Merry Christmas Eve!
Here we are, the end of 2020 and a list of stellar efforts from talented artist that made a rough year just a bit more easier to swallow.
Treat yourself to a trucker love story, an instant dancefloor classic that pays homage to Olivia Newton-John, and two deserved appearances by Lady Gaga.
#10. "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor" by Aly & AJ
Embodying a prominent, female French heroine, sister duo Aly & AJ shared "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor" this year, a pulsating dance track that doubled as an anthem of encouragement and bravery. Lifting up the downtrodden, luring them out of the darkness with an 80s-inspired electronic beat, the song paid homage as the moodier version of "Give Me Tonight" by Shannon. The sisters sing of a safe space to fully express one's originality without ridicule or fear. "Knights in armor hide under eyeliner, lights are low, the night will take us higher," they chant, following a rousing and defiant chorus. It's a moment of liberation and pure euphoria for the boys and girls who feel they can only be their true selves in the shadows of a nightclub. Instead of accepting defeat or wallowing in self-pity, Aly & AJ issued a battle cry for celebration and resistance.
#9. "Cry About It Later" by Katy Perry
For her sixth studio album Smile, one plagued by strained one-off single releases and a pandemic-related delay, Katy Perry stuck to her strongest pop talents on a search for motivation to pull herself out of personal life muck. Potential future single "Cry About It Later" detailed the return to the questionable decisions that COVID-19 has deprived us all of for most of the year: a night out at the club to dance the tears and stress away. The 80s rock-tinged, upbeat number finds Perry mending a broken heart with temporary flings and excessive drinking. Whatever works. "It's half past three, and I got angel wings, but a devil's grin, and only one can win," she acknowledges on the song's bridge. The finished product was edgy, dark, and perfectly highlighted Perry's balance for pop hooks and maturity.
#8. "Plastic Doll" by Lady Gaga
Along with "1000 Doves" and "Replay", there's one other Chromatica track that does not receive as much deserved respect as its eclectic counterparts. "Plastic Doll" holds its own on the album, even when placed right after standout and current single "911". The idea of self-medication and episodes of mental psychosis are triggered by an artist feeling pressured to remain the perfect pop star. With production credits from Skrillex, the song touches on Gaga consistently feeling objectified by all those around her -- by her lovers, her managers, her supposedly-caring fans. She feels drained of freedom and originality, afraid of becoming something off-the-shelf. "Don't play with me, it just hurts me, I'm bouncin' off the walls, no, no, no, I'm not your plastic doll," the artist sings in angst and desperation.
#7. "Diamonds" by Sam Smith
Sam Smith also dipped their toes in the trendy disco aesthetic for "Diamonds", an energetic anthem where the artist shed their life of materialistic, shallow love. Following the end of a relationship that only benefitted one party, the artist quickly stitched back the pieces of their heart in order to get their life back on track. "You dream of glitter and gold, my heart's already been sold, show you how little I care," Smith belts on the hook, shutting down any indication that the initial hurt will last forever. In actuality, the artist had already turned the tables, happy to learn of their former lover's true intentions sooner rather than later. If they were only with Smith for the expensive gifts and lavish trips, they can keep them. The artist will give their love to some who actually gives it back in return.
#6. "Night Crawling" by Miley Cyrus feat. Billy Idol
Nestled right in the middle of sixth studio album Plastic Heart lies Miley Cyrus' unexpected yet unsurprisingly stellar collaboration with Billy Idol. Cyrus' own rebel yell is answered by the punk rock prince on "Night Crawling", where both artists form a bond over shared bi-polar behavioral tendencies and their provocative public personas. Whether in relation to romantic commitments or self-preservation tactics, they rocked out to the need and desire for stability. "Sometimes my thoughts are violent, sometimes they bring me to the light, sometimes I sit in silence, sometimes I'm running for my life," they sing. Perhaps only because Idol and his deep vocals are featured, the track stands out from its counterparts for its authentic punk essence and faithful homage.
#5. "Physical" by Dua Lipa
Built around ominous dance production, Dua Lipa convinced her partner that they should never settle for ordinary. What they have together is phenomenal. And on “Physical”, with nods to Olivia Newton-John’s timeless classic, the artist plans to take full advantage of their frenzied chemistry. Even though Lipa pulled inspiration from a variety of other artists and genres, she still found a way to inject her own trademark synth-pop flare into the sexy club banger. With the idea that we are all just living in a complex simulation in mind, Lipa sped past doubt and hesitation, choosing instead to live life to the fullest. And when that idea is projected onto carnal romance, a night of pleasure knows no boundaries. “All night, I'll riot with you, I know you got my back and you know I got you,” she belts on the infectious chorus.
#4. "Drive Me, Crazy" by Orville Peck
While some critics still can't get past a supposed "gimmick", Orville Peck's striking baritone and narrative songwriting skills warranted even more attention in 2020. On Show Pony, a six-track extension of the alternative pop and rock inspiration found on his debut, the masked cowboy portrays a lonely truck driver, navigating endless dark highways, as he comes across a temporary lover on "Drive Me, Crazy". Masculine symbols like big rigs and burning rubber juxtaposed with cruising, cries for affection, and flirting over the radio airwaves allows the piano-driven ballad to carry immense emotional weight. These are the love stories that are often left untold. It's a story of two people who shouldn't be together. Here, bad timing and society expectations do keep them apart.
#3. "Dancing Next To Me" by Greyson Chance
Originally set as official lead single off Greyson Chance's anticipated sophomore album, “Dancing Next To Me” differed greatly from the country-rock styling of its predecessor. The sultry dancefloor banger instead found the artist navigating a tricky romance situation over euphoric dance beats and a striking sense of assertiveness and skepticism. During a night out, Chance stumbles across a temporary connection. The significant other appears uncertain of their own motives, so Chance takes the lead. As he courts the curious on the dancefloor, the song highlights the betrayal felt once the sun comes up and the love interest flees in a cloud of confusion and uncertainty. It's a familiar scenarios in the queer community: someone unsure of their feelings and emotions seeks a temporary fix or escape from their own pain. Unfortunately, they don’t consider the people they can hurt in the process.
#2. "Magic" by Kylie Minogue
As she did with 2018s country-influenced Golden, Kylie Minogue effortlessly commanded unexplored genre territory as she guided listeners to the dancefloor to shake off any feelings of doubt and despair. The end result was a temporary escape from reality, to an interstellar dance party where love and exploration reign supreme. Second single "Magic" was the effective, rightful choice for album opener and introduction to said dance party. It was a satisfying teaser of what was to come as Minogue landed on a strange new planet, preparing listeners by singing "anything could happen". The exuberance and joy radiating from the handclaps and brass horns transported listeners back to the 70s as Minogue prepared to open her heart and take a chance with a new lover... even if for just one night.
#1. "911" by Lady Gaga
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