Some 2020 Favorites
As I’ve said before, I’m not a big fan of the concept of "best of" lists or competitions for art... but I do like to share some of my favorite songs from some of my favorite albums as each year comes to a close. With 2020 being a particularly crap year it was the music that gave me hope and helped steer my soul through the chaos. It’s always the music, innit?
I’ll write a bit down below about each choice on this playlist, and I’ll make each artist’s name a hyperlink so you can click through and find out more about any music you find intriguing… or maybe buy some merch since no one could tour this year.
Chris Stapleton - “Starting Over”
The theme song for our move this summer, driving across the country from Milwaukee to Seattle.
Deep Sea Diver - “Impossible Weight (f. Sharon Van Etten)”
Recorded in Seattle studio The Hall Of Justice, where I’ve done some work since moving to town and plan to do more. I cannot love this song enough, it’s filled with sonic treats, a great hook, and even a great post-hook. My goodness.
Doves - “Prisoners”
A welcome back to (arguably) my favorite band from the UK. It’s been too long since we heard from Jez, Jimi, and Andy.
SAULT - “Bow (f. Michael Kiwanuka)”
The music critic’s popular choice for album of the year, for good reason. Incisive, relevant, weighty. A vital time capsule of the Year That No One Will Miss.
Run The Jewels - “JU$T (f. Pharrell Williams & Zack de la Rocha)”
At one point this year it felt like everyone was waiting for El-P and Killer Mike to weigh in. Very happy they came through.
Lo Tom - “Outta Here”
I love David Bazan. I love Bazan when he’s sullen and quiet, and I really love Bazan he rocks... here with longtime friends Trey Many (Velour 100, Starflyer 59), TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs), and Jason Martin (Starflyer 59).
The Killers - “Caution”
A return to form with unapologetic anthemic hooks that make me want to pump my fist in the air with the car windows down. The addition of insane production/mixing talent Shawn Everett is nearly too much for me to deal with. So good.
Ruston Kelly - “Rubber”
I adored his previous record, and his 2020 release Shape & Destroy did not disappoint. Had a difficult time picking between this song and the tissue-requiring “Brave.” The whole album is worth your time.
Lianne La Havas - “Please Don’t Make Me Cry”
Lianne sings with such delicate inflections, so easy and warm, but I love her voice contrasted with a huge beat and bass here.
Jonathan Warman - “Branta”
I met Jonathan while he was a client of my company in his time at a little startup in Seattle you might have heard of called Microsoft. He’s moved into being a full time artist and composer and his work inspires me, you should check him out.
blankfor.ms - “92 Senses”
Tyler Gilmore (aka BlankFor.ms) just gets aesthetic, and it never feels false or like he’s aiming for cool kid points. He loves surface noise and the warble of old tape and bits that others might dismiss as broken and the spaces between the music. I am deeply moved and inspired by his constructions and compositions.
Ethan Gruska - “Another Animal”
Am I annoyed that Ethan is as good at illusions of the hand as he is at illusions of the ear? I am. Also a producer on the rise, John Williams’ grandson (yep) makes sublime records.
Art Blakey & The Messengers - “Quick Trick”
Art Blakey on Blue Note with Rudy Van Gelder recording? I’m so in. No one, and I mean no one, made records like RVG. Classic.
Blake Mills - “Money Is The One True God”
I love records that make me think “how in the hell did they make it sound like that?” Ugh. Also, gah! You certainly know Blake’s production work (Alabama Shakes, Fiona Apple, Dawes, John Legend, Perfume Genius), but as a songwriter and artist he is at the top of the list of You Have To Hear This when producers and engineers and players are queuing up music in control rooms the world over. Insane talent.
Jasmine Cephas-Jones - “Gone Girl”
A long way from Hamilton the Musical, Jasmine is heard here with inventive sound-design-heavy production (and a killer mix by my friend Ryan Gilligan).
Dua Lipa - “Break My Heart”
My favorite pop record in a long time, I can’t get enough of Dua’s voice and some incredible mixes by my friend Josh Gudwin).
Lizzy McAlpine - “Pancakes For Dinner”
Had no idea who Lizzy was but when some friends of mine posted about having worked on it I checked it out, as I always try to do when friends post about their projects. But this one stuck with me all year, and the pause/mute at the hook here had me from the very first listen. Kudos Philip Etherington and Ehren Ebbage.
Noah Reid - “Hold On”
Fresh off his incredible run as Patrick on Schitt’s Creek, I fell in love with Noah’s heartfelt song and had to include it in a birthday video for my lovely Kate this year. Just one of those guys you root for and seems like such a decent person from afar and you sure hope you never find out he’s an asshole because I want to listen to songs from Noah for the rest of time.
Dave Godowsky - “So & So, By & By”
Dave provided some earnest and calming songs earlier this year on his new album Cuts. Hit our house like a sonic hug as the pandemic began raging, we’d put it on if we needed to smile and reminisce about Mr. Rogers. I don’t know why Mr. Rogers. Just a feeling. I love the whole thing, you should absolutely check it out.
Samantha Crain - “Holding to the Edge of Night”
I don’t understand having this much talent contained in one human. Writer, performer, producer, Samantha Crain is a force. Grateful to have this voice and these songs in the world.
Taylor Swift - “Exile (f. Bon Iver)”
I don’t think we needed a second Taylor record in 2020 but this song from folklore is lovely and who cares what I think, honestly. I’m just a sucker for non-falsetto Justin Vernon wailing away on a big spiritual vocal hook (see: Volcano Choir). Taylor was very smart to connect with Aaron Dessner on her recordings in 2020.
The 1975 - “Yeah I Know”
I don’t know that anyone in modern music messes with convention while remaining commercially viable like The 1975. Yes I hate that I just said “commercially viable” but whatever I’m a pop music guy. The production here is fun and filled with ear candy and still on message. I dig their thing a whole lot.
Phoebe Bridgers - “Chinese Satellite”
Was really looking forward to seeing Phoebe open for The 1975 but, alas, 2020 tour plans got trashed as we all know. In the meantime, I have enjoyed following along with Ms. Bridgers’ many projects but still think her solo records are my favorite music by her. Produced by the aforementioned Ethan Gruska. As I said, annoying. ;)
Field Report - “Push Us Into Love”
Grateful to have produced the song that I think is Chris Porterfield’s best to date. It was Chris’ idea to morph the pedal steel solo (by Ben Lester, formerly of Field Report, you can hear him on everything from Lizzo to Taylor Swift now) from another version of this song that we’d produced in a different time signature, and I was skeptical it would work. Lo and behold, I think it did! Sprinkle in some saxophone layers by Jonathan Greenstein on top of the band which now adds vocals from Caley Conway, and we had a record. We have an alternate version with a resolved ending, but I’m so glad this got released with the cliffhanger you hear on here now. I love how this came together, very proud of this work.
Hugo Manuel - “down in dim woods the diamond delves! the elves'-eyes!”
Recommended to me by my inimitable friend Amanda Huff, I believe, from the cloud of dust behind my own Charts album and some stuff that Amanda and I are working on that isn’t out yet. I love the vibe of this whole record and this song in particular felt like a nice closing track for this 2020 Favorites list.