Beat logo

2020: Serendipity In Sound

The best music from the most bleak year

By JoshPublished 3 years ago 8 min read
Like
WARNING: OXFORD ASTRAZENECA VACCINE MAY CONTAIN SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Music is full of clichés and even talking about it is a cliché in itself. But you know what makes a cliché? Something that is so true that you can't deny it even if it makes you want to stub your own toe just to alleviate that awful cringing feeling.

My latest cliché: "serendipity in sound". Something more profound than ever in a year that changed the course of history and gave us something else to moan about. Serendipity means something unexpectedly good happening to you without intention - like finding money in an old jacket or if this year is anything to go by, finding a small piece of uneaten cheese down the sofa whilst you binge watch another crap Netflix series.

Cynicism aside, the term was more important than ever as we tried to find the light in what seemed to be a never-ending period of darkness. Music is the gift-wrapped Amazon delivery that just keeps on giving, and that one lyric, beat or iconic sound can really brighten up that walk around the block that you've now completed 700 times. Here are the tracks of 2020 that got me through the year:

ARLO PARKS - HURT

Not only does Arlo Parks have the ability to soothe any setting she also landed quite possibly the most apt lyric of 2020:

I know you can't let go

Of anything at the moment

Just know it won't hurt so

Won't hurt so much forever

We may now have two vaccines in circulation but this is the equivalent to a homeopathic remedy, a soulful ode to a terrible year with a reminder that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

D POWER DIESLE x SKEPTA - SNIPER

Contender for the hardest grime tune of 2020 and potentially this whole decade - Teddy Music was at it again with his phenomenal production and a bassline that even the wholesome family upstairs were nodding to. Complement that with timeless lyrics from Grime scene legends D Power Diesle and Skepta and you've got yourself a gold standard in UK music and the soundtrack to the majority of my lunchtime walks.

A.K. PAUL - BE HONEST

Annie Mac selected this as her Hottest Record of the Week back in July which came just in time for that unimaginably hot couple of months (remember that?). Think Frank Ocean with more 808s and you've got yourself another fantastic shower sing-along to swap out for Blonde.

CHAPPAQUA WRESTLING - THE RIFT

One of the disappointing things about 2020 was not being able to see whether I'd actually get to meet these guys; my friend met them at a bar in Bermondsey and they said "come to our next gig and we'll get you backstage". I'm still holding out for that glorious day especially after they dropped this belter - a bit more grungier than their previous indie hits but I am certainly not complaining. See you soon Charlie and Jake!

JOESEF x LOYLE CARNER - I WONDER WHY

Joesef makes songs that make you feel like you're in a film - or at least that same sensation when you're on a train and staring out the window as if the South Western Railway service to Poole is the Trans-Siberian Express. This song is another thought-provoking tale of heartbreak, and Loyle Carner casually drops in with 8 illustrious bars to add to the allure.

LONE x KETTAMA - DRAGONRUSH

My final night out before lockdown was at XOYO to see Lone and Dusky which was possibly the best decision I made all year. The Robin Hood of UK electronica gave us a project alongside the king of the mullet Kettama and we the people rejoice in this bounty. A cosmic scene of break beats and both producers' signature touches provided some much needed escapism.

KENYA GRACE - TALK

I cannot wait for the day that Kenya Grace hits the top 10 and I can finally say "I told you so" / "I've actually been listening to her stuff for a while now" / "Oh you haven't heard of her?". A very exciting new voice from an incredibly talented young woman and proof that talent is talent even from a bedroom studio. Her single Talk is lyrically direct yet melodically soft in the same style as Amy Winehouse, and I can't wait to see what she produces next.

JORJA SMITH - ROSE ROUGE

The best cover you'll hear this year - the timeless voice of Jorja Smith re-working Saint Germain's jazz symphony 20 years on but with a much more poignant feel. The video depicts scenes from the BLM protests back in the summer following the death of George Floyd, intertwined with flashbacks from the civil rights movement of the 1960s to remind us that strength comes from unity. If there was a soundtrack to the year this would be it, showing that even in a pandemic we can still come together.

GENGHAR - HEAVENLY MAYBE

This song may be about running away from your problems, it may be about being convinced that you've just seen something extra-terrestrial, for all I care it could be about narrating a school nativity play - it's still been on repeat this whole year. A very fun, upbeat singalong tune from every Pokemon lover's favourite indie band.

KHRUANGBIN - TIME (YOU & I)

My friends and I moved house back in the summer much to our old neighbour's delight as we played this track relentlessly every Thursday night at our weekly boozy games night. An absolute feelgood toe tapper that your Nan would have a job not to bop along to.

EASY LIFE x ARLO PARKS - SANGRIA

It's really simple to name a band, don't bother with those name generators, just think of something that sums you and your music up in a couple of words and like Easy Life you'll hit the nail on the head. Another laid back catchy banger from the Leicester lads featuring, yes you guessed it, AP.

MAURICE FULTON x PEGGY GOU - JIGOO

Remember what going out was like? Paying to go into a club and standing dangerously close to strangers whilst you awkwardly two step and sip your overpriced drink? God I miss it so much. Luckily Peggy Gou was on hand to pair up with Maurice Fulton to help make your kitchen into a dancefloor. Mums everywhere will be flocking to Printworks in 2021 to see this live.

D DOUBLE E - FRONTLINE

Another contender for lyric of the year goes to the Sensei of the Newham Generals, D Double E. Imagine being such a high calibre rapper that you can even contemplate opening a track with "THINK YOU'RE A BIG BOY COS YOU GOT A BEARD" - spoiler alert, you can't, or ever will. This grime classic is 17 years in the making, and my god am I glad it finally got to grace Spotify.

TEEKAY x FORBES - NEED U

Two to watch for next year - Southampton's finest talent showing the UK that there is more to this little island than London. Teekay dropped his debut single this year which although I'm not a medical professional I can safely say will get you in a good mood whatever the circumstance. Combine that with fellow S.O. talent Forbes (who has also been very busy paving the way for the South coast locals this year) and you have a winning formula. Watch. This. Space.

THUNDERCAT - FUNNY THING

Thundercat is that friend that you call when you want to have a great time. That awful influence that smiles and shakes a bottle of tequila at you on a hangover but you can't help but love. This song blew up on TikTok but regardless of teenagers videoing their likes and dislikes this song, nay, album, was the bit of light that we needed this year. Thanks TC for bringing out the weirdo in all of us.

DISCLOSURE x FATOUMATA DIAWARA - MALI MALI

Yes I can't believe it as well, Disclosure are still rolling out bangers as if it's still 2013. Five whole years we waited for a follow up to Caracal and sure enough their 2020 album Energy was worth the wait. I defy anyone to not sing along to this track and it warms my heart that there are still producers out there making new-garage.

NOVELIST - STAY WITH ME

If this is the first Novelist track that you've ever heard then you may be a bit thrown off to find the rest of his catalogue (please see One Sec / The Square - Pengaleng), however for the rest of us fanboys this was a welcomed treat. An 80s-style ballad that showed Nov's dedication to his faith and a music video with quite possibly the happiest looking grime MC / person I've ever seen. Here's to more N-O-V-DDDDDDDDD.

GOLDLINK x LUKEYWORLD

I'm almost annoyed that this track didn't come out in the summer but let's see it as an early Christmas present or a prelude to better times. Goldlink meets Lukeyworld aka US meets UK. The result? A combination of hip-hop styles so smooth that it could form a template for Brexit negotiations.

BACKROAD GEE - TAKE TIME

Just because we're in a global pandemic doesn't mean we can't have a bit of fun. This one is for all of those that found romance in lockdown, whether that be through a Zoom date or a socially distanced drink in a park, love is not dead in 2020. Backroad Gee bringing the vibe with sexy saxophones and a modern love story.

BONOBO x TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS - HEARTBREAK

I've always been in to running so I went the opposite way when it came to exercise during lockdown in that I just decided to not do any cardio anymore. Maybe because I was missing this track to get me motivated. Heavy breakbeats and a classic dose of tribal keys from these masters will get you off your arse and out of the door or at least enough motivation to get dressed for your first zoom call of the day.

playlist
Like

About the Creator

Josh

Trying to see the funny side to life

Insta: joshwilson93

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.