OUR TOP 50 SONGS OF 2020
The way we listen to songs is entirely different from albums. An album is usually a singular experience, while a song is almost always put into context with others. So, we think the best way to listen to our favorite songs is to shuffle the playlist we attached below. Each of these songs has meant so much to us this year, and hearing them all together is a fun experience. We also underscore a couple of emotional highlights this year and the songs they correspond to.
This playlist is meant to be a jumping-off point. If you like an artist please go support their work!
A Song That Helped Us Forget
BOTH OF US by JAYDA G
Jayda G provided catharsis in a year that was full of disappointment. Everything about this song exudes love and warmth, from the chords to the vocals, to the incredible video. Grammy-nominated producer Jayda G put the entire world on notice with this track, and if clubs were open it would have been absolutely inescapable. It’s a track crafted to release as much dopamine from your brain as possible; a track that it’s absolutely impossible to tire of, a true artistic masterpiece.
A Song That Helped Us Reflect
SONDER by MAASSAI
The word “Sonder” means “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” This masterpiece by Maassai is based on emulating that feeling and she does this in several different ways. Sonically, she creates a flow by chanting that washes over you in waves. Lyrically, she addresses the topic head-on, imagining the lives of those “random passerbys.” When I first heard this song, I swore that I heard it before in a dream. The hypnotic beat and vocals by Maassai put me right in the reflective headspace. It’s one of those tracks that you can just listen to over and over again.
A Song That Blew Out Our Speakers
NORTHSIDE GHETTO SOLDIER by BFB DA PACKMAN
Bfb Da Packman is really fun to listen to. Everything he dropped this year perfectly blends hilarious bars with real lyrical talent. "Northside Ghetto Soldier" was the crown jewel of all the goofy singles he dropped. With lyrics like “My daddy mad I said he smoke crack in one of my songs. Man I don't give a fuck You let another nigga raise your son,” spit out at maximum intensity, it’s impossible to ignore what Bfb Da Packman has to say. He was definitely my rookie of the year and we’ll be looking out for whatever he does next.
A Song that Made Life More Glamorous
XS by RINA SAWAYAMA
You’ll definitely be wanting more after hearing this song. Rina Sawayama fills the room with opulence and shine on “XS”. She gives us exactly what the name of the song tells us: excess of all the finest things in life, even when that’s not necessarily a good thing. From Cartier to Teslas, Sawayama flexes her style and stretches her singing voice. Each word is an ode to a material but precarious lifestyle. This song is definitely a must-play, especially if you need a bit more motivation for the day.
MAKER by ANJIMILE
The lyrics to “Maker” are hauntingly beautiful. Every time Anjimile sings, “I’m not just a boy, I’m a man I’m not just a man, I’m a god I’m not just a god, I’m a maker,” it sends shivers down your spine. “Maker” is one of those life-affirming songs which puts all your fears to rest. It’s the song that I went back to when I needed to feel a little bit of power or control over things during this crazy year.
A Song To Rage To
YELLOW PISS by CITY MORGUE
There’s nothing I miss more than the feeling of nearly dying in a mosh pit. City Morgue brought that feeling right back home with "Yellow piss". Right from the start of the song, a rush of exhilaration brushes over you, razing any feeling of sadness or stress away. The energy this song radiates is exciting, refreshing, and much needed. It condenses every feeling you should have at a concert into just two minutes. “Life’s short, death’s long... so whatever” and this song is definitely on repeat.
A Song That Ignited Us
KEROSENE! by YVES TUMOR
You immediately get lost in a dreamy haze at the start of Kerosene. It feels like you're on a tightrope walking between different dimensions. As Yves Tumor and the featured artist, Diana Gordon, switch off lines, your mind dances between their words. The song becomes a beautiful but catastrophic ballad as both voices clash against one another and the guitar riff launches you into another universe. Kerosene! is a beautiful melange of drama and fantasy, one that bridges the reality of love to its tragic essence.
A Song That Made Quarantine A Bit More Bearable
LEAVING HELL by R.A.P. FERREIRA
I've always been a fan of R.A.P. Ferreira and getting another album from him this year made the days much brighter. “Leaving Hell” is a great song to just play out loud and bop your head to. It became an anthem for me, preaching a weird kind of hope for a life post-quarantine. As he sings on the hook, “and that's when I knew I'd found my way out of this hell,” you can put yourself in his shoes. He is detailed and intricate in each word, each rhyme scheme that he employs. This song made all the difference this year.
A Song That Left Us In Awe
SUNCHOKE by SMALL BILLS
Sunchoke is a lyrical marvel. Elucid mixes lyrics that hit you immediately like “A microphone is both a listener and a speaker” with more dense bars that take days to unpack. Every single line on the song is carefully crafted to deliver maximum impact. The song eventually evolves into a jazzy, ambient soundscape with Elucid directing the instrumental around him. "Sunchoke" is one of those songs that gets more impressive with every listen, and showcases why Elucid is one of the greatest rappers alive.
A Song That Gave Us Peace
FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT by JAY ELECTRONICA
This is as pure as hip-hop gets. While Jay Electronica's two 2020 albums were a mixed bag, there were a couple of absolute gems on each. On "Fruits of the Spirit," he slips in and out of Spanish, mixing in elements of the Lord's prayer with vignettes about Vince Staples. Jay Electronica is one of the best rappers in the world when it's just him and a beautiful beat, and "Fruits of the Spirit" perfectly showcases all of his strengths.