Triple J Hottest 100; V20: Limited Edition

Limited edition features deluxe "googly eye" packaging!

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Smell that? That’s the sweet smell of democracy, a scent breathed in deep by more people than ever this year, in triple j’s biggest Hottest 100 to date. From its humble beginnings 20 years ago, the triple j Hottest 100 has grown to become the largest musical countdown in the known world. 1,516,765 votes were cast, that’s bigger than the population of Guinea-Bissau, and we all know how much they treasure democracy.

This year’s list was a veritable cornucopia of musical diversity. From Dance and Dubstep to Rock, Hip Hop, Folk, and Pop. Singers and screamers, boys and girls, from as far away as Iceland and New Zealand while still letting Australian tunes shine. And unlike 2011’s predictions, there was no clear winner. The top ten was over a third Australian. Tame Impala’s psychedelic genius-pop took out two places, newcomers The Rubens cracked in to the top ten on their first year and wunderkind Flume, pretty much unknown until now, smashed 4 songs into the hottest 100, including number 4.

The top three took us on a trip around the Northern Hemisphere, from the UK’s Alt J to Of Monsters And Men from Iceland, but resting at number 1, on their first time ever in our countdown, we’re Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, with their ode to weird-smelling old-man clothes, “Thrift Shop.” I’d barely heard of the independent US Hip Hop duo until Kingsmill suggested I play "that" tune one afternoon. Good call, Richard. It’s got it all: witty lyrics, a swear word and yes, saxophone. Oh and of course, it’s divided voters all over the place.

But aside from that, the clear winner this year is music. All music. Australian and unAustralian. Brand new and established acts. All voted for, passionately and en masse, by you. Thanks for that, you’re really nice.

Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall