- Anecdoche by Crit
- Posts
- It won't be this bleak forever.
It won't be this bleak forever.
I hope you're right.
Spotify Wrapped happens too early. According to them, December listening doesn’t matter? Does it mean it matters towards next year’s totals? Either way, not cool. I know some people like to complain about their presence all over social media, but for the record: I love seeing them. Yes, each and every one of them. I love to see what you’re listening to. I want to see more of it!!! And yes, I know that Spotify is not very artist-friendly. Two things can be true at the same time: Wrapped is good, and we need to support our favorite artists beyond streaming. I started this newsletter hoping to inspire anyone reading it to more actively support their bands. Maybe your bands aren’t my bands, but whoever they are, I hope you’re doing what you can do help them. They needed it this year, and they will continue to need it next year.
Playlist time! Here are my favorite songs of 2020:
(Note: there were plenty of pre-2020 songs I enjoyed this year, but to make it onto this Extremely Important / Extremely Prestigious list, the song had to be released in 2020. Also, I usually intend my playlists to be listened to in order, but this one deserves a shuffle.)
My two favorite releases this year were from artists I already adored. I was excited and nervous to hear new music from each because they had a lot to live up to. Both delivered beyond imagination.
ALBUM OF THE YEARPhoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Haunting and humorous, shadowy but ultra-specific, ethereal and intangible. There’s just something about Phoebe’s music, lyrics, and voice. Her collaborative nature and impressive guest list only adds to an already incredible group of songs. The song “Kyoto” includes my favorite lyric of the year; these lines have haunted me since the first time I heard them:
“I wanted to see the world through your eyes until it happened,
then I changed my mind.
Guess I lied.”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR #2Spanish Love Songs - Brave Faces Everyone
This perfect-for-pandemic-America record was somehow written, recorded, and released all before the pandemic. Prescient. I’m not saying they wrote all this into existence, but maybe next they can write about a country full of empathetic humans who vote out all the self-serving, corrupt, craven goons who are currently in charge? It’s worth a shot. I’m glad I got to see them twice this year, in what turned out to be the last fun time before all of… this. They opened for The Wonder Years on back to back nights at the Sinclair and it was wonderful. Also, join their Patreon.
“The pain is back in my chest again,
holding me down like a high school friend.
Says “the world’s about to end, you best start swimming.”
You said “anxiety’s the theme of all our lives these days.”
Can’t even have my coffee without exploiting someone,
or making another millionaire a billionaire.
What would it take to be happy?
I’d probably start with their money.”
A FEW MORE WORDS BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS
The 23 (prime numbers rock) bands I listened to the most in the last 365 days, in order, according to last.fm:
Spanish Love Songs, Phoebe Bridgers, Tiny Stills, Charmer, Origami Angel, oso oso, Gladie, Bright Eyes, Into It. Over It., Hot Mulligan, Attic Salt, Taylor Swift, Macseal, Cheekface, Future Teens, Sincere Engineer, Secret Stuff, The Format, Pictures of Vernon, Chris Farren, Motion City Soundtrack, Brand New, The Wonder Years.
A few quick TV recommendations before I go:- Ted Lasso (Apple TV) is a shot of warmth and positivity that we can all benefit from right now. - How To With John Wilson (HBO) is unique, charming, and very funny. It moves like a poem inside a kaleidoscope and packs a moving, unexpected emotional punch in the final episode.
Happy new year.I hope you got something out of reading these this year.Thanks for tuning in.
Reply