On Saturday night The Buoys will perform the biggest show of their lives.

Well… we can’t say that for certain, but it’s going to be a pretty special moment for the Sydney four-piece when they take to the stage at the Domain in support of Arctic Monkeys. Drummer Tess Wilkin is a self-confessed super fan of the band, so we thought who better to ask for a definitive list of the best – or at least her favourite – songs from their seven studio LPs.

Is it going to be awkward when Alex Turner reads this and asks her why she didn’t include ‘Body Paint’ or ‘505’ in her list? We can only assume so. But look, Alex, we only gave Tess the opportunity to do a top 10, and this is her list, not yours pal…

Read Tess’ words below, and don’t miss The Buoys when they take to the stage at the Domain at 7pm on Saturday. P.S. vote for ‘Red Flags’ in the Hottest 100 or else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=likB8LtQnt8

TESS SAYS:

Arctic Monkeys have long been my all-time favourite band. I was swept away by the driving drums, and that initial manic energy of a band that has something to prove – but was then absolutely charmed by Turner’s voice, his storytelling, relatable observations, and vivid exploration of characters.

Apparently influenced by hip hop early on, particularly in Arctic Monkeys’ older work, Helders drumming compliments vocal lines which (to me) make the drums feel like another character to the story, adding their own personality. Here are a bunch of songs I love and really show off all the reasons why they are one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

View from the Afternoon

First track off their debut album. It encapsulates what I love about them – Huge driving drums that tell the story and set the scene, they perfectly compliment the vocals (most often drums follow guitar/bass) giving dynamics and adding as much personality as the vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeQAZsyucbQ

Mardy Bum

This song is an indie hit! Deep in Northern vernacular, it tells of the ups and downs of a relationship and when your partner is in a real mood, something so relatable. I read an article once that said this song was on the band’s first unofficial demo recordings that they handed out at gigs, and it was huge among fans before the album was released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO368WjwyFs

Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong…

Obsessed with the instrumental section, I haven’t seen this song live, but can you imagine??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIp46obBeBQ

Brianstorm

The lyrics are apparently about a real person, they are really taking the piss: Turner opens with “Brian, Top marks for not trying… well we can’t take our eyes off the t-shirt and tie combination, well seeya later innovator.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30w8DyEJ__0

Crying Lightning

I love the beat in this song, and the lyrics take you on such a ride, they really paint a vivid picture of a manipulative character “Your past times, consisted of the strange, and twisted and deranged, I love that little game you had called Crying Lightning”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLsBJPlGIDU

Cornerstone

This album was produced by Josh Homme, and this the most charming off the album. The lyrics tell a story of someone who keeps thinking they see a former lover around town, and, trying to relive the past, has a quest to make them his lover and call them by her name. I love the vocal rhythm and the lyrics in the line “I elongated my lift home, yeah I let him go the long way ’round, I smelt your scent on the seatbelt and kept my shortcuts to myself” – it’s romantic and relatable, and told so simply.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIQz6zZi7R0

Do I Wanna Know?

Huge tune, and tops my playlist for songs with the best lyrics. To me, it’s about being a complete sucker for a lover. You play it cool, but you’re completely obsessed, desperate. You think it over and know you should end it because you are only going to lose out, but you keep going back. We’ve all been there – it stomps along “crawlin’ back to you, every thought of callin’ when you’ve had a few? ‘cause I always do, maybe I’m too Busy being yours to fall for somebody new, now I’ve thought it through. Crawlin back to you” There are also some great one-liners from this character “been wonderin’ if your heart’s still open and if so I wanna know what time it shuts.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM

R U Mine?

Wow this song is such a monster. The drums blow my mind. They aren’t difficult, but they are huge and clever without being too busy, again they make me imagine they are another character in the story. They show off exactly why Helders is such an awesome drummer. I love the call and response chorus – most often the place for lead guitar. Timestamp of 1.24 has one of my favourite drum fills ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQH8ZTgna3Q

Four Out Of Five

This is a concept album about a luxury hotel on the moon, with each song exploring its different characters. It swaps out much of the driving drums and guitar-rock sound for something smooth, sleazy and completely absurd. I love the idea of exploring to the furthest corners of an idea, I imagine they must have immersed themselves in this imaginary world. In this particular song, the character is promoting the hotel and boasting about the reviews. The song really opens up into a charming chorus, I love the melody and the lyrics – it feels very White Lotus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Es-8FfATo

Sculptures of Anything Goes

A much more cinematic album, I love the dynamics in this song. It feels like a dip back to the sound of AM while really getting comfortable into the lounge music zone.