HONORABLE MENTIONS
There was so much good music in 2020 I had to throw in a couple more recommendations. Here's 10 songs and 5 albums that just missed my
Best Of lists.
SONGS
Angel Olsen - "All Mirrors"
(Johnny Jewel Remix)
Ava Max -
"Tattoo"
Car Seat Headrest - "There Must Be More Than Blood"
Carly Rae Jepsen -
"Stay Away"
Carpenter Brut - "Maniac"
Disclosure -
"Douha (Mali Mali)"
Georgia -
"I Can't Wait"
CHAI -
"Ready Cheeky Pretty"
Duck Sauce -
"Captain Duck"
Holiday Sidewinder -
"Lazy GF"
ALBUMS
100 gecs - 1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues
What could make for a worthy companion album to 1000 gecs, one of the most striking and notable future pop debuts of all time? How about a remix album that has one of the most varied guest lists you’ll ever see? Laura Les & Dylan Brady flex their rolodex of musical friends, from expected acts like Charli XCX and Dorian Electra to wildly different artists like Fall Out Boy and Kero Kero Bonito. It’s as wonderfully weird as the main album in a different way, yet still a way that’ll have you coming back for more.
Carly Rae Jepsen - Dedicated Side B
One of the best things about Carly is her awareness of the memes her army of followers come up with. Well aware of the obsession with the B-sides of her smash hit Emotion, she’s followed up her 2019 album Dedicated with another collection of B-sides that are better than a lot of artists’ A-sides. It’s admittedly not as strong as previous collections, but it’s still CRJ, which means you’re in for peppy synthpop perfect for dancing alone in your room. Legend has it that Carly wrote over 200 songs for Dedicated, so I’m starting a petition to get them all recorded. If they’re all this good and fun they should not be held from this world!
Oliver Tree - Ugly Is Beautiful
Everyone’s favorite alien boy is a lot more human than he wants you to think. Ugly Is Beautiful, the debut (and supposedly final?) album from Oliver Tree sticks it to the haters all throughout. But that’s not the only sticking it does, as the pop rock and rap instrumentals are super sticky, remaining in your head for days after. Even Oliver’s nasally delivery has a certain charm, especially on bangers like “1993” and “Cash Machine”. This album furthers Tree’s mystique in a positive way, and you’ll be bobbing back and forth the whole time.
Various Artists - After Dark 3
Italians Do It Better is the home of dark, moody, noir-inspired synthpop, and if your knowledge is only of their flagship band Chromatics, do yourself a favor and check out After Dark 3. It highlights numerous artists on the label who are worth your time, like the glamorous synths of Desire and the icy Orion. These artists aren’t big yet, but give them time and they’ll become staples of IDIB.
Various Artists - Pacific Breeze 2
Light In The Attic Records are the kings of cataloging obscure Japanese city pop, and their talents for digging it up are all over Pacific Breeze 2. The sequel to 2019’s smash success, the crates are dug deep, and you’re not going to hear anything that you’ll find in your Youtube recommendations. These are deep cuts, highly representative of their time and all great. It’s music that makes me nostalgic for a time I’ve never experienced. Plus, the vinyl is cool as hell!
