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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February Favourites

Angela McLean February Favourites

With February being the unofficial-official month of love, there is no better time to share the many things I’ve been crushing on lately!

Check out what’s caught my eye in the worlds of fashion, beauty/skincare, music, movies and TV in this month’s Favourites list below.

Fashion

* Floppy Brim Hats *

SIMILAR: Nordstrom Rack, $299 // Free People, $77 (exact from Aldo, sold out)

This impulse purchase from an Aldo in Pittsburgh a few years ago completely changed my fall/winter fashion game. Floppy hats, especially in a bold colour or shade like plum wine, are so cute and versatile and take any outfit to another level.

Free People Canada
(Photo via Retail Insider)

* Free People *

If you’re into boho-chic, fashion-forward clothing, listen up. I found the hack to shopping Free People for less: their online sale section! They have so many good sales and I’ve been finding items still new in store for 30% off or more online — and shipping has been free to Canada every time I ordered. Pro tip: You can also sign up to their email list for free shipping on your first order. Added bonus: Their customer service is incredible!

I’ve already worn their flowy Claudia Blouse (roughly 75% off) and got tons of compliments, and I have another shirt and hat I’m saving for the perfect photo opps. 😉

Beauty/Skincare

G.M. Collin Derm Renewal Cream

* Derm Renewal Cream with 10% AHA | G.M. Collin *

BeautySense, $74

Last month I recommended G.M. Collin’s Derm Renewal Booster with 10% AHA. Meet its daytime sidekick: the Derm Renewal Cream. The Booster is best suited for overnight use since it’s quite drying, while this companion product gives you the same benefits with added moisture. I have no problem dabbing a light layer of this on under my makeup and I really see the results when I stick to my routine!

Anew Hydra Fusion 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

* Anew Hydra Fusion 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum *

Avon, $29.99 (promo price down from $46)

My skin is very dry in the morning, especially in the winter, making it difficult to apply foundation or concealer without immediate flaking. Luckily, this hyaluronic acid serum has saved the day more times than I can count. I spread it evenly on my face and neck shortly after getting out of the shower while my skin is damp, take one more pump after breakfast if I’m having an extra dry day, and I’m good to go!

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August Playlist: Songs of Summer 2019

August Playlist: Songs of Summer 2019 Playlist Cover

I could go on and on about the power of music, but I’m always amazed how certain songs bring us back to different memories, times and places. I can re-listen to songs from my childhood and be instantly reminded of old friends, family trips and various celebrations.

This long weekend, as another wild summer comes to an end, I’ve been riding the wave of nostalgia with all my fave songs of the summer on repeat. Keep scrolling to check out my final ode to Summer 2k19 and some of the new memories tied to the tracks from this month’s playlist!

“Only Human” – Jonas Brothers

Happiness this summer truly began August 23, when the Jonas Brothers blessed Toronto with their long-awaited Happiness Begins Tour (my first of five shows that I’m currently set to see on this tour – don’t judge!). If I’m being real, the JoBros are one of my OG favourite music acts, along with Hilary Duff and Taylor Swift, so this comeback was truly a BIG deal!

This groovy, ’80s-inspired tune is one of my favourite songs from the new album and it’s even better live. In terms of the big picture, “Only Human” is one of my top picks for official song of the summer, tied with “Old Town Road,” “Señorita” and “bad guy” (mentioned below). Let me know in the comments below what you would pick as your song of the summer!

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