Here are the Spotify links!
Special bonus of 30 more songs! 'Deep Cuts' Mix
And some musings on the 20 songs on the original:
1. California Dreamin’ by Jose Feliciano
Move over, Mama Cass. From our cover film, of course.
2. Now I’m In It by HAIM
Was a tough decision to choose between this and Summer Girl. With a video by Paul Thomas Anderson no less.
3. Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten
Perfect nostalgia. Not a cover of the Winger hit, fyi.
4. Everybody Here Hates You by Courtney Barnett
The Australian singer-songwriter offers an antidote to Jeff Buckley’s Everybody Here Wants You.
5. Darkness by Pinegrove
My favourite yelpy boy indie rock of the past few years.
6. Hey, Ma by Bon Iver
Justin Vernon at his most melodic.
7. This Life by Vampire Weekend
The erudite boys are back with a sprawling double album.
8. Lo/Hi by The Black Keys
Reminded me that I still love guitar rock when it’s done right.
9. Night Running by Cage The Elephant and Beck
A little bit ‘90s, a little bit dub.
10. Talia by King Princess
Only 20 and writing so many great songs.
11. Bad Guy by Billie Eilish
How do you create a sound this great when you are just 17?
12. Mount Everest by Labrinth
Discovered this song watching Euphoria, that raunchy teenage show I probably shouldn’t be watching at all.
13. Alive by Raffey Cassidy
From Brady Corbet’s cool film Vox Lux, song written by Sia and sung by young actress Raffey Cassidy
14. Make It Right by BTS
Here is where some of you eject the CD and break it in half. But I am not immune to a bit of catchy K-Pop.
15. So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings by Caroline Polachek
Chairlift singer goes solo, a lot of great songs on her debut album Pang, but this one has the stupidest/best title.
16. Vossi Bop by Stormzy
Still figuring out what a vossi bop is.
17. The Glamorous Life by Prince
This year’s gift from the Prince vaults was Originals, demos of songs he gave to other artists. I always loved the Sheila E original but this is genius too.
18. Truth Hurts by Lizzo
Line of the year: “I just took a DNA test, turns out I am 100% that bitch.”
19. Dolemite by Craig Robinson
If you haven’t watched the film on Netflix do yourself a favour. Eddie Murphy is a genius.
20. Juice by Lizzo
Yes, an unprecedented double shot on the WendyMix. But it was the year of Lizzo…and you really didn’t want me to end with some crappy Harry Styles song, did you?
