Well, this is random – I never chat about music here at Film Grimoire. However, I thought I’d do a quick post on music, seeing as voting has recently opened up for the Triple J Hottest 100, which is an Australian radio event and decades-long institution. The Triple J Hottest 100 is the world’s largest music democracy, whereby the station’s listeners vote for their top ten songs of the year, and then everybody has a big party on Australia Day (January 26th) in anticipation of what will be voted the number one song.

I voted for my top ten songs today, and thought I might share my list for the year. Whilst compiling my list, I realised that even though this blog is very reflective of my film taste and what I generally enjoy (i.e. weird, Japanese, historically significant, surreal, visually beautiful), I never really talk about music other than briefly commenting on various film scores. When thinking of a blog as indicative of its writer, it feels only natural to share a little bit more of what I love – and I really, really love all of the ten songs I voted for today.

Without further ado, please find below my top ten songs of 2016.

I wasn’t a fan of Childish Gambino’s newest album as a whole, but ‘Redbone’ is probably my favourite song for the past year overall. I can’t stop listening to it. So soulful, so sing-along-able.

Say what you like about Kanye West – I love his music, and his most recent album was genius (but I’m trying to ignore the Donald Trump thing). ‘Famous’ had a big impact this year, firstly for the outlandish remarks about Taylor Swift, and secondly for its music video which featured very realistic-looking sculptures of naked, sleeping celebrities and political figures. If you’re not a fan of nudity, maybe don’t watch the video. But the song is great.

If you love joyful pop music that’s heavy on the synthesiser, I would highly recommend checking out Client Liaison. Their music is borderline ironically cheesy, and ‘World Of Our Love’ is no different, but I absolutely love it. The music video is chock full of kitschy Australiana and 80s flavour. Their album is so good too.

In a complete contrast to Client Liaison’s bubbly pop, Slumberjack’s ‘RA’ is filthy, filthy bass at its best.

And in another contrast to Slumberjack’s filthiness, Lisa Mitchell’s ‘The Boys’ is a nostalgic, breathy ode to young love. This song is notable for inspiring a dance trend called ‘boysing’ which swept builders’ worksites across the country.

Funny story, I used to work at a bookshop with the artist formerly known as Chet Faker. He’s now known as Nick Murphy, and he puts out amazing music. ‘Learning For Your Love’, his collaboration with Marcus Marr, is an extremely catchy feat that’s perfect driving music.

I’ve loved this song, ‘Knife Edge’ by Matt Corby, since the very beginning of the year, and I knew it would make it to my hottest 100 list when I first heard it. It’s an adventure in soul and perfect to sing along to. I love the bass riff and Corby’s voice.

Flume is so amazing. His first album was a revelation, and his newest is a good one too. There were a whole bunch of his recent tracks that I wanted to include in my list, but ‘Never Be Like You’ ended up making the cut. This is goosebumps-inducing music, but the whole album is, really.

Not only is Miike Snow’s ‘Genghis Khan’ an awesome song, it definitely has my favourite music video of the year. A play on James Bond and Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s tempestuous relationship, it’s actually really sweet and heartwarming. Great dancing too.

Lastly, I had to include Luke Million’s remix of the Stranger Things theme. The original score of the show is such eerie synthesiser magic that I listened to regularly after finishing the show, but this remix is magical too.

What do you reckon? What were your top songs for the year, and what do you think I should have a listen of?

If you’re feeling the need for more good music, here’s another playlist (which may open Spotify), which is an extended list of my favourite songs this year including non-2016 tunes.