So 2018 is nearly over?! Crikey. A big (and good) year for a number of reasons, though it has passed in a flash. To quote Basil Fawlty:
“Zoom!”
"What was that?”
"That was your life, mate.”
“Oh."
"That was quick.'
"Do I get another?”
"Sorry, mate, that's your lot.”
I wrote my first songs of the year blog as a bit of fun and they have become something I look back on in bursts of nostalgia. (They’re full of some cracking tunes, see: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)
Here’s my frantic attempt to list my favourite songs of 2019 (and here’s a playlist for convenience). As ever, they probably miss out lots of things (particularly earlier in the year) and my tastes change.
Enjoy!
Parquet Courts - Total Football
Usually there is no ranking to my lists and that’s kind of true this year. Except, this song is 100% my favourite of the year. I love everything about it. In particular, listen to the bass line. Incredible. Listen loud and kick stuff.
Spiritualized - I’m Your Man
Spiritualized have an amazing ability to take relatively simple tunes and build layers to create an strong emotional connection. This song is no different and takes me back to being a teenager obsessed with “Ladies and Gentlemen, We’re Floating in Space”.
Let’s Eat Grandma - It’s Not Just Me
Being from Norwich always gives you a head start with me, but this band is really exciting. They are scarily young, but this is a really mature recording with great 80s electro influenced production.
Kamasi Washington - Humility
Earlier this year I read: Ted Gioia’s "How To Listen To Jazz" (which really helped an accountant take reassurance that there are rules). This is a great tune, that I used to challenge myself to spot the “rules” in place. Great fun!
Snail Mail - Heatwave
Like Let’s Eat Grandma, Snail Mail make me realise I am officially an old fart. This is my favourite type of music. Raw, heartfelt, simple instrumentation. Very effective. She will be an exciting artist to watch.
Anna Burch - Tea Soaked Letter
Another song that fits squarely in my preferences, the album has been listened to on many train journeys this year. I’ll never tire of it. Check out her session on Marc Riley too.
David Byrne - Everybody’s Coming To My House
For another book recommendation, check out David Byrne “How Music Works”. In my eyes, he is a genius and I’m in awe of his commitment to creativity. This song makes me smile every time I listen to it. The performance below is spectacular:
Baxter Dury - Prince of Tears
This was the first song to go on my “Songs of 2018” playlist that I use to create this blog. This is usually a death nell as I listen to it so many times through the year. Not this song.
Mount Eerie - Now Only
Warning: this is a tough listen. This album is about the death of his wife only a few months after giving birth to their daughter. It’s horrific to think about this and the lyrics are so raw, it can floor you. I have found myself listening on the train with tears. What sticks from this song is the underlying instruction to pull yourself through:
“Some people have to survive and find a way to be lucky to still be alive”.
Gulp.
Idles - Danny Nedelko
Oh. My. God. I love this song. I love this band. Let’s finish the year with a proper mosh. The music is so good that the lyrics could be about anything, but the fact they make some of the best arguments for inclusivity is genius. To anyone who makes a narrow minded comment about immigration, quote this:
My blood brother is an immigrant
A beautiful immigrant
My blood brother's Freddie Mercury
A Nigerian mother of three
And what a performance!
So there it is. Let’s grit our teeth and show our punk spirit in 2019. Let’s go and smash it!
