21 for 2021

I took a look back on my 2020 picks, and my closing words there are just supremely frustrating to read a whole year later :

“… or maybe buy some merch since no one could tour this year.”

Yowza. We’re still in it. All the more reason to put some (hopefully) new artists in front of the few of you who care that I do this each year. I really, really, really love these songs, so please enjoy and, again, go to the artist’s sites and buy something directly if you are able to support these writers, musicians, and performers.

Here’s an embedded playlist from the Stratospheric Royalty Payment System known as Spotify, and keep on reading for some top of mind thoughts from my brain on why each song is included here.

Monica Martin - “Go Easy, Kid”

If I live-streamed my studio life I guess it could very well just be a close up on my eyeballs welling up as I hit play and am captivated yet again, endlessly, by Monica Martin's "Go Easy, Kid."

In twenty years, kid, you’re gonna look back

and wish you grabbed it all by the throat

and said “fuck it,” it’s only rock n roll

What a song. What a vocal. My goodness. One of the few things I want to remember from 2021.

Noah Gundersen - “Sleepless In Seattle”

I really feel like Noah’s lyrics leveled up on this latest collection of songs, A Pillar Of Salt.

If idle hands make devil’s work

maybe we should build a church

just so we can burn it down

That’s just one of many lines I wish I’d written on this album, check out the whole thing. I looked for it among the options on my Grammy nominations ballot and was very sad to not find it there, it would have received a vote from me for sure.

Yebba - “Far Away” (f. A$AP Rocky)

Mark Ronson producing, with ?uestlove and Pino Palladino in the studio? Yup, sign me up for this rekkid.

Japanese Breakfast - “Be Sweet”

Funky fun feelgood jam from someone I wish I could mix, I love Michelle Zauner’s writing and vibe so much. Managed by fellow Milwaukee industry alum Ryan Matteson and his company Ten Atoms (who are growing in stature with each passing year… Black Pumas, Mountain Goats, Whitney, Buffalo Nichols, and on and on).

Nala Sinephro - “Space 1”

Delicate textures with some world-music and nature-lover flair. A Bandcamp find. I love the music discovery on there a whole lot and I am hoping to do much more of that in 2022.

Yellow Ostrich - “Julia”

I met Alex Schaff when he came through my studio in Milwaukee, visiting our mutual friend Chris Porterfield during some Field Report sessions a few years ago. This is one of those records that I love recommending to new listeners with a comment like “do you like being hugged by music?” because I adore this album and the vibe Alex brought to this set of fantastic songs. Also, one of the two songs named “Julia” on this playlist!

HaLSey - “I am not a woman, I’m a god”

Yes, I am sucker for all things Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (producers here). But the way Halsey trusted them on this one, and the way they pulled no punches and tried to push the envelope for modern pop production, is really something to experience uninterrupted and appreciate at full blast.

Madlib - “Road Of The Lonely Ones”

This whole album is worth your time, but I am pulling out a highlight here that makes me think of trip hop gospel with a dose of Khruangbin. And what was 2021 but a road filled with lonely ones?

Geese - “Opportunity is Knocking”

Were it not for my longtime production music industry friend Stew Winter (of New York City’s Videohelper) I would not likely have heard of Geese as early as I did. This is his son Cameron’s band, and Stew posted about it on FB (so now I’m second guessing my commitment to leave that malignant platform in 2022… oh well) and I absolutely love this record. This tune is the album closer, and if you dig this vibe I would suggest reading their writeup in the New York Freaking Times and listening to the whole thing front to back. Loud.

Low - “Days Like These”

No one makes records like Low, especially when paired with the incomparable and challenging production work of BJ Burton. Absolutely stupid insane mindblowing sonic surprises that you won’t hear on the radio any time soon. Not for the faint of heart. If you are faint of heart, just hit skip now. I mean, I really love the Carpenters. For real. I’m just saying this is nothing like the Carpenters, and I love this too.

Dijon - “The Dress”

A laidback r&b groove with electric piano and killer vocal production, I’ve been returning to this album regularly since discovering it earlier this year. His whole new project is somehow fresh and throwback all at once.

Sons Of Kemet - “To Never Forget The Source”

I like this set a lot, but really love it on record and I’m not always super record-snobby about these things but if you can get this on quality vinyl I think it’d be worth it. Is it jazz? World music?

VHVL - “treee”

Another Bandcamp discovery… do you see what I mean? Cool sounds, interesting production choices. I’m a sucker for noisy art and dusty synth vibes, so if that’s your thing too you should take a listen to what Veronica Lauren is up to… she’s obscure and adventurous and cool without sounding like she’s disingenuous about any of it.

Explorer Tapes - “Julia”

Learned about this project from the drummer who played on it, Aaron Sterling, via his Instagram. And HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS RECORD. It’s retro-ish, diverse, quality pop songwriting and top shelf session talent, with some songwriting contributions from one of my very favorite writers, David Baerwald. Another selection where the whole album is absolutely worth your time, had trouble picking just one for this list of mine. Also: this playlist’s “Julia” #2!

Jake Wesley Rogers - “Middle of Love”

Learned of Jake when a friend, producer Greg Wells, posted some shots of them together in the studio. Immediately went to check out what I could find online. Found some performance videos that will make even the most cynical heart a Jake Wesley Rogers believer. Rooting for this guy, big time. What a voice and what a spirit.

Del Amitri - “You Can’t Go Back”

I’ve been a fan of Del Amitri for over 3 decades now (?!) and I still think no one writes melancholy and heartbreak quite like Justin Currie. Have plans to see them again for the first time in years when they visit Sunset Tavern here in Seattle (just announced) and I’m hoping the pandemic insanity is abating by then. Argh.

Ryan Necci and The Buffalo Gospel - “Bloodlines”

My friend Ryan is in Nashville now and still busting my heart wide open from a thousand miles away. Check these lyrics and tell me this guy shouldn’t have 1000x the listeners and fans he does. Get in early! Tell yer friends! And see him/them live, as his voice is absolutely phenomenal. Oh, and he looks good in tight pants and a big ol’ hat.

Elizabeth & the Catapult - “the muse”

Another selection where the whole album is worth your time, for sure. Kinda feels like to me a next gen Norah Jones meets Feist. Just chill enough, with ear candy production that tickles and delights.

Flock of Dimes - “Two”

Adventurous pop from a writer/musician/performer (Jenn Wasner) who is respected by all the indie stars you already know, and for all the right reasons (long before she joined Bon Iver). Another killer album from Wasner that was on repeat all year here, and another killer experience on vinyl if you’re into that sort of thing.

Julien Baker - “Faith Healer”

Another artist on my list that I would kill to mix. I love her melancholy confessional approach to songs and records, and this new set is a great listen… I think Faith Healer is my favorite track on the record, so I wanted to include it here.

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, London Symphony Orchestra - “Movement 1”

My solace in this year of chaos. Lovely album that is on everyone’s Best Of 2021 lists for good reason. I have always loved long(er) form experimental soundscapes and instrumental tracks, but for many years I felt like maybe it delegitimized my pop sensibilities. I like all kinds of diverse stuff these days, and closing this list with this favorite feels like a nice way to wrap up this playlist.