My 2020 playlist

The right music at the right time is really powerful. It can help you smile more, laugh more and remember more. This year I've changed the way I listen to music and what I'm looking for in it. I also liked the things that were born because of it, mainly the Instagram live concerts from my favourite artists.

This story is especially personal to me as it highlights two things that I've really grown through in 2020: writing and music. Before writing was something I detested and now I enjoy it; real big 180 there. And music is something I was learning about, still feeling my way through it and loving it throughout. I've started to do monthly music playlists from June afterwards because there is too much music and too many emotions I leaving behind so that's at the bottom of this page as an extra for everyone getting through the year.

Earlier this year, I'm really lucky that my favourite artists (Rex Orange County, Hailee Steinfeld and Justin Beiber for a few names) played at home in the quarantine from around the world and it was a really nice touch both to hear live music and to know them a little bit as a great person in the stay-at-home times. For me, it was homey and gave me something I knew as I was stuck in another country away from home for the first 3 months after the lockdowns.

I'm also really happy to listen to much more of the indie genre and artists that are struggling a little more in these times and also those who give back to the live-stage crews that help with concerts - supporting them is really necessary and the music can be incredible.

This year, I've made many collaborative playlists with friends, made collaborative playlists for the plastic cleanup I organised in downtown Toronto waterfront in September and I made a huge collaborative playlist for my blog for my university and got to build a community that people really loved. These moments were new to me but I felt connected to people and it felt personal between all of us. I think communicating in a 'non-message' way and instead through music, has helped me keep up friendships and get to know people better in these socially distant times.

Onto my 2020 Playlist

Quickly, as there's a lot here, I obviously couldn't include all the music that matters to me and I really enjoyed this year but here are some songs that have got me through the quiet times, the happy times and everything in between. Going back to my music habits, I've got 47,043 minutes of listening time. So, that's roughly 32 and a half days of listening to music straight. And this was without counting my listening time in December. That's honestly mindblowing and still absolutely realistic as a student.

47,043 minutes,

Over 32 days, or more than one full month of listening.

what. the.

Now, I really love Rex Orange County's music and his songs. And I'm in the 0.1% for a second year, which is nice to know too.

His album Pony technically came out in 2019, but this is the audio from a concert at Radio City and was released late this year.

I really like this variant and recording of the album. For me, this brings back memories of my time at the Pony concert when I went to it with a close friend and it brought back a warm, happy feeling. I think it might be hearing the other people in the crowd together and background of the track, reminding me of those times and giving me something to hold on to.

1. 10/10 - Rex Orange County

And apparently the song I listened to most, which I don't think I would have guessed though. These songs on the list are not in any order, not of importance and not of when I listened to them but it might feel like that. I think I put them in an order that I would for a playlist and I wouldn't shuffle it if I were to play it. I think it flows well for this, really well.

2. Pluto Projector - Rex Orange County

Pluto Projector is a masterful piece, full of emotions and brilliant detail in its lyrics. I can remember listening to this almost every day for a while and it's pace matches the speed of my quarantine time. This would be the Rex song that carried me through some of the slow days and definitely the one I thought I listened to most. For me, the crowd's love and celebrations add another dimension that I struggle to define but I feel it and perhaps it doesn't need describing.

3. Sweet Talk - Saint Motel

Sweet talk is a powerful tune that I found by Autumn time and I found this whole album as a really refreshing time in my life and it came when I was a couple of weeks into my courses and my music was feeling stale. I guess that's what I get for listening to 32 days worth.

4. North Face - ODIE

I think North Face was one of the first songs in early April when I was sitting thousands of miles away from home as the pandemic took hold of all us. I was fortunate and healthy but these slower songs kept me going to stay positive and calm instead of the no-no opposite (freaking out about everything).

5. Kids - MGMT

If this song doesn't make you feel incredible then I'll be astounded. Certainly for me, no matter how stressed, lonely, happy, lost, tired or whatever feeling this gives me hope and lights up my face with a big old smile. Definitely take as a pick-me-up for sad mornings, no limit on the prescribed amount with this song.

6. Water Color Paper - Felix Wood

Now, this song has a completely different feeling and emotions that it gives me. It feels like I could swing my whole body as I engross myself in the music. On repeat for days. Not rated highly enough, so give it a chance.

7. Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavigne

Sk8er Boi is a reminder of those 'coming of age' movies for me and has that classic vibe from my childhood. Really useful for getting that extra boost of energy when you've got an assignment due in an hour or when you're face-timing a friend. A sing-along song and a classic too.

8. King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men

Often an overlooked song from the album, still beautiful and touching. Please if you need to cry it out go for it here. I for one have not one specific memory of it, but at those times when people felt far and I was missing a hug, this one helped.

9. Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

I really do love this one. Not a new song, and instead, a classic-ish song that is like a fine wine and ages very well in my opinion. I find it scintillating, and I can tell you from experience that it feels like home and works for many feelings and carried me through many days this year.

10. Hot Rod - Dayglow

'My memory is not like the other ones..' - I love listening to this in the summer and the long sunsets as I developed my new love for long-distance running this year after being so strongly against it. Crazy right...

11. Baby blue - Rence

Gentle and caring, this song feels delicate and if I skip it, it may fracture so I'll have to make sure I listen to the whole thing. It feels nostalgic even though I don't know how I relate to it at all, I feel as if it's me on the other end. Nostalgia and reflections and memories were big parts of my lockdown so this was part of it along with hundreds of other songs.

12. A Kiss - The Driver Era

This song works for rainy afternoon and reminds me of my friends. Maybe the song feels like an eye-hole into someone's life or I don't know how to describe it. Or maybe I need a kiss.

13. Stuck In The Middle - Tai Verdes

Out of all the songs, I believe this journey for the artist Tai Verdes is quite remarkable. I heard of his story early in the year on Tiktok as he wanted to quit his job to pursue music - and he then did. He seemed a really kind person and he might have even documented his hard-fought journey too. He seemed really, really happy once he made it and I feel that personal life story every time I hear this song. Even though the song is bumpy, I'm really over the moon for the artist. If you can check him out.

14. Home - Edith Whiskers

A soft, soft song perfect for the end of year reflection as you sit by the window or evening vibes and is likely to bring a tear to anyone's eye as you think about precious memories and history that you really, really miss.

15. Let's Fall in Love for the Night (1964) - Finneas

Classy and designed for a quality night in, so dress up even though I didn't and probably was in PJs. Maybe feeling comfortable in what you're in and give it a good sing-along and really mean it. Dream away young lovers.

16. Buzzcut season - Lorde

Lorde. Pure Heroine. A stunning album and I've seen many debates about the best song on the album and this one and Tennis Court and 400 Lux and the true gold (I hope I haven't got that confused it's late and there's a lot to type). As a whole album, I love and it stops that feeling of car sickness or homesickness (same difference) and cradles you all the way home.

17. Crush - Souly Had

Another one of the many songs that has 'crush' in the song name, but there's something about the way the song swings that draws in a magnetic pull and the lyrics are easy to pick up. Many slow mornings and study sessions involved this tune, and if I remember it got me through calculus so that's a big win.

18. Same Songs - Slxxpboy

This one got me through exams season, mainly finals when I had barely any time to find new music and I just wanted to concentrate and I definitely overplayed my other music. Very indie and finding these artists were not something I did before but I happy I got the time and chance to do so.

19. Intentions (feat. Quavo) - Justin Bieber

I feel like Justin Bieber is on a tremendous climb up and as things in his personal life make him feel better it's directly linked to his more creative music and the music that he's just announced to come - 'anyone' on the way tonight! This one's just a tune and this album is stunning and I can remember listening to this on many windy walks along the road.

20. Look Up At The Stars - Shawn Mendes

I love the pacing of the piece and as I wind down for the night and reflect, it definitely sets the tone for me to think and I can imagine many more occasions I'm going to listen to this.

Last song and I know it was supposed to be 20 songs, but something about music has carried me through the year and choosing 21 songs seems appropriate heading into the new year.

21. Wonder - Shawn Mendes

Layers of magic, and that's all I'll say.

Bonus for everyone:

My playlists by month: for all the songs that didn't make it to the 2020 list but I still love so much and I found I listened to for that month such the Wallows, The Weeknd, role model and so so many more. I feel role model would've earned a spot but I am only just listening to his music and feeling how textured and complex the layers of music are and how relatable they are in these moments and my life growing up. And the weekend should be here except I feel as if I should listen to it with friends because it is one of the best for a long time, so I won't let it pass by. These just helped me get through mainly on my own you see.

June

where it all began and I'm proud of this one. Had way to much time on my hands and I found some really cool new songs.

July

i was listening to so much music each day and this month is full of energy.

August

slowing it down and just enjoying the rest of summer.

September

on the hunt for more new songs especially and a new term of university began.

October

full of emotion and the beginning of more mellow and less energetic songs as the months progress.

November

in the feels.

December

quite gorgeous, a little bit slower.