My Year in Song
The fifth edition of tunes that tell on me.
I began this tradition in 2020 as a way to get at the meaning underpinning the year’s listening tendencies. There’s some overlap with the streaming stats, but these picks cut a bit closer to the bone, to how I felt, moved, and operated month to month.
January: “Supalonely,” BENEE ft. Gus Dapperton
February: “Pianos + 808 + Beat - ‘Welcome Home,’” Nicholas Britell (from the Succession soundtrack, season 4)
March: “edamame,” bbno$ ft. Rich Brian
April: “Bubblegum Dog,” MGMT
May: “So High School,” Taylor Swift
June: “LUNCH,” Billie Eilish
July: “MILLION DOLLAR BABY,” Tommy Richman
August: “Apple,” Charli XCX
September: “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues,” Jim Croce
October: “Cinderella,” Remi Wolf
November: “Dance II,” Discovery Zone
December: “What Now,” Brittany Howard
Album of My Year: Several records loomed large (Himself by Gilbert O’Sullivan, Loss of Life by MGMT, VIVA HINDS by Hinds), but after all is said and done I might have to call it for brat. Even as I enjoyed “360” when it dropped in the spring, I couldn’t have foreseen what the album, with its (im)mature statements, would do for me. It got me through a big summer and into a new chapter. I ride for you, Charli.