Ok. It’s 7am on New Year’s Eve as I’m writing this. I barely slept last night. I guess it’s year end list time. 2020 was a whole goddamn thing. In the broader sense, the pandemic and politics of the year were a fucking disaster. On a personal level, I had to leave Illinois at the end of the summer. I got transferred at work. I’m now up in Minnesota. It’s…ehhh. I can’t wait for live music to be back. I want to see how the Minneapolis music scene compares to Chicago’s. That will be a tough challenge. Chicago is the best.

Anyway. These are my favorite records of the year. In alphabetical order, because that just makes sense. Ok?

Anna Burch – “If You’re Dreaming”
The Chinkees – “K.A. Music”
Dehd – “Flower Of Devotion”
Frances Quinlan – “Likewise”
Gia Margaret – “Mia Gargaret”
Gladie – “Safe Sins”
Joan Of Arc – “Tim Melina Theo Bobby”
Melkbelly – “PITH”
Nana Grizol – “South Somewhere Else”
NNAMDÏ- “Brat”
Ohmme – “Fantasize Your Ghost”
Open Mike Eagle – “Anime, Trauma And Divorce”
Overo / Asthenia – “Split”
Ratboys – “Printer’s Devil”
Slow Pulp – “Moveys”
Sugar High – “Love Addict”
Surf Rock Is Dead – “Existential Playboy”
Tenci – “My Heart Is An Open Field”
Thank You, I’m Sorry – “I’m Glad We’re Friends”
V.V. Lightbody – “Make A Shrine Or Burn It”

It’s worth noting that Gladie and NNAMDÏ both put out a bunch of great music this year. Consider everything they put out as being on this list.

Also, did anyone have a better year than Kris Esfandiari? Absolutely everything she put out this year was great. She released music as Sugar High, Miserable, Dalmatian, NGHTCRWLR, and KRIS this year. Everything sounded different, and everything is worth a listen. Excited to see what the new King Woman stuff will sound like.

Fuck it. That’s it. Spotify playlist included below.