As an elderly gentleman, I feel it is my duty to suggest Across That Fine Line by Nation Of Language, as it sounds like every record reviewed in the Singles column in Smash Hits in, let's say, a fortnight in April, 1985,
Sunset by Caroline Polachek does take a long time to get to the OOOOOOOOO bit, so it was never going to be top 10 here, but that OOOOOOO bit is just ridiculous, it took me one listen (whilst smashed at a festival) to memorise it
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift becomes top 10 for me when I realised that the line ‘it’s me, Hi!’ is funny and cute (whilst singing it with two my friend’s girlfriends, both of whom are fallible human beings like us all)
Us Lot - Murkage Dave, no joke this is just a beautiful song about friendship
What you said about describing music – same. Having to write up a 'first listen' was my worst nightmare. Uptempo = 'urgent, relentless'. Ballad = 'emotional, gutsy'. Every time. Anyway, I enjoyed this, thank you; my suggestion would be 'Ciao Ciao' by La rappresente di lista, which I'm obsessed by despite hearing for the first time only a week ago.
The correct #1 choice, there. Marvellous. I'd like to add something by Sigrid please (maybe the Griff collab?) and Cate's Brother off of Maisie Peters in the "make a 2020s version of Teenage Dirtbag" category.
Peter, with reference to ‘Summer really hurts’ by Alma, I think it sounds a bit like the ‘Juliet Bravo’ theme. Is that perhaps the TV theme you were looking for?
As an elderly gentleman, I feel it is my duty to suggest Across That Fine Line by Nation Of Language, as it sounds like every record reviewed in the Singles column in Smash Hits in, let's say, a fortnight in April, 1985,
'Amazing' list.
A couple singles you missed:
Empress Of - 'Save Me' (the song, not the EP, which was disappointing)
Ethel Cain - 'American Teenager' (it has its "Official video", I think we can consider it single)
RAYE - 'Escapism (feat. 070 Shake)'
Caroline Polachek - 'Welcome To My Island'
But where is Wolf by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs?
I feel like Dragonatte - Slow Song / New Suit should be on here. But knowing my luck it prob came out 2019 and I only discovered it this year.
Thank you, Peter!
Here is an Apple Music version for those who might be interested: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/popjustice-top-45-singles-2022/pl.u-KzgJJILloN0
Tremendous to have you back, I too genuinely look forward to the Popjustice end of year countdown. Amazing and thank you.
Can I tentatively suggest ‘Token’ by Dubstar. The final 45 secs is my favourite bit in a song for years. Heartbreaking and Incredible.
Very solid list! Obvious additions for me would be:
Lonely - CMAT (or maybe Nashville if you count it as a single but honestly I don't think I would)
Hypnotized - Sophie Ellis-Bextor & Wuh Oh
We Own the Night - Sophie & the Giants
Billions - Caroline Polachek
So Typically Now - U.S. Girls
Highway to Your Heart - Lykke Li
Dilemma - Apink
Neon Lights - Loreen
2 Die 4 - Tove Lo
Lock&Key/Cuntradiction - Lolahol
Bad Dad/Hero Man - PVA
Night Moves - Lissie
Too many Röyksopp singles to count, but I think The Night would be my favourite
Some honorable mentions imo:
"Persuasive" by Doechii
"Effigy" by Tom Aspaul
"Plan B" by Megan Thee Stallion
"Billions" by Caroline Polachek
"Free" by Florence + the Machine
Black Mascara - Raye
Monotonia - Shakira
Let Them - Tom Aspaul
Hypnotized - Sophie Ellix Bextor
YoYo - Mika
Another Go Around - Beach House
Easy Lover - Ellie Goulding (the single version!)
Beach House - Carly Rae Jepsen
Top of my listening list this year:
Hypnotized - Sophie E-B + Wuh-Oh
Ciao Ciao - La Rappresentante di Lista
Diva - La Rappresentante Di Lista
Ay Mama - Rigoberta Bandini ("Why are you so scared of our tits?")
My Gay Boyfriend Has A Boyfriend - Giulia
Taste So Good - Vincent, Hayley Kiyoko, MNEK and Kesha
Pre Madonna - Todrick Hall
Shygirl - Firefly, Caroline Polachek - Welcome To My Island, Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero.
Sunset by Caroline Polachek does take a long time to get to the OOOOOOOOO bit, so it was never going to be top 10 here, but that OOOOOOO bit is just ridiculous, it took me one listen (whilst smashed at a festival) to memorise it
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift becomes top 10 for me when I realised that the line ‘it’s me, Hi!’ is funny and cute (whilst singing it with two my friend’s girlfriends, both of whom are fallible human beings like us all)
Us Lot - Murkage Dave, no joke this is just a beautiful song about friendship
What you said about describing music – same. Having to write up a 'first listen' was my worst nightmare. Uptempo = 'urgent, relentless'. Ballad = 'emotional, gutsy'. Every time. Anyway, I enjoyed this, thank you; my suggestion would be 'Ciao Ciao' by La rappresente di lista, which I'm obsessed by despite hearing for the first time only a week ago.
The correct #1 choice, there. Marvellous. I'd like to add something by Sigrid please (maybe the Griff collab?) and Cate's Brother off of Maisie Peters in the "make a 2020s version of Teenage Dirtbag" category.
Can’t believe I’m the first person to point out that Aurora needs a song on this list. “Cure For Me”, anyone?
Peter, with reference to ‘Summer really hurts’ by Alma, I think it sounds a bit like the ‘Juliet Bravo’ theme. Is that perhaps the TV theme you were looking for?