Best Records of the Year 2020: 1-20

As promised yesterday, it's time to close the list of Best Records of 2020 with our Top 20. In a year of (worldwide) struggles, shortcomings, and forced introspection, music has had a balsamic effect. While listening the albums again in order to draft the list, we have seen sort of a trend (aside from a couple of exceptions and the Blog's trademark love for the Antipodean sounds) in the selection: an eerie, pensive, yet very warm vibe. Makes total sense. These are comforting, enduring songs against the uncertainty. Hope these are shared (or about to be) feelings with you all. So, enjoy the music and Happy 2021!  

20.  Vida Exterior- Kiwis 
19.  There Is No Other- Isobel Campbell
18.  Are You In Love?- Basia Bulat
17. The Universal Want- Doves
16. Drowning in Blessings- Sinead O’Brien 
15. Under the Spell of Joy- Death Valley Girls
14. A Strange Dream- Smokescreens
13. Marjorie- Núria Graham
12. The Very Most Needs Help- The Very Most
11. The Passing Scene- Leah Senior

10. You Might Be Happy Someday- The Reds, Pinks & Purples
9.  Saint Cloud- Waxahatchee
8.  From a View- Floodlights

7.  Mystic Hotline- Latitude

6.  Feral- RVG

5.  Introduction, Presence- Nation of Language

4.  Serpentine Prison- Matt Berninger

3. Foothills- The Bats

2. Shore- Fleet Foxes

1. See You Tomorrow- The Innocence Mission

Want to check the best recors of 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011?

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 254

As we told you yesterday, this weekend we have a double ration of TOP TEN JUKEBOX, providing you with twenty songs overall for your listening pleasure. This second playlist is a Blog's trademark, full of discoveries, although there are also some beloved groups that couldn't be missed at Bloodbuzzed, such as our beloved Basia Bulat (first couple of tastes from the new album sound amazing, huge expectations) or Flyying Colours. Have a good time, and remember to join us in our Soundcloud page!

Direct links to 2020 Jukebox playlists

Week 250  Week 251  Week 252  Week 253

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 249

After some intense days of work, decisions, anxiety and changes, we have landed on this long weekend with a spectacular TOP TEN JUKEBOX. It was more or less ready past week, but with so much hustle and bustle, we haven't been able to publish it before (add some technical problems to the mix, bye bye Soundcloud), but better late than never. These ten songs, a royal flush with several essential groups for this humble blog such as Jetstream Pony, The Persian Leaps, Basia Bulat or Eyelids, deserve to be listened carefully. And don't worry, we already know that we are in December and it's time for the best of the year lists... Have a nice Sunday and don't forget to stop by at our Spotify!

 Direct links to 2019 Jukebox playlists

Week 214  Week 215 Week 216  Week 217 Week 218 Week 219 Week 220 Week 221 

Week 222 Week 223  Week 224  Week 225 Week 226  Week 227 Week 228 Week 229

Week 230 Week 231  Week 232  Week 233  Week 234 Week 235 Week 236 Week 237
Week 238 Week 239  Week 240  Week 241  Week 242 Week 243 Week 244 Week 245
Week 246 Week 247  Week 248

Best Songs of the Year 2016: 50-26

As promised yesterday, here's the third round of our Best Songs the Year, with the tunes comprised between positions 50 to 26. As we are getting closer to the "final countdown" this is becoming harder and harder, but there's so many music wonders to enjoy that the struggle choosing & mounting the Spotify playlist below is a real pleasure. The 25 tunes topping the list will be online tomorrow! Keep an eye on the Blog and, even more important, keep listening!

50. Baby Blue- Soft Wounds
49. Cuban Cigars- WALL
48. Different Shades of Blue- The Buildings
47. Lay Down- DMA'S
46. Crooked Cop- Beverly
45. Sometimes Accidentally- The Goon Sax
44. Efectos Especiales- Sr. Chinarro
43. Squirrel vs. Snake- The Posies
42. Crowd- EGO
41. Extraños- Juvenilia
40. Wallflower- Martha Ffion
39. If You Say That- Young Scum
38. I Don’t Want To Be Funny Anymore- Lucy Dacus
37. All That Heaven Allows- Mercury Girls
36. Infamous- Basia Bulat
35. Folk Arp- Minor Victories
34. Pitiless- Witching Waves
33. The First Sight- Teenage Fanclub
32. Cricket o Croquet- Cómo Vivir en el Campo
31. Bitter Pill- Flowers
30. Ready for the Magic- Honeyblood
29. Never Be Mine- Angel Olsen
28. The roundabout- Ryley Walker
27. Cartas al apóstol- El Lado Oscuro De la Broca
26. Under London Skies- Close Lobsters

Best Songs of the Year 2016...so far

Following the best records /EPs list, here's the list with our favourite tunes (trimmed down to 30) of 2016 to date. We have listed them in alphabetic order (remember we rank them at the end of the year), taking in mind only "two rules": songs have been released during 2016, and just one song per group (a really hard decision in some cases). The Spotify playlist (plus some soundcloud links for the ones missing) below the picture, as well as the complete list. Enjoy!

             Click here to check the Spotify playlist!

Adore -Savages

Ámenme, soy un liberal- Nacho Vegas

Ariana- Mercury Girls

Aviation- The Last Shadow Puppets

Baby Blue- Soft Wounds

Coastal California- Maths and Physics Club

Cold to See Clear- Nada Surf

Crooked Cop- Beverly

Crowd- EGO

Different Shades of Blue- The Buildings

Easier Said- Sunflower Bean

El Progreso- Sr. Chinarro

Évoli- Terrier

Full Moon, Hungry Sun- Kane Strang

Infamous- Basia Bulat

La progresión exponencial- Doble Pletina

Lazarus- David Bowie

Moon- Beth Orton

No Woman- Whitney

One Fine Summer Morning- Britta Phillips

Out of control- Lush

Scattered Ashes (Song for Richard)- Minor Victories

Second Skin- Zen Mantra

Squirrel vs Snake- The Posies

Strange Torpedo- Lucy Dacus

The End of Things- Bob Mould

The Wheel- PJ Harvey

Under London Skies- Close Lobsters

Under the Sun- DIIV

We Are Dreamers- Tindersticks

And if you want to check the previous years, click on 2011,2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 selections!

International Women's Day Playlist!

Today is the International Women's Day, and to celebrate this very special & important we have prepared a playlist with 41 songs created/performed by amazing female artists & female-leaded bands (all Blog favourites). Why 41? Because its the number of years the Day has been held (since 1975, when the United Nations proclaimed it). Of course, many many more superb women have been left out of the playlist. But do not worry, we have every day of any given year to celebrate, as everyday is Women's Day. Thanks for your wisdom, your talents and your songs!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 85

It's been a strange, emotional and pretty intense week: (un)expected political movements in Catalonia (more absurd days awaiting us, folks), the terribly sad news of David Bowie's death, Robert Forster's gig plus important personal decisions to be made. A lot to digest. But there's always a soundtrack to our days, and we love to share it with you, so here's a new round of our TOP TEN Jukebox. This week with two Blog favourites, Basia Bulat and Courtney Barnett, as well as exciting new finds courtesy of indispensable labels like Discos de Kirlian or Cloudberry Records. And, for those who understand Spanish, we strongly recommend to enjoy the ace tune and check the lyrics of Nacho Vegas' 'Canción Para la PAH', accurate description of what's in stake in Spain. Remember, all these songs are available at our Soundcloud, so check it out (and follow us, if you feel inclined)!

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists
Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40  Week 41  Week 42 Week 43   Week 44  
Week 45  Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  Week 51   Week 52  Week 53   
Week 54   Week 55  Week 56   Week 57  Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 Week 61  Week 62 
Week 63  Week 64  Week 65  Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70  Week 71  
Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75 Week 76   Week 77   Week 78  Week 79   Week 80
Week 81   Week 82   Week 83  Week 84

Music to look forward in 2016

Can't remember why, but didn't honored another blog tradition on 2015: our new year's music wishes. But this is not going to happen again! So here's our top ten summary of the releases/events we're looking forward the most in what regards to music. 

1. If this is a blog tradition, let's begin with "our" man & most beloved sure-fire: Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most, is returning big on this 2016 with 'Syntherely Yours', a collection of synthpop songs from the band, out thanks our dear friends at February Records. The LP features and awesome list of guests including Lisle Mitnik from Tiny Fireflies, Adriano from Postal Blue, Colin from The Smittens, Charles from Math and Physics Club, Thomas from Pale Spectres, Adam from Adam and Darcie, Laz from Bubblegum Lemonade/Strawberry Whiplash,... And there's more...

Most deserved tribute for Ms. Melberg

 2.... Because The Very Most is also taking part in 'Constant and True: A Tribute to the Songs of Rose Melberg', that February Records will release in late Spring. A compilation CD of indiepop artists paying tribute to one of the GREATEST: Rose Melberg and her essential bands (Tiger Trap, The Softies, Brave Irene, Go Sailor, Knife Pleats). Bands like Rocketship, The Smittens, Band a Part, LAKE, Seapony, Marc Elston, are already confirmed, so no wonder why we are already excited...

3. More sure-fires. Eleanor Friedberger returns to action with 'New View' on January 22nd, same day that marks the arrival of 'Adore Life', the sophomore album of Savages. And what can be said about our beloved Basia Bulat and The Divine Comedy returns? The Canadian angel has LP 'Good Advice' scheduled on February 12th, and the always necessary Neil Hannon is giving us some clues his new work will be ready by Spring/Summer. With these two coming up with new songs, the world will be a better place to live in... 

The great Jess Weiss on boards. Fear of Men take 2

4. Despite there's no exact day for the official releases revealed yet, these two might be the most anticipated and awaited new albums of 2016 for me. I'm referring to my dear Fear of Men, that have finished recording their sophomore album, the much awaited follow-up of the terrific 'Loom'. And another band we have a real soft spot for at the Blog, Paolo and Claire, a.k.a Young Romance, which after giving us stunning song after stunning song in several EPs and singles, now jump into the long format with their debut full album. So anxious to hear both... and please do not forget Barcelona on the forthcoming tours this time!

5. In what regards to national releases, 2016 should be the year where favourites of mine come back wth new music. Cosmen Adelaida, Doble Pletina and When Nalda Became Punk (triple YAY!) for sure, but fingers crossed during 2016 we'll see also the follow-up of 'Mundo Fatal' by my beloved Me and the Bees. Expecting new songs by Big Summer and Aries too. And would we have the second album of Boutade this year? Here's hoping for a confirmation... 

Paul & Jacqui, the mighty pop duo, finally in Catalonia!

6. There are three gigs that I'm really excited about. First, and just around the corner, Robert Forster at Apolo presenting his excellent 'Songs to Play'. And two "first times" that I'm so eager will finally take place. Tindersticks in April 14th at l'Auditori. And two days afterwards, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott at Blues and Ritmes Festival in Badalona. Finally! Already nervous, can't hardly wait! 

7. More about live music. Another Primavera Sound Festival ahead. With not a single name announced yet. Expectations are huge as always, so it's time to post/especulate my wish list, right? Check it here. And if it's a disappointment, it might be time to consider moving to another Fest (Bilbao maybe?)

PJ Harvey, ready for shaking the world again

8. Even more & records expected. "Heavyweights" as PJ Harvey, with new record set to Spring that, judging by the info so far, it's going to be a mandatory one (again)... and The National, which are already recording but still without a defined release agenda (testing tunes on the road?) What about The Luxembourg Signal (confirmed by Beth Arzy on Twitter), Hospitality, Rose Elinor Dougall (please, please, please, been waiting for ages!), The Julie Ruin, Slowdive (if confirmed, that would be simply anthologic), Minor Victories (very curious), Peter Buck (what about that super-Earth's project with Corin Tucker? Too good to be true...?) Dum Dum Girls, or The Swapsies? 

9. And for sure infallible labels like Shelflife, Jigsaw Records, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, Fortuna Pop!, Dufflecoat, WWNBB, February Records, El Genio Equivocado, Discos de Kirlian, La Castanya, Kanine, Fishrider (and others coming from down under), Merge, Sub Pop, HHBTM, to just name a few, have prepared a wonderful year of music for us. 

10. And ending in a more personal note, there's a book on one of my all-time favourite bands, The Go-Betweens, coming very soon on Libros de Kirlian. I contribute on it (thanks for the opportunity Marcos Gendre) with the prologue, which might be one of the most heartfelt pieces I've ever written. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a very special read...

For sure, many more records, songs, gigs and amazing moments related with music are awaiting us. Come on 2016, we're listening you!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 77

The stars have aligned this week as our TOP TEN Jukebox series looks like a full constellation of them. The Hermit Crabs (what a pleasure hearing Mel singing again)! Slowdive (what a live rendition of 'Avalyn')! My beloved Basia Bulat! My dear Eleanor Friedberger! Strawberry Whiplash! DIIV! Flowers! Most desired comebacks to start November in the best possible way! Of course, all these songs are also available at our Soundcloud, so please join us! 


Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists
Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40 
Week 41  Week 42 Week 43  Week 44   Week 45
Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  
Week 51   Week 52  Week 53  Week 54    Week 55  
Week 56   Week 57   Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 
Week 61   Week 62   Week 63  Week 64  Week 65 
Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70 
Week 71   Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75
Week 76

Spanish Indie 19: suggesting the best national acts

More Spanish bands that I highly recommend you. Sensitive hearts, beware, listen and enjoy!

Renaldo & Clara. Behind their dylanesque name lies one of my latest biggest crushes, 'though I admit first time I saw them, supporting my beloved Basia Bulat in 2011, wasn't that impressed. My bad. Hailing from Lleida, and initially as a trio, in 2009 debuted with a self-titled Mini-Lp out on jazz label Quadrant. Several live shows followed until their second release, "Lilà" Ep arrived on Elefant Records. After several changes in the line-up, the band finally found a stable quintet formation, recording their debut EP in 2013, which has just been released past month on Bankrobber. "Fruits del Teu Bosc" is morose, epidermic, serene and warm music that embraces the listener in all its quiet intimacy. Slow-burning whispered folk-pop, Donosti Sound echoes and pieces of disarming twee-pop with the fragile, arresting voice & lyrics of  Clara Viñals. What a crush.
Hans Laguna. Based in Barcelona, Hans began his career in 2006 with the demo "El Hombre Teórico". Since then, he has formed a band, performed at a geriatric, released the EP “Hans Laguna y la Sintaxis”, composed music for various plays, had an experimental project with poet Albert Balasch, organized an acoustic music festival and became part in the tribute to singer-songwriter Julio Bustamante. “Primeras Marcas”, his debut LP, came out in the summer of 2012 on our dear El Genio Equivocado, followed late last year with “Oteiza”, another sonic experiment honoring the Basque sculptor. The hiper-active Hans has just released his second album, "Deletrea", where he shows it's possible to experiment within the singer-songwriter tradition, using all sorts of instrumentation without losing any bit of emotional honesty, closeness or knack for the melody. Cult artist on the making.
Las Desnortadas. Ari, Ruth, Tania, Isa y Anna come from Barcelona and could be one of the best kept secrets of the local scene. They formed, as a duo initially, in 2011, releasing digitally their first EP, "Tal y Cual" that year, followed in 2012 by "Lista de Espera" EP. After signing with Discos de Kirlian, a year later came out their third EP, "Gallinas con Cuello", rising the bar high and rocketing the expectations while we await eagerly for their first LP, which are currently finishing. Naif, twee indiepop, minimalistic, humorous and charming. Lo-fi ready to conquer your heart. Don't forget their name!

Spanish Indie 18: suggesting the best national acts

And another blog section we recover. Some of the best Spanish bands, for your ears only!

Burrito Panza. El Genio Equivocado's has started 2014 just as they ended 2013. On a roll. Hailing from Albacete, behind this peculiar name there’s Carlos Cuevas, Jose Manuel Mora and Carlos Flan from seminal bands like Surfin ‘Bichos, Mercromina, Travolta and Alienistas of Fernando Alfaro. After signing with El Genio first materialized in 2011 with digital single “Tu Lado Salvaje“, followed that same year by highly praised debut LP “Solo y Mal Acompañado“. Expanded to a quartet with the addition of Rafa Caballero, the group has just released their sophomore album, “Una Familia Desestructurada” this February. Classic pop in capital, kaleidoscopic letters (like LP's artwork), on a giant leap forward in what regards to sound, shiny and round despite a slight of darkness on the lyrics. Join the family! 

Matrimonio. Based in Barcelona, Juan Carlos Fernández (Dos Gajos, Penélope Trip) and visual artist Gloria Vilches met in Gijón on the summer of 2011. After a collaboration, love blossomed and as a consequence, also the music. First tunes appeared late 2012, with S/T 7" EP following in November 2013, courtesy of Snap! Clap! Recs. Intimate, irresistible lo-fi pop (self-defined as a devotional blues combo, aren't they lovely?) with intertwined vocals, charming melodies & bittersweet lyrics. With debut LP expected very soon, write down Matrimonio on your agendas! You'll thank me.  

Casa Celia. Discovered at Basia Bulat's latest visit to Barcelona, this restaurant named duo is formed by Rafa de los Arcos, who is the drummer at our dear Manos de Topo, and Elena González Colominas, from Portrait. Active since 2013 they don't have proper releases yet, but the songs you can hear below are so promising this spot is well deserved. Defined by themselves as "little songs", this is confessional indiepop that endures, in the vein of the The New Raemon, with a sense of humour (try to watch them live, Rafa knows how to deal with an audience) and a genuine, melodic charm. Keep an eye on them!