Brilliant Insights

2020 was a year unlike any other. While the world slowed down, the music didn't. From the lockdown anthems of Spoegwolf and Fokofpolisiekar to the global dominance of The Weeknd and Taylor Swift's double-album surprise, these tracks kept us going. This list grew to a massive 80 songs because, in a year like 2020, we needed every single one of them. The "Brilliant 5" Highlights 1. Letter To You - Bruce Springsteen A powerful, late-career masterpiece. It’s a song about memory, friendship, and the enduring power of rock and roll. 2. Midnight Sky - Miley Cyrus Miley fully embraced her rock-and-roll heart in 2020. This track was the ultimate anthem of independence and disco-rock grit. 3. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd The synth-pop perfection of this track defined the sound of the year globally. It was the escape we all needed. 4. Die Balade van Frik en Dot - Neil Sandilands A masterclass in storytelling from Neil Sandilands. It's gritty, authentic, and quintessentia...

2019 was a massive year for South African music, defined by heavyweight collaborations and the evolution of the alternative scene. From the anthemic "Dagdrome in suburbia" to the raw energy of Spoegwolf and the return of local legends, these 40 tracks were the soundtrack to my year. The "Brilliant 5" Highlights 1. Dagdrome in Suburbia - Francois van Coke & Spoegwolf The ultimate 2019 collaboration. A track that bridged generations of rock fans and captured the feeling of the year perfectly. 2. Sister Rosetta - Frank Turner A high-energy tribute delivered with Turner's signature storytelling and punk-folk grit. 3. Darkside - blink-182 A standout moment from the Nine album—fast, catchy, and proving the kings of pop-punk still have it. 4. Blou - Spoegwolf Atmospheric and deeply poetic. Spoegwolf continued their dominant run this year with this haunting track. 5. She's Mine - Kip Moore A masterclass in modern country-rock songwriting that stayed on rep...

2018 was a year of massive anthems and incredible variety. Even though the original file was titled "Top 40," I found 50 tracks that truly defined the year for me. From local legends like Jan Blohm to international heavyweights like Ghost and Slipknot, this was the soundtrack to a very busy year. The "Brilliant 5" Highlights 1. Coming Along - Sunset Sweatshop The ultimate feel-good anthem of 2018. It dominated the airwaves and captured the local spirit perfectly. 2. Word Wakker - Jan Blohm A soulful, gritty masterpiece from one of South Africa's most honest songwriters. 3. Sterre Dans - Pierre Rossouw A beautiful, atmospheric track that remains a stand-out memory from this year. 4. Dance Macabre - Ghost Ghost brought the 80s back with this infectious rock hit. It’s dark, catchy, and impossible to skip. 5. My Body - Omar Morto (feat Hello Vinegar)  An energetic, driving local track that kept the energy high on every playlist. The Full 2018 Playlist Wen! Wen! ...

 2017 felt like a massive year of musical discovery. While the world was humming along to Ed Sheeran, I was diving deep into the raw energy of the South African alternative scene. From the soulful Afro-folk of Bongeziwe Mabandla to the legendary return of Fokofpolisiekar, these 25 tracks defined my year. The "Brilliant 5" Highlights 1. Ndokulandela - Bongeziwe Mabandla A stunning track that captures the heart of modern South African folk. Atmospheric and timeless. 2. Perfect - Ed Sheeran A masterclass in songwriting that defined the global sound of 2017. 3. Move It - Sunset Sweatshop Pure energy. This was the "feel-good" anthem that soundtracked many local road trips. 4. B2CY - Fokofpolisiekar From the Selfmedikasie album, this track proved that the kings of SA rock were back and as relevant as ever. 5. Herfsheks - Willim Welsyn Edgy, poetic, and quintessentially Welsyn. A standout track from his Blitzkriek era. The Full 2017 Playlist Galway Girl - Ed Sheeran...

 Since 2016, I’ve made it a tradition to share my top songs of the year on my Instagram stories. But as anyone who uses the app knows, those stories vanish after 24 hours. I’ve decided to take those annual lists out of the archives and give them a permanent home here on Brilliant Insights . 2016 was the first full year of being a father, and while life was focused on new milestones at home, music remained my constant companion. Looking back at this list of 30 songs, I can hear the exact moments they soundtracked. It was a year of legendary South African releases and some heavy-hitting international rock returns. The "Brilliant 5" Highlights These five tracks were the essential pillars of my 2016 playlist: "As die Hippies begin Dans" – Wouter van de Venter There is something about this track that captures a specific South African mood. It’s nostalgic and catchy—the perfect start to the 2016 list.  "Friends and Enemies" – Biffy Clyro 2016 saw Biffy Clyro r...