Staff Picks 2020: Meg Calloway

By Meg Calloway, Contributor

2020 needs no introduction. ’Twas not a good year. Bonus points, however, for getting to spend inordinate amounts of time with my quarantine pod and developing a new appreciation for sourdough bread, but otherwise… you get it. When you’re dizzy from news cycles and you’ve built yourself a studio apartment out of your comforter, it’s easy to succumb to feelings of desolate isolation. And frankly, the lack of live shows and social interaction has been a hit that just keeps on hitting, so thank goodness music has prevailed and continued to be released throughout this dumpster fire of a year. 

The following albums have offered me sincere moments of respite and reminders of the ties that bind. Cheesy, yes, but in this epoch of insanity, these records delivered with poignancy, integrity, and offered glimmers of hope. 

May these be a reminder that there will always be connective tissue. There will always be art to be made; experiences to be shared — we will come together again and revel in it all; our feet sticking to the floors as we mouth along writen words that strike an all too familiar chord. 

In no particular order…

Beach Bunny, “Honeymoon”

Beach Bunny emerged in our collective ~internet~ consciousness when the pithy track “Prom Queen” appeared in many a TikTok video. And while I’ve managed to give the TikTok phenomenon a wide berth, I caught wind of the song challenging euro-centric beauty ideals, and my interest was piqued. 

The Chicago band’s first full-length release has been a real boon throughout these days. I find few things more comforting than some post-teen angst-infused, garage-pop. Lili Trifilio’s lyrics are spun with honest moments of self-doubt, anxieties, lulled melodies, and explosive ruminations. 

There’s nothing earth-shattering about this record; it encapsulates the highest of highs and lowest of lows when navigating this thing called life. All in all, it’s a good, robust piece to play when reality bites, offering common ground and highlights of hope throughout. 

Soccer Mommy, “Color Theory”

Soccer Mommy does no wrong in my view, and Color Theory is an achingly accurate documentation of navigating stress and depression, juxtaposed with catchy hooks and plenty of fuzzy guitar work. I will never not love the buoyant vocals, moments of acoustic gravel, and pure early adulthood melancholia. 

The record delves into a rougher, ’90s handling, and toes some familiar touchstones, but remains original and poignant. And while songs like “Circle the Drain” have got me all teary for live shows, it’s an album I’ve had on repeat and will continue to play ad nauseam.

Fleet Foxes, “Shore”

I proudly bought Sun Giant back in high school from a dinky record shop, and have loved Fleet Foxes ever since. The recent release of Shore was beyond timely and incredibly needed; it lifted me right out of my general wallowing and transported me into a dream world somewhere on the outskirts of Seattle. Talk about a breath of fresh air and downright joy when the times were getting really tough.

This felt like a magnum opus; a soundtrack suited for self-reflection, connection, and the pursuit of that which is good in the world. With their swelling and delicate compositions, evocations of artists’ past, and general ability to render a listener speechless, I would say this record is nothing short of sublime. 

Honorable Mentions 

Phoebe Bridgers, “Punisher”: Way more than just sad-girl indie, she got those grammy noms for a reason.

Bob Dylan, “Rough and Rowdy Ways”: Because he would show up again during a pandemic.

Laura Marling, “Song For Our Daughter”: Stripped back, acoustic considerations about femininity, and because “bruises all end up benign.”