Here we are again – that time of year in which we bundle up, deck the halls, and tell everyone our favorite records of the year. Last year, I only highlighted 5 albums as “the best,” which was my folly. There were several others released in 2021 that should have been included (such as the winking R&B funk of Bruno Mars and Aderson.Paak’s collaborative Silk Sonic, The Black Keys’ swampy blues tribute Delta Kream, and Turnstile’s exuberant punk ode to positivity Glow On). I’m not sure why exactly I neglected them; I had a lot going on and I think that I didn’t quite give my due diligence. To ensure I don’t miss anything I’m going to shout out 15 records from 2022 that stood out to me.
Continue reading Favorite Albums of 2022Tag Archives: #the weeknd
Best of 2020
What a year was 2020. Suffice it to say, it sucked. Between environmental disasters, political and civil unrest, celebrity deaths….and oh yes, a global pandemic that has kept us fearful for our health in quarantined lockdown and caused a massive economic downturn….there was a lot to handle. Things did not go the way I envisioned them to at the start, and I join most everyone across the world in celebrating its end.
At the same time, 2020 was an A+ year for new music. Musicians are people too, and as they reacted to the same issues that we all faced, they responded as only artists can – by making art. Music seemed more vital this year than in the past several; I think that we needed it more. Isolated from our loved ones, stressed, and fearful, we turned to media for entertainment and consolation. It both took our mind off of the darkness and gave us an outlet to consider and vent our frustrations. Through lyrics and sounds, music performed its most ancient and sacred magic to bring us together and help us transcend this year of disappointments. For that, I’m ever grateful.
Continue reading Best of 2020
Then Play On 