My Top 16 Songs of 2016 

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.  

Weekly Obsessions

weeklyobsessions-lfr-blog

END OF SUMMER KAYAKING
Nate and I didn’t do as much kayaking as we would have liked this summer due to travel, busy weekends and general “it’s way too hot for this” vibes. This past weekend was sooooo fall-y, though, that we went kayaking two days in a row! We even got to catch the most perfect sunset up in NH.

CIDER SEASON
With the end of summer comes the beginning of cider season. Being the adventurous humans we are, Nate and I have tried a couple new brands recently. My personal favorite has been Citizen cider, while Nate has been digging Stowe’s product. I also want to give a shout out to Lookout Farm‘s new cider, it’s good and luckily they are located just up the street from us! I’ll definitely be supporting local this season. 😉

CASTRO + CARLY RAE + ARIZONA
My three music picks for this season are pretty different from each other! Castro is a singer-songwriter sibling trio who have honest lyrics and impeccable harmonies. Carly Rae Jepsen, I believe, is the unofficial queen of pop, and ARIZONA has some serious electronic beats that are a perfect addition to your running playlist. Listen to my fall playlist with jams from all these artists here!

Have a great week!!

Summer Playlist

letters from rita summer playlist

Listen to my SUMMER 2016 PLAYLIST on Spotify here!

I love a good country song, but I equally love a good dance-y pop song. My summer 2016 playlist has a bit of everything. I will have to say that Maren Morris and Michael Franti are winning as my favorites currently, but the rest of the songs are absolutely worth a listen or 10! Here is a sampling from the playlist:
~~~
Sugar – Maren Morris
Raised On It – Sam Hunt
My Lord – Michael Franti + Spearhead
Lemonade – Matt Wertz
Saltwater Gospel – Eli Young Band
Maybe IDK – Jon Bellion
Love Drunk – Steve Moakler
~~~
Listen to my SUMMER 2016 PLAYLIST on Spotify here!

My Top 15 Songs of 2015

This comes as no surprise to any of you – I love music. The lyrics and words and beats of it all. And obviously I love doodling when the mood strikes (like every other hour). Anyways, I wanted to share my favorite artists and songs of 2015! I hope that you will get inspired by them as well! And if you like these songs, please listen to the whole albums / EPs because ALL of them are amazing as a whole!! I linked you up! Check them!

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST : Top 15 of 2015

Pentatonix – Can’t Sleep Love
Years&YearsKing
I Am They – Your Love is Mine
Tori KellyUnbreakable Smile
Josh GarrelsMorning Light
JohnnyswimYou and I



George EzraBudapest
Maren MorrisMy Church
Jordy SearcySeasons
Emily HearnThank God You’re Holding Me
Andrew McMahonSatellite
Steve MoaklerRather Make A Living (or Riser, I can’t decide)
Brandon Heath – Behold Our God

Album of the Year:
Ben RectorBrand New (favorite songs: Fear & More Like Love & Men That Drive Me Places and ALL OF THEM, sorry I can’t choose just one!!)

Honorable Mention:
What Do U Mean – Justin Beiber. I mean. Duh.

Like I said, listen to these whole albums – EPs, people! I love them all like woah.