2020 was an awful year in many ways, of course. And that has very much continued into the first couple weeks of the new year. On the bright side, 2020 was a pretty great year for new music. We enjoyed strong new albums from reliably good artists such as Fiona Apple, Sufjan Stevens, Tame Impala, Gorillaz, and Taylor Swift (two records!), as well as career-highlight records from rising star artists Phoebe Bridgers, Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield), Kelly Lee Owens, Haim, and many more. There were several brilliant dance records, such as Roisin Murphy, Jesse Ware, and Georgia; folk records from Bonny Light Horseman, Widowspeak, and Courtney Marie Andrews; experimental jazz from Moses Boyd, Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes, and Jeff Parker; electronic records from Daniel Avery, Beatrice Dillon, and Shinichi Atobe; great indie rock albums from Doves, King Krule, and The Strokes; and monumental soul/r &b from Sault, Lianne LaHavas and The Avalanches. Thank goodness for all of this amazing music to help us through these challenging times.
All things considered, my very favorite album of 2020 is Shore by Fleet Foxes. For me, Shore was the most consistently awesome record released last year. I count at least 10 tracks I’d consider top tier Fleet Foxes songs! Perhaps most importantly, I really appreciate the positive, life-affirming songs on this record. We all needed Fleet Foxes lead singer and songwriter Robin Pecknold to serenade us and help us feel like everything is going to work out okay despite everyone’s challenges and differences.
I’ve pre-ordered the vinyl record scheduled to arrive next month. I know this album will sound absolutely gorgeous on vinyl. And, of course, I cannot wait to see Fleet Foxes perform this amazing album live as soon as possible. This summer at Red Butte Garden, anyone?
Album Standout Tracks: Sunblind; Can I Believe You; Young Man’s Game, Wading In Waist-High Water; A Long Way Past The Past; Featherweight; Maestranza
