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!!
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.
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
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 🙁 )
In 2019, so many amazing women artists dropped new songs and albums, climbed charts, and made waves. It was amazing see their successes and even better to see them supporting each other in their successes. SISTERHOOD, AM I RIGHT. Anyways.
Say What You Will: Johnnyswim – A song for anyone who doubted you. (p.s. They dropped a new album this year! This song, and ‘Souvenir’, were two standouts for me.) Peer Pressure: James Bay ft Julia Michaels – Harmonies on point. Worthy: India.Arie – an ANTHEM for every woman on earth. You Need to Calm Down: Taylor Swift – Constantly stuck in my head. (The rest of her new album was pretty good, too!) Giving Up: Elise Hayes – Poppy+boppy breakup song. A Song for Everything: Maren Morris – This song is tied with The Bones, but this one is extra special because it sums up my feelings about music 🙂 You and I: LEON – No fail, gets me to dance every.time. RAIN: Ben Platt – BOP. yes I listened to a lot of Ben Platt this year. Why Can’t We be Friends: Jordy Searcy – Jordy’s songwriting and vocals are just beyond. Armor: Sara Bareilles – A fight song for all the girls out there. “Poetry by Dead Men” was also a fave off her new album this year. Leaning on Myself: Anna of the North – vvv good car jam. Closer than a Brother: Josh Garrels – This song stuck out to me on the album Josh released this year called Chrysaline. Best Part of Me: Ed Sheeran ft Yebba- amazing collab!! Harmonies are amazing and Yebba is so talented. Better Luck Next Time: Kelsea Ballerini – Written by Darius Coleman from the TV show, Songland. SUPER catchy and kinda sassy. Matthew’s Daughter: Beoga Ft. Devin Dawson – Gorgeous all around, with lots of Irish music moments. Casting Lots: VIA – I KNOW HER :O My friend Via moved to NYC last year to pursue music and LOOK at this masterpiece. So talented. Why Did you Run: Judah and the Lion – Heartbreaking, but make it catchy. (Their Pep Talks album was a hit in our house.) Beyond: Leon Bridges – Released in 2018, but I found it in 2019 😉 Such a wholesome love song. Crop Circles: Jon Bellion – References Stranger Things, so yeah it’s a fave. >> LISTEN TO MY PLAYLIST <<
Top Albums of 2019(my top 3 fave songs on each are in parentheses)
The Highwomen – Self titled debut album:(Crowded Table, Redesigning Women, Only Child) — 100% best and favorite album of 2019. Like. No contest. These 4 women – Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby – are incredible artists and writers and vocalists and storytellers in their own right, and came together to make these incredible musical memories. They touch on a lot of perspectives of womanhood, motherhood & relationships that you don’t hear about often, especially on the modern country music airwaves. I’m always overcome with happiness and pride and so many other emotions when I listen to these songs.
Inspired by True Events by Tori Kelly (Coffee, Pretty Fades, Your Words): Tori is in her own genre altogether. A little pop plus a little singer/songwriter and a couple 90s vibes = uniquely Tori. She very good and amazing at what she does. She writes everything herself, and like usual, this album is almost all written about personal and emotional experiences. It’s a gorgeous collection of nostalgia, good stuff, painful stuff & learning moments.
Sing To Me Instead by Ben Platt:(Temporary Love, Older and Run Away) — Obsessed with Ben’s debut album! His voice is unlike any other. Truly. His songs are emotional and happy and full of sweeping melodies and the longestttttt runs. Just gorgeous and also mind-blowing. Run Away was a particularly important to me in my postpartum depression journey. I’m sure Ben was not anticipating someone saying that when he wrote this song, ha.
Heard it in a Past life by Maggie Rogers (Light On, Burning, Back In My Body): This album has so much energy and empathy and reality and strong girl power vibes. I think maybe the entire world fell in love with Maggie this year and I am 100% one of those people. I had a deep and almost desperate connection with her song “Light On” late last year, so when the full album dropped in January, I clung to it (it was also my official top song of the year on Spotify). I was exactly what I needed. Will always be thankful for her words.
Front Porch by Joy Williams:(Front Porch, Canary, Trouble with Wanting) — Joy has always been so thoughtful in her writing and singing. Her voice is amazing and this is such a sweet and meaningful album. I love listening to it when I need to get out of my own head and get lost in some Truth Music. Yes. Truth Music. It’s a thing 🙂
My 2019 concert scene was WILD and so incredible. One thing I really tried to hold onto during my transition into motherhood was not missing out on live music, which has brought me so much joy for so long. I was so encouraged and hyped and obsessed with all the artists I saw this year. People are so freakin’ talented. A few of these artists have been on my concert bucket list for a LONG time, so it was amazing to finally see them!!
January: Darlingside – Second time seeing this beyond talented quartet. They blew me away again with their sweet harmonies and array of cool instruments. Went with my sister and dad! They introduced me to Darlingside a few years ago 🙂
March: James Bay– Bucketlist! AH! He was amazing. I am so always moved by his words. It was one of those pinch me moments. Can’t believe I finally got to see him! Went with Nate.
April: Tori Kelly! ^ Bucketlist! SUCH AN ANGEL. She is so honest and down to earth and like BEYOND talented. Went by myself for a little self care, ya know? Anna from the North – Last minute concert with my friend Aubrey! Anna was so adorable and unique.
May: BEN PLATT! Wild!!! I am still sad I never saw him in Dear Evan Hansen, but seeing him sing his own amazing songs was probably way better anyways?! Super human talent. I was in awe the *entire* concert. I had dinner with my friends Holly + Mike before the show, but our seats weren’t near each other 🙁 Johnnyswim – I have lost track of how many times I’ve seen J*swim! 4? 5? I love them so much! Went with Nate and our friends Ryan + Amanda! An Irish band called Beoga opened and was such a fun experience.
August: Jon Bellion – Second time seeing him and once again, he was FIRE. Grit and soul and passion and thankfulness and everything. He’s so good. I got dinner with my friends Sarah + Sarah before the concert, but our seats weren’t together, so we texted each other our reactions when the spirit/music led us 😉 BACKSTREET BOYS – ARE YOU KIDDING ME. Holy freaking moly I lived my 12 year old dream that night. It was the most surreal experience. Every 30-something woman in the arena was screaaaaaming every word to every song and honestly, was it a spiritual experience for all of us???? Maybe. The boys still have it. Another concert with Aubrey!
September: Judah and the Lion – Also lost track of how many times we’ve seen them! Maybe 4? We got dinner beforehand with our friends the Ramirez fam, but once again, our tickets were for different areas of the venue. Matt Wertz – EEE, MATTHEW. 6th time seeing my best artist since 2007. His music has been a constant in my life for SO.LONG. and I feel lucky that he chooses to come back to Boston every so often to play for us!! Nate and I went with our friends Holly + Mike!
December: Celine THE QUEEN Dion – My mom and I get to see her NEXT WEEK!!! AreYouKiddingMe?!??! Celine’s “Falling into You” album was the second album I ever called mine (first was Hanson’s MMbop 😉 ) So yeah I’ve been a fan since 4th grade and CAN NOT WAIT to see her liiiiiive!! <3 <3
WOW WHAT A YEAR. Also hi. I don’t care if you don’t like my music. Not offended, promise!! I care if you like YOUR music. SUPPORT your music people and GO to their shows and STREAM their stuff and SHARE their names. Music is hard and 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 OK LOVE YOU.
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
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.
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
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!
Switchfoot – Float (they brought out the bubble machines at the concert!)
Us the Duo – Stop (Just Love) (their harmonies are INCREDIBLE.)
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.
