The nation’s rich sonic tapestry is under the limelight this week – in response to Triple J’s special Hottest 100 countdown spotlighting Australian songs and Australian songs only.

In response, we here at RUSSH thought we'd throw in our two cents to the discussion (and maybe give you some absolute belters to re-add to your playlist rotation). Below, each of the RUSSH editors have curated their top five standout tracks – a nostalgic journey through Aussie anthems that pays homage to the depth and diversity of our homegrown artistry.

From soaring indie ballads and genre-defying fusions to textured electronic beats, these picks are snapshots of cultural moments that shaped the music landscape – and our lives – down under over the last few decades.

Whether they dominated radio airwaves, pulsed through underground venues, or captured the zeitgeist via streaming platforms, here are the RUSSH editors’ five definitive selections spotlighting the vibrant and evolving heart of Australian music.

Alys Hale

Music Editor

1. Silver Chain by These Immortal Souls
2.  The Next Man That I See by Anita Lane
3. Apples In Bed by The Go Betweens
4. Dead Eyes Opened by Severed Heads
5. Lombard Street by Jack Ladder

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

1. Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap
2. Apocalypse Dreams by Tame Impala
3. Better the Devil You Know by Kylie Minogue
4. Mystify by INXS
5. In The Summertime by Thirsty Merc

Mia Steiber

Associate Publisher & Digital Strategy Director

1. Crave by The Butterfly Effect
2. This Bed by Kisschasy
3. Are You The One by Presets
4. Brinawa St. by Stumps
5. Anthem for the Year 2000 by Silverchair

Olivia Repaci

Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager

1. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
2. Untouched by The Veronicas
3. Innerbloom by RUFUS DU SOL
4. Magnolia by Gang Of Youths
5. Lots Of Nothing by Spacey Jane

Meg Nolan

Marketing Manager

1. Magnolia by Gang of Youths
2. Slow Mover by Angie McMahon
3. Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye
4. To Me by Chet Faker
5. Never Be Like You by Flume

Rhiannon Hill

Implementation Manager

1. Errol by Australian Crawl
2. 1998 by Chet Faker
3. Crave You by Flight Facilities
4. Free your Mind by Cut Copy
5. Can't Control My Love by Total Giovanni

Elyssa Kostopoulos

Content Director

1. Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue
2. Pleasure and Pain by Divinyls
3. Insane by Flume
4. Don't Change by INXS
5. Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House

Emily Algar

Beauty Editor

1. On A Night Like This by Kylie Minogue
2. Weather With You by Crowded House
3. Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
4. Need You Tonight by INXS
5. Is It True by Tame Impala

Stacey Gaskin

Affiliates Manager

1. Big Jet Plane by Angus & Julia Stone
2. The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite
3. The Nosebleed Section by Hilltop Hoods
4. Elephant by Tame Impala
5. Need You Tonight by INXS

Kitty Callaghan

Contributing Editor

1. Wide Open Road by The Triffids
2. Don’t Change by INXS
3. My Island Home by Christine Anu
4. Sounds of Then by GANGgajang
5. Forever Now by Cold Chisel

Kirsty Thatcher

Digital Editor

1. Borderline by Tame Impala
2. Fader by Temper Trap
3. Scar by Missy Higgins
4. Wiyathul by Gurrumul
5. Used To Be In Love by The Jungle Giants

Samantha Corry

Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief

1. Untouched by The Veronicas
2. Warm Coffee by Ziggy Alberts
3. Can't Get You Out Of My Head by Kylie Minogue
4. Honey by Troye Sivan
5. Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye