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Year of the newcomers? The 10 best songs of 2014

1.  Sia – Chandelier

Album: 1000 Forms of Fear
Chandelier on YouTube: 66.5 million views

Adelaide singer Sia’s extraordinary voice and songwriting talent has been behind some of the most popular songs in recent history, but Chandelier has got to be one her personal best. Her latest album 1000 Forms of Fear has gone to number one in the US, further cementing her status as a musical genius.

2. Chet Faker – Talk is Cheap

Album: Built on Glass
Talk is Cheap on YouTube: 3.1 million views

Another major Australian act, Chet Faker is the acclaimed electronica musician that rose to fame through several collaborations with Australian prodigy Flume. Talk is Cheap is from Faker’s debut solo album.

3. Sam Smith – Stay With Me

Album: In the Lonely Hour
Stay With Me on YouTube: 36.2 million views

Sam Smith has been hailed as the man revolutionising pop music. He certainly has his London lonely-boy façade down-pat.

4. Beck – Blue Moon

Album: Morning Phase
Blue Moon on YouTube: 1.5 million views

This may be Beck’s 12th album, but some sounds never get old. Blue Moon sees the Loser singer get in deep, with the beat echoing the thump of a pulsing heart (and you know it’s gotta be good if Lena Dunham personally requests it for an episode in the third season of Girls).

5. Tove Lo – Stay High (Habits remix) ft Hippie Sabotage

Album: Truth Serum (EP)
Stay High on YouTube: 22.2 million views

So good they couldn’t stop at one version. This woozy tune almost makes you feel weak at the knees and just want to melt into the music.

6. Hozier – Take Me To Church

Album: Take Me To Church (EP)
Take Me To Church on YouTube: 5 million views

Keep these kinds of tunes coming! A heavenly mix of jazzy, soulful rock with a perfectly gospel ambiance. One of the most captivating ballads of the year.

7. First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining

Album: Stay Gold
My Silver Lining on YouTube: 663,200 views

This mesmerising track is a silver lining in itself, a timeless folk tune from the exquisite Swedish sister act.

8.  Ariana Grande – Problem ft Iggy Azalea

Problem on YouTube: 80 million views

Recently turned 21-year-old Ariana Grande teams up with Aussie Iggy Azalea for a toe tapping number with a saxophone loop that makes up for the less than perfect lyrical grammar. This has been a massive hit this year.

9.  Future Island – Seasons (Waiting On You)

Album: Singles
Seasons (Waiting on You) on YouTube: 1.1 million views

Smooth synth pop meets balmy country rock in this uplifting tune that would be hard to hate.

10. Ray LaMontagne – Supernova

Album: Supernova
Supernova on YouTube: 188,000 views

Produced by The Black Keys prolific singer/songwriter/producer, Dan Auerbach, US singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne’s Supernova has a sweet 1960s sound that smells of summer love.

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