Below are some of my favorite albums of the year (with links). I didn’t put them in rank order, but maybe something close to. I suppose this list will change, and perhaps get updated as time moves on.
I suggest taking a long drive while the sun sets and listen to RF Shannon’s ‘Rain On Dust;’ the sunset will last twice as long if you do this, I promise. Then, when it is dark, put on Jo Schornikow’s ‘Secret Weapon.’ This album blows me away every time I play it, and gets better with every spin. It is perfect. Play Mega Bog when you want to be transported to another world - one that only exists through Erin Birgy’s music. We are lucky to get a glimpse into her world through her fabulous albums, all. Get into a zone with Ana Roxanne, and stay in a zone while listening to Kali Malone’s epic piece, ‘The Sacrificial Code.’ This music is what we need in these trying times.
I’ve been a fan of Weyes Blood for a long time, but came late to this album, ‘Titanic Rising,’ as I avoided it (don’t know why) for a while. I am starting to understand why it is one everyone’s year end lists. I cannot stop listening to it. And, if there is an album that I am afraid of wearing out it is Friendship’s ‘Dreamin.’ It is on constant repeat, and has not yet revealed everything about itself. And Olden Yolk - they have upped their game in a big way, including their stellar live shows.
I am lucky to have seen a lot of these bands live this year, and meet or even photograph them along the way. The artists I interacted with were all extremely generous, friendly, kind beyond belief. Listening to these artists really makes life worthwhile. I am looking forward to more musical adventures and discovery in 2020.
L-R: Jo Shornikow : Secret Weapon [Keeled Scales]; Mega Bog : Dolphine [Paradise of Bachelors]; Ana Roxanne : ~~~ [Leaving Records]; Kali Malone : The Sacrificial Code [iDEAL Recordings]
L-R: Friendship : Dreamin’ [Orindal]; Shannon Lay : August [Sub Pop]; RF Shannon : Rain On Dust [Keeled Scales]; Aldous Harding : Designer [4AD]
L-R: Olden Yolk : Living Theatre [Trouble In Mind]; Ulla Straus : Big Room [Quiet Time]; Shana Cleveland : Night Of The Worm Moon [Hardly Art]; Weyes Blood : Titanic Rising [Sub Pop]
L-R: Florist : Emily Alone [Double Double Whammy]; Daughter of Swords : Dawnbreaker [Nonesuch]; Molly Sarlé : Karaoke Angel [Partisan]; Jessica Pratt : Quiet Signs [Mexican Summer]
L-R: Cate Le Bon : Reward [Mexican Summer]; Angel Bat Dawid : The Oracle [International Anthem]; Nivhek : After its own death / Walking in a spiral towards the house [Yellow Electric]; Erin Durant : Islands [Keeled Scales]
L-R: Marja Ahti : Vegetal Negatives [Hallow Ground]; Félicia Atkinson : The Flower And The Vessel [Shelter Press]; Ka Baird : Respires [RVNG Intl.]; Jessica Ekomane : Multivocal [IMPREC]
L-R: Sarah Davachi : Pale Bloom [Superior Viaduct]; Gauche : A People’s History of Gauche [Merge]; Empath : Active Listening: Night on Earth [Get Better]; Hand Habits : Placeholder [Saddle Creek]
Joseph Shabason : Anne, EP [Western Vinyl]
