It’s that time again. It sends some into a feverish sweat, others into convulsions of excitement and for fragile people like myself, into anxious breakdowns. Yup. Hottest 100 voting time.

Australia’s leading alternative radio station, Triple J, has launched its annual countdown again; the biggest music democracy to rule the airwaves. Citizens from both Australia and around the globe are invited to pick their top ten tracks from the year just gone, 2012. And, my my, what a task it is.

Whilst voting, I greedily selected an abundance of beloved tracks, only to realise that I had forty tracks too many. The most difficult part lay there in, with me carefully and painfully extracting my absolute favourites. Keyboards were hit, headaches formed and tears shed.  Here are the results.

• Ball Park Music – Surrender

One of my favourites from their sophomore album, Museum, this sweeping song is simply swell, *alliteration fistpump*.

• The Black Keys – Little Black Submarines

Seeing this performed live was an absolutely breath taking experience that I will never forget. This band can do no wrong.

• Bombay Bicycle Club – How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep

I cannot find one fault with this flawless song. The opening melody, the bassline, the lyrics, the beat; a slice of perfection.

• The Jungle Giants – She’s A Riot

Catchy, toe-tapping, joyful goodness from a fantastic up-and-coming band. Get on it.

• Kimbra – Warrior {ft.Mark Foster & A-Trak}

By far my most favoured collaboration for 2012, this song serves a purpose: to get you pumped. The thumping opening beat, Kimbra’s sultry vocals and motivational lyrics gets the blood running, not to mention the video kicks butt.

• Lisa Mitchell – Bless This Mess

Sweet and wistful, yet airy and bright, leaving a hint of spring air wherever it is played, this title track represents everything good about this folkstress and her latest record.

• The Lumineers – Ho Hey

This song is utterly beautiful, and I’m not going to say anything else lest I get carried away and cry.

• Two Door Cinema Club – Settle

One of indie’s greats, Two Door surpassed their debut with Beacon. Settle captured my heart right from the opening bars.

• Stonefield – Bad Reality

These girls have the crunchy classic rock going on. ‘Nuff said.

• The Vaccines – Teenage Icon

Lyrics to scream along to, a rhythm to stomp to, grungey riffs to head bang to and a fistful of attitude to match a rebellious teenage scowl, Teenage Icon is classic Vaccines.

If you’ve voted, I’d love to hear which tracks you picked! And if you haven’t already voted, the link is below. You know what to do. Results will be announced on air on January 26^th, once known as Australia Day, now known as Hottest 100 Day. You can tune your radio in old-skool style, digitally or via the online streaming available on Triple J’s website.

www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/12/