The Menzingers – Lookers
Hands down my favourite song from this year. I don’t think the ‘Zingers have released a new single for an upcoming album that I haven’t loved to bits. Starting gently with just singer Greg Barnett and an electric guitar, the song opens up into a pop-rock anthem, slathered with classic ‘Zingers themes like nostalgia, girls, and plenty of New Jersey name-drops. After The Party is due out February 3rd, and going by previous releases will probably end up on this blog soon enough.
Pinegrove – Old Friends
Pinegrove’s second album, Cardinal, is actually next up on my list of sick albums to write about. While there are stacks of highlights throughout, it’s the opening track that first got me hooked, and even now has me reaching for the volume and singing along every time.
The Pretty Littles – Sleeping In Water
While I think their debut album Soft Rock For The Anxious doesn’t shine as bright as their near-perfect EP, Gospel, it certainly delivers some awesome moments, and ‘Sleeping In Water’ has to be my favourite. Exploring some textbook ‘is this love?’ themes, I have to say it’s never felt more right to sing along to the words “I don’t wanna feel like a chump”.
Against Me! – 333
It kills me to admit I haven’t given this record more time, but even so the first single ‘333’ is still up there with my most played songs of the year. It’s a classic Against Me! anthem, with near-spoken word delivery in the verses and a deliciously catchy chorus. A real ear-worm.
Deftones – Hearts / Wires
There’s too many great songs on this album, but the epic ‘Hearts/Wires’ has to be my choice for the purposes of this list. With a long, atmospheric intro, delicate verses and a huge chorus, it’s got everything you want in a Deftones ballad and more. When you combine this song with the succeeding ‘Pittura Infamante’, it makes for a strong middle section of an all-round cracker album.
Read my review of Deftone’s Gore here.
Angel Olsen – Sister
Again, I regretfully haven’t yet fully absorbed Olsen’s latest album My Woman, but the nearly eight minute long ‘Sister’ is so far one of my favourites from it. I could have chosen the single ‘Shut Up Kiss Me’ instead for it’s instant brilliance, but it’s the way this song builds and soaks into you that makes it a stand out for me.
William Crighton – Priest
Goddamn this guy. The drawling Australian accent, the folk-troubadour persona, the beard – it’s like I’m looking at who I want to be in two or three years time! Instead I’ll have to insist you check this guy out, ’cause he’s friggen amazing. I first heard ‘Priest’ on Double J and was hooked straight away. Just you try and stop me singing along to “salvation is heeeere!”
Spookyland – Gods Eyes
It’s hard to choose a stand-out track from Spookyland’s Beauty Already Beautiful, but if I have to I’d say ‘Gods Eyes’ gets me every time. An epic tune, perfect for blasting in the car and singing at the top of your lungs.
Read my review of Spookyland’s Beauty Already Beautiful here.
Summer Flake – Son Of A Gun
Summer Flake’s second album Hello Friends had little impact on me upon first listen. Luckily for me, the song ‘Son Of A Gun’ crossed my path more than once via the radio and in various Spotify playlists, otherwise I wouldn’t have given the album another crack and unearthed it’s true awesomeness.
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