So ... just like that it's almost here, the end of the year!
Before celebrations officially begin, I must impose my annual songs of the year list onto you. I appreciate that I have zero qualifications as a source of music advice, but this is the 12th instalment and is now officially a tradition. I'm sure there are worse things you'll have to endure at Christmas ...
I find this a useful chronicle to remember the great music I've come across over the year. I still love the feeling of being sucked into an album and listening to it over and over. I know it's hard, but it is worth finding time where you can get lost in the music. (just don't miss the stop on your train like I've nearly done...)
Rambling almost over. Let's get to this year's stand out songs (for me).
Playlists available on Youtube, Deezer and Spotify.
Gorillaz (feat Adeleye Omotayo) - Silent Running
Pitch perfect pop music. Damon Albarn is ridiculously prolific in his output and the new Blur album is fantastic (The Narcissist just missed out on this list in attempt to be varied). I adore the simplicity of this song and it has been with me throughout the year.
Caroline Polachek - Sunset
Fantastic album, great artist. Highly recommend listening to more of her music. This is the standout track for me which has been on my running playlist all year.
Romy - Enjoy Your Life
Much more upbeat than you'd expect from an XX band member. This song has been on the family summer playlist and has a lovely vibe to it.
Like many of the songs on this list, I'm not sure a middle-aged, straight, white male accountant was the intended audience, but I still love it anyway!
Pearl and the Oysters - Pacific Avenue
Another summery track. Prepare to be taken away with a chilled out vibe to a Californian beach town. True escapism. The album keeps this feeling going.
SZA - Kill Bill
My most listened to song of the year according to Deezer. It's followed me everywhere and I've never gotten bored of it. The lyrics still make me smile.
Willie J Healey and Jamie T - Thank You
How can someone from Oxford be this funky?! The whole album has plugged into an attitude that blew me away. Try listening and not having a little bit of a shuffle or head nod to it. Bonus points for Jamie T who had a great album earlier this year too (check out 90s Cars).
Sufjan Stevens - Will Anybody Love Me?
My vanity almost prevented me from putting on this list. Sufjan appears many times throughout the years (and the name of the blog comes from one of his songs). But this is a stonewall classic. A standout track on a great album. A proper artist with an incredible ability to trap his emotions in a song.
Hak Baker - Doolally
This is the newest artist to me on this list. Blimey what a talent. The album is done as a pirate radio station and segues from songs with different styles with chat between. This takes me right back to being a teenager getting ready to go out. Do yourself a favour and spend some time with this album. First time I listened I thought "cool, this is like a better version of Streets" and by the end I found myself with tears in my eyes listening to the discussion about suicide. (this track is from the "fun" section!)
Fontaines DC - 'Cello Song
This is taken from an album of Nick Drake covers. Nick Drake means so much to so many people that it is incredibly risky taking on his songs. But this is a cover that adds a new dimension to stand on its own whilst bringing back memories from my times with the original.
Janelle Monae - Float
More summer sun. I really enjoyed the whole album - a brave and clever evolution from her previous albums. On one level this is a fun track, but there's so much going on. As such, it's endured throughout the year.
Flyte - Speech Bubble
I'll finish things by taking them down a notch...
Late night on a train with my headphones on, this song (and album) has relaxed and comforted me to the point I've welled up (and almost missed my stop at Swindon). You can feel the love that the band have put into crafting this song.
Hope you find something new and interesting.
Previous playlists here 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012
