Music You Need to Hear from 2020 (Exposing My Spotify Wrapped!)

Music You Need to Hear from 2020 blog post cover

Every December, Spotify signals the end of the year with personalized Wrapped playlists rounding up users’ most-streamed songs. Despite how well you may think you know your own music taste, Spotify’s data doesn’t lie! Surprises are always guaranteed—whether it’s a song you listened to for three days straight early in the year and have since forgot about, or you just didn’t realize how obsessed you were with an artist or album track.

Press play on my official Top Songs of 2020 playlist below, featuring 100 of the year’s best bops from Jessie Ware, Dua Lipa, Tame Impala, Chloe x Halle and more. I’ve loved having this on repeat as I reminisce on the past 12 months of music!

Now, for one of the most anticipated “Best Of” lists of the year, let’s break down the Top Albums of 2020!

My Top 10 Albums of 2020 (according to Spotify)

Rina Sawayama's Sawayama album cover

10. Rina Sawayama, ‘SAWAYAMA’

Most played track: “Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)”

Jessie Ware's What's Your Pleasure album cover

9. Jessie Ware, ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’

Most played track: “In Your Eyes”

Sam Smith's Love Goes album cover

8. Sam Smith, ‘Love Goes’

Most played track: “Diamonds”

Sevdaliza's Shabrang album cover

7. Sevdaliza, ‘Shabrang’

Most played tracks: “Darkest Hour,” “Oh My God”

Lady Gaga's Chromatica album cover

6. Lady Gaga, ‘Chromatica’

Most played tracks: “Rain On Me” (with Ariana Grande), “Sour Candy” (with BLACKPINK)

The Weeknd's After Hours album cover

5. The Weeknd, ‘After Hours’

Most played tracks: “Too Late,” “Blinding Lights,” “Alone Again”

Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia album cover

4. Dua Lipa, ‘Future Nostalgia’

Most played tracks: “Levitating” (feat. Madonna and Missy Elliott) [The Blessed Madonna Remix] (Club Future Nostalgia exclusive), “That Kind Of Woman” (Jacques Lu Cont Remix) (Club Future Nostalgia exclusive), “Fever” (feat. Angèle)

Selena Gomez's Rare album cover

3. Selena Gomez, ‘Rare’

Most played tracks: “A Sweeter Place” (feat. Kid Cudi), “Let Me Get Me,” “Look At Her Now,” “People You Know,” “Dance Again”

Tame Impala's The Slow Rush album cover

2. Tame Impala, ‘The Slow Rush’

Most played tracks: “Breathe Deeper,” “One More Year,” “Glimmer,” “It Might Be Time,” “Is It True”

Disclosure's ENERGY album cover

1. Disclosure, ‘ENERGY’

Most played tracks: “Reverie” (feat. Common), “Expressing What Matters,” “Ecstasy,” “Etran” (feat. Etran Finatawa), “Lavender” (feat. Channel Tres), “Get Close,” “Who Knew?” (feat. Mick Jenkins), “Douha (Mali Mali)” (feat. Fatoumata Diawara), “ENERGY”

Despite the music I highlighted each month in my Favourites playlist, here are some statistically-proven takeaways from my 2020 streaming habits:

  • My most streamed album of the year was 2019’s ‘Bubba’ by Montreal DJ-producer Kaytranada. Evidently, I was very excited to see his live show in the spring (RIP 2020 concert season.)
  • I was a big fan of dance remixes—anything to lift my spirits during long work days and workouts!
  • My favourite artists, including The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and Sam Smith, did what had to be done, contributing to the soundtrack of the year. But I was also thrilled to discover new artists like Sevdaliza and Rina Sawayama with fresh sounds and stories and I can’t wait to see what they bring in 2021.

The Best of the Best Albums of 2020

You know a great album as soon as you hear it—when each song flawlessly blends into the next and you want to sing, scream, shout, dance, cry, etc. the whole way through.

As I look back on the incredible bodies of work we were gifted this year, I’d firmly rank ‘After Hours’ (The Weeknd), ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’ (Jessie Ware) and ‘The Slow Rush’ (Tame Impala) as my top 3 albums of 2020. 😍

This year may have been dark, but thanks to so many incredible artists, music was a bright spot for all of us. Can’t wait to start building my 2021 playlist! 🎶

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August Favourites

August Favourites Angela McLean

Somehow, despite a slow-moving global pandemic, it still feels like summer has gone by in the blink of an eye. Here in Canada, we’re already weeks away from leaves falling, temperatures dropping and having to pull out our fall wardrobes (which, for fellow sweater weather lovers, isn’t such a bad thing). It’s officially time to get down to business and soak up the last bits of summer!

To make the most of the final stretch, check out my latest fashion must-haves, music faves, summer reads plus the hottest TV shows streaming now.

Fashion

* Reppin’ Your Team *

Vegas Golden Knights Violent Gentlemen-branded tee, unavailable online // For basketball fans: Toronto Raptors Junk Food Mickey Squad tee, NBA Store, $46 CAD

Summer sports were not in my plans for 2020, but it’s definitely giving us all something to watch as we continue to socially distance. Personally, I’m happy to continue cheering on two of my favourite teams, the Vegas Golden Knights (hockey) and the Toronto Raptors (basketball). RIP to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins… until next season!

While my VGK shirt has of course been a recent go-to, I’m looking forward to receiving my Disney x Junk Food Raptors tee, featuring a vintage-style photo of Mickey Mouse and his pals Goofy and Donald sporting Raptors jerseys! There’s a set of three designs for each team in the bubble, so act fast while the collection is still available.

* Ex-Boyfriend Denim *

SIMILAR SHORTS: Garage, $25 (great sale!)

It’s so hard to find the perfect denim fit, but I’m obsessed with Garage’s lived-in ex-boyfriend style! I dare you to find a comfier and cuter pair of jean shorts. The best part: several of Garage’s ex-boyfriend denim looks are part of their new Re.Think collection, allowing you to look and feel good as you help lessen the impact on the planet. A win for all!

Poshmark and Depop Accounts to Follow

* Clothing Resale Apps *

Last month, I shared my love for fashion resale apps, particularly Poshmark (I’m shopangelaaaxo!) and Depop (angelaaaxoxo). Shopping for new finds (especially sold out or hard to find pieces) and listing my pre-loved clothing quickly became one of my favourite quarantine activities. As promised, I’ve listed a bunch of new goodies on both apps. Go check them out, and feel free to comment or send me your links!

In case you missed it, I recently compiled a list of nine Black-owned fashion brands with beautiful pieces to add to your wardrobe. Consider supporting one of these talented designers next time you feel like going on a shopping spree!

Books

I’ve been behind on book recommendations, so here’s a double header for the end of summer!

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue book cover

* The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue *

Available from Indigo for $25 (sale)

When best-selling author Emma Donoghue started writing her latest historical fiction novel, I’m sure she had no idea that a similar storyline would be playing out in real life come release day. In a perfect coincidence, The Pull of the Stars, which is set in the middle of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, has several eery parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

See the publisher’s synopsis:

In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders—Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.

In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.

The same way pandemic-based films like Contagion were must-watch movies earlier this year, The Pull of the Stars is a solid pick for the times — and an important story to highlight the incredibly difficult and selfless work of our frontline workers.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner book cover

* Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner *

Available from Indigo for $14.32 (sale)

Big Summer is the quintessential beach read with friendship and romance at the heart. Author Jennifer Weiner, who is also behind the hit Mrs. Everything, effortlessly ties in influencer culture, and a surprising mystery twist that I won’t spoil!

Here’s more from the publisher’s synopsis:

Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favour to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.

Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.

A sparkling novel about the complexities of female friendship, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most.

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Playlist: September finds & faves

September finds & faves playlist cover

Am I the only one that thinks September is one of the weirdest months? You fall back into a routine at school or work (and I’m a lady who likes routines), reconnect with friends you lost touch with in the summer and get to enjoy the last of the nice weather – all good things! But then things start getting real busy real fast, everyone’s trying to juggle all their responsibilities and, most annoyingly, you may need a jacket and shorts in the same day. (Seriously, this is the reason I get sick every fall.)

What I’m trying to say is that there is a reason this month’s ‘finds & faves’ playlist has several upbeat summer songs in addition to some colder tracks, both in tone and theme.

If you’re new to my blog, every month I share a playlist featuring my top new music finds and older releases that are back on repeat (or I’m just late to the party on discovering!). Clocking in at just under two hours, scroll down for September’s playlist and a few highlighted listens.

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NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Songs to Get You Stoked for Summer

Moog For Love - Disclosure cover art

With new music releases moving from Mondays to Fridays, it’s about time my monthly playlists move to Fridays as well. Plus, is there really any better way to kick off the weekend?

This Monday, June 20, is the first day of summer, which means it’s officially time to stock up on summer music. Luckily, the past few weeks have been filled with tons of new releases from all our favourite artists like Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas.

For this beautiful month of June, I have pulled together 13 of my new favourite songs into one handy about-to-be-on-repeat playlist. Before you listen to it in full, preview five tunes that I guarantee will be stuck in your head after just one listen.

“Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes

For music lovers like me here in Toronto, the iHeartRadio MMVAs serve as the official kickoff to summer party. Our favourite Toronto-area singer Shawn Mendes knows that, and released this awesome track just in time to perform it for the first time on live television at the MMVAs this Sunday, June 19. Excited is an understatement.

“All In My Head (Flex)” by Fifth Harmony featuring Fetty Wap

Everything about Fifth Harmony’s new single screams SUMMER! It’s light and upbeat, fun and flirty and an all-around bop. The follow-up to their smash “Work from Home,” this track will be all that’s in your head this summer.

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Recap: WayHome Music & Arts Festival (July 24-26, 2015)

WayHome Music & Arts Festival graphic from 2015

Outstanding music, incredible art, great company and much more – WayHome had it all. The inaugural WayHome Music & Arts Festival went down this past weekend (July 24-26) and the much-a-buzz festivities brought world-famous names like Neil Young, Modest Mouse, St. Vincent and Sam Smith to the small, intimate town of Oro-Medonte, ON, just over an hour north of Toronto.

There was plenty going on and much to do and see at any point during each of the 3 days of the festival – art displays, ball pits, food trucks and the WayMarket presented by online “DIY” retailer Etsy, among countless others. However, none drew more attention than the 4 main entertainment stages across the event grounds – WayHome, WayBright, WayBold and WayAway (presented by Sirius XM). Fans, better known as WayHomies, made their way between stages to catch all of their favourite performers which were evenly spread throughout the weekend.

Here are just some of the highlight performances from this year’s festival:

Hozier (July 24 @ 6:45PM, WayHome)

HozierHozier

Critically acclaimed and much-loved Irish singer Hozier drew one of the biggest crowds throughout the entire weekend. He truly entertained, singing fan favourites like “Work Song” and “Jackie and Wilson”, as well as a creative cover of Ariana Grande’s “Problem”. Hozier’s performance of his big hit “Take Me to Church” resulted in a mass sing-along with over 35,000 new friends.

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