With Australian Music Month upon us, and the ARIAs taking place tomorrow, we thought it would be the perfect time to delve into our contributor’s favourite Australian albums of all time. It’s the first time we’ve ever put a list like this together on the AU. With a broad diversity of ages in our contributor base, this list of 40 albums reflects that. Covering multiple generations of Australian musicians, and a wide range of genres. We hope you take the time to rediscover some classics, and maybe take a moment to appreciate some you missed along the way. Without further ado, let’s jump straight in to the first half of the list.
40. The Divinyls – Temperamental
Presenting an alternative sound to the more synth-heavy pop music of the 1980s, Temperamental was the third studio album from the band, which by this point consisted of frontwoman Chrissie Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. It’s an album which gives strong rock-chick energy, along the lines of Blondie’s edgier stuff, perhaps influenced by the struggles that had faced the band during its recording. (Their previous album, What a Life! had not performed as well as expected, and as a result, two other band members had left.) Recording began in 1987 in Los Angeles, where it was reported that the Divinyls received a noise complaint from none other than Neil Diamond, who was recording in the studio next to theirs. Although Temperamental is regarded as being the beginning of their move from hard rock to glam rock, it’s also clear from listening to the tracks on this album that this was a band at the height of their greatness.
While many would argue that their next album, the self-titled Divinyls featured their most well-known single, ‘I Touch Myself’, most of their biggest hits came before the ‘90s. Temperamental feels like their most cohesive album when listened to from start to finish. You can hear that this is the same band who produced hits like ‘Science Fiction’, ‘Boys in Town’ (from Desperate) and ‘Pleasure and Pain’ (from What a Life!). Notable tracks on this album include the title track, ‘Temperamental’, ‘Back to the Wall’ and ‘Punxsie.’ While McEntee’s guitar solos are excellent, it’s Amphlett who made this band what they were, and whose recognisable vocals mark the music of the Divinyls out as special.
– Emily Paull
39. Spacey Jane – Sunlight
Although I love all of Spacey Jane’s albums, Sunlight is so nostalgic for me and listening to it instantly transports me to the beach, hence why it is always present in my summer playlists. I remember when “Booster Seat” was in the top 3 for Triple J’s hottest 100, my friends from school always threw a pool party for the announcement and whenever this album plays it brings back those memories of all the fun times we had. Sunlight is such a chill album to listen to but has its upbeat moments like “Head Cold” and “Skin” and that’s part of why it will always hold a place in my list of my favourite albums of all time. One of my first concerts I attended with my sister was Spacey Jane and I think that also plays into why I’ll always be a fan of their music, especially this album and I hold it very close to my heart.
– Evy Lyons
38. The Preatures – Blue Planet Eyes
Blending sounds from a couple of different musical eras with something entirely their own, The Preatures’ debut album Blue Planet Eyes was released in 2014 and reached number four on the ARIA charts. It went gold in 2018, signalling that this was an album to love for a long time, not just a passing fad. Sounding a little bit like if iconic Australian singers from the 90s such as Natalia Imbruglia and Tina Arena had formed a sixties pop and rock inspired group, their catchy singles ‘Is This How You Feel?’ and ‘Somebody’s Talking’ were the kind of earworms that appealed to indie and commercial radio listeners alike.
Blue Planet Eyes features a mix of upbeat pop rock and blues inspired songs, including the two breakout hits as well as lesser-known tracks like ‘Ordinary’ and ‘Cruel’, mixed in with slower, more soulful songs like ‘Two Tone Melody’ and songs which find that perfect midpoint between hope and anguish, like ‘It Gets Better/ Better than it Ever Could Be.’ The opening riff from ‘Somebody’s Talking’ might just be one of the more recognisable ones of the last decade.
Though the band disbanded in 2021, making way for a solo career for frontwoman Isabella Manfredi, the love for their 2014 album continues on and saw Manfredi reunite with band members Jack Moffitt (guitars and vocals), Thomas Champion (bass) and Luke Davison (drums) for a 10 year anniversary concert in honour of Blue Planet Eyes, and seeing as they have continued to tour together from there, perhaps we’ll see more from the Sydney indie rockers in the future.
– Emily Paull
37. Dr G. Yunupingu – Gurrumul
Dr. G. Yunupingu was already a veteran multi-instrumentalist in 2008 when Gurrumul was released, having been part of both Yothu Yindi and Saltwater Band. But, for many at home in Australia and especially internationally Gurrumul was an introduction to an artist of profound emotional depth, with a voice that was soulful, spiritual and just achingly beautiful. With songs performed in Yolngu and English and drawing from the traditions of both worlds, the album beautifully showcased the culture, heritage and stories of Indigenous Australia. It’s an exquisite and beautiful album; one that I return to frequently.
– Simon Clark
36. Little Birdy – bigbiglove
Bigbiglove was the debut album from Perth’s Little Birdy and it certainly made an impression. Reaching number 5 on the ARIA charts for 2004, the album was certified gold in November of that year, and single ‘Beautiful To Me’ was voted in at number 8 in the Triple J Hottest 100. While it may be the most well-known single off the track, ‘Beautiful To Me’ is a more gentle-sounding outlier on the album which experiments with a more alternative rock sound and explores some big feelings (perhaps why the album is called what it is) through the soaring range of vocalist Katy Steele. Many of the songs use melancholy, lilting melodies which evoke feelings of longing, desperation and anguish.
From opening track ‘Excited’ to album closer ‘Andy Warhol’, this album sees the band experimenting with different sound samples and instruments, including the sound of TV static, piano riffs, glockenspiels and more. Under it all, there is the steady guitar playing of Simon Leach (who also played keys), Scott O’Donoghue on bass and Matt Chequer on the drums. Interestingly, many tracks seem to make use of a looping technique, where Leach and Steele seem to make music with… themselves? The effect is haunting and builds on the depth of feelings in the songwriting. Notable tracks include ‘Relapse’, ‘Come on Little Heartbreaker’, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ (which seems to set the tone for their next album, Hollywood) and ‘Close to You.’
– Emily Paull
35. Paul Kelly and the Messengers – Gossip
A landmark double album that established Paul Kelly as Australia’s great storyteller, Gossip blends pub rock grit with poetic intimacy. Tracks such as “Before Too Long” and “Darling It Hurts” have become setlist staples and fan-favourites, vividly drawing everyday lives, capturing the humour, heartbreak, and humanity that define Kelly’s enduring appeal. The album was released as “Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls”, but to avoid controversy, they renamed themselves before heading to the USA, to “Paul Kelly and the Messengers”.
– Bruce Baker
34. Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night
A consummate artist, Blako never takes the easy or straightforward path when it comes to recording an album. This was recorded in Stockholm in 2009, and whilst the subject matter arose from a difficult time, it had an uplifting feel to it. Songs such as “All I Want” and “We Won’t Run” have been regulars on her setlists ever since. There’s a cinematic quality to it, piano, strings and percussion to the fore, with her incredible vocals taking centre stage.
– Bruce Baker
33. Parkway Drive – Horizons
These Byron boys are the pioneers of Aussie metalcore and their seminal record Horizons set the framework for bands like I Killed the Prom Queen, Northlane and In Hearts Wake. From searing riffs and thunderous blast beats to raw gutturals and timeless harmonies, this one has it all and then some.
– Dylan Oxley
32. You Am I – Hourly, Daily
It’s nearly thirty years since Hourly, Daily was released and hasn’t it stood the test of time. Proving that their six ARIA nominations the previous year with Hi Fi Way wasn’t a one-off, they racked up an impressive nine nominations and six gongs, including Album of the Year and Best Group. They ramped up the sound, with strings and more lush arrangements, but lost none of the sweat, vim or vigour that has been a hallmark from day one. Their sold-out anniversary tour, featuring Hi-Fi Way and Hourly, Daily, earlier this year, demonstrates the love that Australian audiences have for this band and this album.
– Bruce Baker
31. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Let Love In
Choosing your favourite Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album is like choosing your favourite child. There are a half dozen of them that deserve to be on this list. And if I had it my way, they probably would all be here. But this is the one that, for many of our team, was the fittingly titled album that started our love affair with the band. The album opener “Do You Love Me?” featuring Rowland S. Howard and Tex Perkins sets a tone of beauty and introspection that never lets up – lyrically and musically. And has there ever been a better A-side closer than “Red Right Hand”? “Loverman” would also serve as an introduction to many thanks to a later cover by Metallica. “Jangling Jack”, “Ain’t Gonna Rain Anymore”, “Lay Me Low”… there are so, so many great songs on this record. A truly deserving entry on this list.
– Larry Heath
30. The Temper Trap – Conditions
You honestly couldn’t escape this album when it was released. From radio play, to tv and movie spots, through to every festival possible, Conditions and the songs that made it up (“Sweet Disposition, “Love Lost”, “Fader”, and “Down River”) had a grasp on 2010 like nothing in Australia has seen since. Even now, more than 15 years after its release, the euphoria of “Sweet Disposition” could quite possibly be the most elevating four minutes of music ever. Conditions captures a very specific moment in time so clearly that you’d be hard pressed to come up with an album that matches the grasp it held, and still holds, on millennials.
– Dylan Marshall
29. Amy Shark – Love Monster
The Gold Coast songstress-turned-global superstar has a knack for writing relatable, vulnerable bops, bereft of metaphor. Paired with local legend M-Phazes’ cinematic production, Love Monster is Amy at her most powerful. “Adore” and “I Said Hi” have become radio staples for good reason.
– Dylan Oxley
28. 5 Seconds of Summer – Self-Titled
I know this one might make a few eyes roll but hear me out! This album was monumental in introducing an entirely new generation to pop punk music. It may seem a little juvenile now, especially when compared to their more recent albums, which are some of my favourite albums of all time, but it all started with this self-titled record. Just two years after posting their cover of Teenage Dirtbag to YouTube, 5 Seconds of Summer were supporting One Direction in sold-out arena shows all over the world, and this record defined that moment in time. With hits like She Looks So Perfect and Amnesia dominating Aussie radio for months, there’s no doubt that most are familiar. Personal favourites on this record are Voodoo Doll, End Up Here, and- of course- Heartbreak Girl. 5 Seconds of Summer continue to be one of the greatest current Australian bands, constantly outdoing their previous work with each new record.
– Sarah Duggan
27. Jet – Get Born
Jet’s 2003 album Get Born dominated the charts, selling over five million records worldwide and winning the Melbourne rockers six ARIA awards. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” was played on every station, in every home- I was six years old and can vividly remember not being able to escape this track. Over twenty years later, this record remains solid, with “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” ranking at number 23 on the Triple J’s Hottest 100 Australian Songs this year. From start to finish, this album is and forever will be a masterpiece.
– Sarah Duggan
26. Powderfinger – Odyssey Number Five
Powderfinger’s Odyssey Number Five is widely regarded as their masterpiece and one of Australia’s most enduring albums. Released in 2000, it distilled the band’s gift for melody and lyricism into a collection of songs that were both intimate and expansive. Tracks like “My Happiness” and “These Days” captured deeply personal emotion while reflecting the mood of a generation, with Bernard Fanning’s understated delivery adding weight to the band’s warm, textured sound but bringing in some great rock beats to make toes tap. It remains a landmark release that continues to shape the sound and spirit of Australian rock.
– Elissa Bramley
25. The Living End – The Living End
It may have been released in 1998, but I remember this as if it was yesterday. The music video for ‘Prisoner of Society’ popped up on the television and I stopped dead. The punk rock energy and attitude flying out of the screen was breathtaking, and a double bass? Hot damn! Their debut album is wall to wall with bangers, and every tune sounds as great today as it did back in ’98, if not even better. My long-standing favourite TLE track, ‘All Torn Down’ features, and it is as relevant as ever. Timeless tunes. My love affair with The Living End began here and they’ve been my favourite Australian band ever since. Legends.
– Jennifer Lavis-Quinlin
24. Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth
Genesis Owusu mastered being effortlessly cool on Smiling With No Teeth. An album as expansive and sprawling as it was timely, Smiling With No Teeth’s blending of rap, rock, hip hop, soul and jazz sets it apart from any of its contemporaries. With a tracklist that any artist would be envious of, it is an album that holds up just as well now as it did at the time of its release.
– Dylan Marshall
23. Angie McMahon – Light, Dark, Light Again
Incredibly bleak yet incredibly beautiful; Light, Dark, Light Again is Angie McMahon hitting a peak so high that it hasn’t been topped since. An album released after years of lockdowns, sickness and depression, the expansive nature of Light, Dark, Light Again is what makes it one of the best albums released in recent years. From the supernova that is “Exploding”, through to reflective “Letting Go” and reaffirming “I Am Already Enough”, this album will do so much for so many people into future; if it hasn’t already.
– Dylan Marshall
22. Camp Cope – Self-Titled
Camp Cope’s self-titled debut is everything that was great about the band – raw, honest, angry and pretty bloody brilliant. Born from frontwoman Georgia Maq’s experiences in the industry and as a female in society, Camp Cope laid the platform for what could be achieved by a band if they were willing to stay true to their morals. Even after the end of the band, there is no doubt Camp Cope and this album will be looked back on as pivotal in the Australian punk scene.
– Dylan Marshall
21. Archie Roach – Charcoal Lane
You can’t have a list of the best Australian albums without an Archie Roach album; and what better album than his debut Charcoal Lane. The iconic, “Took the Children Away”, is grounds for inclusion on its own. That song, and the album really helped give a voice to the Stolen Generations and bring their story into the mainstream. The whole album, though, is full of these beautifully realised songs that are just full of lyrical heft and weight; telling compelling stories of the urban Aboriginal experience.
– Simon Clark
Check out the top 20 HERE.
