Let me start this off by saying that no, that is not a typo in the heading. The ‘tails’ in High-tails remains lower case, as management so urgently informed me. So calm down all you grammar nuts. Now with that incredibly important matter of business out of the way, let’s get back to what we all really care about; some sweet, sweet tunes. And more importantly our quest to find the best music of the year, of which many artsts have lent their opinions to. So why not seek the opinion of one of Sydney’s biggest up and coming bands? Oh yeah, High-tails are in the house and they’re here to suss out the diamonds from the rough!
High-tails are flying high after the release of their debut EP. Frontman Nicholas Griffith shared with Happy the songs from 2014 that had him flying high!
La Lune – Moodoïd
All my French psych-pop prayers were answered when I heard this song. I’m told the chorus translates to “the moon belongs to no one”. N’est-ce pas?
Little Fang – Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks
This song grew on me intensely after a few idle listens. It’s romantic, dreamy and pulsating. Avey crafts these layered vocal trills throughout it which have a quite spooky “un-dead” air about them.
J Smoov – Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
Having been released at the very beginning of 2014 this has continued to be a stand-out track for me. Somber and sincere. Wavering falsetto and a wonky horn solo. Nostalgic glitter jam outro. Oh too perfect!
Closer – FKA Twigs
A fantastic song off a fantastic album. Seemingly sparse at the top, it fills out absolutely as a choir of Twigs serenade you in the cathedral. Then glitchy, recycled samples call back as to embody the mutilated cries of devotion.
Pretty Girls- Little Dragon
I still remember Felix and I chasing Yukimi and Erik down the street outside Oxford Art Factory as they attempted a swift escape to their hotel. I couldn’t really say much. I was probably still frazzled by their KILLER performance earlier that evening. This album is full of great RnB references and this song showcases them sublimely.
Wading In – The Ocean Party
Love the synth versus acoustic guitar vibes on this one. One of those bands that just know how to make sounds gel together.
Bored In The USA – Father John Misty
I showed this song to some friends and they hated it, so I just had to put it on this list. The lyrics are fantastic and while referencing Springsteen, I think he more-so channels Lennon on the keys. The canned laughter? Perfectly placed.
I Wanna Be With You – Flowertruck
This is one of those songs that you just find yourself singing in the morning while toasting some bread. Embarrassing when your housemates are in the band
Have A Sad Cum – Death Grips
Nobody saw this coming.
Fly With Me – Yung Bae
I searched #portland on Bandcamp and stumbled upon this. I haven’t stopped dancing since. Funnily enough on dropping this track in a recent club DJ set I managed to clear the floor … maybe they just weren’t ready for it?
High-tails’s debut EP Sipping Tea To Make Music To Sip Tea To is out now, and you can check the band out when they play Vic On The Park on New Years Day alongside The Mess Hall, Bad//Dreems, The Delta Riggs, Davey Lane and Steve Smyth.
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