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2019 Year End Review

I was unsure if I wanted to do an end of year post for fear of sounding redundant, but I have come across so much music this year that has inspired me that I thought it would be a disservice not to share a couple highlights and a few of my favorites. 

So first, the highlights. I had the opportunity to see The Rocket Summer and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness live this year. I have been following them for over a decade, and being able to see BOTH of them live in the same year left my heart as full as it could possibly get. The music created by both of these artists got me through many ups and many downs over the past decade, and the love I have for every song they write is infinite. 

Another highlight from the year is so simple, yet has been so fulfilling. I started this blog with no intention of starting a social media page. I am glad I went against my better judgement and took Tunes and Tapes to Instagram. It has allowed me to share so much more than posts on a webpage every month. Lyrics are huge for me, but I did not want to make an entire blog post about one line in a song. The Instagram page allows me to do this on a smaller scale. It makes sharing concert experiences and information about artists so much easier. If you have followed, liked, commented, or viewed the Instagram page, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

Picking a top five this year was less overwhelming than usual because each of these artists have inspired me and are on constant repeat. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have and that you have a wonderful new year. 

  1. Dermot Kennedy: Without Fear 
  2. The Rocket Summer: Sweet Shivers 
  3. Jack Gray: Nights Like This
  4. VÉRITÉ: New Skin
  5. TAVIA: A Walk in the Madness 
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VÉRITÉ- New Skin

The lyrics, “I’ve got new love, new skin to wrap myself in” open this incredible body of work and is the perfect set up for the story VÉRITÉ is about to tell. New Skin infinitely illustrates the cycle of relationships in which the end provides a means to a new beginning and self discovery. The honesty shared throughout the album had me muttering things to myself like, ‘Oh wow, this is bold’ and ‘Is she about to go there? Yep, she went there.’

While hanging on to a sliver of hope for a lasting relationship, VÉRITÉ grudgingly takes you on an emotional journey of a pairing that is burning out. The story comes to a bitter end, touching on infidelity with the track “Think of Me.” Then, seamlessly, moves into “Gone,” admitting that the relationship is over in a way that is freeing.  The album is like a giant therapy session where nothing is held back. Everything is laid out raw and real. The truth hurts and the truth is liberating. 

New Skin is the sophomore album for this New York native and is the type of gem I love finding. I admire vulnerability, and this album is full of topics so personal it is borderline uncomfortable. My favorite tunes are “Ocean,” “Think of Me,” and “Gone.” Go listen to this now (I have at least 5 times today). You will not regret it! For upcoming shows and info click here.