This was not the year most of us expected or wanted, and as far as music goes, on some days it seems silly or naive to think about it. But always, in retrospect, those are the worst days, and on better days I feel invigorated for the fight ahead, and at least somewhat inspired. Our incoming president is a walking, talking black hole, a real void of a human being, and his ascension to the presidency threatens the safety of all of us, but especially those of us who are most vulnerable. Anything I can say about the situation will be a cliché within a week, if it isn't already, but among other things, that's what fascism does--it takes whatever we say and tries to render it meaningless. I am doing my best to find ways to be politically involved that feel both meaningful and tangible, and I hope the same for you, wherever you may live.
I won't be doing a meticulous year-end list, but I enjoyed recently released or yet-to-be-released music by the following people this year:
Mike Wexler
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
A Tribe Called Quest
Gabriel Birnbaum
Cassandra Jenkins
Wilder Maker
Caroline Shaw
William Tyler
Andy Shauf
Kendrick Lamar
David Garland
Stephen Steinbrink
Trevor Wilson
Cass McCombs
Kacy & Clayton
Itasca
Kevin Morby
Xylouris White
Karl Blau
Red Steppes
The Radio Dept
Jesse R. Berlin
Weyes Blood
Ben Seretan
Aaron Roche
Teen Daze
Ben Seretan
Johanna Warren
Uni Ika Ai
Radiohead
Steve Hauschildt
Daniel Bachman
Joan Shelley
Nico Muhly and Teitur
David Bowie
Brigid Mae Power
It was a good year for music.
-Will