Drake, Phllip George, Adele, Dr Kucho and Little Mix all really good. My fave is Adele there :heart:

Oops I like a lot of the songs on your hate list, especially Trouble :ph34r:

 

LOTS of love for Doing It and You Don't Own Me though :wub:

^You both might find something to enjoy in the next section ;o

 

Side note: I forgot to include one of my favourite songs of the year in my initial list :drama: it's now added and everything so far shifted down a place, so new #81 at the end of the post~

 

-x-

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/s1mbmo.jpg

 

Calvin has had a very good year in my eyes. After the quite gutting flop of Pray to God (more on THAT later), I was very pleased to see this one do better. Instantly captivating on first listen, with a subtle reserved beat rather than his standard loud synths and a real exquisite vocal performance from Disciples, one different from that of They Don't Know but still maintaining that smooth, slightly unsettling vibe. This doesn't really sound like an obvious hit if not for the Calvin Harris feature, so I was very pleased to see that was the case and that Calvin is still, despite the huge success, capable of changing his sound up once in a while.

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/2qirzpk.jpg

 

Somehow I completely overlooked this when it was entered into the original BJSC song contest and it took until the Rejects spin off later that year for me to finally realise this is a proper banger with the most epic riff and synthy joys. I send dance-y instrumentals like this to BJSC a lot, so I'm always glad to discover other countries send them too, much :music:

 

http://i66.tinypic.com/24147pj.jpg

 

Ah here he is, the man of the moment so to speak, well he'd have more defining hits to come of course but this pretty much started the wave of 'wow Justin Bieber is actually quite cool now', this served as pretty much the perfect comeback vehicle for him as it offered a tease into the more mature sound he'd go onto produce, I will admit I couldn't stand the guy up until this year but (sorry Iz/Michael), he has won me over this year as his sound isn't exactly groundbreaking, it has slight early Justin Timberlake-esque vibes and sounds fresh and more reflective of a star than some blink and you miss it teen sensation, albeit none of his own songs quite made my EOY, but I'm very glad of the sound here being reflected in his new material as it suits him much better. Of course while Bieber is quite good on this, it is the production and lead artists that wins it. Skrillex has thrown up some bonkers bangers in the past and this can be seen in that screaming riff here and the Diplo touch (which just about everyone has been craving this year) can also be felt. The combined talents of all three make this a winner

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/2hexzcn.jpg

 

I didn't quite know how this is a thing, but BJFestivalen does throw up a few surprises and this one especially. I've always loved More Than a Woman, a real classic (and sad, as unfortunately it always will have that association with her tragic death). This makes use of the instrumental brilliantly and adds some steel drums (I mean WHERE can you go wrong with those instruments?) and some pretty amazing drops to make this instantly memorable, and oddly make me really appreciate the original more too. A great discovery, thanks for this Harry!

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/1zwn794.jpg

 

One from UP (not as fruitful for discoveries this year as others, but that may be as there was only two :P), and the fact it was titled after one of my favourite birds helped, hehe...but this is a fantastic piece of subtle xx-esque indie with a smooth yet infectious chorus and a deep, brooding atmosphere complemented by a suitably dark (and odd) video, ending rather suddenly and leaving a slightly intrigued feel for them.

 

http://i66.tinypic.com/2ziwspu.jpg

 

I prefer the longer audio version not in the music video but I've linked to it above, and I'd recommend watching if you don't know it as it is quite amaze *.* a weird furry-fetish feel to it all, but anthropomorphism is always a brilliant concept to tackle and it's no less intriguing here. Of course the song itself is captivating enough without it, an excellent blending of modern dancehall music with swing and funky retro and sexy vibes, before getting to that frantically catchy and upbeat chorus and strong brass production and she can ready set go with me any day has you out of your seat before you know it. In short, just straight out irresistable.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/o6wnpd.png

 

Mumford & Sons...hmm, around the time of Sigh No More, I would've called myself a big fan, they were a refreshing prospect with an excellent, stripped back sound which made them stand out amongst other acts big time, along with some brilliantly catchy songs like Little Lion Man and The Cave, then when Babel came around I wasn't so sure, it kinda got to the point where it was just the same sorta thing as before, it also felt a lot more watered down and made for success with the Ed Sheeran sort of market, which didn't really appeal to me at all, and there are very few highlights from that era. So when they came back and announced that banjos were becoming electric guitars, I was both relieved but also unsure what would happen, Believe thankfully proved me wrong, I was unsure of it at first, but I was never going to hate a Coldplay rip-off for long :kink: But I do think Believe has a lot more heart and soul in it than their other recent work and it's slowly building atmosphere and anthemic chorus actually suits them very well and for my money, it's a lot more interesting than most of Babel. It's not quite enough to get me into their sound properly (I'm yet to listen to the album despite owning the last two oops), but it shows there's a bit more to them than what was already known.

 

http://i68.tinypic.com/352eukp.jpg

 

A BJSC discovery and an instantly uplifting and active trance number. I don't know WHO can fault trance, it's such a great genre, so when I have the opportunity to discover new songs, I always savour it and this breezy and active song accompanied with some airy and captivating vocals and some wonderful drops makes it sound right out of 2001 and all the better for it. #Upwithtrace

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/2ia4x2x.jpg

 

The first of my own BJSC entries in my top 100 now with this deep house, summery (despite me finding it in January lol) and all round smooth reworking of Feeling Good (Flo Rida take notes). Of course the bird bants in the title would always intrigue me (theme of this section clearly), but the song works really well as a whole, starting out and instantly grabbing your attention with the first line from the iconic song and continually builds leading up to a quite bizarre acoustic guitar led breakdown and it truly does pick up a new life from there as the synths fire up from all angles before gradually returning to the serenity at the start of the track and never losing that FEELGOOD vibe~ It's a joy for the summer and the dark days of Winter~

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/65bcih.jpg

 

Oh this really should be higher shouldn't it? But I guess that's what happens with overplay, even when it's as interesting as this song. I LOVED it this time last year and thought I'd save it for this year as it literally only just came out by this time last year, I loved it into the new year, the main reason I got bored is partly cos my mum liked it and proceeded to sing it everywhere, and partly because it became the X Factor song that arrogant non-entities sang to try and get the audience going and prove they were 'a star', oh and Fleur's cover always being on that ad got really old too lol, I jest Sax is cool, anyway THIS SONG, it is an excellent retro throwback yet still sounding current with a fantastic brass solo that makes it pretty irresistable. It definitely deserves its place as one of the defining hits of the 2010s so far, it's just a shame radios exist :/

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/ngc6bn.jpg

 

And finally we have a rather intriguing and unique BJSC discovery, one of the reasons why there's so many of these in this chart is things like this. More bird bantz, but this is also a really melancholy song with downbeat production at first before the stunning chorus kicks in and then it certainly proverbally takes off. The vocals really sell this, sounding so authentically desperate and heartfelt matching the sombre note of the song and production, it is uniquely powerful and it does put me in mind of a really good talent show contestant single, a bit like Ella Henderson. I would never find this sort of thing without BJSC, so I'm very glad I did as it does throw up wonderful oddities from time to time (more of which to come ofc. ;o)

'Ouse Every Weekend :dance: The reason for his artist name is probably because his real name is David Zowie (full name David Zowie Canada Batt) (as I see bré has also said).

 

Wikipedia also says he was originally called David Zowie Ziggy Stardust Aladdin Sane Thin White Duke Twig The Wonder Kid before his mum had the name changed, as his dad was a huge Bowie fan :lol:

 

loving Can't Stop Playing, Wish You Were Mine, Hotline Bling, Uptown Funk and How Deep Is Your Love as well in particular :heart:

 

liking some of the random BJSC entries here too, maybe one of mine could sneak through :kink: (probably not lol). As for your own 'Birds Flying High' that was definitely something I didn't expect you would enter, really great reworking of 'Feeling Good', possibly even better than Avicii's own remake of it (that sounds like excellent praise but Avicii's 'Feeling Good' is one of the least good songs he's done :ph34r:)

 

Where Are Ü Now is brilliant and all but all three artists involved have made better tunes for me really. It doesn't feel Skrillexey enough (and to be fair it's been ages since he last made a great song other than this)

Where Are Ü Now :heart: A real slow burner for me and as a result it has a low peak of #17 in my personal chart but it'll do respectably in my EOY all things considered. I've yet to tire of it and the effect it's had on Justin's career is insane! (:jameela:)

Really good commentaries here, I could learn a thing or two! Really engaging and brings the songs to life.

How Deep Is Your Love & Where Are U Now 2 dance highlights of the year :heart: very glad they both got huge success..

 

Lone Digger is a great discovery for me since joining BJSC.

wow all that effort put into the commentaries, i was originally going to do commentaries on my EOY chart but decided i was too lazy :kink: but i agree with ML Hammer95 it does indeed bring the songs to life :D

OMG Mele *.* So glad you liked Alliyah so much :heart:

 

Cavlin, Mumford and Mark Ronson :D

I always think I'm just rambling on and on with loads of fancy words and it just didn't really make sense so it's nice that you guys appreciate it <3 I just wish I didn't keep burning myself out with them :drama:

 

anyway onwards~

 

-x-

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/3021klh.jpg

61. Space Above – This is It

A real epic journey of a song this, and I love that. Starting out as a mere whisper with hushed vocals and a longing moan to accompany the murky backing beat and a quite desolate atmosphere, it gradually builds until it climaxes in a synthy, flying explosion and really brings the track to life before shooting back down again at the end. All the time packed with emotion and general intrigue that really makes it a satisfying listen.

 

http://i66.tinypic.com/51v577.jpg

UR II II UR UR III III UR UR III IIII UR UR II II UR UR II II UR UR II III UR...URRRRRRRRRRRRRR IIIIIIIIII URRRRRRRRRR etc. (nah but srsly this is a really lovely relaxing Sheepy discovery, listening to it with that video will really make you feel like you are on an ocean floor and it feels so wondrous <3)

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/25kjtbb.jpg

REAL stand out rock music may be a rarity these days, but when there's a clear bit of personality showing, and that's definitely seen here. Singing defiantly in a cynical, almost conversational style and using plenty of wonderfully long and articulate words/rhymes that I wonder have ever been used in songs before ('my internal monologue is saturated analogue' *.*), and brilliant one liners like 'Give me all your money and I'll make some origami honey' was used? The wit and cleverness that oozes from this makes this a real winner and the raw guitar in the background adds to the charm, I really should check out more stuff from her.

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/ff4lt2.jpg

Onto another one of my BJSC entries now and it's a quite banging instrumental but also probably one of the happiest and uplifting little numbers I've found this year. It is instantly an earworm with a bouncy, keyboard lead riff that defies you not to dance and then multiple bass drops which are great for head banging, especially when cruising in a car. I can't really describe this better unless you listen, it really is such fun, plus there's some cute anime girls to look at too (though I'm convinced one of them is going to crash if she doesn't keep her eyes on the road :thinking:)

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/ff1wes.jpg

The first ever Buzzjack member to feature in one of my EOYs *.* not that he'll ever read this but thank you 99 Souls for this. Climbing the charts currently and very much well deserved as though I'm not too familiar with the songs it samples, but this is a rather brilliant mash up of the two songs fitted with an addictive breakdown. Mash-ups of songs are so rare in the charts these days so to see one really working is fantastic.

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/2aieyqo.jpg

All about that video really, I've never seen anything this year so creative and working so well reflecting 90s internet nostalgia than that, I always make a note to watch it with the song every time as it makes it so much better. But that's not to give the song any discredit, a great vocal drum'n'bass song that gets wedged into your head very quickly with that same lyric over and over and I've realised it sounds so much likeJ Majik & Wickerman's Crazy World, a minor UK top 40 hit but not that well known these days, so yes I suppose you could say the two together evoke different kinds of nostalgia ;o

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/v5ziaa.png

So Swedish House Mafia are very much missed on the dance music scene, but their ex members have certainly been busy giving us the jams nonetheless, we'll hear from one other later but here we have a shining example of the anthemic dance they did best, it's not particularly (something) new I suppose, but it somehow manages to sound quite fresh amongst a sea of dance genres and isn't trying to be anything than an out and out dance anthem, who are we to deny them that?

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/5bzeoo.jpg

More BJSC (and ocean linked lol) stuff now and I got really into this synthy wonder from my favourite country of the year in the autumn, at just over three minutes it's a fairly brief listen, but so much is packed into that that you are left wanting more what with the huge synths that persist throughout the track accompanied with some hushed female vocals. Synthy synth synth synth.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/k9cfpl.jpg

I feel the title very accurately describes the feelings that this drum'n'bass instrumental brings, as it's just so darn uplifting and fun to listen to that you can't not smile at it through it's five glorious minutes. Accompanied with a summer-y video, this is perfect music for any type of mood to bring it up.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/ay1tgw.jpg

I got really into the Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1 soundtrack this year, I also got really into CHVRCHES this year but which is better? as we'll see later, so the two combining was always gonna interest me. Dead Air isn't particularly different to their normal sound at all, the dark synths still persist throughout and Lauren's frantic vocals in the chorus deliver a sense of urgency and foreboding that fits the film really well, it anticipated a largely great album and lead single from them so was a worthy find.

http://i63.tinypic.com/4pv4f9.jpg

Fall Out Boy have been relatively hit and miss for me in the past, the absolute rock jams that were Sugar We're Going Down and Dance Dance seemed further away when they released disappointments like My Songs Know What You Did... (AKA the weakest chorus ever :/), so Centuries was a very welcome return to form for them. It has all the classic elements of a Fall Out Boy anthem - big themes of greatness, Patrick Stump's screaming as loud as he can on the sing-along chorus, constant chanting in the background and that real sense of fun they bring to the rock genre that the band members clearly feel themselves (despite the gradiose theme of the lyrics, it's pulled off in a very fun way). The sampling of Tom's Diner I think is actually really good and fits the tone of the song very well, particularly at the beginning.

http://i67.tinypic.com/9jhipw.jpg

The sort of dance that I just love, this definitely introduced Disciples in the best possible way. They Don't Know is a wonderfully subtle and slowly building track where simplicity is the absolute key. With all the subtlety of a black cat in the night, the single line is repeated throughout, never particularly changing tempo hugely but keeping that air of mystery and there's even a fun 'hola' thrown in as well, you almost want to know what exactly they don't know about him. It grabs you from the moment that first meandering synth appears, and then their song with Calvin showed they can do something very different as well, definitely a band I want to hear more from.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2wmhzxg.jpg

53. Milk & Bone – Pressure

Statistically, my floppiest BJSC entry this year from the clearly cursed Guardian New Music blog, but this was another wonderful discovery from there. This is electro pop at it's most sultry and subtle but still packing a real emotional punch, this effect is mainly brought on by both girls' beautiful harmonies throughout the song, and then that distorted synth breakdown comes in, lifting the track to high levels of beauty. A real gorgeous listen, yet still somewhat under the radar as an act, would definitely recommend a listen.

http://i63.tinypic.com/11j0hmv.jpg

And from an under the radar act to one that's been anything but in 2015. I know she has her haters, but I like Jess Glynne ok, she makes extremely likable and accomplished pop music that pretty much anyone can enjoy and her voice has a very endearing quality to it that makes you see why she was chosen as the featured vocalist for a lot of dance smashes. Hold My Hand is perhaps the best example of this really, it's so endearing and breezy throughout and you can't listen to it without smiling. A worthy UK number 1 who deserved all those weeks at number 1 (as I'm a PATHETIC Nick J hater!!!) all hail Dame Glynne of chart slaying

http://i66.tinypic.com/5f2o2v.jpg

This was another result of my random Youtube trawls and this one stuck with me until the end of the year, even though it is actually a 2013 song, it's a brilliant weird pop kind of number. With a computerised and muffled vocal, it strikes you as something quite odd from the start but the jovial synth riff that comes in perks it up a bit. With mysterious, almost lamenting lyrics and a video with moving image of 80s super models, the whole thing gives you the feeling of a weird 60s movie, worth a listen if unfamiliar~

http://i65.tinypic.com/116nx54.jpg

I had never gotten into Young Fathers' material despite the Mercury win, and hip hop has never been my favourite genre, so this served as a great introduction as to the best of what they were capable of. The song will mainly make you do what the lyrics say - get up and have a party. With slick, lyrically anarchic rap verses before that infectious chorus hits makes the whole thing quite a captivating and infectious listen. Managing to be one of those rare songs that remembers to combine attitude, thoughtful lyrics and actually having a good time.

http://i63.tinypic.com/2eq4f34.jpg

Another BJSC discovery now and a great example of long, infectious deep house. A constant pulsating beat that grows into a great head-bobbing, chilling and uplifting song despite never venturing outside that single bassline, the vocals also have a very dreamy and airy feel to them which adds to the appeal. If you've been following my posts, you may find that I've found songs and TV episodes of this title generally quite good this year ;o

http://i68.tinypic.com/2ln7090.jpg

Global Concepts was one of my absolute anthems for 2013, so this follow up had a lot to live up to. It might not have that same bonkers and unique sound that that song had, but it still has a lot of the same charm to make this just as wonderful, the hard, frantic electronic sound is still here even if the drums do get a bit of a rest this time and Delong's quirky lyricism and dramatic style are still present. A song that convinced me he wasn't a one trick pony.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2rh1j7m.jpg

A very bizarre and left field sort of song that won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I love Buzzjack for giving me these discoveries. Proper trap music with a dark piano opening before swiftly dropping and getting into the balmy repeated distorted vocals and just about everything but the k*tchen sink going on in the background, but I do love the eventual calming down and return to the dark piano, it gives a feeling of completeness to the whole song. Something to listen to if you like underground trap ;o my educated guesses to the main lyrics - 'we never been trialled 'efore now', 'we never in jars 'fore now', 'whale and a big shark, fall out!'

http://i67.tinypic.com/20kr761.png

My choice pick from the Hunger Games soundtrack as it's really one that exemplifies the dread, suspense and fear that surrounds the franchise, with a sinister atmosphere around the track and smart, anarchic lyrics that are delivered rather fantastically by the choice of artist - Tove Lo no stranger to dark lyrics and themes to her work and dangerous attitudes. The chorus is a right earworm too, increasing in intensity as the track goes on, and there's lots of cool Tove Loisms like 'aw oh' and that play pretend lyric (she does indeed love that doesn't she?)

Edited January 5, 20169 yr by Chez Wombat

Centuries! I had that down as last year for me so good to still see it appearing in some of these lists, it's gone into my list of 'favourite Fall Out Boy songs' and that's quite a competitive list.

 

Bender was one of the main highlights from the few UPs we got this year, I'd almost forgotten about it but that's good and Don't Wait Up (and Pedestrian At Best and Something New) is gorgeous.

http://i66.tinypic.com/6qcth3.jpg

OK, I've really been getting into Kygo's stuff as this section would show, more on his remixes of certain songs later but this quite unexpected UK top 10 hit was a really brilliant way to introduce himself. This is a beautifully perfect song where both the vocals and the production to make something magical - Conrad whatsisname's vocals are a softly spoken but still pack a punch and don't need to be much else before that simply sublime tropical keyboard riff comes in and almost takes you to a magical far away place, it's so soothing and beautiful. And indeed this persists in all his work, honourable mentions to Stole the Show and Here For You which didn't quite make it in to my top 100, but I figured his debut that introduced me to him that is most worthy of being highest here.

http://i65.tinypic.com/28k1npx.jpg

This was one in BJSC which I felt like I was the only one to properly get behind at the time and I still maintain it is a real highlight and a worthy top pointer from it's contest. I absolutely love her voice, there's a real cutesy feel to it and this track does it real justice and allows it to soar, accompanied by gorgeous strings and a atmospheric, purely pristine electro background instrumental. A real underrated gem <3

http://i68.tinypic.com/fdr96u.jpg
43. Audrey Napoleon – Dope ALa Mode

Cannot find many links anywhere for this as it seems to getting taken down everywhere, but this one seems to work. This is really out and out in yer face dance and I love it. Throughout the track, the synths just goes EVERYWHERE, the bassline honks and it constantly builds bigger and more defiant as it goes along, I must admit I do like the hushed calls of 'My Love' in the track, which weirdly makes it sound like a retro song given an extremely modern dance remix, and one that constantly changes pace and gets even more active right when you think it can't do it any more active. The drops are just epic, and it's overall a totally epic listen and essential for any dance fan.

http://i66.tinypic.com/spgeaf.jpg

Something I was really into right back at this time last year and sent it to BJSC, even though it flopped a bit, it's still one of my favourite entries. A truly intense listen, Bond-esque strings start out the track and then her bizarrely, sinister sounding high voice takes us through to the extremely enigmatic and dark chorus where the synths arrive and intensity is kicked up a notch. It will really make you question what on earth IS always good and the lyrics meaning if the song is this dark? It really caught me by surprise when I discovered and it's mystery has brought me back to it all year, even if I've heard very little else from them which is sad. Don't listen with the lights off~ also if it wasn't an intense enough listen as a song, a watch of the video is extremely....I can't even describe it, just see for yourself.

http://i63.tinypic.com/x6aotj.jpg

Tame Impala were always a name I was familiar as being hyped in the indie world. but I'd never known a lot of my material, so much like Young Fathers earlier really. But this was enough to convince me I'd really like their sound (and I still need to listen to Currents :x), a engagingly meandering and quite beautiful song. His sole, quite desperate sounding vocals are encapaturing and the anthemic chorus and subtle guitar line only add to this. It was definitely an excellent reflection of the supposed themes of growing apart on the album (or so I'm told), the video's trippy and odd visuals made it all the more endearing. I also listened to this while I was researching masculinity in popular children's films so it felt like almost the perfect choice of song to listen to :kink: But yes a great discovery whom I must check out more from~

http://i68.tinypic.com/33p6np3.png
46. Fae – Ruok

Here it is, one of the few great discoveries that I made from the Unknown Pleasures contests this year and a real keeper. At nine minutes long, I was somewhat skeptical as songs of that length normally have to justify it to be worth it, but this does in a very big way. All the more impressive when it's built around basically two lines of lyrics, but the constantly pulsating synths that reach for the skies but still get all the more epic as the track goes on, the wailing vocals also add to the chaotic atmosphere of the track. Basically, it's a little bit like what I wrote for Dope ALa Mode, except little longer and no less great. A simply wonderful nine minutes.

http://i68.tinypic.com/5d8qcn.jpg

The Weeknd is another indie fave I finally became aware of this year, though in this case it wasn't all positive as he's now a mainstream fave rather than an indie, so a certain degree of selling out would figure. Earned It was crap, Can't Feel My Face was good and MJ-esque, but got boring with overplay and kinda safe, it was THIS which made me see why he got so much attention - a really unlikely hit so it was shocking to see it do so well (especially as Radio 1 wouldn't even play it at first), with a shroud of darkness surrounding the lyrics and production and some dodgy themes emerging making it odd seeing it on daytime Music video programmes, but that made it all the more interesting. It was definitely the track that made me see there was more to him as an artist even with mainstream success and god forbid, actual interesting music in the charts is always welcome, and I hope he continues to show the 'real me' in future songs of his, although just not Earned It would be fine really.

http://i64.tinypic.com/5npw0o.png

Ah Florence, one of my favourite artists of the past few years and she continued to do virtually no wrong in my eyes with her era this year. What Kind of Man reminded me a lot of What The Water Gave Me from the Ceremonials era in it's slowly building sound and unconventional structure and straight out POWER of the final act of the song, it's an epic journey of a song. Albeit there's very little messing around in this song after the opening chorus when the guitars and choral vocals kick in, there's no going back, truly a vehicle for Florence's amazing voice as well. I was thrilled this got top 40, and I preferred this to Ship to Wreck, as good as that was as it a bit more interesting. The album proved to be another good listen and an improvement on the patchy Ceremonials and it was her Glastonbury performance that really made me fall in love with her again, the amazingly infectious and adorable energy she brought on that stage was second to none (yeah I preferred it to Kanye and what) and this song sounded particularly good. In short, keep slaying FloMac <3

http://i68.tinypic.com/2q0ok5h.jpg

A fun and wacky BJSC discovery that's really clicked with me in the last few months. I wasn't sure what to expect from this song, but I was certainly very happy to get a song with lyrics that read like the plot of a Doctor Who episode (Moffat ;o) and an amazing drop and breakdown which makes the whole song as much fun as watching a ridiculous 50s sci-fi movie when you've had a few Rekordeligs - you couldn't feel happier <3 (simply cannot unhear 'she just shits her ears' though)

http://i65.tinypic.com/2cnz7f6.jpg

And a Kygo bookend to complete this section, this is one of those amazing Kygo remixes that I spoke about earlier and this is one of the best. I admittedly missed this song when it came out (though I do remember Kyla La Grange from the beautiful Walk Through Walls a few years back) but this added another gem to what I know from her. I think it was from hearing it on plug.dj a few times, but I eventually really got into this. Kyla's vocals aren't sacrificed here and her hushed, unsettling tone remains for the first verse and chorus before that wonderful tropical music comes in taking the track somewhere else. I'd honestly happily listen to a Kygo remix of everything, he just has such an amazing style and creates such a gorgeous atmosphere in his music. Special mention to his remixes of Ed Sheeran's I See Fire (making me care about an Ed Sheeran song, what is this?!) and Ellie Goulding's Hanging On (making Ellie Goulding sound great in 2015, what is this?!).

-x-

And we're at the top 40 woop. I will definitely have this finished by the end of the week, thanks all who are still reading. Can you tell I'm really running out of positive adjectives?

Edited January 5, 20169 yr by Chez Wombat

Kygo, Audrey Napoleon, Tame, The Weeknd and Florence :heart:

 

Also Listen to Currents :D

^I plan to!

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/2d8ne9z.png

 

Definitely one of my favourite BIG chart hits of the year and a charming reminder of guitar pop still throwing up the odd gem that connects with the public. Of course, I've known this act for a good few years after hearing the glorious Anna Sun back in 2012 (which deserved this song's success and more :(), this sounds a lot more commercial though, even when I heard it last year in BJSC (and despite my stubborn tendencies of defending BJSC artists I sent first and flopped with, I DO think I prefer this to Anna Sun now) and though it took longer than I thought, I was glad to see the UK connect with it. It's easy to see why as it's such a feel-good, ridiculously catchy, sing-along anthem, it also didn't really sound like anything else in the charts and has a timeless feel, it feels like it could easily become a hit decades ago as well as today. An utter joy to listen through.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/egwa4z.jpg

 

In a similar style of something completely different doing well is this little gem, and even more so considering this was SYCO that he comes from (and the group Mattafix, lol never knew that one). The remix of this entered into BJSC last year didn't do anything for me, but the original definitely has more power. Steel drums just make everything better and are used too little today, and they are used to masterful effect here, presenting a highly contemporary and somewhat edgy take on chart pop, and it's brilliant to see both the public and Stale FM (Capital) take to it.

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/sowhlf.jpg

 

A perfect example of short but sweet here is this song, registering at a paltry 2 minutes 39 in the video (though an extra minute is added on in the unedited version) yet the whole song is utterly perfect in that time, built around an addictive flute effect and a single repeating lyric that work to repeatedly entice you to the song's charms and getting gradually more intense as it goes along but never once sounding repetitive. Just a perfectly constructed pop-dance song, but GAWD it should really be longer.

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/2v13xck.jpg

 

More indie yay. I had never heard of this band before, but Annie is a brilliantly trippy, catchy number with a pretty excellent rock electro synthy instrumental going on in the background as well as the endearingly quirky verses and chorus. There is more than a hint of 00s indie bands like Hot Chip and Maximo Park which I'd very much welcome, it was a real summer jam~

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/n34x8m.jpg

 

We're in quite a BJSC heavy section here as here is another excellent discovery from that contest. Coming from SuicideSheep so had good things coming for it, though the artist name brings to mind a novelty ice cream cartoon character (though the featured artist's name is quite beautiful <3), so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it was a full on trip hop esque beauty with a beautiful melding of piano and beats, but really the strength here is Danyka's absolutely gorgeous vocals, perfectly suited to reflecting the melancholia oozing from this track and particularly the repeated breathy 'baby' lyrics really emphasise the power and quiet desperation, and it's all helped by a typically well placed artwork in the video still (which Sheepy do so much better than every other YT channel I swear). All around gorgeousness, if you ever see this, thank you very much for this RFC <3

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/qsl9qh.jpg

 

I just happened upon this around about this time last year but it was such a fantastic find that I just HAD to send it to BJSC and I was pleased to see it (relatively) well received there. It'll really give you the feel you're playing the best ever horror video game, with fantastic drops throughout, raging guitar and synths and even horror sound effects from movies, it really does not let you go from the moment you start listening to it, essential for any Halloween party really and did introduce to the divine wonders that could be found in the darker isolated parts of Youtube and Soundcloud which I followed throughout the year~

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/6rncbl.jpg

 

A song that leaves you utterly breathless through the sheer strength of the lyrics and the music, and whose near six minutes in length really doesn't feel enough. Time is a largely stripped back, electro ballad with just some silent looping synths accompanying the vocals for the most part, somewhat reflecting the solemn and uncertain theme of the song. the vocals are also phenomenal, particularly in the chorus where the sadness and regret of the song really shines through. Lyrically it also succeeds 'I'm sorry I could not freeze time', that single lyric encapsulating the theme of time slipping away, such a universal struggle and when it's delivered in such an emotional way as this, it's hard not to shed a tear :'( So yes, I don't know why this and Yours Truly are separated looking back, they are both equally beautiful listens.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/2ias9rd.png

 

So the theme of this section seems to either be chart hit, BJSC discovery or my own BJSC entries, so here's something different! Why this wasn't a big hit is questionable though as it's another shining example of the fantastic pop present on 1989, yep, I have become a bit of a Taylor stan this last year and we'll see the full extent of that later~, Style though is perfect as a pop song with a really excellently catchy and well constructed chorus and a nice building feel in the verses, and if OneD rips it off later in the year just to spite you with a lyrical dig, you know you've done well. You can see why it was Popjustice's song of the year (as much as they are usually wrong ;o) as it sounds so timeless and appealing to all, a song Madonna could've had a hit with in her heyday. WD again Swifty~

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/x0s45j.jpg

 

Under the radar you find some pretty great stuff and THIS is one of the best of them. Who'd've thought a Yemenite folk song combined with electronic dance music would actually prove to be one of the catchiest, most joyful songs this year? If you aren't humming this after hearing it, I don't know what's up with you as it's just that catchy and feel-good, it always lifts my mood when I listen to it and losing yourself in the middle eastern vibes is amazing, This for Israel's national anthem :cheer:

 

http://i66.tinypic.com/f384s1.jpg

 

Much the same as above, but Bulgarian rather than Arabic~ termed 'Bulgarian Futurepop' by reddit, a term myself (and Google) have never heard before so it was always going to be intriguing, and sure enough it is a brilliant listen. It's a bit difficult to describe how this sounds, it being Bulgarian traditional music fused with trap & a bit of drum'n'bass, I suppose if you imagined Clean Bandit in an experimental mood you may get close but it has to be heard to be believed. Anyway, it was a glorious oddity, from the near operatic vocals, the sudden d'n'b breakdown and the strings solo and another one I was glad to see some take to in BJSC, she has not posted anything since unfortunately which is a shame as it's a great way to introduce yourself to the world, anyway, more wonderful foreign musical oddities to follow in 2016 hopefully~

Hmm

 

Walk The Moon :heart: Marlon, Etienne and Taylor this section :D

http://i68.tinypic.com/k71om.jpg

The original BJSC link included as I ain't cheap ;o (and the 2:58 version feels too lightweight). One of those 2015 big hits that never got old for me and still makes me smile so much listening to much, I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this as it just radiates joy and happiness, adeptly done ofc. by sampling one of the Jackson 5's classics and when young Michael was at his happiest himself, combining it with an addictive synth riff and you have a perfect summer anthem, in what was quite a dull summer for me, this definitely kept my spirits up.

http://i66.tinypic.com/a3pok3.jpg

Ah, here they are, one of my favourite new artist discoveries of the year. In fact, this was the first song I found from them on that midnight trawl through Youtube and this stopped me in my tracks with it's resounding beauty and led me on to a certain other song by the same artist which is to come later~, but this still stands as a real gem. The instrumental version was the first one I prefer, which is a beautiful string led number (which even though it does bare some resemblance to the instrumental of Westlife's You Raise Me Up :heehee:) slowly building to a stunning climax, the first minute of just pure piano is utter bliss and will move even the stoniest soul to tears. The vocal version with Merethe Soltvedt is beautiful in a different way, adding lyrics in only strengthens the inspiring feel of the instrumental and her very subtle, delicate tone really suits the song and fit finely with the instrumental, they are also in Norweighan which adds an almost operatic and wonderfully endearing quality to it (and who doesn't love Scandinavian languages?), overall I can't seperate them, they are both glorious in their own ways and are both, much like the album they come from, both epic and serenly beautiful at the same time.

http://i64.tinypic.com/2w7pmaf.jpg

One of my favourite indie discoveries with a novel strategy of releasing a song a month that kept things moving swiftly, and not giving enough time for you to overplay the song and get bored of it and then wait ages for more which was great, and the album following allowed you to connect with the songs in a greater way so it was really quite a good move. But it helped that the music was amazing too ofc., and this was the best of them, this highlights what they do great - their harmonies are so brilliantly complementary of one another and this is accompanied by a heavenly, atmospheric background which makes it all sound so dreamy, soothing, sounding particularly amazing on a summer evening at twilight. Their album was a great listen too, nothing quite as strong as this but lots of wonderful harmonies, accessible hooks and refined indie pop that is always a pleasure to hear.

http://i67.tinypic.com/28kij3n.jpg

He's 15!! NO SERIOUSLY! I'm not sure why he named himself after a small snack but this song is fantastic. Amazingly serene and relaxing and with a perfect blend of distorted vocals and relaxing-on-the-beach soft guitar and steel drums in the background to give this a perfect summery and uplifting feeling. It definitely presents the best of the likes of SuicideSheep/The Sound You Need etc. and why they've proved so essential for me this year. I wish I'd had the confidence to send this to BJSC or UP before it went on to win it, but nonetheless a real gem.

is another good one from him, for more distorted vocals and chill vibes B-)

http://i65.tinypic.com/id7m35.jpg

I always thought Alesso was part of Swedish House Mafia, but apparently he wasn't, hearing his music, it's definitely the same kind of Swedish finely produced electronic music. I liked his work on Under Control, although his song Heroes (we could be), despite that horrible lack of caps in the bracket was the sort of boring dance music that makes the charts crap, thankfully Cool was MUCH better. I wouldn't be surprised if this was an SHM song in all honesty as it works as well as those, Roy's vocals are an inspired choice and have enough distinctiveness and power in them to stand out and the hook really lifts the song up into hyperspace. The whole thing packs so much of a punch and is the best of SHM rip offs <3

http://i66.tinypic.com/bdl7gy.jpg

My first BJSC big hit, hold me </3 but no that distinction aside, this was another very wonderful Youtube find which I wasn't expecting much from and was shocked to see it become so much of a hit there. The song samples lyrics from Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You) by Aqualung and certainly works amazingly here. The title is intriguing enough as it is, but combining those dark sampled lyrics with an ambient yet enigmatic piano-led instrumental and there's also echoes of 'I'm so sorry' and 'please don't do this' which adds to the heartbreaking feel of the whole song along with the brooding and damning atmosphere that surrounds the track. If there was ever a song that summed up 'strange and beautiful' it's this one.

http://i67.tinypic.com/28uhht5.jpg

Like a lot of CHVRCHES songs, this took it's time to grow on me but when it did, it became a huge favourite. I was worried that CHVRCHES might struggle with coming up with something as fresh as their debut, but this (and the parent album) did prove me wrong. Yes, the same synths and vocal hooks are there, but there's definitely a sense of owning their sound and expressing more of an attitude and conviction in their music, of which this song could not show more of. I love the fiercely adamant vocal delivery along with the typically wonderful synthy and atmospheric background effects (and the video did remind me of how stunning Lauren is :wub: ) it's familiar but you can put a definitive artist to the sound, which is a good thing in my eyes.

http://i66.tinypic.com/mt14kn.jpg

A wonderful bit of joyful world music now from BJSC (which I've just found out I've had the wrong way round all this time and the artist is actually The Very Best :blush: ), that sounds quite Fuse ODG-ish with the same endearing African vibes and ridiculously catchy hooks that draws you into that music. There's not a whole lot else to say about, especially as I don't understand what's being said, but it's a really fun and endearing listen that I'd recommend if you don't already know it.

http://i68.tinypic.com/28m805.jpg

I first discovered this on SuicideSheep way back in January and it really is an instantly captivating moment both visually and musically that I'd recommend watching, as I never had a chance to share it with Buzzjack via song contest or otherwise. The video raises a lot of questions and reads a bit like a scene from Interstellar or similar epic space movies, but the music is also absolutely phenomenal. I never thought I'd be into post rock but I was clearly wrong as it's right up my alley going by this. Starting as a small whisper, accompanying the deadpan piano and silent strings, the pace gradually picks up and the further layers of the instrumental show themselves before erupting into life with the guitars and orchestral section booming and ending up right where it started. It's a real epic journey of a song, appropriately named too, and one of my biggest keepers, even though I did go on to discover something even better from this artist.

http://i64.tinypic.com/10yi0d5.jpg

This song that first came to my attention in BJSC way back in early 2014 and then I heard it a lot when I was in Australia that summer, it took me until the start of 2015 when it technically got a UK release (however stupidly late it was left until) to really get into the song and it's one of my favourites. A frantic and somewhat quirky dance track with screaming, almost tribal like production and lots going on in that breakdown, preceded by mysterious despair-ridden vocals, accompanied by an equally mysterious video, it's ~edgy dance at it's best while still being totally addictive as a song. Would've made a great chart smash, ah well.

-x-

and we are FINALLY at the top 20 and no more of these ridiculously time consuming posts (hope you've been enjoying them anyway!) :drama: Slightly more focused as we go into the top 20, to be revealed over the weekend~

Sigala, OH Wonder, Petit Busicut, Alesso, CHVRCHES, Peking Duk :cheer:

Ah, here they are, one of my favourite new artist discoveries of the year. In fact, this was the first song I found from them on that midnight trawl through Youtube and this stopped me in my tracks with it's resounding beauty and led me on to a certain other song by the same artist which is to come later~, but this still stands as a real gem. The instrumental version was the first one I prefer, which is a beautiful string led number (which even though it does bare some resemblance to the instrumental of Westlife's You Raise Me Up :heehee:) slowly building to a stunning climax, the first minute of just pure piano is utter bliss and will move even the stoniest soul to tears. The vocal version with Merethe Soltvedt is beautiful in a different way, adding lyrics in only strengthens the inspiring feel of the instrumental and her very subtle, delicate tone really suits the song and fit finely with the instrumental, they are also in Norweighan which adds an almost operatic and wonderfully endearing quality to it (and who doesn't love Scandinavian languages?), overall I can't seperate them, they are both glorious in their own ways and are both, much like the album they come from, both epic and serenly beautiful at the same time.

 

Can confirm, this has happened to me. Both versions are brilliant, I'd choose lyrics over instrumental most of the time but there's something to be said for occasionally listening to the instrumental for maximum emotional impact.

 

Wonderful write-up for Compass, looking forward to seeing where the other one places.

http://i67.tinypic.com/sq5efa.jpghttp://i63.tinypic.com/11juc79.jpg

 

 

 

Two of the very best of BJSC start us out in the top 20, only three more remain after this so we're really getting into the good stuff now. Yeasayer apparently is five (well six now I suppose) years old, but me back in 2010 with my chart centric tastes wouldn't have known about that so this was a wonderful discovery. It's a striking listen right from the start, with quite soulful vocals combined with a very quirky, active instrumental and even a whistling hook coming in making this a properly infectious and highly likeable foot stomper right from the start. I'd certainly be interested in hearing more from them and considering Seven is out to educate Buzzjack about Yeasayer and they have a new album out this year, perhaps I'll be raving about them more next year? :thinking:

 

After machineheart's (with a little help from Vanic) trap pop delight that was Circles, it appears that machineheart have done it again, of their remixers really, although maybe their a band that lends themselves well to remixes. The start of the track bares a slight resemblance to the opening of Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall, which as one of my favourite ever songs is something of a compliment. The tone is much more downbeat than Circles and the melancholy lyrics and her incredibly endearing voice really gives you the feels and then the dance breakdown comes in which somehow takes the track to new emotional heights, emotional dance remixes work brilliantly when done right and this is definitely that. Still waiting for Circles to go mainstream though (it has a video so baby steps) :'(