Triple j‘s J Awards were announced in full yesterday afternoon, with the last four records added to the shortlist for Album Of The Year. In what has become arguably a more important contest than the ARIAs, The J Awards are being announced at the end of this month, but we thought we’d give you some tips on who to bet for. And don’t joke, you can already put money on The Hottest 100 every January, so it’s not unlikely that the TAB will open for this one.
Pedestrian Betting Odds: The J Award For Album Of The Year
Drapht – The Life of Riley
Drunk mischief-maker comes good, writes party anthems for white suburban kids everywhere. Still has really gratingly high-pitched voice.
Odds: 8-1
Architecture in Helsinki – Moment Bends
Melbourne’s beloved kooks sign with Modular, up the production and drop possible single of the year with ‘Contact High’.
Odds: 6-1
Art vs. Science – The Experiment
Festival champions and rave experts, this Sydney trio attract equal amounts of celebration and derision, but one thing’s for sure, they’re pretty much unstoppable.
Odds: 4-1
Gotye – Making Mirrors
He’ll scoop the ARIAs but his album was released too late for the cut-off so this may be his retribution. The singles are being released slowly, however, so it may not be enough to edge out the competition.
Odds: 4-1
Kimbra – Vows
Fastest rise to fame and a more popular indie starlet than Ella Hooper and Missy Higgins combined, Kimbra has had an A+ year. God knows she’s worked hard enough for it, the 21 year old has been at it since her early teens.
Odds: 3-1
Papa Vs Pretty – United in Isolation
New alt-rock kids on the block are also devastatingly young and phenomenally talented. This record was a bit of a sleeper in electronic 2011, but it certainly has enough merit to take out a high ranking spot.
Odds: 6-1
The Jezabels – Prisoner
We don’t really need to talk about this, do we? Cool.
Odds: 2-1
Big Scary – Vacation
A strong record supported by a steady run of EPs, they may not have the clout of bigger names, but they’re certainly in with a shot for the quiet crowd.
Odds: 8-1
Ball Park Music – Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs
Hungry Kids Of Hungary’s favourite Brisbane sidekicks and more fun than a bag of electric eels, these guys are super fun and the j listeners love ’em.
Odds: 5-1
The Middle East – I Want That You Are Always Happy
Our closest thing to Bon Iver (but, you know, with like ten of them) broke up at Splendour this year. This album never matched the ethereal heights of their Recording Of… EP and single ‘Blood’, which was a shame.
Odds: 12-1.
Title Image by Rachel Tinney
