And here’s the final part to this with the song of the year and longer playlist than anyone is willing to listen. I could go on and on and write 20 parts, but I don’t have the time and well nobody would probably care anyway. So let’s wrap this up now. First a few randomly selected picks from the playlist.
The Posies – Sideways (23 Records)
Like everyone knows The Posies is my all-time favorite band and Amazing Disgrace is my all-time favorite album. So it’s a big deal when there is a no The Posies song. This one is mighty good too. Classic Jon Auer therer for you.
Teenage Fanclub – Home (PeMa)
Like everyone knows Teenage Fanclub is on the second place on that all-time favorite band list and Grand Prix is second on that all-time albums list. So it’s a big deal when there is a new TFC song.
Benchmarks – Technicolor
I think my lists need a bit of rock too and who better to provide it than Benchmarks. I really love this song Technicolor from their new album.
Kyle Nix – Blue Eyes (Bossier City Record)
I have no idea why this album from Kyle Nix wasn’t on the album list. For some reason, I just haven’t listened to the whole album that much yet. I need to work on that, because I absolute love some of these singles. This Blue Eyes especially. lovin’ and losin’ sure beats not living at all. Now that’s an universal truth.
Nat Vazer – Like Demi (Hotel Motel Records)
Something from Australia for a change. This is a really wonderful opener from Nat Vazer great record Is this Offensive and Loud?.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apr1iEYFOwI
Gus Clark and the Least of His Problems – Thoughts and Prayers (Plastic Pistol Records)
Gus Clark is one of the many songwriters I’ve found thanks to the Western AF video channel. He had a bunch of great singles and all of them become favorites.
Lily McKown – B-Team
This song from Lily McKown’s excellent debut album resonated with me deeply.
Ashley Ray – Warm Body
Ashley Ray also released a damn good album. The highlight for me was this powerful song called Warm Body.
V.V. Lightbody – If It’s Not Me (Acrophase Records)
This V.V. Lightbody song is a spectacular anti-jealous anthem.
Waylon Payne – Shiver (Carnival Recording Company)
Speechless.
Abby Hamilton – Change Things
And before the song of the year, I want to share a couple of songs that I really loved this year. These did appear on the earlier eoty lists, but they mattered and the songwriters perhaps aren’t that household names yet. First Abby Hamilton who made one of my favorite EPs of the year. This live video is how I fell in love with the song.
Jeremy Ferrara – Ourselves
Jeremy Ferrara’s great album With Every Change has a lot of beautiful songs, but Ourselves is the one that made the biggest impact on me.
McCarthy Trenching – Asking for a Friend
What a sweet story song. I can listen to it on repeat for an hour and I still enjoy it every time. And even though I know how the story unfolds, I’m always very relieved that Bruce is just fine.
Flora Hibberd – I’m Gonna Leave You
Flora Hibberd made my favorite EP of the year. I love all five songs and I can’t really pick a favourite. So I’ll cheat a little bit and post the video of I’m Gonna Leave You and put It Will Come True on the playlist. Now what do I with the other three beauties. Incredible EP from start to finish.
Evangeline Gentle – Sundays (Sonic Unyon Records)
Evangeline Gentle was a big new favorite and I really love her album. Half of the songs could be on the songs of the year list, so let’s use the same cheating method and put the video of Sundays here and the beautiful album closer Good and Guided to the playlist.
Everything before was not on any order. I just wanted to highlight some artists that weren’t on the earlier lists along with a couple of big new favorites. The playlist is slightly top heavy, so you’ll find the album cuts that made a big impact on me. There’s plenty of songs that should have essays written about them. But yeah, I do want to select the song of the year and it has never been easier.
J.E.Sunde – I Don’t Care to Dance (Vietnam)
The song of the year is I Don’t Care to Dance by J.E. Sunde. I’ve loved this song since I first saw the live at Pony Rug video back in 2018. I’m thrilled that it finally arrived to a record and that it sounds absolutely perfect. I’m happy they kept it small, because a song so pure at heart don’t need any sugarcoating. A dance at a wedding reception. A kind gentle sway against toxic masculinity. Subtle, but full of heart. I’m a shy, self-doubt ridden, overly romantic unmanly man and this song is everything to me. A very few songs have ever resonated with me as deeply I Don’t Care to Dance. I love it as much as you can possibly love a song.
And here’s the insanely long playlist with more 2020 favorites. And no I don’t expect anyone to listen to whole 26 hours of it. I’m 100% sure something very important is missing from it, because it’s hard to control such a monster. At least with my non-existant organizing skills. It’s just difficult if not impossible to remember what I already added and what I didn’t. But there sure is plenty of great songs on it and should keep you busy for a little a while. It’s slightly top heavy, but not in any order after J.E. Sunde. And completely random after first 50 or 100.