Cont….
90. “Broken” – lovelytheband
No song this year encapsulates the ole’ saying “misery loves company” better than lovelytheband’s debut single, “Broken.”
Vocalist, Mitchy Collins says of the track, “This song is about finding someone who is just as f—ed up and lost as you are, but somehow you make it work together. Everyone is a little bit broken inside, nobody’s perfect. This song is an ode to the broken ones.”
I can imagine if you are broken and lonely, the last person you want to fall in love with is someone that is not broken or lonely. It seems to me as though comparing yourself to your superior partner would just make you even more broken, and consequently, more lonely. Lovelytheband may be on to something here.
Even if you are not broken or lonely, you should certainly be looking forward to hearing much more of lovelytheband in 2018.
89. “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” – Declan McKenna
Declan McKenna may be the most mature 18 year old that has ever existed. Over the past two years he has released more deep-thinking, soul-searching, politically charged songs than most people that have been in the business for decades.
McKenna says “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” is a song I wrote about being a young person in the modern world. It’s about wanting to challenge fears and be part of a movement of change, and looking for hope despite a lot of dark and horrible things happening around the world.“
I fully support McKenna’s musical career, but should it not pan out for him, I would also fully support his political career.
88. “On Hold” – The xx
If you have ever let someone carelessly slip away from you, “On Hold” by The xx will bring back all of those feelings of self-hate and regret. If you want to have a pity party for yourself, this song needs to be on repeat all night.
87. “Sweat” – The All American Rejects
What better way for the All-American Rejects to “swing, swing” back onto the scene five years after their last album, Kids In The Street, than to have an 11 minute music video of lead singer Tyson Ritter playing a high-heeled prostitute.
I can’t think of any.
“Sweat” embodies the fun, catchy, anthemic rock that All-American Rejects have been known for since their self-titled album was released over 15 years ago.
86. “Holy Mountain” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Not since Cain and Able have two brothers not been able to get along as much as the Gallagher brothers.
And to be honest, as long as they both continue to put out music as addicting as they did this year, I don’t care who’s fault it is that Oasis can’t get back together. “Holy Mountain” is proof that sometimes two bands may be better than one.
85. “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
Not since Scarlett O’Hara’s “fiddle dee dee” outburst in 1939’s Gone With the Wind has the use of the word “fiddle” been so prominently featured in pop culture.
As if you needed any assurance, “Galway Girl” is proof that Ed Sheeran can sing about anything and turn it into a pop-rock masterpiece. This song happens to be about a girl from Galway, Ireland that plays a fiddle in an Irish band. But I am fairly confident that Sheeran could sit down for a pint of Guinness and by the time he was finished have written the next Billboard chart toping hit about a guy from the Australian aboriginal region of Nitmiluk that excels at playing the didgeridoo.
This aboriginal Australian man playing the didgeridoo could very well be the inspiration for the next big Ed Sheeran hit. (photo cred: wikipedia.)
84. “Breaking Free” – Night Riots
Upon first listening to “Breaking Free,” one would be certain that the latest hit from the California rock band, Night Riots, is about going through a messy break up.
“You’re not my savior, just someone I used to see
I am broken
Something’s wrong inside of me
I feel violent
Like I’m dying
I feel broken
Maybe I’m just breaking free”
However, using my journalistic detective skills, I cannot help but make a very strong correlation between the lyrics to this song, and how I feel during the work week.
See for yourself…
My thoughts while at work:
Monday: I am broken, something’s wrong inside of me
Tuesday: I feel violent
Wednesday: Like I’m dying
Thursday: I feel broken
End of work on Friday: I’M JUST BREAKING FREE!
Any way you slice it, the song is pretty damn intense, and some of Night Riots best work yet.
83. “Love Me Better” – Love Thy Brother (feat. Ariel Beesley)
While technically released in 2016, “Love Me Better” by sibling duo, Love Thy Brother gained popularity in 2017. In my opinion, however, it is a travesty how little exposure this song has received so far. It has some of the best vocals of the year (with special guest singer Ariel Beesley,) a hell of a great beat, and a “bloody” interesting music video.
I’m prepared to riot in 2018 if Love Thy Brother release more gems only to be relatively ignored by mainstream radio.
82. “Cross My Mind” – A R I Z O N A
Technically “Cross My Mind” by A R I Z O N A could be considered a “break-up song,” but it is more of an “I’m sorry that I was such a jerk that you were forced to break up with me – can we please get back together – I promise I will be better” song.
“Cross My Mind” is a little bit rock, a little bit electronic, and a little bit of whatever the hell Matisyaho is.
More than just about any band on the countdown, I am most excited to see what A R I Z O N A will bring to the table in 2018, as they seem to be at the beginning of a potentially very long career in the rock-electronic-Matisyaho world of fantastic music.
81. “Machine” – MisterWives
What do you get when you throw 2 parts Shakira, 2 parts Dolores O’Riordan (of The Cranberries,) and 1 part Gwen Stefani into a blender? The result is a delicious “Machine” frozen cocktail powerful enough to knock you on your ass.
>MisterWives’ lead singer Mandy Lee passionately belts the message that they will not be part of anybody’s machine. It’s a song about individuality and the freedom to express yourself, and could not be a more perfect song to sum up 2017.
(On a side note: how much fun does hanging out with MisterWives look like? I may have to sneak my way backstage at their next New England show and go on an epic, Mad Max-style road trip with them.)
