Not true. There are a lot of female artists I adore, and a lot that deserved their spot near the top of those lists this year and in years past. Lizzo and Clairo put out some of my favorite tracks of the year. However, if a list was 90% male, it wouldn't surprise me the way a 90% female list does, simply because men have been afforded those opportunities for so much longer than women have. Would a 90% male list surprise me in 2019/2020? You bet. You'd have to assume at that point that female talent was being purposefully ignored. Which is what annoyed me about a 90% female list - you can safely assume that male talent was being ignored in favor of the perception of equality across the board. Of course it was pandering. Look at traditionally male dominated fields like metal or hip-hop - no wonder they still remain male dominated, because women haven't seen themselves represented nearly well enough at the top of those fields. Publications like Kerrang!, Revolver or AltPress never feature the diversity they should, because their readership isn't as diverse as a Pitchfork or a chorus.fm, and their readership is being pandered to. But again, lists being 90% male in the past is a reflection of the opportunities afforded to both in previous times. Inclusivity is hugely important, but overcompensation is, on principle alone, a turn off to me.
Good list, don’t agree with Billie Eilish at all. She’s just...no. Nick Cave should definitely be on here, and surprised to not see Post Malone. Up until Hollywood’s Bleeding I couldn’t stand him but that album is truly terrific. You guys should also do the best soundtracks of the year! There were so many wonderful film scores from this year!
I disagree with your music takes in general but like everyone has their own opinion so it's cool, but yeah I'd LOVE to see soundtrack lists sometime, I think that could be cool
Great point. An artist should do it like Caleb Shomo has done w/ Beartooth. Sadly, a lot of rappers are chasing clout by pretending to be chronically depressed. SuicideBoys is one of the worst things to ever happen to civilization. As a musician, let me say that when I’m depressed or anxious, I can’t begin to write. Am I saying all are phoneys? Definitely not. It’s actually pretty easy to tell who is intentionally putting suggestions of suicide into their lyrics in order to appear edgy. Sorry for the rant, I totally agree but artists must share their fears in a healthy way w/ their audience. That’s why I listed Beartooth, they’ve given me so much strength.
I’m so behind on hip hop too, I just don’t like mumble rap at all. Production is a big factor for that, I loved trap when guys like T.I. were getting it right but now every mainstream beat is exactly the same, rattling snares and boring electronic pads on top.
It’s just changed so much! I feel like an old man yelling at a cloud I just bump OutKast, Eminem, Jay, 50, The Game, Dr. Dre, Snoop and all the “old” stuff. I haven’t truly loved a new hip hop artist since Kendrick. I like Posty but I also don’t really consider him a rapper, he’s pop IMO.
Chris Brown will never be the number one anything. His entire catalogue is mediocre to painful, which would be one thing if he wasn’t such a horrific person. I know your point was about something else, I just had to diss Chris Brown
I really should give JEW another listen. I just am not drawn into them the way I used to be. Also pretty shocked Better Oblivion Community Center didn’t make the cut, but having said that I haven’t listened to at least half these albums, so maybe I just don’t know what I’m missing out on.
It wouldn't have been hard to ask the hip hop/r&B/etc. threads for recommendations like two months before making this list lol these excuses aren't really cutting it many people here are very, very knowledgeable about a wide variety of hip hop and R&B, we can help you nerds lol you don't have to rely on indie rock sites to provide you that one album a year
I know this was brought up earlier, but I'm still really surprised the new Menzingers album is so low. I would put songs like High School Friend, Last to Know, Strangers Forever, I can't Stop Drinking, and Farewell Youth up there with everything they've done. Maybe it's because I don't mind the production though, I could see the vocals being an issue for people.
After the Party felt, to me, like destroying the well that they were continuously going back to. Growing up, maturing, etc. I was hoping to see a change in direction but HE is just more of the same. Not bad, just nothing to return to when the rest of their catalogue exists.
I tend to enjoy Yip’s production most times, but they definitely need to work with someone else next time.