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 253

Some situations are impossible to control, and last week (well, it began at the end of past week, really) has been a collision of sorts: frustration, clashes, expectations... While we are still trying to process it all, here's a flamboyant, new TOP TEN JUKEBOX to "soundtrack the state we are in". And what a collection of tunes! Full of Blog favourites, such as Mr. Leithauser, Núria Graham (really looking forward for 'Marjorie') or Rolling Blackout C.F. (with a clear candidate for Song of the Year So Far, oh these guitars!) as well as the usual, promising new finds. We'll probably come back with even more tunes tomorrow (we have a lot of music to celebrate) so stay tuned and remember to join us in our Soundcloud page!

Direct links to 2020 Jukebox playlists

Week 248  Week 249  Week 250  Week 251 Week 252

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 3

Without hesitation, we arrive to the third and final chapter of our quick chronicles of "our" Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Saturday 2nd of June was a pretty exciting day, intense and complete, with promising newcomers and surefire heavyweights. It was a full schedule... so let's begin!

The Good

Ms. Graham, indeed does ring a bell
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Third female afternoon in a row: Núria Graham and Christina Rosenvinge were the responsible of igniting our afternoon. The young Catalonian artist and her band were excellent (once again, we must add) showcasing the highly recommendable 'Does it Ring a Bell?' with stunning aplomb and confidence. She's great and, if there's some hope in the world and we're not completely deaf, she should hit big. She was followed by a veteran that was particularly expressive  and enticing at Seat stage. Ms. Rosenvinge showed charm, mystery, strength... plus an unquestionable knowledge of what does it mean being in front of a large audience, leading the way.     

Slowdive: We were a bit late to be in a front row position, but contrary to what was going to happen afterwards with the Arctic Monkeys, the sound was so powerful and the gig so fierce and tightly executed we were able to enjoy it even from a distant (and chatting) location. Like The National yesterday, you can't go wrong with Slowdive. What an unexpected, much longed, welcomed and special return to form this has been. Please keep coming...

 Rosenvinge, still a case to be resolved, luckily. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Too much Mordor (part II): History repeating with what happened the day before. Criminal sun, dust and too many people wandering around. And the collapse to leave the area was appalling after the Monkeys gig, although it has to be said that some of the blame should also rest within the public shoulders, not contributing at all to ease the circulation.

Arctic Monkeys: Arguably the biggest name of this year's edition... that was major disappointment. Not because of the band itself, that was impeccable (although not very engaging and with a setlist heavily focused in their last two records, not the most dynamic) but due to the strangely weak sound, hardly listenable from the far-yet-not-that-far location at Mango stage. For once, it was easy to understand that thousands of people weren't really into it, chatting and looking for things to do/go.

Rolling Blackouts C.F., pop waves (always) from down under. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Jay Som: Yeah, we're going to give an ex aequo this time. Because both bands provided us the most joyful moments of the Festival. First, the mighty Australians (probably the most featured band at this Blog with taking into consideration their short career to date) demonstrated WHY any good festival that claims to be so SHOULD have several Antipodean bands in their roster. Energetic, jangly and unstoppable. Later on, it was time for Melina Duterte and her colleagues to conquer the (not so big, kudos to everyone to chose the Americans instead of Lorde, you are hope) audience gathered at Pitchfork stage. There's a natural charm that can't be faked. The Californian quartet looked, acted and played like a genuinely fun, easygoing, bunch. The kind of people you would like to go for drinks and goof around. Add they have enough, lo-fi, quirky and immediately lovely, songs to knock you down, and we must assume the fact: here's a band to love. Two, to be more precise...

But WE like the bus! Fun with Jay Som. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Here are the links of the previous chapters! Day 1 and Day 2

Primavera Sound 2016 in brief, days 1 & 2

Here we are, in the frantic, exhausting (adding some Primavera Pro activities) but always remarkable Primavera Sound Festival days. So, like we always do, here are our quick chronicles of what's going on for us within this 2016 edition. To begin with, the first couple of days, the opening day, Wednesday 1st, and yesterday's first "big one", Thursday 2nd. Let's begin!

The Good

First Day Pro: First time attending, and finding it pretty interesting. Liking the mixture of conferences (I attended a couple on the not very bright future of music journalism with members of Billboard, Stereogum, Pitchfork and Intro) and music (the plan is watching several gigs there). Letting aside the criminal midday sun, the CCCB is a comfortable and interesting place to be.
Núria Graham: Precisely, my first gig at PS16 was Núria Graham on Wednesday... and what an incandescent talent she is! Alone, just armed with her guitar and haunting voice, she can be effortlessly epic, lightweight poppier or St.Vincentnesque in a matter of seconds.

Ms. Graham, young magician. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Spanish indie: Also on Wednesday, our main interest of the afternoon at the Fòrum was my beloved Doble Pletina, who nailed it despite the hour and the huge stage for their minimalistic indiepop proposal. But to my surprise, the real winner of the afternoon (at least for me) was Sr. Chinarro, who managed to deliver a very powerful set, combining some of his expected greatest hits with several strong takes of new album 'El Progreso', that were the real highlights of his show. A veteran glowing.

Sr. Chinarro, still progressing after so many years. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Algiers/Protomartyr: Although their gigs weren't perfect they are two terrific bands. Algiers couldn't beat their mindblowing set at Primavera Club (the bar was so high with what they did at Apolo) but they are such a fierce presence, musically, lyrically, live, you always have to rise the white flag with them. Same can be said about Protomartyr. A very fun mess, with Joe Casey being such a chaotic yet ravishing frontman. Will follow closely.

Protomartyr, indeed it shakes, wildly. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Massification: PS might die due to success. Going to "Mordor" (H&M and Heineken stages) is always a punishment, but this year, even on Wednesday Primavera stage was incredibly full. Can't even imagine what's going to happen today with Radiohead's gig...

El Último Vecino: Sorry, just don't get it. And the live show hasn't improved a single bit...

Primavera Sound on strike: Living pretty far from Fòrum (as almost every person in the city who is not a tourist)? What about having to deal with a combined strike from subway and bus on the days where Primavera takes place? Nice, very nice... Years complaining on how ridicule are the lame transportation options every night of the Festival and now this...

The Queen
Daughter: I really don't qualify as a Daughter fan (not that fond of their records, my previous live experiences with them have been so-so), but what happened yesterday evening at Heineken stage was really something. An incredible mass of people gathered (the whole Mordor esplanade, scary and impressive at the same time, as Elena Tonra pointed out), to listen such a subtle music proposal. It's true that Daughter opted for some "muscle" at times, like the forgettable 'No Care', but the whole majority of the gig was simply arresting, with incredible moments as the surprising, very respectful silence (there's hope! there's hope!) while the quartet delivered 'Smother', the affecting power of 'Human', 'Youth' and 'Numbers' or the dreamy bliss of 'How'. Add that you can't help it but fall for Elena's adorable shyness and you have it: a wonderful, bewitching gig.    

A very joyful Elena. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the second "big day" of the PS16, Friday 3rd, coming very soon here!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 57

After the Primavera Sound Festival's maelstrom we are back with our TOP TEN playlist, with the tunes we have been enjoying the most lately. Starting with one of our discoveries of the Festival, Núria Graham and continuing with another proof of Dunedin's great music, Astro Children, we have prepared a really diverse playlist. So, if you like indie-rock proposals you are in the right place, same as well if you are more a indie-pop listening type. As always, this is algo avaiblable at our Soundcloud blog page, 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 

Primavera Sound 2015 in brief, day 3

No time to waste: here's the third chapter of our Primavera Sound 2015's chronicles. Friday 29th was the 'riot grrrl' day, full of acts to see: from music myths to most promising bands. Did it meet the expectations? Here's the answer...

The Good

Núria Graham: Saw her a couple of years ago at the presentation of a book: a young talent gifted with a mind blowing voice, but playing that sort of folkie-pop tunes seen too many times. But what we found at Pitchfork stage on Friday was something completely unexpected. An artist capable of doing whatever she wants, with tunes that morph into several things in a matter of seconds, from PJ Harvey abrasiveness to St.Vincent experimental approach to indie-rock to James Blake soulfulness. The discovery of the Festival.

Ms. Graham, the surprise of the Festival. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Ex Hex: 'Rips' was one the best albums of past year, as fun, playful and addictive as rock should be. And that's exactly what the trio formed by Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris delivered at Pitchfork stage. Impossible not to smile with the guitar riffs, the rock-hero poses and the unstoppable strength of their tunes. We love you Mary Timony.

Ex Hex, rock goddesses. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Damien Rice: We only saw about the second half of his show, but it was simply tremendous. All alone at Primavera stage he sounded immense, thunderous, gigantic. What a difference compared with the Black Keys on Thursday!

The Bad

Hidden stage: This interesting, appealing idea can improve. It's ok tickets have to be picked on a specific time and after they are gone, they are gone. But it doesn't make much sense to place the time to collect the tickets just before the gig itself. Or the queues afterwards. Anyway, once inside we were eager to see The Pastels... but the gig didn't meet the expectations. Maybe the venue (there's a wall boxing one of the sides of the stage, weird), or maybe the band, don't know, but although not saying it was a bad one, it was a bit mumsy, lifeless.

Hidden afternoon with The Pastels. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Julie Ruin: Seeing Kathleen Hanna live was, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the Festival. And, in that sense, the show was something to remember. She is magnetic, an uncontainable force at stage. But the sound was awful (it's punk I got it but still), and her voice quite so-so, so despite the fun and straightforwardness of 'Run Fast', the show was, frankly, disappointing.

The one and only, Kathleen Hanna. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Ride: Impeccable and sounding good all the gig but not very moving (maybe the people at the front rows have a different opinion). Slowdive's show last year was intense and emotionally charged. Can't say the same about Ride's performance.

Hearing beautiful noises with Ride. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Sleater-Kinney: Can't compare with the extraordinary show we were fortunate to attend in Paris a couple of months ago, but still, at Heineken stage they put a show to ratify what Sleater-Kinney means. Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss are stage beasts. No matter they play new tunes or classics, they throw all they have in every song. They are honesty, intensity and truth every single second performing. They are simply one of the best bands out there, and they demonstrated, once again, at Primavera Sound. The finale, with 'Dig Me Out', 'Entertain' and (yes, yes, yes) 'Modern Girl' can't be beaten.

Sleater- Kinney, the definition of a power trio. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

One more "big day" to come, Saturday 30th's chronicle about to arrive!