Fresh Friday Countdown #190 - Friday 29 November 2019

20 - Bring Me the Horizon - Ludens
19 - DMA's - Silver
18 - Stormzy - Own It {Feat. Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy}
17 - Thelma Plum - Better in Blak
16 - Khalid - Up All Night
15 - Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat
14 - Martin Garrix & Dean Lewis - Used to Love
13 - Flume - Running Back {Feat. Vera Blue}
12 - Riton & Oliver Heldens - Turn Me On {Feat. Vula}
11 - Tones and I - Johnny Run Away
10 - Flight Facilities - Better Than Ever {Feat. Aloe Blacc}
9 - Billie Eilish - bad guy
8 - The Weeknd - Heartless
7 - Meduza, Becky Hill & GOODBOYS - Lose Control
6 - Halsey - Graveyard
5 - Billie Eilish - everything i wanted
4 - Post Malone - Circles
3 - Regard - Ride It
2 - Tones and I - Never Seen the Rain
1 - Tones and I - Dance Monkey

ARIA 2019 Nominations | Predictions, Results, How I went...

In mid October I posted my predictions, now with the awards being held last night, how did I go?

Here are all the winners in red from last night...

Album of the Year (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Dean Lewis – A Place We Knew
Hilltop Hoods - The Great Expanse
RÜFÜS DU SOL – Solace
The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow
Thelma Plum- Better In Blak

Best Male Artist (incorrectly guessed, Paul Kelly)

WINNER: Dean Lewis - A Place We Knew
Guy Sebastian – Choir
Hayden James - Between Us
Matt Corby - Rainbow Valley
Paul Kelly - Nature

Best Female Artist (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Tones And I – ‘Dance Monkey’
Amy Shark – ‘Mess Her Up’
Jessica Mauboy – ‘Little Things’
Julia Jacklin - Crushing
Thelma Plum - Better In Blak

Best Dance Release (incorrectly guessed, PNAU)

WINNER: RÜFÜS DU SOL- Solace
Dom Dolla – ‘Take It’
FISHER – ‘You Little Beauty’
Peking Duk & Jack River – ‘Sugar’
PNAU – ‘Solid Gold’

Best Group (incorrectly guessed, Birds of Tokyo)

WINNER: The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow
5 Seconds Of Summer – ‘Easier’
Birds Of Tokyo – ‘Good Lord’
Hilltop Hoods - The Great Expanse
RÜFÜS DU SOL - Solace

Breakthrough Artist (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Tones And I - Dance Monkey
G Flip - About Us
Stella Donnelly - Beware Of The Dogs
The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow
Thelma Plum - Better In Blak

Best Pop Release (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Tones And I – ‘Dance Monkey’
Amy Shark – ‘Mess Her Up’
Dean Lewis - A Place We Knew
Guy Sebastian – ‘Choir’
Thelma Plum - Better In Blak

Best Hip Hop Release (incorrectly guessed, Hilltop Hoods)

WINNER: Sampa The Great – ‘Final Form’
Baker Boy – ‘Cool As Hell’
Hilltop Hoods – The Great Expanse
Illy – ‘Then What’
Tkay Maidza – ‘Awake’ feat. JPEGMAFIA

Best Soul/R&B Release (incorrectly guessed, Matt Corby)

WINNER: Kaiit – ‘Miss Shiney’
Matt Corby - Rainbow Valley
Adrian Eagle – ‘AOK’
Genesis Owusu – ‘WUTD + Vultures’
Tash Sultana – ‘Can't Buy Happiness’

Best Independent Release (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Tones And I - The Kids Are Coming
Angie McMahon - Salt
G Flip - About Us
Julia Jacklin – Crushing
The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow

Best Rock Album (incorrectly guessed, Holy Holy)

WINNER: Amyl and The Sniffers - Amyl and The Sniffers
Holy Holy - My Own Pool Of Light
Jimmy Barnes - My Criminal Record
Midnight Oil - Armistice Day: Live at The Domain, Sydney
Skegss - My Own Mess

Best Adult Contemporary Album (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Paul Kelly – Nature
Julia Jacklin – Crushing
Samantha Jade - The Magic of Christmas
Seeker Lover Keeper - Wild Seeds
The Paper Kites - On The Corner Where You Live

Best Country Album (incorrectly guessed, Sara Storer)

WINNER: Morgan Evans - Things That We Drink To
Charlie Collins - Snowpine
Felicity Urquhart - Frozen Rabbit
Lee Kernaghan - Backroad Nation
Sara Storer - Raindance

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Northlane– Alien
Clowns - Nature/Nurture
Dead Letter Circus - Dead Letter Circus
DZ Deathrays - Positive Rising: Part 1
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats’ Nest

Best Blues & Roots Album (incorrectly guessed, John Butler Trio)

WINNER: The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow
Dan Sultan - Aviary Takes
John Butler Trio – HOME
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishies
Paul Kelly - Live At Sydney Opera House

Best Children's Album (incorrectly guessed, The Wiggles)

WINNER: Dan Sultan - Nali & Friends
Kamil Ellis and Ensemble Offspring - Classic Kids: Music For The Dreaming
Regurgitator's Pogogo Show - The Really Really Really Really Boring Album
The Beanies - Imagination Station
The Wiggles - Party Time!

Best Comedy Release (incorrectly guessed, Sammy J)

WINNER: Arj Barker – Organic
Carl Barron - Drinking With A Fork
Chris Lilley - Lunatics (Official Soundtrack)
Sammy J - Symphony In J Minor
Veronica & Lewis - Sex Flex: A Rap Guide To Fornication

Public Voted ARIA Awards

Best Australian Live Act (correctly guessed)

WINNER: Hilltop Hoods - The Great Expanse World Tour
Amy Shark - Amy Shark Australian Tour
Baker Boy - Cool As Hell Tour
Electric Fields - 2000 And Whatever Tour
Gang Of Youths - Say Yes To Life Tour
Keith Urban - Graffiti U Tour 2019
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Australian Tour 2019
Midnight Oil - Midnight Oil
Peking Duk - Peking Duk's Biggest Tour Ever… So Far
The Teskey Brothers - The Teskey Brothers - Intimate Venue Tour

Best Video (incorrectly guessed, Tones and I)

WINNER: Guy Sebastian – ‘Choir’
Baker Boy – ‘Cool As Hell’
Briggs – ‘Life Is Incredible’ feat. Greg Holden
G Flip – ‘Drink Too Much’
Hilltop Hoods – ‘Exit Sign’ feat. Illy & Ecca Vandal
Jessica Mauboy – ‘Little Things’
PNAU – ‘Solid Gold’
Sampa The Great – ‘Final Form’
Thelma Plum – ‘Better In Blak’
Tones And I – ‘Dance Monkey’

Song Of The Year (incorrectly guessed, Tones and I)

WINNER: Guy Sebastian – ‘Choir’
5 Seconds Of Summer – ‘Easier’
Amy Shark – ‘Mess Her Up’
Birds Of Tokyo – ‘Good Lord’
Dean Lewis – ‘7 Minutes’
Hilltop Hoods – ‘Leave Me Lonely’
Kian – ‘Waiting’
Morgan Evans – ‘Day Drunk’
Ocean Alley – ‘Confidence’
Tones and I – ‘Dance Monkey’

Best International Artist (incorrectly guessed, Post Malone)

WINNER: Taylor Swift – Lover
Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next
Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go
Ed Sheeran - No.6 Collaborations Project
George Ezra - Staying At Tamara’s
Khalid - Free Spirit
P!nk - Hurts 2B Human
Post Malone - Hollywood’s Bleeding
Shawn Mendes - Shawn Mendes
Travis Scott - Astroworld

Music Teacher of the Year

WINNER: Antonio Chiappetta (St Andrews College, Marayong, NSW)
Bel Skinner (North Regional TAFE, WA)
Julie Rennick (Gunnedah Conservatorium, NSW)
Lee Strickland (Narbethong State Special School, QLD)

Streaming... NOW! | Key 22 November, 2019 Releases

Last week we got his fourteenth studio album, Beck's Hyperspace is this week's final feature album for 2019. You can stream the album here now and let me know what you reckon?


I can't believe it's been 20 years since The Chemical Brothers Surrender album was released. Hence 20th Anniversary Edition has just been released.


Ben Lee also released Quarter Century Classix, an interesting bunch of songs loved by Ben, now given the Ben Lee treatment.

One of the biggest compilation series, So Fresh is also back, this time with The Hits Of Summer 2020 + The Best Of 2019. Oh boy it's gonna be big!

Touch Sensitive also slipped into the mix a new EP last Friday, The 36th Level, check it out below and dance, dance, dance!

Now to last Friday's biggest new singles! Take a listen to these bad boys!

Alma – Bad News Baby

Asta – Want You To Know

Cosmo’s Midnight featuring. Matthew Young – It’s Love

Haim – Hallelujah

Kučka – Real

Courtney Love – Mother

Tkay Maidza – IDC IF U BE DED

Moonbase featuring. Chester Watson – Heatheness

Maggie Rogers – Love You For A Long Time

Mark Ronson & Anderson Paak – Then There Were Two

Violent Soho – Vacation Forever

Dave Winnel – Popcorn

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - BECK - {Hyperspace}

 

Sunday Spotlight: The Presets

Final for 2019, returning early March 2020.

The Presets have had a big 2019, Hi-Viz continued to played on the radio months after it's June 2018 release, they played Party in the Paddock, Twilight at Melbourne Zoo, Snowtunes and have upcoming performances at Castaway Festival.

So it's fitting after their joint EP release with Golden Features, The Presets wrap up the 2019 Sunday Spotlight.

I have loved the group for years, Kim and Julian are sensational live performers, have a pile of hits behind them whilst being Sydney locals. I think it's a great way to end the year with a terrific dance local dance act, who have stood the test of time.

So for the final time on Sunday in 2019 let's get to know the new music from The Presets (with some help from Golden Features) and some classic bangers!

See you on the other side of 2020...

Fresh Friday Countdown #189 - Friday 22 November 2019

20 - PARTYNEXTDOOR - Loyal {Feat. Drake}
19 - Travis Scott - HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
18 - Halsey - Graveyard
17 - Tones and I - Johnny Run Away
16 - Bring Me the Horizon - Ludens
15 - Maggie Rogers - Love You for a Long Time
14 - Violent Soho - Vacation Forever
13 - Martin Garrix & Dean Lewis - Used to Love
12 - Khalid - Up All Night
11 - Riton & Oliver Heldens - Turn Me On {Feat. Vula}
10 - Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat
9 - Flume - Running Back {Feat. Vera Blue}
8 - Billie Eilish - bad guy
7 - Meduza, Becky Hill & GOODBOYS - Lose Control
6 - Flight Facilities - Better Than Ever {Feat. Aloe Blacc}
5 - Post Malone - Circles
4 - Billie Eilish - everything i wanted
3 - Tones and I - Never Seen the Rain
2 - Regard - Ride It
1 - Tones and I - Dance Monkey

Summer Music Lists are Back!

One final Sunday Spotlight this Sunday ahead of my Summer Music Lists return for the Summer. Yep Summer is just around the corner, NSW, SA and VIC are already on fire, so the heat is on. My thoughts are with everyone effected by the fires, drought or other extreme weather.

First up on December 1, will count back 20 to 1, the biggest songs of Spring 2019. Man have there been some big tunes, Dance Monkey, basically anything from Billie Eilish and Flume has returned with a huge tune with some help from Vera Blue!

December 8, it's the time to check out the top 20 male artists of 2019, followed by the top 20 females on December 15. Girls have ruled the world again in 2019 with Billie, Tones and Halsey killing it this year. Whilst Post Malone, Khalid and Flume have had fairly super 2019's.

Summer is almost here, I am on holidays in Thailand from November 30, so posts may be lighter than usual soon.

Never fear my new laptop will be with me, so all good. Posts may be lighter, but still happening.

Until then a brand new Fresh Friday Countdown returns tomorrow!

RnB Friday's - Sydney 2019

RnB Friday's has been playing to sold out (and near sold out) audiences in Sydney since 2016. The first two editions were at Sydney's Superdrome kicking off in 2016 with Nelly & TLC whilst in 2017 Craig David, Sean Paul, Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland headlined the event.

In 2018 the event moved outdoors to Giants Stadium (adjacent to the Superdome whilst still being at Sydney Olympic Park) with Usher, Salt-n-Pepa and Trey Songz headlining.

This year, it's fourth year, my first year the promoters went old skool, bringing Janet Jackson out to headline. Sharing (but not really, or in the same league) The Black Eyed Peas and Power mega star 50 Cent also played.

We arrived for the fantastic BRANDY, as we entered the stadium the sing a long hit The Boy is Mine was playing, I got to see favourites like What About Us and Full Moon. As Brandy left the stage DJ's played hits to warm up the crowd for JASON DERULO.

JASON DERULO powered through a number of his hits, including and not limited to Whatcha Say, Ridin Sol, Swalla, Talk Dirty and more. He had the crowd in raptures as he removed his singlet.

It was then time for a food and toilet break as 50 CENT took stage, the crowd seemed to love it, whilst I loved the nature and set up of the venue, there was plenty of room to move, toilets and food options, good job!

I don't love the BLACK EYED PEAS particularly the Fergie years, however I was taken back to the 2001 Big Day Out when I saw them as a trio all those years ago. They did not did their old stuff like Joints and Jam or Weekends, however they brought the latest Fergie along, Ms Jessica Reynoso.

The foursome played their biggest hits including I Gotta Feeling, Where is the Love, Pump It, Lets Get it Started and more.

Then it was finally time for the queen, the reason I attended, Ms JANET JACKSON

Now being 100% biased, JANET slayed! 40 minutes, non stop hits from all her big releases, opening with Control ending with Rhythm Nation.

JANET controlled the crowd from her opening entrance, what a queen of RnB and pop!

The dancers were on point, the set list, perfect and the crowd (mostly the older members) were loving it totally sick!

A lot of my favourites were covered in this extensive 20 song set including anthems like Got Til it's Gone, Together Again from the fantastic Velvet Rope album, her latest track Made for Now, classics like The Best Things in Life are Free, Escapade, Miss You Much, Runaway, All for You and more.

I love you JANET, thanks for an amazing Saturday night! 

In 2020 RnB Fridays, please bring out (in no particular order) Missy Elliot, Tweet and Snoop Dogg, please!

Album of the Week - WINSTON SURFSHIRT {Apple Crumble}

Sunday Spotlight: Lizzo

Born Melissa Viviane Jefferson in Detroit, Michigan Lizzo is one of the biggest artists of 2019, so fitting for her to be the second last Sunday Spotlight for 2019.

Her debut record Lizzobangers was released in 2013, however it's third album Cuz I Love You where Lizzo really found her voice. However it was a 2017 Truth Hurts which really got her the attention she deserved. The song was featured on Someone Great, the 2019 Netflix film then it went gang busters!

Then came the reworking of Good as Hell, again originally released in 2016. Now Ariana Grande has jumped on board and released a reworking with Lizzo.

Following Boys getting some serious love on Double J last year, I was excited for Cuz I Love You's release. Juice was an outstanding bop followed by the wonderful return from a Missy Elliot verse on Tempo.

Lizzo is a star, fun, up tempo and damn positive. I love Lizzo and she will be right here in Australia in January. Playing the FOMO festival alongside Brockhampton, Jax Jones, Meduza, Kaytranada and more, info and tickets HERE.

I have no idea who will be the final Sunday Spotlight for 2019, I only know it will return around March, 2020.

Streaming... NOW! | Key 15 November, 2019 Releases

Not a huge number of new albums released yesterday (well that I am happy to cover, if interested Celine Dion released a new album), however two stellar EP's also landed yesterday.

Come by tomorrow for the second last Sunday Spotlight for 2019, it will be Lizzo, one of the most successful artists of 2019, not only for her stunning record (a former feature album) Cuz I Love You but because of the surprise success of some of her back catalogue. Yesterday Lizzo released a Deluxe Edition of this album featuring some of these 2019 smash hits.


Milky Chance have worked with a few interesting faces in 2019 on their latest album Mind The Moon, including Australia's own Tash Sultana. Take a listen to the record below.

Benee from NZ can do no wrong, from finding an island to Soaked, here is her latest EP Stella & Steve.


What happens when two Aussie powerhouses release a joint EP? A massive dance party, welcome to Golden Features & The Presets Raka EP!

Only a few more feature albums for 2019. Welcome to Winston Surfshirt with Apple Crumble, ahead of crowning the 2019 album of the year, you will get features all next week from Winston Surfshirt.

Here are this week's key new singles, unlike the small number of album releases, we have a pile of new singles to get through!

Boi – Beast And Beauty

Violent Soho - A-OK

Jake Bugg – Kiss Like The Sun

Billy Davis feat. Phoelix, Jordan Dennis & Emrsn – Wilderness

Billie Eilish – Everything I Wanted (#1 Fresh Friday Countdown track!!!)

Glass Animals feat. Denzel Curry – Street Fighter

Khalid – Up All Night

Tove Lo – Sweettalk My Heart

Madison Avenue – Don’t Call Me Baby (20th Anniversary Edition)

Jessie Reyez – Crazy

The Rubens – Live In Life

Say Lou Lou – The Look Of Love

Syd – Getting Late

The Veronicas – Ugly

Young Franco feat. Abhi The Nomad – Angel

Fresh Friday Countdown #188 - Friday 15 November 2019

20 - Piero Pirupa - Braindead
19 - Khalid - Up All Night
18 - Tones and I - Johnny Run Away
17 - Halsey - Graveyard
16 - BENEE - Find an Island 
15 - Bring Me the Horizon - Ludens
14 - Onefour - From the Beginning
13 - Martin Garrix & Dean Lewis - Used to Love
12 - Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat
11 - Major Lazer & Khalid - Trigger
10 - Riton & Oliver Heldens - Turn Me On {Feat. Vula}
9 - Flume - Running Back {Feat. Vera Blue}
8 - Billie Eilish - bad guy
7 - Meduza, Becky Hill & GOODBOYS - Lose Control
6 - Flight Facilities - Better Than Ever {Feat. Aloe Blacc}
5 - Post Malone - Circles
4 - Tones and I - Never Seen the Rain
3 - Regard - Ride It
2 - Tones and I - Dance Monkey
1 - Billie Eilish - everything i wanted

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Streaming... NOW! | Key 8 November, 2019 Releases

We are heading to the end of the year, however that does not stop the flow flow of new music!

To kick us off this week, our feature album this week is Bishop Briggs with Champion, stream it all now on Apple Music.


FKA Twigs was our Sunday Spotlight, you can check it out here, where you can stream her new album Magdalene in full.

Pond have released a live album on the weekend, it's called Sessions, check it out below.


SebastiAn is back after a long break with a few guests thrown in for good measure, the record is called Thirst.

Here are last Friday's key new singles!

Bring Me The Horizon – Ludens

Dro Carey – Hemisphere

Dro Carey featuring. Beni Moun & Julietta – Act Like You’re Home

Alice Ivy featuring. Cadence Weapon – Sunrise

Kilter – C.A.C. (Catch A Case)

Louis The Child featuring. Drew Love – Free

Mura Masa featuring. Slow Thai – Deal Wiv It

The Naked And Famous – Sunseeker

Rosalía – A Palé

Tuka – Trailer Trash

Album of the Week - BISHOP BRIGGS {Champion}

Sunday Spotlight: FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs second album landed on Friday, Magdalene follows up her hugely successful 2014 debut, LP1.

Hailing from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, FKA Twigs has always been more than a vocalist, her music videos are legendary. For example see the amazing video for Two Weeks below. That track to date is still her biggest.

With Future appearing on the hit single Holy Terrain, it's a terrific track which made me extremely excited for this new release.

As we wind down for 2019, it's a great to take some time on Sunday to chill, check in where FKA Twigs is as an artist or maybe even discover her music (and visuals) for the first time.

Fresh Friday Countdown #187 - Friday 8 November 2019

20 - Dom Dolla - San Frandisco
19 - Travis Scott - HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
18 - E^ST - Talk Deep
17 - Golden Features & The Presets - Paradise
16 - Halsey - Graveyard
15 - Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat
14 - Flume - Running Back {Feat. Vera Blue}
13 - BENEE - Find an Island 
12 - Martin Garrix & Dean Lewis - Used to Love
11 - Riton & Oliver Heldens - Turn Me On {Feat. Vula}
10 - Billie Eilish - bad guy
9 - Meduza, Becky Hill & GOODBOYS - Lose Control
8 - Major Lazer & Khalid - Trigger
7 - Polaris - Masochist
6 - Bring Me the Horizon - Ludens
5 - Flight Facilities - Better Than Ever {Feat. Aloe Blacc}
4 - Post Malone - Circles
3 - Tones and I - Never Seen the Rain
2 - Regard - Ride It
1 - Tones and I - Dance Monkey

Streaming... NOW! | Key 1 November, 2019 Releases

Here are the key releases from last Friday, kicking things off is our exciting dance-tastic feature album from KLP. It's here debut Giver, stream it now!

Michael Kiwanuka released his stunning third record, Kiwanuka on Friday, for more info on Michael Kiwanuka check out my Sunday Spotlight HERE

Cold War Kids are about to release a trilogy of albums, part one is New Age Norms 1.


Charlie’s Angels is back, so I was less than excited, however the soundtrack is a pop work of art. Front and centre is Ariana Grande. Ariana is really churning out the hits of late! After a huge Thank u next comeback record, here she is with Don't Call Me Angel!

Now to last Friday's biggest singles releases...

Bishop Briggs – Someone Else

Buddy – Hollyhood

Carmouflage Rose – Million Styles

Haiku Hands feat. Mad Zach – Onset

Haim – Now I’m In It

Kingswood – You Make It So Easy

Michael Kiwanuka – Solid Ground

San Mei – Love In The Dark

Miguel – Funeral

Mø – On & On

Mr Big Stuff feat. Strange Talk – I Need Space

Northeast Party House – Dominos

Ocean Grove – Junkie$

Remi feat. Lori – Brain

Tame Impala – It Might Be Time

Teyana Taylor feat. Kehlani – Morning

Wave Racer feat. Lunchmoney Lewis – This N That