The end of yet another year provides a new opportunity to share the songs I liked most from the past 12 months. Each year, I keep a running list of songs I like on my iPhone and at year's end, I cull the list down to the tracks I liked best. So here they are:
"Theia" - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Thanks to my brother, who has often sent me down musical rabbit holes (see The Fall), Australia's King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are like no one else -- in terms of both musicianship and sheer output. Since their founding in 2010, these guys have done it all -- from garage to prog to metal to blues to synth to microtonal tunings. This year's LP - their 25th! - is titled The Silver Cord - and leans into electronic music, as evidenced by this other-worldly track (whose extended version tops 20 minutes in length).
"Medicine" - Momma
Following up on last year's favorite "Speeding 72", the Los Angeles trio released another stellar single, love-as-drug metaphor "Medicine". Perhaps less spellbinding than King Gizzard, but no less addictive."Swooning" - JW Francis
Self described loft bedroom slacker jangle pop, JW Francis says he's trying his best. Francis, who was born in Oklahoma, raised in Paris and is licensed as a tour guide in New York City, released this gem -- a catchy little song about - what else? - falling in love.
"Amnesia" - M83
Did someone say France? The French electronic legends returned this year with their ninth studio album Fantasy. What I always love about M83 is the repetitive riffs that carry through their best work -- and the simple six-note phrase in "Amnesia" is - pardon the pun - unforgettable.
"Not Strong Enough" - boygenius
Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus are the unlikeliest of supergroups, yet here they are. On this track, they take turns singing each verse -- each bringing their own style. And if you're not hooked when Bridgers' first verse rolls effortlessly into the chorus, you can't be helped. Then there's the simmering bridge, culminating in a minor chord change and some terrific harmony before clean-up hitter Dacus takes us home. Barack Obama loved it, and my father would have too."The Narcissist" - Blur
The questionably named The Ballad of Darren is the first Blur album in eight years -- and arguably the first legit Blur album - on which all four members participated - since 1999's 13. Damon Albarn's vocals have a particular warmth to them, and he says he was inspired in his songwriting by the giant mural of Leonard Cohen in Montreal (which we visited this summer.)
"Sole Obsession" - Nation of Language
Brooklyn's Nation of Language play synthpop like it was meant to be played. And how could they not? They took inspiration from one of the greatest synthpop tracks ever: OMD's "Electricity". And if you like that sort of thing, you will like this band. Full stop."The Trench Coat Museum" - Yard Act
The English city of Leeds has a rich musical history - Gang of Four, Kaiser Chiefs, The Sisters of Mercy, Utah Saints, and Soft Cell to name just a few. Add to that list this post-punk quartet, and their danceable track that frontman James Smith describes as being about "how our perception of everything shifts both collectively and individually over time at speeds we simply can’t measure in the moment." Either way, it's an absolute riot."Kisses" - Slowdive
There's always room on this list for shoegaze, and few bands do it as well as the legendary Slowdive. Formed in Reading in 1989, they are responsible for one of the genre's greatest albums: 1993's Souvlaki. After decades of dormancy, they released a beautiful album in 2017 (which made this list) and followed it up this year with their fifth album Everything is Alive. I could have chosen several songs for this year's list, but I chose the shimmering "Kisses"."Quarry" - Wednesday
See if you can identify the obvious touchstone Asheville, NC's Wednesday references in the verses of this song. It's the Kinks classic "Waterloo Sunset", reworked with a Southern roots-rock touch.
"Snowman" - Blonde Redhead
New York's Blonde Redhead started life in the nineties as a noise rock band. Their sound has matured over the years, resulting in something more wistful and elegant.
"Bug Like an Angel" - Mitski
I've been slowly warming up to Mitski, whose music has graced the best of lists of others for years. There is a graceful simplicity to this song -- almost non-existent instrumentation and what amounts to an a cappella chorus. But I'm a sucker for the four chord progression she works here, and I find the quiet beauty of this track irresistible.
"Build a Bridge" - Deeper
Chicago's Deeper takes inspiration on this track from Television - with angular, dueling guitar parts - in what results in post-punk excellence. But there's more going on here: I almost hear something flamenco in some of the guitar riffs. Listen for yourself.
"Stone Killer" - 26fix
Provo, Utah's Erika Goodwin records under the name 26fix, and she says this infectious dance track was the culmination of two very different songs that blended together.
"Un Deux Trois" - MUNYA
Montreal's MUNYA pays direct homage to disco and electronic godfather Giorgio Moroder, name-checking him in the chorus, as well as iconic French electronic duo Daft Punk.
"Jamcod" - Jesus and Mary Chain
We'll end this list with its most recent entry, and celebrate yet another triumphant return for a musical legend this year. Scottish post-punks and 80s icons Jesus and Mary Chain are proudly back, announcing their eighth studio album du out next year, releasing this single late last month, and sounding as good as ever.
