Triple J’s Hottest 100 is one of the most anticipated countdowns of each year. It tends to have something for everyone – representing the year in music. 2011’s Hottest 100 was, of course, no exception and features a variety of songs from a vast range of genres and artists/bands. The annual two disc CD release, Triple J’s Hottest 100 Vol. 19 is a 41 track compilation, featuring a selection of the songs that made the top 100 – and a stellar compilation at that.

The variety of songs on these two discs is really commendable – you get a taste of almost every genre. There’s hip hop, with 360’s “Boys Like You” and the Hilltop Hoods “I Love It” and there’s dubstep (the one and only Skrillex, of course!). You get a taste of folkier, sweeter stuff with tracks like “Even Though I’m A Woman” by Australian female supergroup Seeker Lover Keeper, anthemic love songs like “It’s Nice to Be Alive” by Ball Park Music and pure rock (think “Dreamshaker” by Redcoats) – and there’s unashamed indie pop, like San Cisco’s “Awkward”.

There are International hits (for example: “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris, “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey and “Jump Into the Fog” by The Wombats) as well as homegrown music (“Jungle” by Emma Louise, “Turn Me On” by The Grates and “She’s Like a Comet” by Jebediah), although the majority of the music featured is Australian as the good folks at Triple J are all about supporting Australian tunes.

The balance between unsigned bands and household names is also impressive – the exposure for bands such as New Navy, Snakadaktal and The Rubens is such a great thing, and will serve them well for sure.

And of course, hits like Matt Corby’s “Brother” and the much loved Number 1 song of 2011 – Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” top off the brilliantly diverse album.

Triple J’s Hottest 100 Vol. 19 is really a must-have for any music lover. While listening to it, you find yourself falling in love with songs you really never thought you’d like. There are raging saxophone solos, rad beats, incredibly memorable riffs and songs that make you want to dance, laugh, cry, smile and sing your heart out. This album is also perfect to reminisce to – perhaps throw it on when you feel like remembering 2011, the year that was. Listening to all these separately amazing bands and songs, it really hits home that 2011 was a pretty awesome year in music.

Review score: 9 out of 10