Post by steve on Dec 17, 2022 16:46:03 GMT 1
Another year gone & it’s time to make those lists we all either actually make or formulate in our heads. My top 20 individual tune picks for 2022. These are tunes that don’t feature on my top 10 albums (which are killer by the way) but single tracks I’ve really like over the past 12 months. Usually these things run for 20-1, but screw that. I’m going backwards.
1. Even As We Speak - Begins Goodbye
When I first heard this I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I shouldn’t like it should I? Maybe I should. It’s not my typical dark, gazey, dream vibe by a long chalk. It really reminds me of Motorcycle Boy & has cemented a place as my favourite single of the year. It’s frankly irresistible.
2. Many Voices Speak - Nothing’s Gone
The second the voice starts I go to pieces. The percussion sounds like someone breaking rocks in time with the song. At 3:42, it opens up to all the instruments & almost twinkles into a beautiful oblivion.
3. The Haunted Youth - Broken (extended)
I shivered when I stumbled upon this. I love Still Corners & this carries some of those hallmarks. It’s pacy without breaking its neck & that guitar refrain is gorgeous.
4. Yumi & The Weather - Can You Tell
Yumi & her band can run hot & cold & some of their stuff is eminently skippable. This is most certainly not. It’s a bit like someone crashing a juggernaut in slow motion.
5. Magic Wands - Fortune
There’s something really familiar sounding about this track. Musically it’s very Chameleons-esque. Vocally I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. Besides the fact it’s fecking brilliant.
6. Auger - Oxygen
Unleash the penguins! Now we’re taking a slightly goth turn. &…well…I’m an OG goth so this was never not going to be in the list.
7. Sacred Skin - Circles
Maybe goth adjacent this one. Another pacy tune with some delicious power chord chops in the bridge and picked strings in the verses. This wouldn’t be out of place played in a stadium really.
8. Lital Hagayan - Like I Remember You
A goosebumps moment for me. This is literally dripping in Pink Floyd-esque sounds & layers. I look forward very much to her forthcoming album because if this is any indication, it’s going to be in my 2023 list.
9. Darkswoon - Bloom Decay
It’s probably the bass riff that hooked me here. It’s quite a misnomer of a title though. As the song moves on the blooms do not decay at all & by the time you reach the end it has more blooms than a well stocked florist.
10. Ringfinger - Familiar Placement
There’s something a bit Sisters-y in this one. Not just the baritone vocals, but the guitar riffs are reminiscent of Marx & Hussey circa 1985.
11. Hatchie - Til We Run Out Of Air
Hatchie released an album this year & I was so ready for it. Until I wasn’t. Bar about 3 tracks it was radio-friendly pop that I’m sure commercial stations lapped up. But the last track is truly astonishing. Reminding everyone just how brilliant this lady can actually be. Come on Harriet. What were you thinking of?
12. Blushh - Feel Alive
As far as melodies go, this is pretty much flawless. & there’s verse in French too! I can imagine lazing on a sun lounger with this one
13. Deanna Petcoff - If You Were Me.
Another curve ball came my way this year in the shape of If You Were Me. Floaty vocals, gentle keys, sparse bass & a wood block. But just you wait until that guitar break which smashes this delicate tune into a brick wall with no mercy whatsoever. Unmissable.
14. Dead Pony - Bullet Farm
Let’s mosh! Make no mistake, this band are going to be huge. Filthy guitar licks, more hooks than a fishing tackle shop & the incredibly bouncy Anna Shields who I have a huge crush on. This is power pop done properly.
15. Badlands - My Time Will Come Again
If Danielle Dax & Massive Attack had a fling, this would be their love child. It’s borderline tribal. An outstanding piece of music.
16. Cannons - Tunnel of You
I know you’ll all be thinking, “WTF?” I really was swept off my feet by this & the band themselves are really something I wouldn’t even dream of listening to at all. So it goes to show you. If you haven’t heard it, you can’t pooh pooh it. Bottom line is, if there was an award for the sexiest song of the year. This would win hands down. Irrespective of the video. Listen to it with your eyes closed. It’s just sexy AF.
17. Young Winona - Red Dress
This lady’s released 2 songs this year. This one’s the best (& least violent) of the two.
More growling guitars and splashy cymbals and even though Winona’s not the tallest of women, this song is easily 50 feet tall.
18. No Suits In Miami - Beach
A lot of the names on this list you probably haven’t heard of. But, & I can’t stress this enough, there are an awful lot of terrific bands out there. You just have to find them. I never knew who this lot was, but after hearing this song I’m damn glad I do now.
19. Tiny Blue Ghost - Fragile Coward
This lot had an album called Botanicals this year which is well worth a listen. It’s a very pleasant, enjoyable collection of tracks. Then there’s this one that pops up at track number 5. It’s so ferocious & as a result it stand out like a sore thumb. But in a good way.
20. STEREOSKOP - Under
Ending the list with some exquisite dark synth tune. There’s something really satisfying in this bass line. It isn’t a million miles away from Marian by The Sisters Of Mercy.
Here’s the playlist if you’d like to listen as you read all that old guff above
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMmDO41AtIjaNGZUYq-2GgkDDwZlrUqfi
My albums list is under construction but, for most of these tunes here, I have to thank socalnewwaver's pastFORWARD & Sonic Supernova radio shows
So, what's (apart from The Cure) tantalised your eardrums these past 12 months?
1. Even As We Speak - Begins Goodbye
When I first heard this I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I shouldn’t like it should I? Maybe I should. It’s not my typical dark, gazey, dream vibe by a long chalk. It really reminds me of Motorcycle Boy & has cemented a place as my favourite single of the year. It’s frankly irresistible.
2. Many Voices Speak - Nothing’s Gone
The second the voice starts I go to pieces. The percussion sounds like someone breaking rocks in time with the song. At 3:42, it opens up to all the instruments & almost twinkles into a beautiful oblivion.
3. The Haunted Youth - Broken (extended)
I shivered when I stumbled upon this. I love Still Corners & this carries some of those hallmarks. It’s pacy without breaking its neck & that guitar refrain is gorgeous.
4. Yumi & The Weather - Can You Tell
Yumi & her band can run hot & cold & some of their stuff is eminently skippable. This is most certainly not. It’s a bit like someone crashing a juggernaut in slow motion.
5. Magic Wands - Fortune
There’s something really familiar sounding about this track. Musically it’s very Chameleons-esque. Vocally I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. Besides the fact it’s fecking brilliant.
6. Auger - Oxygen
Unleash the penguins! Now we’re taking a slightly goth turn. &…well…I’m an OG goth so this was never not going to be in the list.
7. Sacred Skin - Circles
Maybe goth adjacent this one. Another pacy tune with some delicious power chord chops in the bridge and picked strings in the verses. This wouldn’t be out of place played in a stadium really.
8. Lital Hagayan - Like I Remember You
A goosebumps moment for me. This is literally dripping in Pink Floyd-esque sounds & layers. I look forward very much to her forthcoming album because if this is any indication, it’s going to be in my 2023 list.
9. Darkswoon - Bloom Decay
It’s probably the bass riff that hooked me here. It’s quite a misnomer of a title though. As the song moves on the blooms do not decay at all & by the time you reach the end it has more blooms than a well stocked florist.
10. Ringfinger - Familiar Placement
There’s something a bit Sisters-y in this one. Not just the baritone vocals, but the guitar riffs are reminiscent of Marx & Hussey circa 1985.
11. Hatchie - Til We Run Out Of Air
Hatchie released an album this year & I was so ready for it. Until I wasn’t. Bar about 3 tracks it was radio-friendly pop that I’m sure commercial stations lapped up. But the last track is truly astonishing. Reminding everyone just how brilliant this lady can actually be. Come on Harriet. What were you thinking of?
12. Blushh - Feel Alive
As far as melodies go, this is pretty much flawless. & there’s verse in French too! I can imagine lazing on a sun lounger with this one
13. Deanna Petcoff - If You Were Me.
Another curve ball came my way this year in the shape of If You Were Me. Floaty vocals, gentle keys, sparse bass & a wood block. But just you wait until that guitar break which smashes this delicate tune into a brick wall with no mercy whatsoever. Unmissable.
14. Dead Pony - Bullet Farm
Let’s mosh! Make no mistake, this band are going to be huge. Filthy guitar licks, more hooks than a fishing tackle shop & the incredibly bouncy Anna Shields who I have a huge crush on. This is power pop done properly.
15. Badlands - My Time Will Come Again
If Danielle Dax & Massive Attack had a fling, this would be their love child. It’s borderline tribal. An outstanding piece of music.
16. Cannons - Tunnel of You
I know you’ll all be thinking, “WTF?” I really was swept off my feet by this & the band themselves are really something I wouldn’t even dream of listening to at all. So it goes to show you. If you haven’t heard it, you can’t pooh pooh it. Bottom line is, if there was an award for the sexiest song of the year. This would win hands down. Irrespective of the video. Listen to it with your eyes closed. It’s just sexy AF.
17. Young Winona - Red Dress
This lady’s released 2 songs this year. This one’s the best (& least violent) of the two.
More growling guitars and splashy cymbals and even though Winona’s not the tallest of women, this song is easily 50 feet tall.
18. No Suits In Miami - Beach
A lot of the names on this list you probably haven’t heard of. But, & I can’t stress this enough, there are an awful lot of terrific bands out there. You just have to find them. I never knew who this lot was, but after hearing this song I’m damn glad I do now.
19. Tiny Blue Ghost - Fragile Coward
This lot had an album called Botanicals this year which is well worth a listen. It’s a very pleasant, enjoyable collection of tracks. Then there’s this one that pops up at track number 5. It’s so ferocious & as a result it stand out like a sore thumb. But in a good way.
20. STEREOSKOP - Under
Ending the list with some exquisite dark synth tune. There’s something really satisfying in this bass line. It isn’t a million miles away from Marian by The Sisters Of Mercy.
Here’s the playlist if you’d like to listen as you read all that old guff above
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMmDO41AtIjaNGZUYq-2GgkDDwZlrUqfi
My albums list is under construction but, for most of these tunes here, I have to thank socalnewwaver's pastFORWARD & Sonic Supernova radio shows
So, what's (apart from The Cure) tantalised your eardrums these past 12 months?
