music

Top 20 Songs of 2020

- Stephanie Leave a comment

TIME FOR MY FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE YEAR!! And for anything to be a favorite in 2020 is *truly* saying something.

Man. I really felt the loss of not being able to go to concerts this year. For the last 5 or 6 years, live music has been a huge form of self care for me, and my heart *felt* not being able to enjoy that. But luckily, so many of my favorites released new music this year. And I found a ton of new favorites! And wow, I need to thank them all!! Because 2020 was surely not easy on artists, yet they still continued to write and create and share their hearts with us!! How amazing is that! Thank you!!

Spotify Playlist >> Top 20 of 20 <<

  • It Would Be You – Ben Rector – Truly the song of the year for me. Written in quarantine about quarantine.
  • Stay the Way I Left You – Josie Dunn, Dahl – I found out about Josie through a live benefit concert early into quarantine and her music was an instant fave!
  • Chase the Light – Matt Wertz – Such a bop, and a great mantra! (and the inspiration for the above driveway chalk doodle)
  • Cologne – Pentatonix – I can’t stop listening to this one.
  • sunday – Joy Oladokun – I found Joy through Tiktok of all places! And her music really did wonders for my heart this year.
  • the last great american dynasty – Taylor Swift – I love this full circle story so much.
  • Everything I Did to get to You – Ben Platt, written by David Davis – From Songland, which is a show about songwriting. I loved being able to watch the collaboration process, and not to mention it’s a fire song!!
  • Distance – yebba – the vibes. the voice. you are magic.
  • Good Life – ROOMMATE – brainchild of Matt Wertz, an early 2000’s pop vibe
  • Better than We Found it – Maren Morris – SOBBING over this song
  • Sun and Moon – Michael Franti & Spearhead – Michael always brings the joy and light!
  • This City – Sam Fischer – also found Sam thru that benefit concert and love his work!
  • Look for the Good – Jason Mraz – just the most wholesome music moment <3
  • Be My Eyes – Pentatonix – FINALLY some new original music from the acapella GOATS!
  • exile – taylor swift, Bon Iver – everything about this oneeeee. haunting. heartbreaking. gorgeous.
  • Take Yourself Home – Troye Sivan – solid pop bop!
  • Ocean Bed – Darlingside – if i’m ever craving amazing harmonies, Darlingside is IT.
  • Still Wonderful – Johnnyswim – So true and honest and truthful and MY HEART. i cannot tell you how much this song means to me.
  • mercy – Joy Oladokun – Joy’s work is jussssst. ugh.
  • Breathe – UNSECRET, Elise Hayes – gorgeous and calming
  • Canyon Moon – Harry Styles – HARRY!

    Most Important Songs of 2020:
  • What are You Gonna Tell Her? – Mickey Guyton – the heartbreaking truth truth truth about raising girls in america
  • Who Do I Turn To? – Joy Oladokun – really raw and honest words about being black in america. thank you for sharing your story, Joy.

    Top Albums of 2020:
  • in defense of my own happiness – Joy Oladokun – seeing as I have already mentioned her work three times on this list 🙂 Joy is so honest in her writing and you can just FEEL! her album has been a thankful spot in my year.
  • folklore – Taylor Swift – I KNOW evermore exists and wonderful, but since I’ve had more time to listen and process and get to know folklore, which I love love. So she makes my 2020 list.
  • Fine Line – Harry Styles – it was released at the end of 2019 but I really dove deep into it this year and could not get enough haha

Music is wonderful and important and necessary, and I might not like your taste and you might not like mine, but we all have our most loved and most needed sounds and words and we should all respect that! SUPPORT your music people, STREAM their stuff, SHARE their names (and GO to their shows when we can again 🙁 )




My Top 18 Songs of 2018

- Stephanie Leave a comment

I think we can all agree it was a freakin good year of music, yes? YES. I listened to these albums and songs legit nonstop and they all hold a special or fun or silly or emotional memory in my mind from 2018.

TOP ALBUMS of 2018:

These 4 albums moved and changed and challenged and inspired me. They were an integral part of my 2018 year.

  • Ben Rector – Magic – Ben does it again. AGAIN! Nostalgic, impeccable, hilarious, and sweet jams, bops, memories and love songs. Just as Ben Rector always does. UGH BEN.
  • Tori Kelly – Hiding Place – TKel, thank you for your heart and for knowing the world needed this special project and for writing and performing this collection of gospel songs SO PERFECTLY.
  • Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child – I’m so glad Spotify suggested Lauren’s album to me last fall. It’s my go to: while driving, to calm down, to sing it out, to cry. This album has my heart.
  • Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour – Kacey has always been one of the most creative and interesting writers in the biz. Her voice is magic. This collection of songs is no exception. I particularly appreciate “Happy and Sad” because I’ve felt that so many times!

ONTO MY TOP 18 SONGS of 2018!
>>> listen in Spotify <<<<
Click the link above to listen to these all at once 🙂

  • I Will Always be Yours – Ben Rector – BENJAMIN. How could you.
  • Love Like This – Lauren Daigle – I cried EVERY SINGLE TIME I listened to this song for about 9 days after my kid was born.
  • Never Alone – Tori Kelly – TKel came through this year with some incredible gospel songs!
  • New Wine – Hillsong (sung by Brooke Fraser) – Brooke is one of my lifelong favorite singers and she makes this song so beautiful.
  • Light On – Maggie Rogers – Obsessed with Maggie!
  • Hocus Pocus – Clark Beckham – Clark finally dropped an album! His vocals are insane, and even MORE INSANE on this track.
  • Stupid Deep – Jon Bellion – Jon ALWAYS gets down to the heart of it.
  • Love Wins – Carrie Underwood – Super fun song with a much-needed message.
  • Ring the Bells – Johnnyswim + Drew Holcomb – A true anthem. And their vocals together are crazy good.
  • Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Backstreet Boys – Backstreet’s BACK ALRIGHT you know I was going there.
  • Wild Love – James Bay – A slow jam for sure, I love James’ new sound!
  • Always / Almost – Jordy Searcy – Jordy’s lyrics are SO good. He is a very thoughtful songwriter.
  • Unlonely – Jason Mraz – This is such a fun one to sing along with!
  • Hold Your Head up High – Darlingside – These 4 musicians are a legit dream team when it comes to vocals, instruments and OH JUST EVERYTHING.
  • Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves – A sweet, creative love song that I love.
  • Float – Elise Hayes – A BOP! About finding your own way in your career. Can’t wait for more from Elise!
  • Rewrite the Stars – Zendya & Zac Efron – duh.
  • Better than I used to be – Mat Kearney – Mat, you’ve always been amazing, you know that.

Song Honorable Mentions: 

  • These Four Walls – Kenzie Nimmo – Super cute and cozy love song.
  • By My Side – Emily Hearn w North Point InsideOut – My fave singer/songwriter, Emily, sings a worship song! And is perfect at it!
  • Girls Like You – Maroon 5 – I couldn’t stop listening to this for like 3 weeks so it’s on here.
Mat Kearney at House of Blues Boston

Album Honorable Mentions:

  • Jason Mraz – Know. – Super fun and kinda theatrical. When I listen to it, I think of summertime!
  • Greatest Showman Soundtrack – I don’t love all the songs, but I love enough of them to consider the whole album pretty great!

CONCERTS!

Ya’ll know I love me some LIVE MUSIC! So lucky to be able to go to all these amazing shows this year.

  • Judah and the Lion – March, House of Blues, with Nate
  • Matt Kearny – March, House of Blues, with Holly
  • Josh Garrels – April, with Sarah 
  • Superfruit – May, Paradise Rock Club, with Nate
  • Us the Duo – August, Paradise Rock Club, with Nate 
Us the Duo at Paradise Rock Club

My Top 17 Songs of 2017

- Stephanie Leave a comment

I know this blog has been a little under the weather this year. Oops. Life has been a bit nuts. BUT I definitely had to pop back on here to post my FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE YEAR!!  

This year had a lot of solid albums as a whole, so many that I’m actually going to start this recap with my favorite albums. I listened to these albums consistently and constantly. I have my definite favorite songs from each one, and those favorite songs are some of my favorite songs of the year. But, honestly, there isn’t a song on each of these collections that I don’t like. It’s refreshing to listen to full albums that are creative, honest and well thought out. These 7 albums are my most loved albums of 2017 (I’ve highlighted my top songs from each, but like I mentioned before, I love them all and it was hard to pick!)

TOP ALBUMS of 2017:

  • Will Reagan (United Pursuit) – Tell All My Friends
    (I Can Tell, Need You More, You Carried Me) – I first listened to this album wayyy back in February. I was on the T, on my way to see Josh Garrels perform at the Wilbur. I don’t know how I came across the album, but I remember feeling so peaceful when it started to play. As I listened and fell in love with the words, I was refreshed. It had been a LONG time since I had listened to any worship music at all, let alone worship music that really felt real. This album is good and true and real and I needed it so badly in the moment (and clearly all year long). It was my most listened to album on Spotify, and 3 of my top 5 most listened to songs on Spotify were songs from this album. Very thankful for everything about this new staple in my life.
  • Dear Evan Hansen Soundtrack
    (Waving Through a Window, For Forever, You Will be Found) – My greatest regret of my life (besides never seeing Backstreet Boys in concert) will be never seeing Ben Platt as Evan Hansen on Broadway. It breaks my heart. If a recording can make a person feel THAT MUCH, I can’t even image what it’s like to experience that amount of emotions and pure talent in real life. Every song is truly heartbreakingly real, happy, sad, fulfilled, inspired. This soundtrack is a gem. WOW I really wish I had gotten to see Ben perform as Evan on stage. Now I’m sad.
  • Ed Sheeran – Divide
    (Castle on a Hill, Barcelona, What Do I Know) – I’m assuming Ed’s new album was a lot of people’s album of the year. He is probably the top male pop artist in the world right now. TBH, I’ve never listened to an EdSheer album in it’s entirely until this one, and I’m glad THIS was the one. One of my favorite aspects about this album was how global it felt. A lot of the songs were clearly inspired by places he visited and I liked hearing his creative musical review of each place (especially Barca 🙂 ). I also didn’t expect there to be so many deeply personal songs. Supermarket Flowers, to this day, makes me cry. Eraser and Save Myself are so vulnerable and it’s incredible to me that Ed shared those parts of himself with the entire world. (p.s. Galway Girl will forever remind me of my trip to Ireland 🙂 )
  • Superfruit – Future Friends 
    (Imaginary Parties, Hurry Up, Bad 4 Us, Vacation) – This was kind of an unexpected, instant love of 2017. Scott and Mitch from Pentatonix branched off to make a collection of the poppiest bops ever, and I LOVE it. I can listen to this album in pretty much any situation, but especially while driving or when I need a dance break from work. To top it off, they created music videos to accompany every single song, and they are so artistic and visually stunning. I want to see them in concert so badly!
  • Andy Grammer – The Good Parts
    (85, The Good Parts, Freeze) – This album only dropped two weeks ago, but made it’s way into my heart VERY quickly. There’s something about Andy’s writing that gets right down to the truth of things. You can tell he put a LOT of thought into this collection. I relate on a deeply personal, weird, good, honest, wonderful, spiritual level to so many of these songs (85 is my new life anthem). ANDY! Thank you.
  • ARIZONA – Gallery
    (Feed the Beast, Electric Touch, Oceans Away) – I listened to this album NON stop this summer. I even created a big fan out of Nate 🙂 It is best consumed while driving or working out. Their overall vibe is laid back and modern, and there are a ton of wicked cool beats that make it SO fun to listen and dance to. I can’t sit still when this album is playing!
  • Braxton Cook – Somewhere In Between
    (Run Away, Somewhere in Between) – I don’t consider myself a knowledgeable jazz music fan, but even knowing next to nothing about the genre, but I know this is good. I know it’s legit and inspiring and so great to listen to when you need an extra boost of hustle for your work day. I know it makes sense to my ears. Braxton not only plays saxophone, but he also sings?! What a freakin’ talented human. I listened to this album SO MANY times this year!

Album Honorable Mentions:

  • Dispatch – America, Location 12 – so fun to have Dispatch back in action! classic Dispatch harmonies, with some more modern sounds.
  • Harry Styles – Harry Styles – very happily surprised by this one (never been a fan of One Direction haha) He’s got a lot of vibes happening, but classic rock seems to fit him the best.

TOP SONGS of 2017:
>> !! Listen to my Spotify Playlist Here !! <<

  • Paris, or Wherever We Are – Emily Hearn – makes me want to hop on a plane every time i hear it
  • Only the Wild Ones – Dispatch – great song for the dreamers
  • I Need – Clark Beckham – PLEASE drop a full album soon. CLARK.
  • Bones – Kenzie Nimmo – can’t stop listening to this!
  • I’ll Find You – Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly – really good reminder & tkel is an angel
  • Dark in the City – Jordy Searcy – this guy is a very special songwriter. all his stuff is just gorgeous. 
  • Evergreen – YEBBA – THIS WOMAN. i neeeeeed more.
  • Open Waters – Lael – reminds me of hawaii. His full album is fun! 
  • Beautiful – Betty Who ft. Superfruit – should be everyone’s life anthem
  • Sweet Creature – Harry Styles – fave from the album
  • May You Be Well – The Lone Bellow – bluesy, jammy, greeeeaat harmonies
  • Cut to the Feeling – Carly Rae Jepsen – BOPPPPP
  • Craving you – Thomas Rhett ft. Maren Morris – summer sing-out-loud song
  • Still Feel Like Your Man – John Mayer – jammy, with super classic John sounds
  • Bound to You – Jocelyn Alice – the BEATS! i want more from her in 2018!
  • Just Long Enough – Steve Moakler – love me some steve!
  • Alaska – Maggie Rogers – her sound is so unique

Song Honorable Mentions: 

  • Honeysuckle – Carlie Pearce – brings us back to a 90s-Faith-Hill-vibe of country music and I’m into it
  • Red Wine + White Couch – Danielle Bradbery – love her new sound
  • Female – Keith Urban – such an important song!

>> LISTEN: Top 17 of 17 Playlist <<

 I met Dispatch at the BPL in May!!

This year’s concerts (so many!) <3 
Us the Duo – February, Paradise Rock Club, with Nate
Josh Garrels – February, The Wilbur, with Sarah
Steve Moakler – March, Chameleon, Lancaster PA, with Mandy
Dispatch – May, BPL (live radio recording), by myself
Dia Frampton + Castro – July, Brighton Music Hall, by myself (photographed it)
Michelle Branch – July, Paradise Rock Club, by myself (photographed it)
Switchfoot – August, The Casino Ballroom, Hampton NH, with Nate
Judah and the Lion – October, Paradise Rock Club, with Nate
Johnnyswim – November, The Wilbur, with Nate, Amanda & Ryan
  (Striking Matches opened – talk about MASTER guitar players)
Matt Wertz – November, Club Passim, with Nate
Darlingside – December, Firehouse Center for Arts, Newburyport MA, with Dad

2017 Spring Playlist

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Music of Spring 2017 (so far. I realize we have a lot of Spring left to live!)

Albums:
Lael – Phoenix (his album Clarity is also great)
Will Regan / United Pursuit – Tell All Your Friends
Little Big Town – The Breaker
Ed Sheeran’s Divide, obviously

Singles:
Dispatch – Only the Wild Ones
Maggie Rogers – Alaska
Coldplay / Chainsmokers – Something Just Like This

FULL Spring Playlist!! (but like I said, in progress)

My Top 16 Songs of 2016 

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Let’s be honest here. The only thing 2016 did right was music. 

For me, this was the year of concerts. Johnnyswim, The Saint Johns, Judah and the Lion, Matt Wertz, Switchfoot, Relient K, Us the Duo, Pentatonix, Jon Bellion. All these artists’ were amazing live in their own right!! I can’t even pick a favorite. Actually, I only go to shows if they are already my favorite haha. And! I have 2 more concerts lined up in the next few months: Josh Garrels and Us the Duo <3 Yay LIVE MUSIC!

TOP SONGS of 2016. You’ll notice not many (any? maybe 2) are Top 40. I do listen to the radio, but in the last 2 years I’ve tried to stick with finding new artists (or new songs from artists I already love) in places besides the radio – mostly Spotify and Twitter if you’re curious. (read: I’m not saying there isn’t good music on the radio, there is!) I have singer-songwriter, pop, and country music taste tendencies, and of course anything with thoughtful, smart, challenging, inspiring lyrics. So if you’re into that, you’ll be into these 😉 Here we go!

If you want to skip the commentary and just listen >> Top 16 Songs of 2016 playlist on Spotify <<

ALBUMS + the TOP 2 SONGS ON EACH
Basically I loved these albums in their entirety SO MUCH that I couldn’t pick just one song from them. Really, these albums are each pure and perfect as a whole collection of songs. I did pick my favorite songs from them, but I rarely listen to them on their own. When I listen to these albums, it’s in order, in one sitting. In a generation of “singles” it’s refreshing to be able to listen to full albums that are well thought out as a whole. These 5 albums are definitely my most-listened-to of 2016.

Please love and admire my musical expertness. 😉 😉

  • James Bay – Chaos and the Calm
    (Best Fake Smile, Need the Sun to Break) – Though it technically was released in 2015, I didn’t discover it until 2016, so I’m counting it for this year!! His words! His honest words and stripped back music are what really pulled me in.
  • Johnnyswim – Georgica Pond
    (Let it Matter, First Try) – Throwin’ up them praise hands. That’s what happened the first time I listened to practically every one of these songs. Abner & Amanda & their soulful, harmonious musical abilities are sooo amazing.
  • Jon Bellion – The Human Condition
    (Maybe IDK, Guillotine) – Thankful this album came into my life. Jon’s lyrics are so real, and his beats and sounds are refreshing & unexpected. Many of his thoughts (& lots of tough love) really challenged me and I appreciated that.
  • Maren Morris – Hero
    (Sugar, Rich) – THIS GIRL. Was just nominated for FOUR Grammy’s!?!! Incredible, especially when country music is so male-dominated. Maren ripped right through all the washed-out party-country and created an album that absolutely changed the game. 
  • Matt Wertz – Gun Shy
    (    Smoke, Committed) – THIS GUY. Matt took a huge leap of faith and completely 360-ed his genre, going from calm singer-songwriter to pop GOD. He wrote, sang and produced a seriously ELECTRIC album. As a fan for over 10 years, I am so proud of MW.