With the beginning of the new financial year, Aircheck has revealed the top 50 most played songs of from January to the end of June. 

Taking out top spot was ‘Happy’ by Pharrel Williams, the epitome of an up-beat, melodic and catchy pop tune. The track was written as part of the Despicable Me soundtrack, and attracted Pharrel some heat when music blogs picked up on the fact that Happy as well as most of Pharrel’s discography – spanning N.E.R.D and the Neptunes as well as his work as a freelance producer, started the exact same way. That is, four strong and distinct crotchet beats carrying the root of the song are played before launching straight into the first verse, as if to ‘prepare’ listeners for what is to come. 

‘The Man’ by Aloe Blacc came in 10th spot. This man began his career on well-respected and artist-friendly label Stones Throw Records – home to genre defining artists such as Madlib and J.Dilla – but the hit from his first record ‘I Need A Dollar’ opened up the prospect of major label success, and he quickly defected. 

Canberra act Peking Duk‘s colloration with Sydney’s Nicole Millar fast-tracked Millar into the public eye. She is still playing local Sydney venues such as the side-bar of GoodGod Small Club. Given a lot of love by music blog Purple Sneakers in the first instance, Peking Duk dominated Canberra’s dance music scene before rising through the ranks of Australian music. 

‘Magic’ by Coldplay was number 47, possibly a disappointing result for them, depending on how their new album ‘Ghost Stories’ is viewed. If a clumsy attempt to attract critical acclaim and re-brand the band as torch-bearers and genre-furthers of alernative music a’la Radiohead, then this result is fine. However, Colplay’s strength clearly lies in all-ages accessible pop music, and they can do this well (see the album Parachutes or the single Fix You). The track earned the ire of important music publications such as Pitchfork, essentially labelling it a copy of Bon Iver’s sound. 

Here is the full list:

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