The top 10 songs of 2020
Everyone’s glad that 2020 is finally over. One thing keeping people sane during these past 12 months was music. These 10 songs were the best to arrive from one of the worst years in recent history. You can also check out out Spotify playlist below, which features these ten tracks and much more music released in 2020.
10. Pony - "WebMD" - Take This To Heart Records
When Toronto power-pop act Pony revealed their signing to Take This To Heart Records, they unveiled one of 2020's most infectious tunes with "WebMD." Clocking in at over two minutes, the song sounds like it could've been the chart-topping theme for an '90s comedy film starring Winona Ryder.
9. No Thank You - "Enough" - Lame-O Records
Released as the first single from No Thank You’s recent album Embroidered Foliage, “Enough” is a perfect representation of the band’s overall style: Kaytee Della Monica’s soothing vocals wrapped around a heavy backing of instruments.
8. Gutcheck - "iMatter"
While the coronavirus kept everyone inside, it didn't stop police brutality from disturbing the streets. Following the death of George Floyd, millions began protesting throughout the world. Florida metalcore group Gutcheck captured everyone's frustration with their punishing track "iMatter," which asks "How does one stay stable when being black in America means there's always a loss on the table?"
7. Hopesfall - "Hall of the Sky" - Equal Vision Records
Nearly a year after announcing the return of guitarist Ryan Parrish, beloved post-hardcore outfit Hopesfall dropped a melodic bomb with "Hall of the Sky." Clocking in at almost nine minutes, the track is the band's longest in their acclaimed discography.
6. Assemblage 23 - “Epiphany” - Metropolis Records
Assemblage 23's Tom Shear croons "I just can’t take it anymore/ This is killing me" in their track "Epiphany," and with what transpired in 2020, that line resonated with everyone.
5. Oceans Ate Alaska - "Metamorph" - Fearless Records
When vocalist James Harrison growled "Did you miss me when I weren’t around?" on Oceans Ate Alaska's "Metamorph," the metalcore scene collectively said, "Yes." The track gave fans a major surprise with the return of Harrison, who exited the band back in 2016. Sprinkled with lo-fi goodness, "Metamorph" is a phenomenal indication of where the band is headed next.
4. Ashbury Heights - "Spectres From The Black Moss" - Out of Line Music
Ashbury Heights' "Spectres From the Black Moss" saw the return of singer Yasmine Uhlin, who appeared on the outfit's debut album Three Cheers For The Newlydeads. In the track, vocalist Anders Hagström dishes on their woes, which seemingly got "No sympathy" from one unnamed individual.
3. Made Up Music - "Out For Delivery"
Made Up Music, which features Alex Caan and Arlo Sanders, delivers new tunes on the fly thanks to the Twitch chat. Their song "Out For Delivery" easily puts most pop songs released in 2020 to shame with clever lyrics (“Can you tell me why I've heard some of those lines/Sending parts of the truth like gin with vermouth”) and a damn catchy chorus.
2. Jukio Kallo and Daniel Hagström - "Everybody Falls (Fall Guys Theme)"
Easily one of the most colorful tracks released this year, the Fall Guys theme is something that sticks with you long after you're done playing. You've probably found yourself accidentally humming it during an important business meeting or two.
1. Hundredth - "Bottle It Up"
While Hundredth wowed people with their shoegaze offering with 2017's Rare, "Bottle It Up," which was the first single from their studio album Somewhere Nowhere, took a surprising turn into synthpop majesty.