During a year where face-to-face interactions were limited, gigs were being cancelled left, right and centre, and access to a recording studio was tricky, our Aussie and Kiwi artists not only made it work, but worked it, continuing to serve up music that would keep us sane and soundtrack all the highs and lows. Between offerings from industry linchpins and fresh faces, we were served up some real treats. In no particular order, here are the Besties’ (our BB team’s) top picks from across the trans-Tasman:
SACHI – “Down On Your Luck”
Album: ‘Breakfast With Ella’ EP
Producers: Will Thomas and Nick Chrisp (SACHI)
This past year, everyone’s felt down on their luck. Navigating a sense of normality through lockdowns and added restrictions was (and is) exhausting. NZ duo SACHI’s “Down On Your Luck” acted as an encouraging and comforting anthem for me as the chaos of 2021 threw constant curveballs. We all need a reminder that there are people in our lives that will pick us up when times are tough, and that’s exactly what this track did. – Gabrielle Clement
MAY-A – “Time I Love To Waste”
Album: ‘Don’t Kiss Ur Friends’
Producer: Robby DeSa
The first time I heard this single, I nearly dislocated my shoulder whipping out my phone to Shazam it that quickly. Should’ve known it was MAY-A, the Sydney songwriter and visual artist who’s been capturing attention with carefree melodies, warm vocals, and refreshingly down-to-earth lyrics. “Time I Love To Waste” is a playful jam about falling head over heels in love — just like the nation did with this single. – Mina Kitsos
Ladyhawke – “Think About You”
Album: ‘Time Flies’
Producer: Phillipa Brown (Ladyhawke) and Josh Fountain
Kiwi pop-rock stalwart Ladyhawke aka Pip Brown’s genius for infectious singable bops is heard on the second track from her fourth studio album. The grooving bassline hook, handclap percussion, and familiar ’80s-infused sound on “Think About You” belies the somewhat darker subject matter of infatuation. In a year when we’ve probably all been thinking about and missing people; Brown’s funky sing-song approach to an all-consuming longing is both bittersweet and danceable. – Ben Harvey
Kerser – “Winner”
Album: (TBC)
Producer: Open Till L8
Fact: Kerser is the sickest; he’s always been the sickest, and this track is a potent reminder of that. “Winner” sees the notorious Sydney battle rapper deliver characteristically raw yet witty bars over perhaps the slickest beat he’s played with to date. Lyrically, it’s a fun yet impressive ride that directly addresses the negativity that’s often followed him throughout his career. If you’ve slept on the man, this is a great taster, and one of the hottest singles of the year. – Jamie Weiss
Flight Facilities – “FOREVER” (feat. Broods)
Album: ‘Forever’
Producers: Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell (Flight Facilities)
I’m a sucker for a powerhouse female vocalist on smooth house track. And when you mix Sydney pair Flight Facilities‘ signature style with my favourite NZ duo BROODS together, you know it’s going to be a vibe. “Forever” builds in a subtle way that you barely notice, with the polished beat reaching a point of no return towards the end of track. It’s the song of summer, and all other seasons too. – Tyhe Reading
Adam Newling – “Sweetness”
Album: (TBC)
Producer: Chris Collins
Sydney singer-songwriter Adam Newling released his biggest track to date this year. The gravelly “Sweetness” showcases Newling’s growing signature twang, with a sprinkling of harmonica and grumbling guitar, but it’s the track’s profound wisdom that has had the song find its way to our Best of 2021 list. “Sweetness” really took me by surprise the first time I heard it. I love that this song is about two mates, and that’s it. There are so many songs about significant others — this is just two friends, an apology, and a call to arms to get on with the show. There is something really endearing to me about being vulnerable with your mates. “And we’ll never say even if we talk all day the things that are really on our chest / And maybe it’s bad cause you’re the best I ever had but sometimes friends are put to rest.” – Tim Lambert
Middle Kids – “Questions”
Album: ‘Today We’re The Greatest’
Producer: Lars Stalfors
“Questions” is by far the highlight off ‘Today We’re The Greatest’, the latest album release from Sydney trio Middle Kids. It’s a song that has you questioning the people around you, yourself, and basically everything. For me, it’s been the track that has gotten me through a tumultuous year and helped me move forward, stronger than ever. – Tyhe Reading
Genesis Owusu – “Gold Chains”
Album: ‘Smiling with No Teeth’
Producers: Kofi Owusu-Ansah (Genesis Owusu), Andrew Klippel, Kirin J. Callinan, Michael Di Francesco and Julian Sudek
I’ve always loved listening to a multitude of different musical genres. Somehow, this song manages to amalgamate a vast array of my favourite styles in a profoundly seamless manner. While doing so, the song really exemplifies how Canberra’s Genesis Owusu has levelled up this year. – David Mahon
ASHWARYA – “To The Night” (feat. Vic Mensa)
Album: ‘Nocturnal Hours’ EP
Producer: Jarrad Rogers
Hitting #1 on Soundcloud’s global discovery roundup upon release, this track saw Indian-born, Melbourne-based rising star ASHWARYA team up with hip hop heavyweight Vic Mensa to turn heads on an international scale. Sure, the collab with the Chicago rapper is thrilling in itself, but it’s ASHWARYA who holds the spotlight on this track, which is so sleekly produced that it’s hard to believe she is still relatively new on the scene. Her vocals glide effortlessly over sharp tempo changes that keep you compelled, before wrapping you in intoxicating hazy melodies. If you get the chance to see her perform this live, do yourself a favour and don’t miss it. – Mina Kitsos
Gang of Youths – “the man himself”
Album: ‘Angel in Realtime’
Producers: Dave Le’aupepe, Donnie Borzestowski, Tom Hobden, Max Dunn and Jung Kim (Gang of Youths)
After four years of no releases, London-via-Sydney outfit Gang of Youths galloped back into the limelight with a surprise three-track EP, ‘Total Serene’ and follow-up singles all teasing the release of their highly anticipated third album next year. Sampling recordings of Indigenous Pacific choral music – Cook Islander praise song “Imenetuki Mangaia” – “the man himself” weaves together the soaring vocals of frontman Dave Le’aupepe with an uplifting backing choir, singing of the triumphant doubt in self discovery. A song of grief, disguised by a joyous soundscape, “the man himself” might see GoY deviate from their usual Springsteen-eqsue sound, but it certainly hasn’t lost any of the GoY essence. It’s uplifting, poignant, existential, and packed with emotion. Gang of Youths are unstoppable. – Nick Robertson