Top 50 Songs of 2020 (30-21)

 We now reach the halfway point of my countdown;

30. Muzz - "Everything Like It Used To Be"

Supergroup of Paul Banks, Matt Barrick, and Josh Kaufman put together a surprisingly assured album of delicate folk and rock songs with some post-punk leanings.  "Everything Like It Used To Be" is a plaintive song about owning up to your mistakes.  

29. Babeheaven - "Cassette Beat"

Trip-hop made a comeback this year, with a lot of bands luxuriating in the downtempo beats and atmospherics.  UK act Babeheaven was one of the acts that used it as a base and made it their own.  "Cassette Beat" is an evocative track that has Nancy Anderson's sultry vocals at the front of Jamie Travis' subtle keyboards, shuffling beats, and tendrils of guitars.

28. Miley Cyrus - "Midnight Sky"

Miley enters her rock-pop phase with the solid album Plastic Heartts. "Midnight Sun" samples "Edge of Seventeen" and Miley runs with it showing maturity with an edge.

27. Billie Eilish - "No Time To Die"

Popstar of the moment Billie Elish was bestowed with the honor of creating the theme song for the upcoming James Bond movie.  While on paper it sort of feels like it wouldn't work, in actuality it is one of the best Bond themes ever.  It merges the old with the new perfectly, taking John Barry's motifs and intricately weaving them into her signature mood.

26. Kllo - "My Gemini"

Melbourne duo Kllo borrows Burial-like beats on their affecting song "My Gemini," a rumination on a relationship that seems perfect but can't be made to work.

25. Selena Gomez - "Boyfriend"

Tongue in cheek song about wanting a boyfriend (but not needing one).  Gomez' sleek vocals tease throughout the track's thick bassline and clapping drums.

24. Ariana Grande ft. Ty Dolla $ign- "Safety Net"

Although Grande's positions is marketedly minor-key Grande, it is not without its charms and is a slow burner.  Her collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign is one of Grande's best ballads; her voice is simply perfection.

23. Sufjan Stevens - "Run Away With Me"

From his brilliant record The Ascension, "Run Away With Me" uses mournful synths to evoke the need to run away from troubles.

22. Autechre - "Metaz form8"

Late in their career, IDM icons Autechre released one of their best records, SIGN.  Eschewing abstraction for mood and atmosphere, the record tugs at hearts and emotions, and even throws in sustained beats.  The ambient centerpiece to the album, "Metaz form8" is stunning in its simplicity and solemnness. 

21. The Psychedelic Furs - "Turn Your Back On Me"

The Psychedelic Furs first record in 29 years, Made of Rain, was a stunningly assured comeback album.  The best thing about the record is that it takes their signature new-wave sound and, while not taking broad strokes to make it modern, makes it sound fresh and vital.  My favorite track is the majestic "Turn Your Back On Me," a devastating look into a failed relationship.