‘Like every other twenty-something hipster who was originally an emo circa 2005-2008, I love Amanda Palmer, and will adamantly inform you that I listened to The Dresden Dolls before everyone else did. I feel like I grew up with her music and, now that I’m a big feminist blogger, editor and quirky-web-presence-mongerer, nothing pleases me more to find that she’s a total feminist legend. In this awesome response to The Daily Mail body-shaming her after her performance at Glastonbury this year, Palmer challenges all sorts of patriarchal bullshit’ – Ruby Grant, Lip News Editor 

Hold On, We’re Going Home – Drake

‘Dancing around to this one was probably the most fun I’ve had with a song all year. Before this song’s release ‘Drake Does Disco’ sounded impossible. Now, I kind of hope he does it again’ – Marissa Paine, Lip Music Editor 

Change Your Life – Iggy Azalea

‘When I was about 10, I was obsessed with all things American rap. I wanted to be like Eminem. You know, like a white (trash) rapper? But I’d totally have an edge on the Real Slim Shady, because I’d be a LADY white rapper. Well, turns out ten years later there’s an Australian white lady rapper who’s actually LIVING my childhood dream.’  – Ruby Grant, Lip News Editor 

Good Man – Teeth and Tongue

Claire Jansen, Lip Writer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCmQAk2Twz0

Nothing Compares To You (Sinead O’Conner/Miley Cyrus Mashup) – Amanda Palmer

Give ‘Em What They Love – Janelle Monáe feat. Prince

Play By Play – Autre Ne Veut

‘Play By Play is the first single off Anxiety, the debut album from Brooklyn’s very talented Autre Ne Veut. The song builds beautifully, keeping the hook until you’re well and truly ready for it, and landing in a blissfully satisfying place. Keep an eye out for Autre Ne Veut at Laneway early next year and then everywhere else. 2014 will be his year’ – Marissa Paine, Lip Music Editor 

 Gun – Chvrches

‘Headlined by a female vocalist (the excellent Lauren Mayberry), the song is a wonderful dance track – both dreamy and sophisticated. I had the album on repeat for most of the year’ – Bridget Conway, Lip Writer

 Hard Out Here – Lily Allen

‘Awkward racist objectification/perpetuation of hyper sexualisation of black women in the video aside, I’m glad this song exists. If anything it at least prompted an important ongoing debate about feminism, race etc. The slight jabs at Robin Thicke/Blurred Lines are also much appreciated.’ Ruby Grant, Lip News Editor 

Chamakay – Blood Orange

‘British Dev Hynes is Blood Orange, a singer/songwriter/producer who is another artist who has used 2013 as a springboard for what will surely be a massive 2014. Chamakay was the lead single off this year’s Cupid Delux and it’s a sun-dapples, emotional and layered aural gem, assisted by Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek. If you haven’t listened to this one, do so immediately’ – Marissa Paine, Lip Music Editor

 XO – Beyoncé

‘This isn’t even my favourite track off the new surprise album, but there’s something perfect about this track being officially released at this time of year. It’s joyous, grin-inducing and sing-a-long ready. This is a superb pop song, containing layer after layer of melodic bliss’ – Marissa Paine,  Lip Music Editor 

 We Can’t Stop -Miley Cyrus

‘Take away all the controversy, the shock value and the cultural reappropriation and we have this perfect pop song. We Can’t Stop was the smartest choice for the debut of Miley 2.0. Backed by this year’s beat-maker supreme Mike WiLL Made It, it’s party-ready, a defiant anthem and charming as hell – definitely a contender of song of the year ‘ – Marissa Paine, Lip Music Editor 

 Retrograde – James Blake

‘Overgrown is just one of those albums that is so perfectly structured and crafted that it made it near impossible to pick a singular song. But the one song that really resonated with me is Retrograde. I can’t count the amount of listens this song has had this year. Besides Blake’s irresistible voice and absolute cool, the lyrics really hit home with me. For a girl with a lot of self-doubt and insecurities like myself, Retrograde is a harsh but much needed eye opener. It’s dark but it’s also raw and beautiful and I wouldn’t have it any other way’ – Louie Smith, Lip Writer