The best songs of 2014

Here is an arbitary list of the best songs of 2014.

This isn't a definitive list, and I may definitely have forgotten some tracks; but here are 30 favourites of mine from the last twelve months. You can find the Youtube playlist here. The Spotify playlist is here.

Her Ghost- Woman's Hour
Swooning, dreamy soundscapes from Woman's Hour. From the 2014 album Conversations highlighting their sound to best effect.

A Simple Beautiful Truth- Wild Beasts
A cracking little ditty from Kendal's finest. Possibly could be considered a "pop song".

Desire- Anna Calvi
I have already declared my love for Anna Calvi on other pages. A sumptuous record.

Love Letters- Metronomy
The most toe-tapping, joyous song of the decade so far. I can't quite tell you how happy this song makes me feel.

Birth in Reverse- St Vincent
Head turned towards Annie Clark in 2014. The only time St Vincent stood still this year was to perform.

Who Do You Love- Kindness (feat. Robyn)
It leaps, bounds, trips and does a roly-poly over itself, and yet still manages to win a place in your heart.

Let Me Down Gently- La Roux
Lets talk about how good La Roux is. With no hype or hullabaloo, this song walked onto my playlists, and probably shall never leave.

Just One of the Guys- Jenny Lewis
Consistently excellent records from Jenny- possibly her most commercial to date- with a little help from her famous friends.

Holy City- Joan as Policewoman
With such a rich distinctive vocal, one cannot exclude Joan Wasser.

Happy Idiot- TV On the Radio
Not just included because Karen Gillan is in the video. A grower much like a beanstalk.

My Desire- Interpol
My goodness, I have missed my slice of Interpol. Paul Banks' vocal is so well delivered here, it is like he is sitting next to me singing.

Staircase at the University- Morrissey
Back to form, back on song, and back with a vengeance. "If you don't get three A's!..." Lyrically it is compelling listening.

Clear Skies Ever Closer- Cherry Ghost
Simon Aldred has the uncanny ability to write a song which immediately conjures up memories of nostalgia.

Oh! Whiskey- Jimi Goodwin
"Please don't give me the blues". Jimi Goodwin's gentle tale causing no blues upon hearing this.

Argent- Jane Weaver
Incredibly listenable track. Rumbling along at a tempo and you're suddenly encapsulated in the record.

Anonymous Club- Courtney Barnett
It is hard to explain who or what Courtney Barnett is. Her records do not really adhere to any rules.

Looking For Someone- East India Youth
Requires a listen at top volume without any distractions. Exponentially became one of my favourites.

Keep It Healthy- Warpaint
Slightly askew, slightly hazy, slightly off centre, yet ever so slightly compelling.

Luna- Bombay Bicycle Club
Again and again, the BBC make a record full of danceable grooves and stunning melodic harmonies.

My Sad Captains- Elbow
Guy Garvey at his hearty best. Rising and falling in harmony with Garvey's delivery.

Can't Do Without You- Caribou
Hear it loud and it is another animal. Skipping along like a gazelle, full of resonance and beat.

Swimming Pool- Emmy the Great
A soft, smart, and touching record.

Strange Weather- Anna Calvi and David Byrne
A spellbinding cover of Keren Ann, which may creep you out in a darkened room.

Pleasure- Baxter Dury
Oddly wonderful record from Baxter. Tipping the surreal into song.

Archie, Marry Me- Alvvays
Distinctively standing out. It is not clear whether Archie said yes or no.

You Are Not Alone- Cathal Smyth
A wonderfully deft piece of music. Cathal's straining vocal; along with the haunting harmonies are just perfect.

Zombie- Jamie T
Is it punk? Is it pop? Without a doubt; it is really, really good. Driving guitars, driving drums, a cracking return from Jamie Treays.

Month of Sundays- Metronomy
Listen to the bass. A brilliant bass with legs and feet, and not afraid to use them.

Exorcise- Gazelle Twin
Appearing to freak out the subconscious, and succeeding most definitely.

Johnny and Mary- Todd Terje (feat. Bryan Ferry)
Some songs take you completely by surprise. A mighty collaboration and a fine cover.

Digital Witness- St Vincent
Summarising the world we now live in, St Vincent at her very best.

Ex Hex- Waterfall
A great piece of rock and roll in under three minutes.

Are there any I've missed completely? Let me know. What are your favourite songs from 2014?

Morrissey- 02 Arena. Saturday 29th November 2014.

A tremendous roar from a crowd full of haircuts greeted Morrissey onto the stage on Saturday night. A besotted, giddy London crowd rose to witness the arrival of their hero. It isn't often that he plays in the UK; this somewhat 'homecoming' gig was full of anticipation. Indeed, the standing section in the crowd was already jam-packed before the terrific support act Anna Calvi had even sung a note.

A picture of the Queen with her middle finger raised appeared on the big screens, and the band walked on stage, lead by the man himself. The Queen Is Dead was followed swiftly by Suedehead, and we were off with a bang. Morrissey appeared to be dressed ready for martial arts in a white Judo Gi; yet relaxed with expression in his open arms; "it is a privilege, it is a privilege" he announced between songs. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris almost felt like a giant hug aimed at the crowd. You could hear people at the very back of the arena yelling out all the words.

All bar two songs from Morrissey's latest record, World Peace is None of Your Business were heard here. The sing-along from nearly everyone continued; the gentleman standing in front of me in a bright red shirt bellowing: "Hooray, hooray, the bullfighter dies!" I also noticed the venue was home to the largest ever array of various T-shirts dedicated to the front man.

The crowd suddenly were whipped up into a frenzy during the song Meat Is Murder. A thunderous cacophany of percussion accompanying a pretty dreadful film of animal slaughtering on the trio of big screens. Morrissey turned away from the crowd to face the screen; hands on head witnessing the distressing pictures. It was such a powerful moment; the drums and the sheer noise mercilessly shaking the subconscious.

Speedway rounded out the set; the audience reflecting back Morrissey's open arms and vocals; "all of the rumours keeping me grounded.." During the encore, there was a hint that this might be his last ever UK show, with the delicately beautiful Asleep featuring the tentative final refrain of "bye bye, bye bye"; the protagonist cast in full shadow as the song concluded. With the lights back up, this was followed up by a reflective, moving version of Everyday Is Like Sunday. Several over zealous fans at the front tried (and failed) to reach out and touch their man, security hauling them away. All hands, faces and arms in the 02 Arena reaching out towards their patriarch. It was breathless, it was poignant, it was spectacular, it was Morrissey.