Written by: Jen Dan
‘Best Of’ lists are of course a matter of personal preference, so my picks represent what has pricked up my ears and pulled at my heartstrings over the course of this past year, but hopefully you’ll also find something to enjoy here.
The 1st song on this playlist, “Of One’s Desire” by Indonesian dreampop band SECRET MEADOW, was released as a single in 2019, but then appeared on a compilation this year, so I’m including it – and in the #1 spot because it’s a brilliant dreampop/rock track, IMO.
The 2nd song, “Répondez-moi,” was posted at SoundCloud by a fan and isn’t official, but I had to add it because I love it so much. Vibrantly emotive, at times angelically keening vocals, sung in French. Questioning words, if you can understand them (or find a translation…), by rising international singer and songwriter GJON MUHARREMAJ recording as GJON’S TEARS.
Song #3, “Who Can I Turn To?,” is another poignant one, but this time the lyrical focus is on racial prejudice in the United (or is that Divided?) States, sung with heartfelt vulnerability by unassuming, but trenchant singer and songwriter JOY OLADOKUN.
Song 4 is a sleek, noir, and imperiously cool beauty – “War Planets,” by Saint Marie Records super-group LOVEBLIND, with starkly icy vocals from DORIAN ELECTRIQUE, and sonics by that label’s owner WYATT PARKINS, JOSHUA GARMAN of CRASH CITY SAINTS, MIKE LWEGENER, formerly of SEASURFER (as is Dorian E.), and NEIL BURKDOLL of WHIMSICAL.
Song number 5, “Lovers Breakdown” by German dreampunk outfit SEASURFER (led by DIRK KNIGHT) is classic synthwave noir with its swirl of sparkling synths diffusion and dreamy propulsion infused with APOLONIA’s airily velvet vocal musings.
Song 6, “Spinning In Reverse,” is pure shoegaze/dreamrock goodness from a young German band appropriately named SWIRLPOOL. Can’t wait to hear more from them in 2021!
The seventh song, “Honey Ryder,” from Philadelphia-located newer band TOTAL RUBBISH (Not so! Not so!) is another classic; this time of the shoegaze variety, enveloping with thick and buzzing guitar fuzz and sweetly droning vocals.
Song #8, “Shamed,” is a heavy slow-burner that rises to the looming skies from California-based doomgaze outfit IRESS. They pull the listener under with their massive, burgeoning sound and lamenting, yet fierce vocals.
Number 9, “My Brain Is Lit Like An Airport,” comes from the always-compelling KATIEJANE GARSIDE (DAISY CHAINSAW, QUEENADREENA, RUBY THROAT), this time recording with her life/music partner CHRIS WHITTINGHAM as LIAR, FLOWER. Katiejane goes on a wildly unbridled rant, with rocky-road sonic accompaniment, to thrilling results.
And finally #10, “Liar, Liar,” is a driving indie rock romp from the newer Australian band MID CITY. I know nothing about ’em, except this high-energy song is a kick-ass way to cap off my list!
