01. Borderline - TAME IMPALA
Music kept me going this year and that The Slow Rush came out in Feb… it was a blessing. The whole record is a vibe. Kevin Parker is one of the most talented pop musicians on the block. The block being Perth, Australia.
02. Lockdown - ANDERSON .PAAK
.Paak does it again. I mean, really. (Check out the video for a bit more context & a guest verse). Anthem for the pandemic.
03. Lonely Nights - LEISURE
Getting into the groove with Leisure. House party for 1, or 2.
04. You and I - CARIBOU
Yeah, February 2020 wasn’t terrible. First, Tame Impala. Then, Caribou with Suddenly. Two great albums before the shit really started to hit the fan.
05. Paper Cup - REAL ESTATE w. SYLVAN ESSO
Pairing Real Estate w Sylvan Esso seems obvious now. Smoooooth. Would probably sound good as elevator music / midi, too.
06. PRONTO! - CLUBZ
Listened to this one a bunch at the Accidentally Wes Anderson Book Popup (@Whalebone) this Oct. I presume this Mexican duo was influenced by Phoenix.
07. Make a Move - WINSTON SURFSHIRT
Alright, this one didn’t come out in 2020, it was released in the late Fall of 2019 but the discovery of this funky Australian group was a bit of a revelation for me in an otherwise trying year. Vox that sound like .Paak with instrumentals that bring a groovier Tame Impala to mind. It’s refreshing.
08. Daydreamer - LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER
The band name really says it all here. The video for this track sold me.
09. ENERGY - DISCLOSURE
Title track. If you’ve been following for some time, you know that I dig Disclosure. This one is off of their latest and the vocal sample comes from a classic voice on their debut. If you know, you know.
10. Daily Routine - DISQ
Hey this band is on Saddle Creek. One of my old favorites. Pavement-esque feel with lyrics that sum up the 2020 working day experience for many.
11. Broke - TEDDY SWIMS
I have a feeling this one will find its audience. It rides the groove that Amy Winehouse brought back a decade ago. Check the video for this one. It’s…. silly.
12. Expectations - KATIE PRUITT
Matt from Whalebone deserves all the credit for this one. War on Drugs guitar sounds with a killer young female voice that has nuance and emotion up the wazoo. Yes.
13. Under the Table - FIONA APPLE
Another album for which selecting a single track was tough. This one might have been the trickiest. It’s really an Album, capital A. Fetch the Bolt Cutters.
14. Confirmation - WESTERMAN
Westerman is special. I’ve had good luck to see him twice now at small venues. Happy to confirm that he sounds as good or better live. He’ll be back when things normalize.
15. Villa - EL MICHAELS AFFAIR
Sinister. Sultry sounds.
16. Video Game - SUFJAN STEVENS
Listening to Sufjan brings a lot of comfort to these ears. Though y’all might enjoy as well.
17. A.P.I.D.T.A. - JAY ELECTRONICA w. JAY Z
All vibe. Sad. Perfectly fitting for a difficult year.
18. Prisoners - DOVES
An all time favorite from Manchester, UK sneak into 2020 with a moody record that recalls their early career classics. I can dig it!
19. Young Man’s Game - FLEET FOXES
I guess that I too, am old now.
20. Désolé - GORILLAZ
Is there anything that Damon Albarn touches that isn’t worth at least a listen? No. No, there isn’t. This one is the strongest mix-closer I’ve had in many years.