2020 Was The Year Of ...

There were many ways to understand the year in music; here are a few of our favorites.

by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr / NPR / Getty Images There were many ways to understand this year’s best music. Some of us listened obsessively to albums that transported us away from the stress of the daily grind; others were wowed by songs that spoke truth to power. We kept soothing tracks on repeat; we cranked up albums that expressed our rage; we sought out bright spots in new musical discoveries. So we made some special playlists. We highlighted 2020’s most powerful protest music; gave thanks for the songs that soundtracked our solo dance parties; celebrated the year’s breakthrough women rappers; and reflected on the music that helped us try to remain calm.  We also hosted a listening party to count down our top five songs of the year — from Bad Bunny's dizzying opus "Safaera" to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's gloriously raunchy "WAP." Meanwhile, our friends at Alt.Latino discussed the passion, vision and solace in their favorite albums of the year, and Bob Boilen shared a list of his 40 favorite tracks of 2020. And All Songs Considered wants to hear about your favorite albums of the year: Vote in their listener poll! Dancing on our own, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna   Newsletter continues after sponsor message New Music After the surprise release of her eighth studio album in July, Taylor Swift shared another new record on Friday. evermore, a sister record to folklore, was announced just hours ahead of its midnight release, and features collaborations with The National, Bon Iver and HAIM.  Ms. Swift’s not the only artist who surprised us with a new record this week. On Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions, Sturgill Simpson returns to his 2016 album A Sailor's Guide to Earth for bluegrass reinterpretations of those tracks, and shares a previously unreleased song co-written by Merle Haggard.  2020’s been a roller coaster for PJ Morton, who won a Grammy, lost a hero and contracted COVID-19. Hear his new song “Still Here,” the latest entry for Morning Edition’s ongoing Song Project. Featuring This week, Universal Music Publishing Group announced it had bought the lucrative publishing rights to over 600 Bob Dylan songs. The deal is worth a reported $300 million. Our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour recently chatted about the third Bad Bunny album of 2020, El Último Tour Del Mundo, plus dedicated an episode to the enduring legacy of the elusive chanteuse herself, Mariah Carey. Davóne Tines is one of the most fascinating opera singers of his generation, with a taste that runs towards uncharted territory. He’s the most recent guest on our video series Amplify With Lara Downes. This week, legendary ambient composer Harold Budd died from complications caused by COVID-19 at the age of 84. Across the 30-plus records he made solo and in collaboration, snowy-white piano texture remained at the heart of his sound. On our team, we take the art of playlist-making pretty seriously; we also think it’s incredibly fun. For Life Kit, our friend (and Tiny Desk producer) Bobby Carter gave some advice on how to craft top-notch playlists. From NPR Live Sessions, watch China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana join Pink Martini for a performance of the Ladino song “Ocho Kandelikas.” Tiny Desk NPR Your newsletter editors have been fans of Hayley Williams since her earliest days as the frontwoman for pop-punk heroes Paramore. In her Tiny Desk (home) concert, she performed songs from her debut solo album, with an assist from Nashville neighbors Julien Baker and Becca Mancari. Plus: This week, we also shared a set from the most exciting sister act in contemporary pop, Chloe x Halle, and one from Grammy-nominated rock band Black Pumas.   Louder Than A Riot LA rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle’s name has been in the headlines since his death in 2019. But this week, the team at Louder Than A Riot explores the story behind his murder that hasn’t been told: how law enforcement lied about using the rapper’s past to sideline someone else’s future — and what it says about the impact of law enforcement categorizing thousands of Black and brown men as potential criminals. Hear the episode One More Thing Deck the halls with NPR Events! Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy