Here is my annual rundown of things I managed to give more than a cursory listen to in this year of inspiration, disillusionment, and improvisation. As always, this is NOT meant as my “Best of” list or anything other than an experiment in exhibitionism and voyeurism. I do it because I enjoy reading about what others are listening to and so I’d like to reciprocate. One thing I’ve noticed about my list this year is that is more detached from current pop music than in previous years. Part of that is a result of not feeling like attending any new festivals this year, some of it is seeking comfort in old friends, and some of it is a natural tendency to age out. I usually try very hard to avoid this, but I just didn’t have the heart this year for some reason. Maybe next year. As always, YMMV.

Here’s to realized campaign promises and renewed global cooperation. 

In alphabetical order.

Aimee Mann, Queens of the Summer Hotel

Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Enigma

Asleep at the Wheel, Half a Hundred Years

Billy F Gibbons, Hardware

Ceramic Dog, Hope

ChVrches, Screen Violence: Director’s Cut

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers, Imposter

Deap Vally, Marriage

Deep Purple, Turning to Crime

Dennis DeYoung, 26 East, Vol. 2

Dropkick Murphys, Turn Up That Dial

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Hunter and the Dog Star

Explosions in the Sky, Big Bend

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, The Reset

Hammock, Elsewhere

Mogwai, As The Love Continues

Jean-Michel Jarre, Amazônia

José González, Local Valley

Olga Neuwirth, Solo

Pat Metheny, Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raise the Roof

St. Vincent, The Nowhere Inn

Steve Cropper, Fire It Up

Styx, Crash of the Crown

Tangerine Dream, Probe 6-8 (2021)

Terence Blanchard, Absence

Terri Hendrix, Pilgrim’s Progress Project 5.5

The Joy Formidable, Into The Blue

Tune-Yards, sketchy.

Tyshawn Sorey, For George Lewis

Vikingur Ólafsson, Mozart & Contemporaries

Willie Nelson, That’s Life

Wynton Marsalis & JLCO, The Democracy! Suite

Yes, The Quest