Nathan’s Favorite Albums of 2020

It’s been a crazy year, and a depressing year, so perhaps we all retreated more into our record collections to seek out that fleeting joy. On my end, I spent a lot of time running/walking in the ‘burbs, so these are the records that played the most in my life…thus they are my Favorite Albums of 2020. The validity means little to anyone other than myself, but since you stop by, perhaps come by and check out my list!

And, just an FYI…there are 30 bands, and I linked back to Bandcamp pages so you can buy directly from the artists…except that one band because apparently they’re too cool…even though that album rips.

Read more

Orpine Share Migrating Geese Overhead

A few months ago when I first was introduced to Orpine, I raved about their first big single “Sondern;” it’s still one of my favorite singles from this year, hands down. At first, their latest release seems likes its sort of plodding along, and that’s fair, though I beg you to exhibit some patience in your life…not like we got much else to do. Eventually Oliver and Eleanor creep into the picture, though Oliver seems to be the dominant force on this number. As the track builds slowly, you reach a point where the duo offer the sublime; the edges start to shimmer and cymbals build as an angelic chorus seems to surround Oliver’s voice lifting us all to the song’s end. If you’ve waited this far, you’ll surely be rewarded, especially if you grab Grown Ungrown this Friday via Heist or Hit.

Orpine Share Sondern Video

A full minute of exuberance opens the new single from Orpine, spiriting the listener before the duo retreat to gentler fare. Oliver and Eleanor share vocals from that point forward, carefully letting a string ring on the song’s horizon; Eleanor seems to take the lead here, with Oliver supporting. This switches as the song’s moves into phase 3, with Oliver dropping quicker lyrical lines as percussion and faster strumming drives further meaning into your ears. And the song’s not even near over, taking a moment of quiet respite before bounding back down the road. I feel like this song is what it’s like as a newborn, opening your ears for the first time to the beauty in the cacophony of the world. Their album Grown Ungrown will be out on May 15th via Heist or Hit! (Soundcloud link HERE).