2020 (2 of 2) - "Level of Concern" - twenty one pilots

Candidate 2 of 2. 

Written and recorded during the pandemic, it's a light funk track that takes on the heavy subject matter with a bit of levity. Comfort food for the confused and quarantined.

2020 (1 of 2) - "Lost in Yesterday" - Tame Impala

Candidate 1 of 2. 

A psychedelic pop masterpiece with a gorgeous bass line, disco melody and infectious choruses that will stay in your head for days. 

Heavy on nostalgia, convincing lyrics and video argue that eventually terrible memories make great ones. Worth a spin for fans of 70s / 80s pop.

Fave lyrics: “so if they call you embrace them, if they hold you erase them.”

2019 - "Blinding Lights" - The Weeknd

A good intro is critical and this one captivates.

Atmospheric and entrancing, this slightly sinister synth-pop groove is sprinkled with lush hooks reminiscent of A-ha's earlier albums. Pleased to see the 80s continue to inspire millennials.

Nostalgia took over decision-making in the early 2000s, influencing every fave song since 2002, starting with Coldplay (prime U2) and 2003 and Kylie (early Madonna) etc. etc. Guess that's when I stopped listened to the radio and officially became old.

Other favourites from 2019: 

"In the Afternoon" - MGMT 

2018 - "Pink Lemonade" - James Bay

Kinda sounds like The Strokes updated that driving mid-80s tune from Charlie Sexton. 

Oh, and Bowie. 73% of my favourite songs are influenced or can be linked back to David Bowie.

Other favourites from 2018: 

"Me and Michael" - MGMT (2018)

2017 - "Decades" - Matthew Good

A haunting, driving guitar riff accompanies Good's trademark passionate vocals and poignant lyrics; his best in many years never fails to move me or make me move.  

I've loved all the albums from this seriously underrated singer and songwriter since 1997.

Other favourites from 2017: 

"Way to Go" - Empire of the Sun

"The Night is Ours" – Alpha 9 

"Tonite" – LCD Soundsystem 

"Slide" – Calvin Harris 

"Little Dark Age" – MGMT