12/29/2023 0 Comments Vibe check guySome years I listened to a ton of hip-hop, jazz, and pop and let my interests in dance music, country, and folk slip. It’s more just a reflection of one dude’s changing tastes at a particular time. While I believe that this list is eclectic, certain genres are going to feel under-represented. I don’t need to consider representing every genre or highlighting artists who get clicks. Here, I don’t have to argue my case to my coworkers that this guitar rock record from Vermont deserves a spot in the top 50. It’s just me: a 32-year-old freelancer who lives in Chicago and has been writing about music for a bunch of publications since 2012. While there are certain marquee records I think are overrepresented or even more snubbed, it’s silly to call balls and strikes when an outlet correctly polls its entire staff and compiles the year by a committee of diverse voices and eclectic tastes.įor better or worse, No Expectations is not a big publication with staff writers and editors. This year’s lists from the bigger publications showcase this variety well. Without unassailable masterpieces from big names dominating the discussion, you have a lot more to choose from, exciting genres to highlight, and deserving under-the-radar acts to give a platform to. Sure, both Paste and Stereogum deservedly chose Wednesday’s Rat Saw God for the top slot but to me, 2023 was more a year where just a bunch of really great LPs came out. This might be an unpopular opinion but I tend to really enjoy years when there’s no true consensus pick for Album of the Year. Apologies for not having the weekly gig calendar or playlist this week: consult Chicago Show Calendar for now and maybe see ya at the Cafe Racer farewell shows at Empty Bottle, Resavoir at Constellation, or the Lawrence Arms’ War on Xmas at Metro. It still means the world. If you discovered a new favorite artist thanks to this list, think about signing up for a paid subscription (but not before you buy their album). Incredibly, I didn’t miss a single week publishing this newsletter. It kept me on top of my freelance assignments and because I had to freedom to write about whatever I wanted to, it stayed consistently exciting to me. The regular blogging practice made me a better writer. Instead, it slowly grew and became the highlight of the year. I honestly figured that it’d be fun for a couple of months and then it’d naturally peter out. 52 weeks ago, I decided to get on Substack and write a little about music and culture each week. Friday marks the first anniversary of No Expectations and I’m marking the occasion today by doing exactly what I did for its inaugural newsletter : celebrating the year’s best albums.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |