Project Description
AMNPLIFY’s Top Hits Of 2018
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Wow, 2018 has been a big rollercoaster of a year for music!
I feel like most of us say that each year, and probably with good reason, BUT I feel 2018 was on a different level to most. So, I put a call out to my Team and asked them, what was YOUR favourite piece of music (or experience) from 2018 and we got some pretty awesome answers.
So without further ado, here is AMNPLIFY’s Top Hits of 2018 brought to you by none other than the AMNPLIFY Writing Team. Leggo!
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“Okay, let’s be real. There has been some amazing music come out of 2018, BUT no one exceeded my expectations quite like Eminem. ‘Kamikaze’, although his 10thstudio album, was just dropped on us at the end of August with no announcement, no lead up, no promotion, no nothing, and absolutely smashed the charts across the world. ‘Kamikaze’ was Eminem’s 9thconsecutive number one album on the Billboard 200 and sold over 400,000 album units in the first week, and if you know your music, you’d know that is pretty damn hard to achieve.
We all know Eminem is probably as real as it comes in the world of Hip-Hop/Rap, he runs his own game and has really put himself in it a few times for his lyrics, but for the ripe old age of what, 46 years old? He still kills it on the mic. If we are talking favourite songs off the album, I would have to say ‘Venom’ (from the Motion Picture, Venom). It is such a catchy tune with melodic and lyrical finesse, plain and simple.
If you’re not going to see Eminem in February when he tours Australia (spoiler alert: I am) then you’ll be missing out because this album killed the charts this year, and I would dare say Slim Shady is still in fine form with something to say, as always, after all these years. It’s been five years too long Slim, bring on Feb!”
– Cassandra Thomson
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“I’d have to say ‘VI’, the latest album from You Me At Six. I’m a little biased as I adore them, but ‘VI’ is very melodic, bass-driven and effortlessly cool. It’s a bit more pop than their previous albums, but shows they aren’t afraid to try something new. Definitely one I have on repeat since it’s release in early October!”
– Maggie Sapet
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Check out Jessica’s Gallery of You Me At Six‘s 2017 show HERE
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“I think my favourite would be ‘Entertainment’ by Waterparks – it’s fun, upbeat and genre-bending; entertainment in its best form.”
– Jasmine Hoare
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Check out Taylah’s Gallery of Waterparks HERE
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“Definitely Panic‘s (At The Disco) ‘Pray For The Wicked’ album! So many bangers in so many artistic musical styles! Genuinely enjoyed every song on the album!”
– Amelia Torresan
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Check out Len’s Gallery of Panic! At The Disco‘s 2018 Melbourne show HERE
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“Darren Middleton’s ‘Tides’ third solo release in September is phenomenal for exceptional songwriting. Genre: indie pop perfection! Best album ever hat trick achieved! Sensational production from Davey Lane. ‘In the end’ is my favourite track cosmic with British pop feel. Epic track ‘Some people’ hits the high notes with amazing songwriting. Music video brilliance from Nathan Dalton. Another great track ‘Ghosts and memories’, love the vocals and ripper guitar solo on this one. Haunting instruments are beautiful. Amazing collaborative album with Bull sisters and also Kelly Lane on vocals and violin.”
– Alyssa Borda
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Check out Mirrin’s Gallery of Darren Middleton‘s show HERE
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“These days, I see a LOT of live music…and I mean a LOT. While I love music, I love seeing bands live, it really does take a lot to impress me. There are only a few bands that I consider my all time favourites and there hasn’t been a new band (other than Royal Blood) over the last 5 years that have impressed me enough to go straight up to my top three list. Well; that is until I caught Black Rebel Motorcycle Club live this year.
Yes – I know. I am late to the party. To be fair though, this was the first time that I had TRULY seen them. The first time I saw them, there was that much smoke in the venue that I didn’t even know they had a female drummer. It was at Astor Theatre Perth and I was there to take pictures. They played three songs from their new album, ‘Wrong Creatures’ and that was all it took for me to be completely and utterly hooked.
As I stood in the photo pit, I actually lowered my camera and stood there in absolute awe for what felt like an eternity (which in reality was only 30 seconds). Their dynamics on stage and the way that Robert Levon Been plays the guitar was enough for these guys to immediately become one of my top two bands.
I knew in that instant that this band would change my life forever and little did I know just how true that statement was. It was because of them – because of the rabbit hole I dove head first into as I ate up all available music to me that I ended up heading to America in October this year. It was their music that helped get me through a shitty start to the beginning of the year – especially songs like ‘Carried From The Start’, ‘Question Of Faith’ and their older songs, ‘Fire Walker’ and ‘Sell It’.
It was because of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club that I now know exactly where I need to be in life and what I need to do to make it happen. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has invaded my brain; my soul and I do not want to be cured from their Teenage Disease. Their music Haunt(s) my every waking hour and has changed me in ways that will Echo on forever. Bring on 2019.”
– Karen Lowe
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Check out Karen’s Gallery of the mentioned Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show HERE
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“While it isn’t a piece a music, being able to chat to Steven Wilson about his views on the ever-changing music industry and artistic influences was one of the most nerve wracking and exciting things I’ve ever experienced. Being able to have an open discussion with someone so massive in the prog rock world and with a career spanning over 25 years was so insightful.”
– Yasmin Richards
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Check out Anne-Laure’s Gallery of Steven Wilson‘s show HERE
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“My favorite album this year is of Amorphis, ‘The Queen Of Time’. Amorphis is a band that has constantly evolved and when I heard the single ‘The Bee’ for the first time I was a bit surprised and wasn’t convinced straight away. A feeling of wanting to be too mainstream in my opinion. And then I kept on listening to it and became hooked. I got the chance to interview the band about the new album and got my hands on it before anyone else and I think I played in its entirety everyday until the official release. Now I just can’t wait to hopefully have them coming down here!”
– Anne-Laure Marie
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Check out Chris’ review of the Amorphis‘ album HERE
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“There were so many albums this year that impressed me across a whole range of genres, but if I had to pick one it would have to be Olafur Arnalds‘ ‘Re:member’. It is sombre in places but then uplifting in others and is an album which is appreciated best from start to finish. Thanks to his record label Erased Tapes, neo-classical artists have had a great run this year and seeing him at the Opera House last week was one of my favourite shows of 2018.”
– Dan Turner
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Check out Dan’s review of Olafur Arnalds‘ Sydney show HERE
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“Mac Miller‘s final album ‘Swimming’. It was actually a live performance of ‘Ladders’ that got me hooked. The whole album feels like the edges of your day have been rounded off. Smooth funk, soul based grooves and Miller musing over the top creates a warm album that deals with addiction, heartache and the general struggle of living. Miller knew life was tough even when times were good so you can’t say ‘Swimming’ is optimistic but then again it’s not morose, I guess as Miller said, “it is what it is, till it ain’t“.”
– Melanie Griffiths
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Check out Joshua’s Gallery of Mac Miller‘s 2017 show HERE
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“Tiny Little Houses, ‘Idiot Proverbs!’ Completely Lo-Fi sounding and almost genre bending in the form of alternative rock. The album’s title is completely intertwined within all tracks, branching out a new meaning and perspective towards Gen Y’s daily and long term issues”
– Alex Soldatos
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Check out Mirrin’s Gallery of Tiny Little Houses‘ show supporting Hockey Dad HERE
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“My favourite release from 2018 would have to be PRETTYMUCH’s debut EP, ‘PRETTYMUCH an EP’, my personal favourite being ‘On My Way’. Despite only having four tracks it shows their versatility in style and showcases each of the boy’s abilities. Since forming last year with the help of Simon Cowell they’re been on a roll ever since, with consistent new music drops and they always seem to be on tour. I think it’s safe to say that 2019 will be the year of PRETTYMUCH.”
– Kaycee Cool
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And there you have it folks!
Shall we see what 2019 brings? Stay tuned!
Happy New Year from AMNPLIFY!
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