TOP 100 SONGS OF 2020
2020 has been... a lot, to understate it. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone's life, and musicians were no different. But rather than crumple under the toll of everyday life, the best of the best powered forward, using their signature styles to comment on the state of the pandemic or escape from it completely. The following 100 songs are my personal favorites from a year where the only certainty was that the music would be good.
100
Hayley Williams - "Dead Horse"
Even on her own moodier debut, Williams hasn’t abandoned the pop that made her famous. “Dead Horse” features a hellaciously catchy chorus with a ton of yeah’s reminiscent of Paramore, but lyrically comments on the mental abuse of her past partners. It’s a great mix of her past and present.
99
Neil Cicierega - "Superkiller"
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yeah! Say something once? Why say it again? Say something once? Why say it again? Say something once? Why say it again? Don’t touch me because my bed’s on fire. It'll make more sense when you listen to it.
98
Joji - "Run"
It’s still weird to me hearing Joji as a singer and not a psychotic Youtuber. That being said, his artistic growth over the last few years is apparent on his newer material, and “Run” is the best of the bunch. The dramatic approach to Soundcloud sadboy rap isn’t super unique, but it’s well done, and Joji’s vocal range kept me coming back for more.
97
Jessy Lanza - "Lick In Heaven"
“Lick In Heaven” might sound like music you’d hear over a mall speaker, but it’s a song you’d pull out Shazam to save for later. The bouncy synth beat and Jessy’s high-pitched voice combine to keep you spinning.
96
Annie - "The Streets Where
I Belong"
An ultimate pastiche of 80’s music and 80’s nostalgia. Be it the driving synth beat, Annie’s lyrics about the memories of the title character’s past, or calling on a guy named Johnny to deliver a corny guitar solo, it all reeks of the decade of mullets and music videos. Don’t worry though, because this combination still works over 30 years later.
95
Jeff Rosenstock - "State Line"
The constant stress of traveling must weigh strongly on artists, and Jeff Rosenstock articulates it with his typical vigor on “State Line”. With an immense build, his shoutalong vocals pine to bring memories of his loved ones along with him as he goes from state to state. You’ll start to miss your own loved ones just listening to his voice.
94
Tame Impala - "Is It True"
The second I heard it, I thought “Is It True” is the song people will hear on a playlist and get interested in Tame Impala. It’s got a perfectly infectious pop beat and some of Kevin Parker’s simplest but most repeatable lyrics on The Slow Rush. Parker’s continued exploration of time and its passage leak into his relationships on “Is It True”, rolling it into the fear of relationships crumbling as they grow old. Have fun getting that groovy bass line out of your head.
93
Kali Uchis - "vaya con dios"
This track could be the theme to a Spanish James Bond film. Hell, it’s good enough to be the theme for a regular James Bond film. Kali’s sultry Spanish delivery hits all the dramatic high points of a film opening. If you were hesitant on a full length in Spanish from Kali, let “vaya con dios” assuage your fears.
92
Haim - "Leaning On You"
You might fall, you might fail, but when you have that person to comfort you through it, everything seems okay again. “Leaning On You” is a tribute to that person, a wonderfully sweet song from top to bottom. The trio’s Fleetwood Mac influence is stronger than ever here, with the guitar plucks carrying you and the one who cares for you forward.
91
The Chicks - "Gaslighter"
After a fourteen year layoff, the Chicks waste no time in skewering the husband who did everything wrong. Featuring Jack Antonoff’s typically flawless production, the mix of country and pop is a seamless one. Every chant of “Gaslighter” and the accompanying “woo-oo”’s will stick in your head for days.
90
Angel Olsen - "Whole New Mess"
In stark contrast from last year’s titanic All Mirrors, Angel’s latest material is sparse and haunting. Recorded in a chasmic church and featuring little more than Angel’s guitar and voice, “Whole New Mess” is a stunning highlight in the singer-songwriter’s already excellent category. The themes of starting anew after the end of a relationship hit in a different way in this style, but it’s just as impactful as Angel’s more orchestral music.
89
Lil Uzi Vert - "That Way"
I love to hear the new ways that rappers interpolate past songs into their music, and “That Way” is another excellent mixture. Lil Uzi Vert x The Backstreet Boys? Why not? The vibe throughout is pure fun, and Uzi’s babyish voice will have you singing and rapping along to one of the more unlikely combinations of genre in 2020.
88
Orville Peck - "Drive Me, Crazy"
The long roads truckers drive must be a lonely one. That’s what Orville Peck leads me to believe with his huge country drawl. It’s a song as huge as the roads it’s about, with a killer guitar solo to boot. You probably haven’t been a trucker before, but your own heartbreak and lonely days will come flashing back to you during “Drive Me, Crazy”.
87
Eminem - "Godzilla" (feat. Juice WRLD)
Turns out when Em feels like delivering, he can. With a simple but memorable beat, Eminem balances his fast-rapping addiction with his natural talent for zany, fun bars. The Juice WRLD hook is also excellent, and isn’t abusive of his recent passing like many posthumous features are. Now we need a whole Eminem project this good… not holding out hope though.
86
Fiona Apple - "Ladies"
A bar-room stomper that tributes the other women of the men from her past, “Ladies” finds Fiona using her music to help her move past her past. In a relaxed state, she allies herself with the women around her life she’s had such a hard time coming to terms with. Her offerings of advice to these girls are both hilarious and sincere, and the looseness of the mood and the instrumental beg to be sung along in a bar when the world opens up again.
85
Run The Jewels - "out of sight" (feat. 2 Chainz)
A good old fashioned RTJ banger. Dominated by a huffy, punchy beat, Mike & El verbally punch you in the face with their bravado and swagger. Throw in a great 2 Chainz feature (I’d buy a hot dog stand if I’m tryna be frank) and it’s one of the best from RTJ4.
84
Bright Eyes - "Forced Convalescence"
Laying in bed and staring at the ceiling has been a popular activity in 2020 due to the necessity to quarantine. That’s what Conor Oberst does on the opening lines of “Forced Convalescence”, a song about reviewing your own achievements and struggles whilst alone. The song was written pre-COVID, but with so many of us staying home for so long, it thematically hits harder than probably intended. Instrumentally it’s as close to an indie banger as you’ll get, and it’s a high point of Bright Eyes’ return.
83
Taylor Swift - "the 1"
Few can deliver a starry-eyed ballad about love that will never be quite like Taylor Swift, and “the 1” is one of her best. It laments the one who got away, the one you spent all your time with thinking you’d be with them forever. The crisp folk-inspired instrumental pairs well with Taylor’s delivery, making it an excellent entry point to the new world of folk Swift embraces on folklore.
82
Chromatics - "Teacher"
Another year past, another year with no release of Chromatics’ fabled album Dear Tommy. The band remained active though, and this teaser from the mythical record is an appetizer to keep us hungry for the eventual release. It hits all the hazy, mysterious high points that make Chromatics’ brand of synthwave so enthralling. I’m not holding out hope, but maybe there’s more Dear Tommy in our future...
81
Kylie Minogue - "Miss A Thing"
As someone who’s been making dance pop for years, the inclusion of disco influences is nothing new to Kylie Minogue. And yet, song in and song out, she’s continued to find ways to make it fun. “Miss A Thing” acts like there’ll never be another dance again, and this feeling of an ultimatum makes the popping beat even more fun to dance along to.
80
Kirin J Callinan - "You Are Going To Miss Me When I'm Gone"
The 2017 ARIA’s incident was touched upon on Kirin’s last album, but it obviously still weighs on him. His latest single is a further exploration of the fallout from his famous flash, and the art pop star seems knows the world is a worse place without him than with his services. Over one of his most lavish instrumentals, he tells you exactly why the title is what it is. Thank God we have him while we do.
79
Lady Gaga - "Enigma"
Gaga’s calling card has always been her willingness to be weird, and “Enigma” is an embrace of this perceived strangeness. Behind some of her most powerhouse vocals in a long time, she morphs into any role asked of her while referencing the virtual world of the album. It’s Gaga at her most over dramatic and her most fun.
78
Caribou - "Never Come Back"
Usually reserved in his instrumental palette, Dan Snaith goes full club banger on “Never Come Back”. It’s a standout track from Suddenly in both instrumental and excellence. Snaith’s soft voice makes for an excellent pair with the more energetic instrumental. Truthfully this is a reserved club bop, but still it deserves a place on the club floor.
77
Declan McKenna - "The Key To Life On Earth"
Dealing with others as a teenager can make you feel like an alien in your own world. That cosmic connection is what ties “The Key On Life On Earth” together, as glam rock’s obsession with space gets wrapped around to the human connection. Declan’s spirited vocals weave through social struggles and the kick-ass chorus will send you to the stars.
76
Waxahatchee - "Fire"
When you’re with someone you love, you might end up molding yourself into someone just for that person. But what if all the struggles and triumphs you put yourself through fade away without notice? That’s the crux of “Fire”, the biggest highlight from Katie Crutchfeld’s latest. Her words paint a vivid picture of this struggle, and with an Americana instrumental that’ll transport you straight to open fields full of flowers, it’s warming in its own uncertainty.
75
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - "Automation"
The band with the best name in music continues to rollick along. “Automation” opens K.G. with a bang, bringing contemporary fears about automation into the Gizzverse. It’s shrill and psychedelic as the best King Gizz songs are. It’s not too dissimilar to their standout 2019 album Infest The Rats Nest, but with its own unique flair that helps it stand out.
74
Julianna Barwick - "Inspirit"
Making the most of the sparse, “Inspirit” is a stunning opener for Julianna’s latest record. Her familiar wispy voice, unintelligible yet beautiful, swirls around you to open. Then, all of a sudden, a massive synth line buzzes in. It twists and turns but stays strong, and helps “Inspirit” stand out among Julianna’s fantastic catalog of music.
73
Sufjan Stevens - "The Ascension"
Of all the incredible synth ballads on The Ascension, the title track might be the most understated. There’s no huge buildup, no breathtaking moment to remember, but it’s equally captivating. Sufjan’s voice is almost monotone, but his iconic inflection carries you through some of his most earnest lyrics. Yet again, he’s taken a little and turned it into a lot.
72
London Grammar - "Baby It's You"
The freedom to go out and explore, to meet new people and experience new things… a lot of that was taken from us in 2020. Listening to the lead single from London Grammar’s next album, though, and you’ll feel like you’re going through it all again. It’s like the morning sun rising on a new day, a brighter one where the vocals about new love beam and the calming synthpop instrumental eases the pain of a year from hell.
71
Billie Eilish - "No Time To Die"
Joining the long lineage of stars to sing a theme for a Bond film, Billie fits in snugly. It’s more Bond than Billie, but her growth as a singer over the past year or so allows her to carry the track as it approaches a dramatic climax. It’s easily the best Bond song since Adele’s magnificent “Skyfall”, and in a few years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it ranked even higher.
70
Protomartyr - "Tranquilizer"
With the rawest bassline of the year, “Tranquilizer” subdues you in the same way the medicine it’s named after would. The doom and gloom of the surrounding world is encapsulated into this fantastic no-wave instrumental, and the direness is only broken up by Joe Casey’s passionate shouts of “TRANQUILIZER!”. The brutality of 2020 has been overanalyzed to death, but Protomartyr still knows how to put it well into song.
69
The Flaming Lips - "Assassins Of Youth"
Wayne Coyne explained that “Assassins Of Youth” is inspired by ABBA, a band singing pop music their second language. Although the disco of those legendary Swedes isn’t really present, the thematic ideology of the band is present here. It takes a concept that’s unfamiliar or vague to the artist (death of childhood), and turns it into something mesmerizing. It’s instrumentally stunning too, and a clear highlight from the Lips’ best album in years.
68
Ichiko Aoba - "Dawn in the Adan"
If Windswept Adan leads up to a decisive moment, it’s the thrilling “Dawn in the Adan”. Much like the sun rising in the morning, the serenity of the moment is palpable. Aoba’s beautifully delivered Japanese lyrics, along with the host of strings, flutes and other folk instruments, bring forth the dawn of a new day, and it’s a beautiful climax for one of the most peaceful albums of 2020.
67
Róisín Murphy - "Jealousy"
It’s rare an album ends on its most energetic song, but most albums aren’t made by Róisín Murphy. “Jealousy” is the moment the party explodes, right when you thought it was all winding down. The instrumental is pure fire, with incredible basslines and synths pulsing to keep your feet moving. Róisín’s cries of “JEALOUSY!!!” would be iconic dancefloor lines if only the clubs were open.
66
BTS - "Dynamite"
2020 was a year where k-pop’s biggest stars were either silent or didn’t deliver (looking at you, BLACKPINK). BTS didn’t get this memo though, and their continued world domination campaign was topped by their first English-language single, “Dynamite”. It’s peppy and bright in a year where happiness has been in short supply, and the group’s English vocals are serviceable enough. It’s a bonafide megahit for a reason.
65
Gorillaz - "Strange Timez" (feat. Robert Smith)
“Strange times'' is honestly an understatement for whatever the hell we’re going through right now. Yet if anyone knows how to adapt to the moment, it’s Damon Albarn, and he’s liable to bring friends along too. His rolodex is long and impressive, and frequently fitting of the song he puts the guest on.With the freakiest synthpop beat of the year and The Cure legend Robert Smith delivering equally freaky vocals, “Strange Timez” opens another fantastic Gorillaz project on a high note.
64
Travis Scott - "The Plan"
Movies can make even the best musicians sacrifice their artistic integrity for a quick buck. To Travis Scott, a movie sing became a venue for new ideas. Leaning into Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak era, Travis raps over a chilly, industrial beat. It’s computer-processed yet still very Travis, with his signature “Yeahs” sprinkled over the pulsating synth that backs him. Travis is still one of the most interesting figures in rap no matter the venue he’s releasing music.
63
Oliver Tree - "1993" (feat. Little Ricky ZR3)
Ever since his emergence, it has been Oliver Tree’s mission to stick it to his haters through song. It can be annoying, for sure, but when he hits, it bangs. “1993” is one of those hits, calling back to the year of his birth to show just how long he’s been killing it. It has one of the most electric beats on Oliver’s debut, and his nasally voice manages to be charming. Use it as motivation for yourself whenever you’re down.
62
Deadmau5 - "Pomegranate" (feat. The Neptunes)
With one his best songs in years, Deadmau5 owes a lot to Pharrell for this one. It’s more Neptunes than EDM festival hit, but the mixture is one that works surprisingly well. The slinky beat is supremely catchy and fun. Pharrell has been doing this kind of thing for so long now that it’s automatic for him, and he lifts up Deadmau5 into enjoyable territory for the first time in quite some time.
61
BUMPER - "You Can Get It"
Rays of sunshine seemed to be in short supply this past year, but BUMPER provided fresh pop songs that brightened my year up considerably. The best of the quick tracks from their EP, this duo of indie stalwarts knew what it took to create such a glistening, happy little song. Effervescent and never one to linger on a thought, the sweet synths and sunny guitar are irresistible. “You Can Get It” will have you believe you can get it yourself (whatever it is), and hopefully we get more of BUMPER’s brightness in the coming years.
60
Jessie Ware - "Soul Control"
The opening synth jolts of “Soul Control” are the moment that two eyes meet from across the party. The electricity flies, the interest is piqued, and the connection is born. Jessie encapsulates the lust and wonder of the moment with silky smooth vocals and a glorious hook. She understands the desire and kills it with this song.
59
Oneohtrix Point Never - "Long Road Home"
“Long Road Home” is the best song on Daniel Lopatin’s newest record, but more than that it’s a perfect song to showcase his rise in popularity. There’s elements of experimentalism throughout, like the bursts of synthesized noise and faint voices that fade in and out. Yet the strong string elements and presence of a memorable hook bring the track into car commercial soundtrack territory. Lopatin’s brings these disparate elements together magically, and maybe we will hear it behind an Audi driving down a mountainside someday.
58
Rina Sawayama - "Who's Gonna Save U Now?"
Rina’s conquering of the pop scene knows no bounds, and one of the most surprising turns she made was into the field of arena rock. “Who’s Gonna Save U Now” is a classic ode to an ex who can’t do anything right, and it’s played up as if it’s a live track. The crowd is screaming and you can hear the rumble in the stadium, but Rina’s powerhouse vocals absolutely dominate as they always do. There’s even a killer guitar solo at the track’s climax! 80’s hair metal acts would be proud.
57
U.S. Girls - "And Yet It Moves / Y Se Mueve"
In the age of misinformation, what do you trust? Trust that U.S. Girls can make a hell of a song out of it. Incorporating a sizzling flamenco rhythm and a hook in Spanish, Meg Remy expands her horizons while skewering the abuses of power that are all too common amongst those in power. The gap between the powerful and the weak is comparable to “a circle and a square” as Meg sings, but her combination of flamenco and art pop fits snugly together.
56
New Order - "Be A Rebel"
In a year where uprising and chaos are commonplace, it seems fitting that New Order released this b-side from Music Complete. It’s about standing up to that which is wrong, and the catchy synthpop instrumental makes you wonder how it didn’t make it onto a New Order album before. But perhaps it was fate for it to be released during a wild year like 2020, and thank goodness it was.
55
Charli XCX - "pink diamond"
Sounding wilder than ever before (and that’s saying a lot), “pink diamond” is the sound of Charli XCX, and the rest of us, desiring to escape from early pandemic quarantine. The bonkers instrumental is more comparable to Death Grips with crunchy, grinding synthesizers dominating the track. Charli’s chants of “I just want to go real hard” are how everyone felt at the onset of this pandemic, and it makes for a fantastic intro to one of the year’s premiere quarantine albums.
54
Neil Cicierega - "Cannibals"
Everyone who’s ever been to a movie knows the THX noise, but did you ever think you’d hear it as the main component to a song? Past that, did you ever think such a simple noise could be stretched and warped to create sound that’s equally frightening as it is engrossing? Especially when the lyrics over it are “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals? More than just a mashup king, Neil is a master of nostalgia and culture, and this is one of his finest combinations.
53
George Clanton & Nick Hexum - "Aurora Summer"
If you have to know anything about George Clanton’s music, you should know you’re supposed to be chill while listening. The cool vibes and swirling synths are meant to relax you, sending you to your happy place. In an unexpected move, Nick Hexum provides vocals, but his fairly flat delivery only adds to the relaxation. It all renders “Aurora Summer” as a perfect entry point to the duo’s self-titled record and Clanton’s music as a whole.
52
The Avalanches - "Interstellar Love" (feat. Leon Bridges)
At its purest form, We Will Always Love You is an album about love throughout time and space, and those pure elements are on full display on the gorgeous “Interstellar Love”. Not only does it sample the great Alan Parsons Project, it transforms the sample into a gorgeous melody that could be the sound of someone floating through space. Leon Bridges’ soft delivery is a perfect match for the cosmic synths, and the whole experience is akin to floating on cosmic clouds.
51
Fleet Foxes - "Sublind"
Robin Pecknold opens his latest opus as Fleet Foxes with a tribute to his fallen heroes. David Berman, John Price and more are all saluted on the track, but Pecknold doesn’t dwell on their demise. He instead looks at it as a dawn of their legacy, and the sunny disposition of the track’s sound is proof of that. It’s also the dawn of an album that features endless positive energy, something that was incredibly hard to come by this year.
50
Black Dresses - "DAMAGE SUPPRESSOR"
How does one balance a memorable melody with a blitz of noise? Like Black Dresses does on “DAMAGE SUPPRESSOR”. There’s plenty of garbled synths, shards of guitars and who the hell knows what else, but the way it all comes together is akin to something you’d hear on pop radio. Underneath it all are lyrics that would match that pop radio sentimentality, with Devi and Rook comparing their challenges to video game quests they have to complete. It’s a fun filled, unconventional banger for an unconventional year.
49
Dua Lipa - "Break My Heart"
One thing that Future Nostalgia showed us about Dua Lipa is how much of a pop historian she is. Multiple songs on the record sample classic pop tunes in new and creative ways, and the best of them is “Break My Heart”. INXS’ classic “Need You Tonight” is turned into a slinky bop about falling into the same relationship traps over and over again. An incredible mix of old and new, and I can’t wait to hear what sources Dua mines for songs in the future.
48
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - "Cars In Space"
A perfect example of what makes RBCF such a fresh face in the indie rock scene, “Cars In Space takes familiar indie tropes and improves them in spades. Dynamic instrumental play, a rollicking rhythm and a thrilling guitar solo to close things out. You’ve probably heard something like this before, but not quite this good.
47
Perfume Genius - "Without You"
The mind of Mike Hadreas is filled with ideas for gorgeous art pop songs, but as with any human, it’s filled with uncertainty. Uncertainty on how he looks and how he’s perceived. “Without You” is about such uncertainties, but with a touch that can only come from Hadreas. Without question, this is one of the most beautiful-sounding songs of 2020, and even more beautiful to hear Mike come to terms with how he looks.
46
Bob Dylan - "Murder Most Foul"
Bob Dylan and the Kennedy assassination. Both have had so much written about it appears there’s not much more to say. But Dylan’s fascination with the murder of Kennedy has been documented for years, and he felt it was now the time to spend 17 minutes on the subject. “Murder Most Foul” is an opus of opuses, a long string of couplets about not just Kennedy, but the entirety of Dylan’s life and career. It’s a lot, but when Bob Dylan sits down to regale his wisdom, we should listen.
45
The Weeknd - "After Hours"
The vibe of The Weeknd’s latest album is cold heartbreak, and the title track is the best distillation of the album’s themes. Abel’s mission statement is like wandering through a back alley in the cold wet rain, wondering how your life went wrong. It’s despondent and thoroughly sad, but the glittery production makes it hard to turn off. Though it’s territory he's tread many times before, Abel’s found new and exciting ways to make the same old tricks work again.
44
Jeff Rosenstock - "Old Crap"
Jeff was one of my favorite lyricists of 2020, especially seeing how his pre-pandemic songs still came to define so many of our daily lives during it. “Old Crap” hits especially hard, detailing the little pitfalls you fall back into because the world just beats you down. It’s upsetting stuff, but Rosenstock covers it in a sheen of power pop excellence, lifting you up with an amazing singalong climax as everything falls apart around you.
43
RMR - "RASCAL"
There’s only one way to define RMR’s “RASCAL”: sad drive-by music. It’s an evolution of the country rap popularized by “Old Town Road”, but in a whole new way. RMR rap-sings his way through hoes he scams and the drugs he deals, but that’s not the standout feature. That would be that the song interpolates Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road”. Sounds weird? Well it kind of is, but it’s all amazing. Truly could not get enough of this one.
42
Phoebe Bridgers - "Kyoto"
Always finding new ways to pierce the listener’s heart with her deeply personal writing style, “Kyoto” is Phoebe Bridgers’ best and most accessible track. Dealing with her difficult relationship with her father, Phoebe’s mind wanders through the Japanese metropolis, trying to find whatever she can to help her get through her struggles. With an instrumental reminiscent of early Arcade Fire, it’s an amazing breakout hit, and the kind of song to help you get addicted to Phoebe’s music.
41
Kelly Lee Owens - "Jeanette"
An odyssey of analog synths, “Jeanette” features no lyrics yet loads of intrigue. Owing its sound to the early days of synthpop, Kelly Lee Owens finds an incredible sense of exploration throughout these foundational sounds. As the different synths pulse around your ears, it’s impossible not to see vectors and sprites straight out of something like TRON.
40
Jay Electronica - "Ghosts Of Soulja Slim"
Acting as the bonafide opener for his long awaited debut album, “Ghost of Soulja Slim” is magnificent. It doesn’t even see Jay Electronica start rapping until a few minutes in, instead allowing Jay-Z to introduce the ideas the album will present in glorious fashion. When Jay Elec finally does start rapping, he fits in naturally with the posh beats he concocts. All the visions of grandeur we’ve dreamed about from Jay Electronica are fully realized on this track.
39
HAIM - "The Steps"
After a few years of struggle and heartbreak, the HAIM sisters learned how to deal with the worst parts of life. “The Steps” is overcoming that struggle put to song, through the lens of their fluttery 80’s pop rock goggles. They find themselves at war with their partner who seems totally checked out, even though they’ve been trying their damnedest to get better. It’s sonically sunny and lyrically dark, a dichotomy HAIM perfected on Women In Music III, and that dichotomy is best heard here.
38
The Killers - "My Own Soul's Warning"
Any American rock band has some Springsteen-ian influence on them whether they realize it or not. “My Own Soul’s Warning” sees the Killers taking that influence and supercharges it. The song wastes no time in exploding with synths and guitars, like it’s flying through the Nevada skies of frontman Brandon Flowers’ youth. It’s some of the most sweeping and awe-inspiring pop rock the band has ever made.
37
Joe Goddard, Hayden Thorpe - "Unknown Song"
There were no clubs to dance to in 2020, but their soundtrack was still fire. The best dance songs of the year slapped like no one’s business, and “Unknown Song” should be high on any clubgoer’s favorite song list. Produced by Joe Goddard, the song finds a bumping groove and never lets it go. Hayden Thorpe’s vocals are effervescent but still fun, and pair well with the insanely danceable beat. I have no idea when club floors will open again with their former glory, but this track deserves to be a staple of that brighter future.
36
Yves Tumor - "Kerosene!"
Tumor replicates many rock stars on Heaven to a Tortured Mind, and on “Kerosene”, they become the Purple One. The guitar that carries the track is a showstopper, sounding like it came straight from the Purple Rain sessions. Furthering the Prince comparisons are the contributions from Diana Gordon, akin to the Revolution. It’s dreamy, psychedelic and fiery all at the same time, lit up like the gas that gives the track its title.
35
The Avalanches - "Whever You Go"
(feat. Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry, CLYPSO)
Mixing classic Avalanches sampling with modern club music, “Wherever You Go” sends you into the great beyond of the universe. It sweetly reassures you of companionship before blasting off into a dance banger that’s galactic in size and epic in sound. Throughout the song there are ebbs and flows between these two tones, but “Wherever You Go” never loses a dazzling sense of dramatic heft. It’s the best kind of mix of old and new, and it’s another galactic journey worth getting lost in from these Australian legends.
34
Hayley Williams - "Simmer"
To open her solo debut, Hayley Williams does away with bombast to find something more personal. Over a chillingly bare instrumental, “Simmer” finds Williams coming to terms with the anger and rage she feels towards those who cause her pain. It’s delicately constructed, feeling as though Williams could explode at any moment. She keeps it under control, even when eviscerating the man who abused her. It’s a dark, enthralling turn that many pop stars would flub, but Williams nails the transition.
33
Gorillaz - "Pac-Man" (feat. ScHoolboy Q)
This might be the most Gorillaz song Gorillaz has done in a long time. Calling back to Demon Days, there’s an excellently slinky beat to back Damon Albarn’s ruminations on how the game of life deals you a difficult hand. He leads you into ScHoolboy Q’s beast of a feature, one of the best features of the year on any song. Now that Albarn has been doing this kind of thing for years, he’s gotten really good at it, and “Pac-Man” is proof of that excellence.
32
The Strokes - "Bad Decisions"
To make the bad pun, Julian Casablancas and co. have made plenty of bad decisions over the years. That makes it even nicer to hear the true back-to-basics “Bad Decisions”. Taking an old Billy Idol chorus and repurposing it into their own hit, this is a perfect update to the Is This It era of The Strokes that so many fans pine for. Casablancas’ familiar voice has rarely sounded better, and it all adds up to one of the best pure rock songs of 2020.
31
Fiona Apple - "Cosmonauts"
Portraying love in a way only Fiona Apple could, “Cosmonauts” is perhaps the most conventional song on Fetch The Bolt Cutters but also its most honest. Magnificently written and performed as all of her songs are, Fiona uses the difficulties of monogamous relationships as a canvas for her rich paintings. A typical amount of brutal honesty is present, of course, but despite all her issues with her relationship, there is a full amount of love here. After all, you can’t find such harsh words for someone you don’t have feelings about.
30
John Prine - "I Remember Everything"
2020 took many legends from us, and John Prine was one of the saddest. Taken by COVID-19, his legacy has long been cemented, but his final song he recorded might be one of his best. Over a twangy, poignant guitar, Prine appreciates the little things in life like blades of grass and butterflies, lyrics that become even more poignant now that he’s gone. Prine’s legend was established in the small details in his music, and “I Remember Anything” is more than a fitting sendoff. RIP.
29
Future Islands - "For Sure"
At this point, Future Islands’ music follows a fairly simple path. A catchy synth line to draw you in. Sam Herring’s deep rumbles that ruminate on anything from romance to growing old to life itself. A massive chorus you can’t get out of your head. How does it continue to work this many years in? I’ll chalk it up to the band’s continued chemistry, creating synthpop bangers like no one else can.
28
Lady Gaga - "Rain On Me" (feat. Ariana Grande)
Finding catharsis through music in her return to pop, “Rain On Me” is Gaga’s greatest musical achievement in quite some time. It’s as escapist as pop music could be in 2020 where everything went off the rails. As the world around her falls to pieces, the rain of groovy synths washes away Gaga and Ari’s pain. It’s danceable and personal, but the struggles of the year make “Rain On Me” more of a universal anthem than Gaga could’ve imagined. “I’d rather be drunk but at least I’m alive” is as 2020 of a positive phrase as there could be.
27
Beach Bunny - "Promises"
On their debut, Beach Bunny nails the drama of being a teenager with a power pop punch. Their choruses are as huge as your old hopes and dreams of who you’ll date and marry, and “Promises” is as good as it gets for the group. Trifilio’s vulnerability in the lyrics makes it relatable to any listener, no matter how far removed you are from thinking of prom and such. But the pep in the band’s play keeps the spirits up enough, enough to power you through those teenage doldrums.
26
Poppy - "Anything Like Me"
There’s a delicate balance between the softness and hardness of Poppy’s music, but she makes it look easy. Her voice can instantly switch from Sarah Bonito fun to Marilyn Manson shrill in an instant, and the tone of the instrumental on “Anything Like Me” is much the same. The lyrics about exorcising demons from your past gives me mad Billie Eilish vibes, but the intensity of the track is very Poppy. Don’t let such a disparate combination scare you away, because Poppy proves you can rage while being cute all at the same time.
25
Declan McKenna - "You Better Believe!!!"
As he establishes himself as a glam rock god of the modern age, Declan had to start his album off with a bang. And that’s exactly what “You Better Believe!!” does. It’s brimming with a bright energy as Declan flies through a huge amount of subjects. He tries to encompass the world into this single track, and though it doesn’t entirely succeed, that’s where the beauty lies. Declan’s willing to try it all and be everything in an age where it’s easy to shy away and take the money, and “You Better Believe!!” is an ultimate “me” moment. Declan can’t be everything, but dammit he’s gonna try, and the music that comes with it is going to amaze.
24
Run The Jewels - "JU$T" (feat. Pharrell & Zack de la Rocha)
In what is probably the most unsurprising musical moment of 2020, Killer Mike and El-P dropped a song that eviscerates the lords of business that control our world. Album in and out, the duo finds new ways to show the hypocrisy of the ruling class. Incendiary bars encourage revolution, and though it won’t lead to immediate change, it spreads worthwhile knowledge through excellent beats and bars. Add in some fire guests and “JU$T” is another certified RTJ banger.
23
The Flaming Lips - "Mother Please Don't Be Sad"
What goes through your head when you’re at the verge of death? How will your mother feel that her son was taken? What contributions would you never deliver to this world? It’s heady stuff, but Wayne Coyne’s spectacular grace makes “Mother Please Don’t Be Sad” a monumental climax to their wonderful new record. Instrumentally it’s a beautiful combination of The Flaming Lips’ inspirations, from Brian Wilson’s wall of sound to Pink Floyd’s cosmic conceptualism all wrapped into a Beatlesque melody. Everything about the track is stunningly polished, and a reminder of why The Flaming Lips are the legends that they are.
22
Weezer - "Hero"
I can’t think of many bands whose highs and lows are as extreme as Weezer’s. They have many more misses than hits, but when they hit, they hit hard. “Hero” is gloriously rock-inspired, a thrilling burst of electric guitars and crashing drums. But more so than just the way it sounds, “Hero” is held up by some of Rivers’ most passionate lyrics ever. His musings on not being the hero, not being front and center are just like anything from Blue, but now with the sheen of a veteran. It gives me the highest hope that Van Weezer is the highest point for the band since White.
21
The Weeknd - "In Your Eyes"
“Blinding Lights” may be the song that dominated the charts in 2020, but “In Your Eyes” is just as great of a hit. It’s everything you want from a pop song; classic lyrics about trying to fix a broken heart, a supremely catchy set of synths and drum loops to back Abel’s croons, and a massive sax solo to cap everything off. Ok, not every song needs a sax solo, but Abel uses it as a throwback to 80’s synthpop that inspired his modern pop music. And don’t sleep on the sweet
Kenny G remix either.
20
U.S. Girls - "The Quiver To The Bomb"
The Who and U.S. Girls are two very different musical acts, but listening to “The Quiver to the Bomb”, I can’t help but be reminded of Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. The way the pianos build signifies something bigger is coming, like the way a song like “Baba O’Riley” builds. Meg Remy portrays the birth of the woman as a moment as epic as anything from Quadrophenia. As the synthesizers and guitars coalesce around chants towards the end, I see visions of the Lifehouse album that never came to be. Those comparisons are enough to prove that U.S. Girls rock, even as different as their style of rock is.
19
Destroyer - "The Raven"
“Just look at the world around you/Actually no don’t look”. Words written pre-pandemic, yet words so fitting post-pandemic. 2020 was the year from hell, but as always, Dan Bejar found a way to put it to words. His abstract verses about dying embers and ravens are some of his finest and most memorable, and the heavier emphasis on the guitar in the instrumental adds a strong backbone to the synths that otherwise dominate. No matter how the world continues to warp around him, Bejar’s words will find a way to impact.
18
Neil Cicierega - "Ribs"
Marilyn Manson allegedly got ribs removed so he could suck his own dick. A fun trivia bit, right? Not to Niel Cicierega. His obsession with pop culture history defines his music, and that Marilyn Manson factoid turns “Ribs” into a hilariously catchy monster of a mashup. I won’t spoil the four main elements of the song, but hearing them come in one after another will make your jaw drop. Throw in Neil’s typical mastery of word manipulation and you’ll see why no other song from this year is as strangely enjoyable as “Ribs”.
17
Sufjan Stevens - "America"
From the failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mass protests against various injustices, 2020 has been a year of change in the perception of America. In the midst of the chaos, no artist spoke truer on the matter than an musician whose past work is indebted to his country. Over 15 minutes of awe-inspiring synthesized production, Sufjan proclaims “I no longer believe”. He explains why in eloquent poetry throughout the first few minutes, while an expansive electronic outro ends things. It’s a sad state of affairs, but Sufjan makes the most of it on this epic finale to an epic album.
16
Yves Tumor - "Gospel For A New Century"
On their latest album, it doesn’t take long for Yves Tumor to show us what kind of rock star they can be. An experimental masterstroke, “Gospel For A New Century” scuzzes up the rock music you know and love. You truly don’t know what’s going to happen next at any moment, be it blaring horns, sizzling guitars, crashing drums or any other number of sounds Tumor presents to us. The eclectic mix is only strengthened by Tumor’s cries, their most memorable vocals on an album full of them. It’s never likely music like Tumor’s could truly rule the rock world, but songs like this are why we should give it a chance.
15
Charli XCX - "claws"
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in the age of coronavirus, the distance between us can inflate feelings of love. And who better to put such emotions to song than the premier love futurist of our time? Charli and producer Dylan Brady of 100 gecs fame team to define love in quarantine. It’s sticky, superficial and huge, with a supremely great chorus and a mechanical beat that’ll play over and over in your head. It’s perfect pop for quarantine times, and much like the chorus, “I like I like I like I like I like everything” about it.
14
The Killers - "Dying Breed"
Sometimes, a song doesn’t need to be the most complex thing to amaze. “Dying Breed” doesn’t break much new ground, and on past Killers albums, it could’ve been a forgettable dud. But with the soaring spirits that Imploding The Mirage nails, it turns into one of the best songs the band has ever done. Brandon Flowers sings of stained glass mountains and wicked winds, furthering visions of something grand. He builds us up to one of the most stunning climaxes of the year, a blast of powerfully pure Springsteen-ian joy. The coda is a suitably grand ending, topping off an amazing track I didn’t know the Killers had in them.
13
Perfume Genius - "On The Floor"
When Perfume Genius takes the mic, the distance between art and pop is nonexistent. The melodies of Hadreas’ music are immaculately beautiful with a glittering sheen that high-end producers dream over. The best of his latest batch of masterpieces is “On The Floor”, where underneath the jaw-dropping instrumental is Hadreas at his most vulnerable. He’s waiting for the addiction to a former lover to pass, and finds his way through the aforementioned masterful mix of sound. It’s a showstopping song from one of art pop’s most celebrated musicians.
12
Jessie Ware - "Spotlight"
“Spotlight” is Jessie Ware holding your hand as she leads you into the most fanciful party you’ll ever experience. It’s sweet, it’s sensual, it’s perfectly emoted, and it’s a joy to the ears. The song harkens back to a late 70’s sense of posh, but mines from more than just that with bits of Japanese city pop and italo disco seamlessly mixed in. The kind of party Jessie throws is one that could last throughout the night, but this opening moment remains its most memorable.
11
The 1975 - "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)"
The 1975 always seem to have a proper song to describe the time of its release, and 2020 was no different. In a year where online connection became more important than ever, the boys from Britain use a lavish synthpop instrumental to comment on the uncertainty of Zoom calls and romance in the digital age. It’s positively 1975, full of lyrics about the uncertainty of your relationships through a computer screen, but that uncertainty is what Matty Healy does best. It’s also got the best saxophone solo of any song in 2020 in a year full of them. Though it was probably written pre-pandemic, leave it to The 1975 to help soundtrack the year.
10
Megan Thee Stallion - "Savage Remix" (feat. Beyonce)
Not many artists had a year like Megan Thee Stallion. She released multiple albums to high fanfare, guested on viral bangers, and got shot in the foot by Tory Lanez! But to understand her explosion in popularity, do no more than listen to the remix of “Savage”. The original is a fun bop, but adding Beyonce adds another layer of excellence. The two have excellent chemistry, celebrating female independence in a series of lyrics you’ll be hearing in your head for days. Megan’s career has a long way to go, but “Savage” is a bar set very high for her future material.
9
Rina Sawayama - "XS"
The early 2000’s are becoming a popular source for artists to mine for inspiration, and on Rina’s genre-domination campaign, it’s a logical source. Sounding like the brainchild of System of a Down and Britney Spears, “XS” is a nu-pop banger celebrating the joys of excess. The incredibly melodic instrumental mixes shrill guitars and drums with dramatic strings, topped off by Rina’s excellent vocals and some clever puns. It’s so good sounding it’s almost too much, a fitting fact given the subject of the song. She may be early in her career, but songs like this are why Rina has such a bright future atop the pop world.
8
Róisín Murphy - "Murphy's Law"
If it can go wrong, it will go wrong; that’s Murphy’s Law. But that is not Róisín Murphy’s law. She’s been dumped and downed, but “Murphy’s Law” proves she’s never out. Over one of the most sublime nu-disco instrumentals, Murphy brings herself back into the game. The song is insanely smooth on the ears, but at the same time it’s a great self-empowerment ode. No matter how many times you get pushed down, you can flip Murphy’s Law on it’s head with “Murphy’s Law” and try, try again.
7
The Strokes - "At The Door"
In a stunning turn of events, The Strokes allow Julian Casablancas to sing his heart out and dominate a track. It’s as stripped back as The Strokes have ever been, and the results are absolutely amazing. There’s no grizzly guitars, no vocal distortion, just a fat synth line and an epic vocal performance. It’s unlike anything else on The New Abnormal, and I don’t think songs like this would make up a great Strokes album, but as it stands “At The Door” is an unusual but incredible highlight in the band’s storied discography.
6
Tame Impala - "Breath Deeper"
Pop has become ever more important to Kevin Parker’s music, and “Breath Deeper” is the fruit of his laborious obsession with the genre. It’s a sonic masterpiece, with the spacey synths, shuffling drums and rolling pianos effortlessly combining elements of psychedelic rock with disco and EDM. Partially inspired by Parker’s first experience with ecstasy, it’s a song about being easy that’ll help your ears be easy. It’s a far reach from where Tame Impala was, but a beautiful picture of where Tame Impala could continue to go.
5
Dua Lipa - "Levitating"
Simply put, “Levitating” is the best pure pop song of 2020. It’s the ultimate showcase of why Dua Lipa has become a premier pop star. The light, floaty instrumental is built for radio domination and is more than up to the task. Dua’s confidence is so infectious you’ll start levitating too, cementing her status as a generational talent of pop music. The best pop stars can take tired tropes and turn them into something fresh and exciting, and “Levitating” knocks it out of the park for pop escapism.
4
Jeff Rosenstock - "Ohio Tpke"
On long drives on the road, all of your thoughts are liable to spill out at any time. They can be messy and raw, which is exactly what Jeff Rosenstock excels at putting into song. The finale to his excellent new record, “Ohio Tpke” sums up the feelings of loneliness and longing while traveling with an epic power pop instrumental to boot. It’s impossible to tour now, but these lyrics written before a global pandemic still hit hard. Jeff surely misses the road now, but his relentless optimism “Nobody wishes for the things that they already have/We relive every misstep that we've made in our lives/And hoard our scary secrets 'til they wake us at night/And we think we can't escape from it/But maybe we might/If we try to just acknowledge we can do anything right.” Wise words to live by in these trying times.
3
Gorillaz - "Aries" (feat. Peter Hook & Georgia)
If you’re going to try and imitate one of the greatest bands of all time, it’s not a bad idea to have one of the original band members help you. The inimitable Peter Hook lends his iconic bass guitar to “Aries”, leading to it sounding like a New Order song that never was. Even Damon Albarn’s vocals sound like Bernard Sumner at times, especially on the hook. But even with all these comparisons, this is still a Gorillaz song, and one of their best in a long time. Fitting lyrics about the want for connection in an age of separation hit close to home, and with only Albarn singing, this feels like a true sequel to the fantastic “On Melancholy Hill” from Plastic Beach. Don’t forget newcomer Georgia’s great drum sequences either. Albarn nailed so many genres on the first season of Song Machine, but none will stick with me quite like “Aries” will.
2
Fiona Apple - "Shameika"
Of all the stories and lessons to be taken from Fetch The Bolt Cutters, the most universal and powerful of them all is on “Shameika”. It’s a truly fearless song, a tour de force of sonic proportions made up of tornadic piano melodies, hand claps and percussion made from drums, shoe stomps, pots and pans and so much more. The mix is held together by the story Fiona tells, that of simple uplift. As she gets pushed down and around by those around her as a child, she heard those simple five words: “Shameika said I had potential”. Those words changed Fiona’s life, and you can feel the emphatic effect they had on her throughout the track. The acclaimed rawness of Fiona’s music lends itself well to such a foundational story, and it’s a song I’ll be stomping along and handclapping to for years and years to come.
1
U.S. Girls - "4 American Dollars"
Hearing this song back in February, I told myself “This is going to be the song that defines the nation this year.” After all, with an election coming up, the economy and worth of the dollar would be hot topics. Needless to say, it did not come to define the U.S. in 2020. But all the telltale signs of a great song that I sensed before coronavirus happened still ring as strong as ever all these months later. The fluid art pop of U.S. Girls’ previous music has been elevated another level. The groovy rhythm is peppered with bongos, strings and more, effortlessly blending together into something that will never leave your head. Meg Remy herself is as on point lyrically as ever, dropping clever lyric after clever lyric dismantling the hypocrisies of the American money machine. How can you do a lot with 4 American dollars when you have no boots to lift up your bootstraps? That’s just one of many questions asked that, in a year where millions have lost their jobs due to the economic disaster that is COVID-19, remain unanswered. “4 American Dollars” is the rare song that’s unapologetically political, but it never sacrifices any sense of catchiness, memorability or purpose. It’s also my favorite song of 2020, even if it didn’t come to define it. Go listen to it.
