Jeff's Best of the Rest, 2020 Edition

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As much as we hated this year, the music was solid. Here are the rest of my favorites that didn't quite make the 2020 cut:

* Foxanne - It's real (I knew it) (My #11, and if I had more time to spend with it I might have ranked it higher)
* Ben Eisenberger - Soloists (Might be higher with an earlier release date as well)
* Beadadoobee - Fake It Flowers
* Hazel English - Wake UP!
* Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
* William Basinski - Lamentations
* Vanessa Peters - Mixtape
* Taylor Swift - evermore
* Sorry - 925
* Sylvan Esso - Free Love
* Ailhbe Reddy - Personal History
* Annie Taylor = Sweet Mortality
* Sa-Roc - The Sharecropper's Daughter
* Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
* Purity Ring - WOMB
* Carla J Easton - WEIRDO
* Taylor Swift - folklore
* Alex the Astronaut - The Theory of Absolutely Nothing
* Zilched - DOOMPOP
* Skylar Gudasz - Cinema
* Mipso - Mipso
* The Beths - Jump Rope Gazers
* Bonny Light Horseman - Bonny Light Horseman
* Sierra Hull - 25 Trips
* Koven - Butterfly Effect
* Black Dresses - Peaceful as Hell
* Damn the Witch Siren - White Magic
* Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA
* Soccer Mommy - Color Theory
* Squirrel Flower - I Was Born Swimming
* Orion Sun - Hold Space for Me
* Ringo Deathstarr - Ringo Deathstarr
* Billy Nomates - Billy Nomates
* The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick - Ways of Hearing

In addition, I liked a lot of songs this year, so instead of trying to keep this a 30 song playlist, I'm doubling it up. A little bit of everything in here; best consumed on shuffle.

What will next year bring? Who knows. Hopefully some live music and less pandemic content. But, most importantly? Good health. See you never, 2020.

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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