2022

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3odOI57qnPsvpKMFjbgqB9

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPXZHlD_pYLpWplIq1cuEoU8YX0slc150

Overall comments:

1. The list, like these release notes, is rather long (34 songs, about two hours of playtime). At least one person assured me that's not too long (but he followed that by "I have playlists with 300+ songs on them," so take that with multiple grains of salt).

2. Even if it is, hopefully you'll find something on it you like. Discovery is part of the fun of looking at other people's playlists.

3. As with previous lists, any connections or themes in the lyrics, titles, or choice of artists is at best subconscious, and not obviously intended to send a message.

4. Having said that, the order of the list is not entirely random. Making a playlist is a bit like cooking - you taste a lot until you like it. But the order is mostly based on sound and what seems to (not) clash with what. As you can tell by the dates added, this list has been in the works for about half a year. 

5. Feedback on the songs, list, anything appreciated.

6. For those of you who sent me playlists, thank you! Much appreciated. If you like making playlists yourself, please send me a link or tell me where to look. I love to discover new music and see what you're into.   

About the songs:

1. Probably more super-hits than normal for me, having had access only to commercial over-the-air radio for part of the last year.

   • Alice (KLLC, 97.3 FM) was one of the few stations that came in clearly (not surprisingly, given that their transmitter is on Mount Beacon in the Marin Headlands). They're responsible for Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, and a few others on this list. I got quite fond of them through many repeats on my transistor radio (yes, those still exist).

   • So about half the songs here have over a million views on YouTube. Some have MANY more -- Billie Eilish (256M views), Olivia Rodrigo (420M), Black Eyed Peas (129M), Ed Sheeran (249M), Bad Bunny (559M) or Tom Odell (591M). In case you've already overdosed on those, I cut many others (Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Lil Nas X, and about 25 others).

   • The list also has some pretty obscure songs -  Venice by Modern Love Child had 307 views at the time I'm writing this, so either the counter is wrong or you can make a real difference. It has slightly more listens on Spotify (35,000).  

2. About half the songs were released less than a year ago. But several are ten or more years old. I think Mercury Rev sets the record at 16 years.

3. Solar Power is a Lorde cover. Some people don't like covers.

   • I'm not a purist on the subject. I like several covers of the Pixies' Where Is My Mind, but I also really like the original. 

   • Nonetheless, I personally think Gene Wilder is the real Willy Wonka, but some people prefer Johnny Depp. But maybe Timothée Chalamet will settle the argument and replace them both next year?

   • Another view on covers could get us into the topic of creative appropriation, but I will avoid that, especially given the current rather humorous discussion in the news about Stanford's list of phrases to be avoided so that nobody gets offended.

4. Yes, I'm aware that there are three songs by Mt. Joy on the list. I intended to cut two of them, but I really like all three and couldn't pick.

5. New releases in 2022 for old favs Arcade Fire and Spoon. Pretty solid albums.

6. Bad Bunny was actually the most-streamed artist in the world this year, that's how they got on the list.

7. Similarly, in case you don't follow the Dutch music scene, Vluchtstrook was actually the most-streamed song on Spotify in the Netherlands this year (ahead of As It Was by Harry Styles). Who knew?

8. Black Country, New Road's album, Ants from Up There, should really be listened to as an album, not just a song. 

   • But of course, I had to pick a song. I think Concorde stands on its own.

   • Unfortunately, despite "universal critical acclaim," lead vocalist and guitarist Isaac Wood left the band four days before the release of the album because of health problems. So this will be the last album with the original frontman.

   • To quote one of the highly favorable reviews,  "低音呢喃式人声演绎相较首专而言变得更为内敛，所谓的极简主义氛围更多也是体现在人声这一环节上。此外，运用留白段落来塑造乐曲情绪递进的手段也在这张专辑中大放异彩，在渐强中推进听者情感走向的器乐编排则与留白段落一起，为歌曲流动的鼓膜共鸣铺开底色，而在此之上的是作为专辑核心的跨流派器乐段落，既有对传统结构的摒弃，也有相对古典的管弦段落，但都无一例外地保持着出色的音色审美与令人印象深刻的乐句写作" 

   • NME: "This singular record will remain a stunning collection to be cherished for years to come, and a remarkable high on which to end Wood’s tenure at the front of the band. It’s a future cult classic."

9. Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) is from New Jersey, which may explain his collaboration with Bruce Springsteen. He's one of those ridiculously multi-talented people (like another hero of mine, Jason Schwartzman), and he got the 2022 Grammy for Producer of the Year, crediting the six!! albums he worked on last year, including Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, which contains Chinatown. But honestly, I just liked the song before I knew any of that.

   • If you like music (which I assume you do if you got this far into this message), the Grammys are worth watching - like the Oscars for music. Watch it on CBS Sunday, Feb 5, 2023.

10. OK I'll spare you comments on every one of the rest of the 34 songs on the list, although I'm tempted (never lacking in verbosity or indulgence)

General disclaimers:  

• Obviously I hope you like the music, but even if you never listen to any of it, feel free to regift / forward to / share with someone who might.

• Not sure how this works with digital rights in other countries - Please let me know if you see fewer than 34 songs or if some of them won't play where you are. 

• If you want to filter out explicit content, please follow the instructions here and Spotify will skip them during playback: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2019-10-04/how-to-filter-out-explicit-songs-on-spotify-in-a-few-quick-steps/