Top 50 Songs of 2020 (10-1)

 And finally, my top ten favorite songs of the year:

10. Half Waif - Ordinary Talk"

Depression is an oppressive beast that is indescribable to someone that hasn't experienced it.  Sometimes you just have to deal with it in your own way.  "Ordinary Talk" is about doing just that; crying, making a song, doing laundry, doing things however mundane.  

9. Purity Ring - "pink lightning"

Purity Ring alters their sound in small increments, sounding familiar and yet bringing something new for each record.  "pink lightning" has all the usual Purity Ring elements, twisted beats, twinkling synths, and childlike vocals, but there is a new willingness to blow that up into something grand and dramatic.  

8. Bob Moses - "Love We Found"

Bob Moses finally made the album I always wanted them to make.  Desire has their usual dreamy synthpop, but now there is weight and heft to it.  "Love We Found" has a killer, almost sleazy, bassline that anchors the icy piano riffs and moody vocals.  

7.HEALTH - "CYPERPUNK 2.0.2.0."

Although I love when HEALTH brings the noise, it is their quieter moments that always stand out to me.  "CYBERPUNK 2.0.2.0." has muted synths, tribal drums, and chiming guitars creating a lovely base for Jake Duzsik's haunting vocals.

6. Moaning - "Connect The Dots"

Sometimes the hardest thing in the world to do is ask for help.  Moaning perfectly portrays that in this beautifully realized song.

5. Tricky ft. Marta - "Like A Stone"

The death of Tricky's daughter Mazy colors the entirety of his record Fall To Pieces with aching loss.  "Like A Stone" is so minimal to not even be there, as if it takes every bit of energy to even sing.  

4. Future Islands - "Glada"

Emotionally honest and soul-bearing ballad from Future Islands about finding the ability to love oneself and the ability to receive love in return.

3. Jessie Ware - "What's Your Pleasure?"

It was so exciting this year seeing Ware finally getting the recognition she so richly deserves.  On the title track to her disco-tinged opus, she lays down a fierce dance floor beat and makes your dreams come true.

2. When Saints Go Machine - "Still's Most Desired"

When Saints Go Machine, the experimental pop band from Denmark, knows how to use subtle electronic flourishes to evoke many moods and feelings.  When they hit the sweet spot between experimental and pure pop, they make sublime music.  "Still's Most Desired" is just such a song.  The wistful flute-like synths add a sense of both whimsy and gravitas.

1.Ólafur Arnalds ft. JFDR - "Back to the Sky" 

I would never be able to sing this song if I had to.  It's too raw and emotional for me and I would be in a pool of tears during it.  The song touches on memory, loss, grief, and acceptance.  It's a perfect song and my favorite song of the year.