet Boys in their prime. "Ready to Run" is reminiscent of the last album with a great guitar based beat. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" is guitar driven pop/rock that is made for singing along. "Fireproof" is a catchy pop track, while "Once in a Lifetime" is the best of the bonus tracks.
If you're a pop music fan, check out this album. If rumours are true, there seems to be a little trouble with the boys getting along. Let's hope they can keep recording music together, because they are becoming quite the fascinating five piece.
Check out the hilarious "Steal My Girl" featuring the always funny Danny DeVito.
This is where I would usually talk about my favourite One Direction song, but I've already mentioned that, "Story of My Life", so just watch the clip. It is a bloody good song!
