Happy New Year | Highlights from 200-101 (Party Starting Jams)

Dear Readers:

2015 is now coming to an abrupt end, so let's revisit some of my hits from the Part One of the Top 200 songs of 2015.

Be safe tonight (tomorrow in the rest of the World) dear readers and look after you're mates. No one needs a repeat of some of the Stereosonic events this year.

So here are some party starting highlights from the first half of my official countdown:

#104

#107

#131

#153

#163

#179

#194

Album of the Year | Highlights from 200-101

Well done again to Disclosure for my first duo for taking out the Album of the Year for 2015. After Sia killed it last year, Haim the year before and the dreamy Frank Ocean prior to that it's good to see some young Englishmen killing it in 2015/2016. Disclosure will now play at the newly announced Falls Festival, Victoria location - see here.

Those lucky enough to see them at Field Day (sold out - well done Fuzzy) enjoy and here are some of their hits from my 200 all the way down to 101 countdown. This is Part One in my 200 biggest hits of the year. Part Two comes on Australia Day.

#115

#143

#173

Australian Album of 2015 | Australia Day 2016

Australia Day 2016, will be huge on this young BLOG. Not only will the Australian Album of 2015 be announced after a month of nominations, but the remainder of my Top 200 tracks of 2015 will be unveiled. Yes 100 all the way down to number 1. I left you on a cliffhanger of Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Multi Love at number 101 and this week I will celebrate some of the big tracks from the first list 200 to 101.

Nominations for the Australian Album of the Year will commence on Monday 11 January, 2016 with nominations wrapping Friday 22 January, 2016.

Each (week) day I will unveil another nomination and do Australian music features all January long.

Flashing off the Record will be all Australia, all January long in 2016, so stay tuned. For now here are some Australian highlights to wet your whistle from my biggest tracks of 2015 thus far.

#108

#110

#112

#126

#129

Part One - The 200 BEST songs of 2015 {200-101}

101 - Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love

102 - Pharrell Williams - Freedom

103 - Anderson .Paak - Am I Wrong {Feat. ScHoolboy Q} 

104 - Skrillex & Diplo - To U {Feat. AlunaGeorge}

105 - Jack Garratt - Weathered 

106 - Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker The Berry

107 - Kelela - Rewind

108 - Last Dinosaurs - Evie

109 - Carmada - On Fire {Feat. Maribelle}

110 - Sarah Blasko - Only One

111 - Best Coast - Heaven Sent

112 - Drapht - Dancin' John Doe

113 - The Wombats - Be Your Shadow

114 - Disclosure - Hourglass {Feat. Lion Babe}

115 - Foals - What Went Down

116 - The Wombats - Emoticons

117 - Rudimental - Never Let You Go

118 - Everything Everything - Distant Past

119 - Boy & Bear - Limit Of Love

120 - The Rubens - Hallelujah

121 - Mosquito Coast - Commotion

122 - Wafia - Heartburn

123 - Sleepy Tom - Pusher {Feat. Anna Lunoe}

124 - Courtney Barnett - Depreston

125 - Knife Party - PLUR Police

126 - Alpine - Damn Baby

127 - Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better

128 - Leon Bridges - Better Man

129 - Vera Blue - Hold

130 - Jarryd James - Sure Love

131 - MO - Kamikaze

132 - Rufus - Innerbloom

133 - Daniel Johns - Preach

134 - Courtney Barnett - Dead Fox

135 - Pusha T - Untouchable

136 - Goldlink - Spectrum

137 - Alabama Shakes - Don't Wanna Fight

138 - DR. Dre - Satisfaction {Feat. Snoop Dogg/Marsha Ambrosius/King Mez}

139 - DR. Dre - Genocide {Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius & Candice Pillay}

140 - Everything Everything - Regret

141 - Kita Alexander - My Own Way

142 - Raury - Devil's Whisper

143 - Disclosure - Jaded

144 - Eves The Behavior - Electrical

145 - The Rubens - The Night Is On My Side

146 - MS MR - Painted

147 - Bloc Party - The Love Within

148 - Mosquito Coast - Call My Name

149 - Courtney Barnett - Elevator Operator

150 - Kucka - Unconditional

151 - Safia - Embracing Me

152 - Japenese Wallpaper - Forces {Feat. Airling}

153 - Yeo - Icarus

154 - Tkay Maidza - Ghost

155 - The Jungle Giants - Every Kind Of Way

156 - Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

157 - In Hearts Wake - Breakaway

158 - Airling - Stallin'

159 - The Jungle Giants - Kooky Eyes

160 - The Wombats - Give Me A Try

161 - Florence + The Machine - St. Jude

162 - A$AP Rocky - L$D

163 - Club Cheval - Discipline

164 - The Rubens - Switchblade

165 - Alpine - Shot Fox

166 - Dylan Joel - Blank

167 - The Internet - Special Affair

168 - Emma Louise Underflow

169 - Wolf Alice - Freazy

170 - Tame Impala - Yes I'm Changing

171 - Parkway Drive - Vice Grip

172 - Grimes - California

173 - Disclosure - Willing & Able {Feat. Kwabs}

174 - Sarah Blasko - I'd Be Lost

175 - Lana Del Rey - Music To Watch Boys To

176 - Jack Garratt - Breathe Life

177 - Big Grams - Fell In The Sun

178 - Kucka - Flux 98

179 - The Prodigy - Nasty

180 - Elizabeth Rose - Shoulda Coulda Woulda

181 - Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP - Soul Makossa Money

182 - Silversun Pickups - Nightlight

183 - Kendrick Lamar - You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)

184 - Joey Bada$ - Curry Chicken

185 - Urthboy - Long Loud Hours {Feat. Bertie Blackman}

186 - Matt Corby - Monday

187 - The Cat Empire - Wolves

188 - Purity Ring - Begin Again

189 - Set Mo - White Dress {Feat. Deutsch Duke}

190 - Odd Mob - Marshmellow

191 - Sarah Blasko - Better With You

192 - Dorsal Fins - Mind Renovation

193 - Lido & Canblaster - Superspeed

194 - Alison Wonderland - Take It To Reality {Feat. Safia}

195 - Wave Racer - Flash Drive {Feat. Baby}

196 - Little Simz - Dead Body

197 - Ayla - Waiting

198 - Best Coast - Feeling Ok

199 - Tuka - My Star

200 - Benson - Hollow {Feat. Thom Crawford}

Album of the year for 2015 & the winner is......

2015 has been a huge year for music, a huge year for five albums in particular and 200 songs starting tomorrow (or later tonight depending on computer access these holidays).

The year started with a stellar release from Mark Ronson, bringing the funk and the special guests, Kendrick Lamar delivered a brilliant political and lyrically sound record of hits, Florence and her Machine continued to grow their loyal fan base with a magic record How Big, How Blue and How Beautiful it was to see this live, The Weeknd picked up with where Mark Ronson left off and brought a Michael Jackson inspired record to the masses, with lots of sex, all over that shit and finally Disclosure made us dance and smile at some IDM.

So with these five, diverse and brilliant records it's time to choose and let you know my album of the year (Internationally speaking, the Australian album is coming on Australia Day 2016).

Drum roll please, because it's their second album with GREAT guests and great songs, it's DISCLOSURE, Caracal.

With Lorde, fellow album of the year The Weeknd, Sam Smith, Lion Babe, Kwabs and more all featured on this disc it's a stellar cast and a stellar effort, so happy they did such a good follow up after their amazing and life changing Settle.

Disclosure continue to lead the pack in the dance game and were just a cut above my other four records that tickled my fancy in 2015.

Lets see what songs now make the end of year great for the Greatest 200 Songs of 2015. Part One 200-101 up soon, Part Two 100-1 published here on Australia Day.

Well done Disclosure, this truly is a great record.

Christmas Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #4 - THE WEEKND - BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS

It's Christmas Day, so Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, lets get all sexy over this.

This song is sexy, so get to it, the video is equally sexy, I love it. The countdown is on to the Album of the Year for 2015, it's coming here tomorrow morning, so excited, will the Weeknd be the album of the year? Or will it be Florence + the Machine, Disclosure, Mark Ronson or Kendrick Lamar?

Happy Holidays from Flashing off the Record.

Thursday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #4 - THE WEEKND - BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS

The Weeknd recruited some well known friends to help him out on Beauty Behind the Madness. From Lana Del Rey to Ed Sheeran and production from the great mind Kanye West. Some would say the West produced Tell Your Friends is the albums hidden gem, I tend to agree, this was an early favourite for me and today it's time to Tell Your Friends about the Weeknd because he is only going to get bigger and better in 2016.

Only 2 sleeps until the Album of the Year for 2015 is revealed, who will be this years Album of the Year?

Midweek Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #4 - THE WEEKND - BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS

Last week I featured some live cuts from Disclosure's record so it's time to do the same for this week's FINAL album of the year feature The Weeknd.

Losers is not my favourite cut from the record, however if this is as bad as a cut comes from an album then it's a damn fine record in my eyes.

The Weeknd has been a favourite of mine since I first heard "Wicked Games" a few years back.

This album has been a very special record to me this year and I am sure a lot of babies have been created to tracks like "Earned It" and "Often" this year. This album has baby making and sweet sweet bed times written all over it.

The Weeknd it's the middle of the week and it's time to get S-E-X-Y

Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #4 - THE WEEKND - BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS

Full album of the Year post HERE.

Female Artists of 2015 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Three

20 - Ngaiire 

19 - Tink 

18 - Kelela 

17 - Adele

16 - George Maple

15 - FKA twigs

14 - Grimes 

13 - Sarah Blasko 

12 - Airling 

11 - Kucka 

10 - Ellie Goulding 

9 - Tkay Maidza 

8 - Meg Mac 

7 - Jess Glynne 

6 - Lana Del Rey 

5 - MO 

4 - Alison Wonderland 

3 - Florence Welch

2 - Courtney Barnett 

1 - Sia 

Final Countdown for 2015 - Sunday 20 December

20 - ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working for It

19 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There

18 - Sia - Alive
17 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
16 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face

15 - The Weeknd - The Hills
14 - Sia - Cheap Thrills

13 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
12 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
11 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime

10 - Troye Sivian - YOUTH
9 - Drake - Hotline Bling
8 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}

7 - Hilltop Hoods - Higher {Feat. James Chatburn}

6 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}

5 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
4 - Shakehips - All My Friends {Feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper}

3 - The Weeknd - In the Night
2 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
1 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}

OPINION: Soundwave and the Future of Music Festivals in general

I wrote during the week on my other BLOG about Music Festivals and some of the poor decisions made by promoters (and punters for that matter in the case and point of Stereosonic) and the future of these once giants in the game is now no longer looking like there will be much of a future (music festival).

Soundwave is now completely dead and buried and leaving the scene in a very dramatic, pre Christmas way.

AJ Maddah has always been a polarising creature and in my former line of work, he was feared, working at a ticketing agency it was always yes sir, no sir, call me a fuckwit, ok sir. But for many online AJ is a bully and someone who uses his Twitter handle IAMNOTSHOUTING as it sounds. The ravings of a lunatic to the scale of Andrew Bolt comes to mind.

Soundwave was the one and only rock/hard rock music festival on a national scale amongst indie/boutique and a large number of dance music festivals. This was great for the nations rock fans who still buy tickets and support their favourite acts. The bad thing is rock music is not exactly growing it's fan base. Dance music, RnB, Indie always has newcomers and new fans coming along, but acts like Marilyn Manson and Slipknot, you liked them from the beginning or not at all.

The problem with having a niche festival is you may not be able to grow your audience and with some of his line up choices (never much local talent which in years has frustrated some in the industry) this audience may be very select.

I love music and I struggle to (other than the headliners) find a lot of appeal in their line ups years gone.

The Australian population just is not big enough to support small and niche market ideas anymore. With the rise of Netflixing and Chilling, a new big blockbuster every week, multiple smaller festivals popping up here there and everywhere, regional festivals, just plain taking selfies and the beach, Australians have options and the option of being at a hot (and sometimes poorly planned) festival may not be everyone's top choice for $200 or more.

The cost of festivals has also spiralled out of control, all these promoters trying to out bid each other for acts, line ups getting less and less interesting as the line ups are getting more and more segregated.

So where do I see Music Festivals in the future? Well I see a whole lot less and a lot more spread out, the endless Summer of Music Festivals nearly every weekend is gone, Groovin the Moo, Splendour all have the right idea, staying the fuck out of Summer. Fringe Summer ideas like Stereosonic are just too close to Summer and also after this year I would be extremely surprised if Stereosonic returns. Un sold out cities, deaths, largely similar line ups to past years and scandal after scandal (people drilling holes in walls to hide drugs to name one) is it time to hang up the boots?

Festival golden children like Laneway Festival, Falls Festival, Blues & Roots and Splendour will all always have places in peoples in hearts as will regional powerhouses like Groovin the Moo but a lot of the other ideas are just ideas with little thought or what seems to be care factor put behind them anymore. The thought of advancing money to someone like AJ Maddah from ticket sales to start to fund the next event are worrying and for Christmas I do hope the poor punters who brought tickets will get their money back, Because let's face it AJ doesn't really care about the average Peter from Port Macquarie who has saved all year for his hotel room and ticket to Soundwave, Sydney.

What happened to the good old days, GREED, music used to be about passion before fuckhead money hungry promoters thought they would have a gamble at the music thing. Sad really.

Thursday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #5 - DISCLOSURE - CARACAL

It's Thursday and you should be well aware of Disclosure's brilliant record Caracal. We all know Lorde, Sam Smith and The Weeknd, but meet Lion Babe, this sassy vocal all over Hourglass is all killer and no filler.

After releasing this track with Disclosure Lion Babe has released a couple of tracks and apparently an album is on the way soon.

This is one of the great things with Disclosure records Sam Smith's career was launched with Latch and who will be next? I would love to see Lion Babe as the next household name of music or that next record you cannot escape in every local cafe.

OK so Disclosure the album is flawless I am loving it, it's perfect for Summer and they are even playing at Sydney's Opera House, yes the OPERA HOUSE!

Midweek Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #5 - DISCLOSURE - CARACAL

Another day, another live hit from their awesome second release Caracal, this one is a bonus track and not featured on the standard edition.

Well done to the lads from Disclosure really and truly this is a wonderful release and may even make a good last minute stocking filler this Christmas.

They are also heading down under really soon for a number of festival appearances so look them up, or here is the just released Field Day set times which they happen to be headlining.

Tuesday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #5 - DISCLOSURE - CARACAL

After a day on my sick bed I am back celebrating one of the best dance albums of 2015. Also overall one of the best albums of 2015. Disclosure released my party starter album of 2013 with their debut Settle but in 2015 Disclosure proved the difficult second album, isn't really a thing.

The live track above on the record features another Album of the Year pick, the Weeknd. The album features loads of talented guests from familiar faces like Lorde to lesser known but nevertheless brilliant vocals like Lion Babe.

The Weeknd is also a great edition in his year to rule the pop charts and also work again with Sam Smith.

Gregory Porter and Kwabs were nice editions alongside Miguel who has also had a big few years.

Disclosure's Caracal it's album even when one is sick you can really enjoy the great production and equally great vocals.

Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #5 - DISCLOSURE - CARACAL

Full Album of the Year post HERE.

Male Artists of 2015 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Two

20 - A$AP Rocky 

19 - Jack Garratt 

18 - DJ Snake 

17 - Dr Dre 

16 - Seth Sentry 

15 - Daniel Johns 

14 - Duke Dumont 

13 - Jamie xx 

12 - Pharrell Williams 

11 - Ed Sheeran

10 - ZHU 

9 - Drake 

8 - Vance Joy 

7 - Childish Gambino

6 - Jarryd James 

5 - Chet Faker 

4 - Mark Ronson 

3 - Kendrick Lamar 

2 - Diplo 

1 - The Weeknd 

Weekend Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #1 - MARK RONSON - UPTOWN SPECIAL

The last day (as tomorrow I have another Summer Music List for y'all) of celebrating the Album of The Year's first nomination. Uptown Special is a damn fine funked up full body of work. Today's track is an amazing joint effort with Tame Impala's Kevin Parker.

So it's only 2 weeks until the Album of the Year will be published right here. And not only that the first 100 songs of my EPIC music list, the 200 songs of 2015.

I have already voted in this year's Hottest 100 (see my selections below) will these tracks make the 200 strong list?

It's been a huge year for music and all will be explored on this BLOG over the Summer period and just a reminder January is all about Australian Music. So Kevin Parker will surely be back on this blog real soon....

Final Friday Countdown for 2015 - Friday 11 December

20 - ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working for It
19 - Urthboy - Long Loud Hours {Feat. Bertie Blackman}
18 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere
17 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
16 - Sia - Alive
15 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
14 - The Weeknd - The Hills

13 - Shakehips - All My Friends {Feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper}
12 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
11 - Troye Sivian - YOUTH
10 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
9 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
8 - Drake - Hotline Bling

7 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
6 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
5 - The Weeknd - In the Night
4 - Hilltop Hoods - Higher {Feat. James Chatburn}
3 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
2 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
1 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}

I've Voted in the Hottest 100, have YOU?

Take a look at my votes below:

Yeo	Icarus
Cosmo's Midnight	Walk With Me {Ft. KUCKA}
Sia	Alive
Jamie xx	I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) {Ft. Young Thug/Popcaan}
Jamie xx	Loud Places {Ft. Romy}
Kendrick Lamar	These Walls {Ft. Bilal/Anna Wise/Thundercat}
Kelela	Rewind
Illy	Swear Jar
Hermitude	Searchlight {Ft. Yeo}
GoldLink	Spectrum

VOTE NOW!!!

Thursday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #1 - MARK RONSON - UPTOWN SPECIAL

Over a billion YouTube views, that is right, Mark Ronson's hit of late 2014 featuring Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk".

This song came in at number 25 in Best 200 songs of 2014. It was only new at the time of my producing this list so I had to put it into perspective.

That said it was clearly the biggest Summer Anthem of 2014/2015.

This album has clearly been here since the start of the year and an album we have all grown to love and party to, but will it be the Album of the Year???

2016 Grammy's Nominations | Predictions

My Predictions below in bold red text:

Album of the Year:
Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
Chris Stapleton, Traveler
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

Song of the Year:
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”

Record of the Year:
D’Angelo and the Vanguard, “Really Love”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel my Face”

Best New Artist:
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor

Best Pop Solo Performance:
(For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Heartbeat Song
Kelly Clarkson
Track from: Piece By Piece
[RCA Records/19 Recordings Limited]

• Love Me Like You Do
Ellie Goulding
Track from: Fifty Shades Of Grey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
[Republic]

• Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran
Track from: X
[Atlantic]

• Blank Space
Taylor Swift
Track from: 1989
[Big Machine Records]

• Can’t Feel My Face
The Weeknd
Track from: Beauty Behind The Madness
[Republic]

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
(For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Ship To Wreck
Florence + The Machine
Track from: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
[Republic]

• Sugar
Maroon 5
Track from: V
[222 Records/Interscope]

• Uptown Funk
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
Track from: Uptown Special
[RCA Records]

• Bad Blood
Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar
[Big Machine Records]

• See You Again
Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth
Track from: Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[Atlantic]

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:
(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.)

• The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern
Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap
[RPM Records/Columbia Records]

• Shadows In The Night
Bob Dylan
[Columbia]

• Stages
Josh Groban
[Reprise]

• No One Ever Tells You
Seth MacFarlane
[Republic]

• My Dream Duets
Barry Manilow (& Various Artists)
[Verve Music Group]

Best Pop Vocal Album:
(For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal pop recordings.)

• Piece By Piece
Kelly Clarkson
[19/RCA]

• How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence + The Machine
[Republic]

• Uptown Special
Mark Ronson
[RCA Records]

• 1989
Taylor Swift
[Big Machine Records]

• Before This World
James Taylor
[Concord Records]

Best Dance Recording:
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.)

• We’re All We Need
Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston
Andrew Bayer, Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness & Paavo Siljamäki, producers; Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness & Paavo Siljamäki, mixers
[Ultra/Anjunabeats]

• Go
The Chemical Brothers
Tom Rowlands & Ed Simons, producers; Steve Dub Jones & Tom Rowlands, mixers
[Astralwerks]

• Never Catch Me
Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar
Steven Ellison, producer; Kevin Marques Moo, mixer
Track from: You’re Dead!
[Warp Records]

• Runaway (U & I)
Galantis
Linus Eklöw, Christian Karlsson & Svidden, producers; Linus Eklöw, Niklas Flyckt & Christian Karlsson, mixers
Track from: Pharmacy
[Big Beat/Atlantic]

• Where Are Ü Now
Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber
Sonny Moore & Thomas Pentz, producers; Sonny Moore & Thomas Pentz, mixers
Track from: Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü
[Owsla/Mad Decent/Atlantic]

Best Dance/Electronic Album:
(For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.)

• Our Love
Caribou
[Merge Records]

• Born In The Echoes
The Chemical Brothers
[Astralwerks]

• Caracal
Disclosure
[Capitol Records]

• In Colour
Jamie XX
[Young Turks Recordings]

• Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü
Skrillex And Diplo
[Owsla/Mad Decent/Atlantic]

Best Rock Performance:
(For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative rock recordings.)

• Don’t Wanna Fight
Alabama Shakes
[ATO Records]

• What Kind Of Man
Florence + The Machine
Track from: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
[Republic]

• Something From Nothing
Foo Fighters
Track from: Sonic Highways
[RCA Records]

• Ex’s & Oh’s
Elle King
Track from: Love Stuff
[RCA Records]

• Moaning Lisa Smile
Wolf Alice
Track from: My Love Is Cool
[RCA Records/Dirty Hit]

Best Rock Song:
(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Don’t Wanna Fight
Alabama Shakes, songwriters (Alabama Shakes)
[ATO Records; Publisher(s): Alabama Shakes Publishing/Break Mirrors Music]

• Ex’s & Oh’s
Dave Bassett & Elle King, songwriters (Elle King)
Track from: Love Stuff
[RCA Records; Publisher(s): Elle King Music/EMI Music Publishing, Inc./Bassett Songs/EMI April Music, Inc.]

• Hold Back The River
Iain Archer & James Bay, songwriters (James Bay)
Track from: Chaos And The Calm
[Republic; Publisher(s): B-Unique/Kobalt/Iain Archer/Kobalt]

• Lydia
Richard Meyer, Ryan Meyer & Johnny Stevens, songwriters (Highly Suspect)
Track from: Mister Asylum
[300 Entertainment; Publisher(s): MCID]

• What Kind Of Man
John Hill, Tom Hull & Florence Welch, songwriters (Florence + The Machine)
Track from: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
[Republic; Publisher(s): Rodeoman Music/EMI April Music/Universal Music Publishing]

Best R&B Performance:
(For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.)

• If I Don’t Have You
Tamar Braxton
Track from: Calling All Lovers
[Epic Records]

• Rise Up
Andra Day
Track from: Cheers To The Fall
[Warner Bros. Records]

• Breathing Underwater
Hiatus Kaiyote
Track from: Choose Your Weapon
[Flying Buddha / Sony Masterworks]

• Planes
Jeremih Featuring J. Cole
[Def Jam Recordings]

• Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)
The Weeknd
Track from: Fifty Shades Of Grey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
[Universal Studios/Republic Records]

Tuesday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #1 - MARK RONSON - UPTOWN SPECIAL

I was so lucky enough to see Mark Ronson live in July and he was brilliant. It was not my first Mark Ronson experience and I have to say when his album Record Collection live was really a moment in live music I will never forget.

He smashed all the hits from his record (Record Collection) and then hit out of the park a mini DJ set, mid set. Brilliant. This set was epic and almost like a greatest hits gig.

At the time of my Album of the Year post there was not an official video for the above video but here it is and a HUGE language warning, Mystikal loves to put it down.

The guests on the album is just killer! Bruno Mars, Kevin Parker, Mystikal, Andrew Wyatt and more.

This is a brilliant full body of work and in the Pop world in 2015, this is extremely hard to find an entire album of bangers and wall to wall hits.

Well done Mark Ronson (and friends) this album is well swell.

Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #1 - MARK RONSON - UPTOWN SPECIAL

Full Album of the Year post HERE.

The Biggest Hits of Spring 2015 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part One

20 - Ed Sheeran - Photograph
19 - Disclosure - Omen {Feat. Sam Smith}
18 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
17 - Rufus - You Were Right
16 - Troye Sivan - WILD
15 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
14 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble With Us
12 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
13 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere
11 - Sia - Alive
10 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
9 - Rudimental - Lay it all on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
8 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
7 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard On Yourself
6 - The Rubens - Hoops
5 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
4 - The Weeknd - The Hills
3 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
2 - Drake - Hotline Bling
1 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}

Weekend Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #3 - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL

Wrapping up this week's album of the week ahead of featuring some Uptown Special next week, it's my final look at the Odyssey music video series that accompanies How Big, How Blue, How Beautifl.

St Jude is another sublime cut from the record and again after catching this album live at the magnificent Sydney Opera House forecourt I can truly say this record is amazing in the studio and live in front of adoring fans.

We are now only 22 days out from finding if Florence + the Machine takes out this years Album of the Year. Now only will we find out the Album of the Year but I will reveal the first part of my 200 best songs of 2015.

Frothing Friday's Countdown - Friday 4 December 2015

20 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
19 - Illy - Swear Jar
18 - The Weeknd - In the Night
17 - Coldplay - Everglow
16 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
15 - The Rubens - Hoops
14 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
13 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
12 - The Weeknd - The Hills
11 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
10 - Sia - Alive
9 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
8 - Hilltop Hoods - Higher {Feat. James Chatburn}
7 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
6 - Drake - Hotline Bling
5 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
4 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
3 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
2 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
1 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive

Thursday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #3 - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL

A real contender for this years Hottest 100 on Triple J, Delilah is a real gem of a song, it makes you dance and sing along with so much enthusiasm.

Florence's Odyssey series for her videos from this album are just so brilliant adding another dimension to why this album is clearly one of the years best.

Her live show is brilliant, the songs are brilliant, the videos are brilliant, the whole damn package is beyond brilliant.

I am so impressed with this album and really can't wait for the next Florence + the Machine release.

Mid Week Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #3 - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL

After seeing the divine Florence + the Machine live recently, I feel like I can completely say with 100% honesty that this album is easily one of the best of the year. Joining the likes of Mark Ronson, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar and Disclosure Florence does it for the ladies in 2015.

Her vocals live are second to none and her stage presence is sublime. Onto the album it has had hit single after hit radio track. This video actually pops two tracks into the one video, nice.

We will take another look at this wicked record tomorrow, a record the critics love, the punters love and radio programmers around the world have fallen in love with. Good job Florence + the Machine.

Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #3 - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL

Full Album of the Year post HERE.

Last Monday Countdown for 2015, Monday 30 November

20 - The Weeknd - In the Night
19 - Coldplay - Everglow
18 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere
17 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
16 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
15 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
14 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
13 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
12 - The Rubens - Hoops
11 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
10 - The Weeknd - The Hills
9 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
8 - Sia - Alive
7 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
6 - Drake - Hotline Bling
5 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
4 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
3 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
2 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
1 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive

Sunday Spotlight: Adele

What can be said about this lady who kills it, Adele's 25 album is the record, record companies have been waiting on all 2015. Her previous album 21 sold a monster 30 million records worldwide, this is unheard of in the world of piracy, streaming and Youtube.

Adele continues to beat the odds, never do a dodgy booty dropping video and be true to the song.

Her album 25 is already breaking records and Hello has been a monster smash hit, so here on Sunday after US Thanksgiving and the Black Friday sales, on the dawn of Australian Summer and December, let's sit back chill and listen to some Adele.

With the rush to Christmas shopping and deadlines on, these songs will really help you relax, get the credit card out and online shop, shop, shop. Maybe grab her new album 25 right NOW!

Dark Night, Sweet Light - The Sounds of Hermitude on a SOLD OUT Friday Night

The Blue Mountains is the home of some terrific music right now, Tuka, the Thundamentals and of course Hermitude.

Hermitude released their biggest album to date in Dark Night Sweet Light. Their fifth album to date and the follow up to their mainstream crossover Hyperparadise in 2012. Helped by fellow NSW man Flume the remix of the title track went nuts. And that is putting it lightly.

This year the single "The Buzz" with Mataya and Young Tapz sent Hermitude into another spin, with the single one of the hottest picks for this years Hottest 100.

Young Tapz also featured on the previous single "Through the Roof" which also generated a fair amount of airplay.

Dark Night Sweet Light is easily one of the biggest and best albums of the year. In terms of Australian albums you would be hard pressed to find a better electronic release this year. Nominated for the ARIA Australian Album of the Year (unfortunately being beaten Tame Impala) the duo are really killing it right now.

Their show at the Hordern Pavillion (sold out, after sold out Enmore Theatre shows earlier in the year) was beyond brilliant. Slaying through all their hits and wonderful guest dancers on easily one of their best cuts "Speak of the Devil". The crowd went nuts for all the hits from their recent release and "The Buzz" in the encore nearly took the roof off.

Of course Flume's remix of "Hyperparadise"was another earlier banger and "Searchlight" was also another highlight. Two of my personal favourites from the record were also great live with a sold out crowd, "Ukiyo" and "Bermuda Bay".

This album is outstanding, their live show is outstanding and the fans are really in love with these local boys.

I am interested to see where the boys from the Mountains pop up next as all I can say right now, is the world is their oyster. So happy after 15 years the boys are selling shit loads of tickets (at a time where lots of artists are struggling to do so) and getting radio play and local love.

Hermitude you are unreal, thanks for 15 years of amazing music.

ARIA's Come Down Countdown - Friday 27 November 2015

20 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
19 - ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working for It
18 - RUFUS - Innerbloom
17 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There

16 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
15 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
14 - The Rubens - Hoops
13 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
12 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
11 - The Weeknd - The Hills
10 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
9 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
8 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
7 - Sia - Alive
6 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
5 - Drake - Hotline Bling

4 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
1 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}

Not only did Matt Okine and Tina Arena speak out last night at the Award Ceremony, but the charts have been impacted by Australia's night of nights. Unfortunately only 461,000 tuned into the mostly excellent Channel 10 broadcast. I predict Channel 11 will broadcast the event next year which also really looked at home at the Event Centre @ the Star.

Here are the top ten tunes which received a benefit in a way from last nights awards. All are Australian all are diverse. Well done to the great Australian acts last night, however as Matt & Tina pointed out, would be great to see more ladies nominated and performing next year please.

10 - Illy - Swear Jar
9 - Sia - Bird Set Free
8 - Vance Joy - Mess is Mine
7 - RUFUS - You Were Right
6 - Flight Facilities - Crave You {Feat. Giselle}
5 - Vance Joy - Riptide
4 - Vance Joy - Georgia
3 - Peking Duk - Take Me Over {Feat. SAFIA}
2 - Hermitude - The Buzz {Feat. Mataya & Young Tapz}

1 - Jarryd James - Do You Remember