30 in Music - My Favourite Musical Discoveries of 2015-2016
I have a little tradition that I started about five years ago, where I take a minute to define my favourite musical discoveries of the past year. I usually do this on my birthday, which was a couple weeks ago.
Even though I'm a little late to do this, I have simply loved reflecting on the great music that came into my life in the past year. You know how certain music has a way of taking you back to a place in time and bringing back all sorts of memories? Making these lists helps me define which music was most listened to while I was 30.
Truly, these songs would be attached to those memories whether I made the list or not... but theres something I really enjoy about acknowledging these favourites. It's like creating my own soundtrack album to the events of the past year.
Without further ado, here are the songs and artists that were on regular rotation in my 30th year of being on this awesome planet.
- There's little I love more than brand new music that's absolutely perfectly styled as something old. Although JD McPherson's Signs and Signifiers album is 5 years old, I discovered it last year, and it was one of those albums where I'd clicked over to iTunes and bought the whole album before my first listen of "North Side Gal" was over. "Scratching Circles", above, is my favourite track on the album, and has already been enjoyed on a number of Edmonton wedding dance floors.
- You'd have to have lived under a rock to have missed out on at least one song from Taylor Swift's iconic "1989" album, but it still needs to be mentioned here. I'm an unashamed Swiftie, and this album is just killer. I personally love some of the B-sides, like "How You Get The Girl," "Clean" and "All You Had To Do Was Stay" just as much of the singles. They've been on heavy, and I mean heavy rotation this year.
- Shortly before the release of his much-anticipated follow-up to The Heist, Macklemore released the above video for "Kevin", featuring Leon Bridges. I was absolutely captivated by this video... everything from the incredible venue and styling, to Bridges' transcendent vocals and Macklemore's honest lyrics... I must've watched it three times in a row. I immediately purchased Leon Bridges' album, and have listened to it almost daily. If you love soul, his "Coming Home" album is a must-have. It's got such a timeless, soulful sound that it's easy to forget that it was only released in 2015.
- Of course, I could hardly wait for Macklemore's latest album to drop, and it's also an instant favourite. I wasn't sure how it would hold up to The Heist, but it has all of the same endearing qualities: heart-wrenching honesty, humour, danceability, and some mega sing-a-long-able hooks.
- This was the year that everyone became unashamed of their love for Justin Bieber. I, too, love his latest singles, but I will be the first to mention that I have never been ashamed of my love for the little guy. Let's just say I played a significant role in getting that "Baby" music video to 1 billion views...
- I discovered Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats while perusing upcoming shows at the Winspear Centre, and experienced an immediate onslaught of emotion. First it was "this is the best thing I've ever heard!" followed quickly by excitement to go to the show, and devastation when I found that tickets had long since sold out.
- A few more Top 40 faves this year have been Ariana Grande, Pitbull (I am constantly in love with his ability to fill any dance floor, anywhere), and Jason Derulo's 'Want You To Want Me." Oh, and Lady Gaga. Always Lady Gaga.
- I love covers and samples and all of the ways that musicians weave old songs into new. My love for 90s hits is massive, but it was just this year that I discovered the original song that Biz Markie sampled in "Just A Friend". The original Freddie Scott song, above, is such a lovely, romantic jam. Instant fave!
- As I elaborated in another blog post, I've enjoyed exploring a little variety for events that I DJ in Edmonton which want upbeat music, without a dance floor. New discoveries that are now on regular rotation include Pharrell's "Come Get It Bae'" STRFKR's cover of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle", and even some Arkells.
- I know I'm not the only one who has noticed some killer music in the past year's blockbusters. I had one couple who described their picks for cocktail music as "Light and fun, a la the Guardians Of The Galaxy soundtrack." It was definitely a hit with their family and friends on their wedding day!
Deadpool also included some perfectly-timed music selections, like DMX, Salt n Pepa, and even Neil Sedaka. If you ask me, that was the most enjoyable part of the movie. Just sayin'...
- When I was in junior high school, I loved the Dixie Chicks. I guess that's what happens when you grow up in rural Alberta, but their "Fly" album was one I had on both cassette and CD (sign of the times! haha!). I recently discovered this song, Long Way Around, and it really spoke to my heart.
"I've never seemed to do it like anybody else,
maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down.
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Taking the long way 'round."
It was like the authors of teenage-Stacey's soundtrack had penned a perfect follow-up for thirty-something-Stacey, practically describing my life. Except the pink RV. I never had one of those, and that would've been awesome.
- Speaking of country music, one of my favourite country songs that's emerged as a dance-floor filler has been House Party by Sam Hunt - it's just so catchy!
- Kari and Elliott, one of my 2015 weddings, had "I Choose You" by Sara Barielles as their first dance, and it was perfect for them. I ended up falling in love with it too.
I'm going to leave you with this, "Little Bitty Pretty One", one of the most dance-able, clap-along-able, happy songs that I rediscovered in my 3-0 year. Come on - blast this one, and get up and dance... I know I will!
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you discovered in the past year on Instagram!
