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2020 was one of the best years for music I've ever experienced. Here's a playlist of 40 songs from last year I really enjoyed and a thread of my thoughts on all of them (no ranking): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfPrglobO6Tt6_pW01PH7ZY_7Lo5IBQG8 (1/43 lol)
@jessy_lanza - All The Time
JL's 3rd LP justified my anticipation. Its title track is a heart-stoppingly romantic synth-pop deconstruction that flaunts Lanza and Jeremy Greenspan's habit of making the biggest impact with only the very best elements:
JL's 3rd LP justified my anticipation. Its title track is a heart-stoppingly romantic synth-pop deconstruction that flaunts Lanza and Jeremy Greenspan's habit of making the biggest impact with only the very best elements:
@plnt99 - Party
The gang stance charm of indie weekly darlings made relevant for late '90s babies; now audio is processed by a shonky 12-bit sampler instead of an unwieldy pedalboard, and the simple components are sweet enough to jam out to indefinitely:
The gang stance charm of indie weekly darlings made relevant for late '90s babies; now audio is processed by a shonky 12-bit sampler instead of an unwieldy pedalboard, and the simple components are sweet enough to jam out to indefinitely:
@MagdalenaBay - How to Get Physical
One of the most blatantly talented acts yet to break the Hot 100, Magdalena Bay sound as legit as anything on pop radio. The difference is that HtGP's snappy swoon remains irresistible even after an A List play count:
One of the most blatantly talented acts yet to break the Hot 100, Magdalena Bay sound as legit as anything on pop radio. The difference is that HtGP's snappy swoon remains irresistible even after an A List play count:
@Laura_Groves_ - Red
If Brian Wilson, Paddy McAloon or Kate Bush make you feel something, listen to this beautiful art-pop chamber ballad for God's sake; Laura Groves is on their level. The whole EP is fantastic:
If Brian Wilson, Paddy McAloon or Kate Bush make you feel something, listen to this beautiful art-pop chamber ballad for God's sake; Laura Groves is on their level. The whole EP is fantastic:
@gupimusic and @fraxiommusic - Thos Moser
This is my favourite post-PC/Gecs track, a DIY stream-of-consciousness blizzard of EDM VST damage and insanely specific jokes executed with real virtuosity. This kind of music changes 13-year olds' lives forever:
This is my favourite post-PC/Gecs track, a DIY stream-of-consciousness blizzard of EDM VST damage and insanely specific jokes executed with real virtuosity. This kind of music changes 13-year olds' lives forever:
@YvesTumor - Kerosene!
Yves Tumor made the Great American Rock 'n Soul of Sly and Hendrix contemporary on possibly my favourite LP of 2020. The imperial guitar heroism at 1:28 was hands-down the most badass musical moment of the year:
Yves Tumor made the Great American Rock 'n Soul of Sly and Hendrix contemporary on possibly my favourite LP of 2020. The imperial guitar heroism at 1:28 was hands-down the most badass musical moment of the year:
@Tapewormsband - Safety Crash
A thrilling prospect in the ever-appealing future rock lineage of Supercar and Sweet Trip, Tapeworms define that low-slung cool reserved for bands who look like best mates and play thick, life-affirming guitar pop:
A thrilling prospect in the ever-appealing future rock lineage of Supercar and Sweet Trip, Tapeworms define that low-slung cool reserved for bands who look like best mates and play thick, life-affirming guitar pop:
@agcook404 feat. @Cecilebelieve - Show Me What
My fav A. G. tracks retain the behaviour of the most addictive pop/dance songs but with some technical element way beyond what's polite and acceptable. A total banger from a great year for both AG + CB:
My fav A. G. tracks retain the behaviour of the most addictive pop/dance songs but with some technical element way beyond what's polite and acceptable. A total banger from a great year for both AG + CB:
@samthingsoweto & @RealEntityMusiQ - Hey Wena
This is an amazing example of amapiano with strange, pretty chords and really soulful vocals. It makes me feel the way club classics by Joe Smooth or Larry Heard do - except it's happening right now:
This is an amazing example of amapiano with strange, pretty chords and really soulful vocals. It makes me feel the way club classics by Joe Smooth or Larry Heard do - except it's happening right now:
@porterrobinson - Get Your Wish
Porter filtered heartfelt future-pastoral songwriting through a stadium-sized scope and came out with his best music so far. A rare massive-sounding record that I love, inspiring emotions rather than pantomiming them:
Porter filtered heartfelt future-pastoral songwriting through a stadium-sized scope and came out with his best music so far. A rare massive-sounding record that I love, inspiring emotions rather than pantomiming them:
@rinasawayama - XS
If the precisely-interlocking Bloodshy and Avantism of Rina's emphatic, compulsive flagship doesn't inspire you to attempt impromptu bedroom mirror choreography, nothing will:
If the precisely-interlocking Bloodshy and Avantism of Rina's emphatic, compulsive flagship doesn't inspire you to attempt impromptu bedroom mirror choreography, nothing will:
@MonoNeon - Do You Remember the Days in New York?
Mononeon is one of my fav artists operating today, a true original with his own universe, ridiculous musicality and a penchant for psychedelia that elevates his funk to disgusting, out-of-body levels:
Mononeon is one of my fav artists operating today, a true original with his own universe, ridiculous musicality and a penchant for psychedelia that elevates his funk to disgusting, out-of-body levels:
@DREAMTRAK - On Ice
Studio wizard/club classicist Dreamtrak treated us to a whole album last year! That incredible "nylon guitar" melody sets my goosebumps right off (especially the second time); surely huge 4/4 garage drops are the only logical payoff?
Studio wizard/club classicist Dreamtrak treated us to a whole album last year! That incredible "nylon guitar" melody sets my goosebumps right off (especially the second time); surely huge 4/4 garage drops are the only logical payoff?
@buscabullamusic - Nydia
Buscabulla's Regreso LP is an amazing, dog-eared set of Puerto Rican kitsch pop that mashes up apparently-incompatible tropes like dusty tape drums and expansive digi-synth chords. The result is original, natural and so pretty:
Buscabulla's Regreso LP is an amazing, dog-eared set of Puerto Rican kitsch pop that mashes up apparently-incompatible tropes like dusty tape drums and expansive digi-synth chords. The result is original, natural and so pretty:
@SteBrow43089954 - Noggin
13 year-old Ste Brown's audaciously minimalist tribute to Dublin suburb Sallynoggin brings me a lot of joy. I can relate to Brown's highly literal local storytelling and the beat is absolutely stone cold - no kick required:
13 year-old Ste Brown's audaciously minimalist tribute to Dublin suburb Sallynoggin brings me a lot of joy. I can relate to Brown's highly literal local storytelling and the beat is absolutely stone cold - no kick required:
@Lindsay_Lowend - NBA LIVE 99
I first heard this effortless chip swing jammer in @anamanaguchi's @SPF420_inc set (check their Summer Singles) and I needed the ID instantly; I was even more buzzed when it turned out to be Lindsay Lowend's comeback track:
I first heard this effortless chip swing jammer in @anamanaguchi's @SPF420_inc set (check their Summer Singles) and I needed the ID instantly; I was even more buzzed when it turned out to be Lindsay Lowend's comeback track:
@_skytopia_ X @Miduki_Shinoda - Concretopia
A wonderful wistful chorus, unusual rhythms and pertinent lyrics re: physical space put together in a way that comfortably reflects other Japanese DIY pop-with-rap while firmly making a statement of its own:
A wonderful wistful chorus, unusual rhythms and pertinent lyrics re: physical space put together in a way that comfortably reflects other Japanese DIY pop-with-rap while firmly making a statement of its own:
@DavidLiebeHart and @MaxTundra - Pets
This wild sermon on animal welfare backed by stumbling snare abuse deserved more love. Max Tundra's nuttier side is a great foil for a character as full-on as Liebe Hart; I hope he produces more like this:
This wild sermon on animal welfare backed by stumbling snare abuse deserved more love. Max Tundra's nuttier side is a great foil for a character as full-on as Liebe Hart; I hope he produces more like this:
Bumper - Red Brick
A genuinely surprising collab matching @Jbrekkie's accomplished singer-songwriting with @ryangallowav's new jack PS1 soundtrack beats. It's v special to hear such a legit topline over an arrangement this playful and colourful:
A genuinely surprising collab matching @Jbrekkie's accomplished singer-songwriting with @ryangallowav's new jack PS1 soundtrack beats. It's v special to hear such a legit topline over an arrangement this playful and colourful:
@porij_ - Dirty Love
Very interesting Brit indie take on YouTube-popular jazz-funk/fusion/dance-pop, like the exact midpoint between Metronomy and Louis Cole/Knower. Wait for when the chords come back at the end:
Very interesting Brit indie take on YouTube-popular jazz-funk/fusion/dance-pop, like the exact midpoint between Metronomy and Louis Cole/Knower. Wait for when the chords come back at the end:
Soela - Lullaby
Feather-light '00s-style electronica. When I say "electronica" I really mean it - this channels the (now ultra-refreshing) lifestyle modernism mastered by producers like Metamatics or Geoff White better than anything I've heard in years:
Feather-light '00s-style electronica. When I say "electronica" I really mean it - this channels the (now ultra-refreshing) lifestyle modernism mastered by producers like Metamatics or Geoff White better than anything I've heard in years:
@chibitech - くものおと
Chibi-Tech reinforced her status as arguably the most skilful Famicom producer ever with last year's Crema Binaria. "くものおと" is a fluorescent digi-fusion bass odyssey powered by elemental synthesis:
Chibi-Tech reinforced her status as arguably the most skilful Famicom producer ever with last year's Crema Binaria. "くものおと" is a fluorescent digi-fusion bass odyssey powered by elemental synthesis:
@bilindabutchers - Low
This Y2K metro nightlife aesthetic chimes very hard with those of us who grew up believing twenty-somethings played Playstation past sunrise with their housemates after getting back from futuristic clubs:
This Y2K metro nightlife aesthetic chimes very hard with those of us who grew up believing twenty-somethings played Playstation past sunrise with their housemates after getting back from futuristic clubs:
@SarahMaddack - Hey Slug
This is the same person that did the viral "milk...or cereal first?" TikTok, which fucking banged honestly. "Hey Slug" is even better; the minimal verses/choruses in the first half go brutally hard:
This is the same person that did the viral "milk...or cereal first?" TikTok, which fucking banged honestly. "Hey Slug" is even better; the minimal verses/choruses in the first half go brutally hard:
@jamesivy_ - Staring Contest
Fulfilling that basic human need for anthemic comfort blanket indie-pop with VHS-fried panache, "Staring Contest" is better-constructed than 99.9% of songs in this style. I'll be surprised if Mr. Ivy doesn't go places:
Fulfilling that basic human need for anthemic comfort blanket indie-pop with VHS-fried panache, "Staring Contest" is better-constructed than 99.9% of songs in this style. I'll be surprised if Mr. Ivy doesn't go places:
@KalBells - Hump The Beach
As one of many people who have tried and failed to approximate Arthur Russell's magic formula I can testify that this song's distant trumpet, cryptic sensuality and swimmable synths are a special (or wild?) combination:
As one of many people who have tried and failed to approximate Arthur Russell's magic formula I can testify that this song's distant trumpet, cryptic sensuality and swimmable synths are a special (or wild?) combination:
@silverlizband - There's No Need
Sweet club pop pushed further through the memory machine than you'd expect; the result feels like a tape recording of a forgotten shoegaze band's prize house remix, which is a very cool sensation for an original track:
Sweet club pop pushed further through the memory machine than you'd expect; the result feels like a tape recording of a forgotten shoegaze band's prize house remix, which is a very cool sensation for an original track:
@physicallydv - Media Prototype (Text '888' for @abewav)
This is classic DV-i (exhilarating hyper-aesthetic digital synthesis) with an extra dimension: mazy, modulation-crazy pop songwriting. I don't know how you come up with songs like this:
This is classic DV-i (exhilarating hyper-aesthetic digital synthesis) with an extra dimension: mazy, modulation-crazy pop songwriting. I don't know how you come up with songs like this:
@kraeji - Spell feat. @yonyonsan_j & @glamishere
My favourite track off Yaeji's intriguingly trippy debut full-length. The features are really strong and the energy is straight streetlights-on-tarmac en route to the club:
My favourite track off Yaeji's intriguingly trippy debut full-length. The features are really strong and the energy is straight streetlights-on-tarmac en route to the club:
@gingerrootmusic - Friend
Ginger Root does it all: he can play more instruments than most bands use across their entire discography, he's mastered a phat/hazy production style and, as you hear in this beautifully forlorn bossa ballad, he knows songcraft:
Ginger Root does it all: he can play more instruments than most bands use across their entire discography, he's mastered a phat/hazy production style and, as you hear in this beautifully forlorn bossa ballad, he knows songcraft:
@lamaraba - The Stomach
A new vision for sunshine pop featuring verses in 10/4 and gurgling delay fx freakouts. The body horror vibe is relatable to anyone who's witnessed medicine's more serious side, but Tim's giddy interpretation is totally palatable:
A new vision for sunshine pop featuring verses in 10/4 and gurgling delay fx freakouts. The body horror vibe is relatable to anyone who's witnessed medicine's more serious side, but Tim's giddy interpretation is totally palatable:
@Kamixlo - Demonic Y feat. @_5tarb01
Very clever rhythmic tricks power this post-midnight banger. I hope I get to hear it on a proper soundsystem downstairs in an obscure (but packed) Zone 3 London club while it rains hard outside at some point in 2021:
Very clever rhythmic tricks power this post-midnight banger. I hope I get to hear it on a proper soundsystem downstairs in an obscure (but packed) Zone 3 London club while it rains hard outside at some point in 2021:
@trulylapriest - What Do You See
I'm so grateful for acid pop visionary Sam Eastgate. Here he draws a line between the manipulated vocal mentalism of PC Music and the retro strut of e.g. Tame Impala - a progressive + magical analogue parallel universe:
I'm so grateful for acid pop visionary Sam Eastgate. Here he draws a line between the manipulated vocal mentalism of PC Music and the retro strut of e.g. Tame Impala - a progressive + magical analogue parallel universe:
@MeishiSmile - Hate Floods Slow
At SXSW 2015 I was pleasantly surprised that screaming was a key element of the MS live show. Now, as detuned rave synths burst behind the noise wall of a full band, I hear them making the music they were always meant to:
At SXSW 2015 I was pleasantly surprised that screaming was a key element of the MS live show. Now, as detuned rave synths burst behind the noise wall of a full band, I hear them making the music they were always meant to:
@sv1___ - Field Study
Very cool sound design-tronica from an excitingly new artist (alias?). The sounds aren't just interesting but accessibly beautiful, and this composition clearly wasn't just thrown together:
Very cool sound design-tronica from an excitingly new artist (alias?). The sounds aren't just interesting but accessibly beautiful, and this composition clearly wasn't just thrown together:
@patttten - Lariat
I can't think of many artists whose 2020 was better creatively than patten, who basically spent it releasing as much music as he could. This is some deeply atmospheric concrete with a scary-hilarious visual:
I can't think of many artists whose 2020 was better creatively than patten, who basically spent it releasing as much music as he could. This is some deeply atmospheric concrete with a scary-hilarious visual:
@oscar_scheller - Peach
Oscar's recent tunes are lo-fi in a way I've never really heard before - junky but precise, earnestly poptimist in content but deceptively stark in form. Plus his voice is always utterly on point:
Oscar's recent tunes are lo-fi in a way I've never really heard before - junky but precise, earnestly poptimist in content but deceptively stark in form. Plus his voice is always utterly on point:
@thegardentwins - Sneaky Devil (w/ @wharfwhit)
The energy coming off this track is unreal. A testament to the timeless power of overdriven drum loops, apoplectic vocals and 170 beats per minute:
The energy coming off this track is unreal. A testament to the timeless power of overdriven drum loops, apoplectic vocals and 170 beats per minute:
@DORIANELECTRA - Gentleman / M'Lady
Dorian's skewerings of our age are properly funny and always come with incredible, richly detailed videos. This is the hyperreal fashion celebration we deserve:
Dorian's skewerings of our age are properly funny and always come with incredible, richly detailed videos. This is the hyperreal fashion celebration we deserve:
@darkskinmanson - COVERED IN MONEY!
Barely anyone is making music as creative, uncompromising and bonkers with as big an audience as Peggy right now:
Barely anyone is making music as creative, uncompromising and bonkers with as big an audience as Peggy right now:
If I'm missing anything, I probably forgot, haven't got round to listening or don't even know it yet - send me more!
2020 was a bizarro year for artists, but it's hard not to feel excited by the skill, range and bold creativity of these tracks. Who knows what music awaits us this year?
Some more as I remember them (but not too many):
@jnnfrwltn feat. @BFTTyco - Flash On
Jennifer Walton's high-grade sound design gets folded into a rogue sentinel banger. I'm sure she'll make some of the most advanced electronic music of the near future:
@jnnfrwltn feat. @BFTTyco - Flash On
Jennifer Walton's high-grade sound design gets folded into a rogue sentinel banger. I'm sure she'll make some of the most advanced electronic music of the near future:
