Top 50 Songs of 2020 (20-11)

 Almost to the top, here are more of my favorite songs of 2020:

20. Soft Kill - "Crimey"

If M83 had taken their John Hughes' soundtrack sound more in a Cure-like direction, they would have sounded like Soft Kill on their latest record, the amazing Dead Kids R.I.P. City. "Crimey" has propulsive beats, swooning synths, and icy guitars all mixed together as a fever dream.

19. Jehnny Beth - "French Countryside"

On her debut solo record, the Savages frontwoman kept her trademark fury but expanded it with more of an industrial rock feel.  Why then did I pick the one gentle ballad on the record?  Because of her voice.  The fury is traded for pure emotion, beauty, and tenderness.  It's breathtaking.

18. Drinker - "Pretend You Don't"

Languid, luminous, and lovely, Drinker's "Pretend You Don't" haunts long after it is done, with its muted beats, soft synth pads, and vocals full of longing.

17. The New Division - "Enough Is Enough"

From this year's best dance-rock record, The New Division's "Enough Is Enough" will get your ass on the dance floor with its beats and will keep you there with the moving lyrics.

16. Empress Of - "Broken"

I loved her album I Am Your Empress Of this year, but I liked this single that comes from the upcoming Prime series The Wilds.  Her multitracked voice is perfect for this dark-pop masterpiece.

15. Roisin Murphy - "Incapable"

Over a deep house groove, with elements of funk and disco, the incomparable Murphy digs deep into a song about feeling incapable of love.

14.Biig Piig - "Don't Turn Around"

Sleek, future R&B track from Biig Piig is a breakup anthem with a sly sample of Montell Jordan's classic song "Get It On Tonight."

13. Cubicolor - "Points Beyond"

Slow building track from Dutch trio Cubicolor hits a crest of pure emotion and carries it to the end in the gorgeously moving song "Points Beyond."

12.Taylor Swift - "hoax"

Her album folklore is so perfect it was hard to pick only one song.  "hoax" was always the song I kept going back to.  Simple piano and strings and Taylor's beautiful voice help detail this stirring breakup song.

11. PVRIS - "Death Of Me"

From one of the best pop records of the year, Use Me, "Death Of Me" finds PVRIS ratcheting the pathos up and blowing the competition away with her killer hooks and killer chorus.