I’ve been avoiding “my best-of albums/songs” lists for the past 2-3 years because it requires far too much thinking and over-thinking. I’ve been busy, distracted, and listening more widely than the narrow scope of genres within the “indie darlings of the year” lists — and I’ve been doing the work of becoming a better (hopefully!) musician — and that meant a lot of listening to classical music. Nevertheless, this is what I enjoyed this year. An incomplete list as I am bound to forget things.
How Not To Drown — CHVRCHES, Robert Smith
Mompou’s Coral — Sean Shibe
I’m embarrassed to note how many times I’ve listened to Shibe’s Camino. Clearly my album of the year.
If You Say The Word — Radiohead
If Camino was album of the year for me, Radiohead’s If You Say The Word is definitely song of the year.
In Need of Repair — Band of Horses
Robber –– The Weather Station
Living Proof — The War On Drugs
We Cannot Resist — Laura Marling, LUMP
Chaeri –– Magdalena Bay
Telepatia –– Kali Uchis
Blame TikTok. Can’t get this song out of my head.
Like I Used To — Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen
Peach — Future Islands
The Nowhere Inn— St Vincent
The Only Heartbreaker — Mitski