Five Years of Earwyrms

The Best Of
Written By Jeff Lehman

ISSUE #235

Happy fifth anniversary to you, old girl: my newsletter, my blog; my buttress, my bane.

It has not been easy. Is anything? Each trip around the sun sloughs more cells from my body, changing me so much, yet so little—but that only underlines the importance of a promise. Marriage is not a fool’s attempt to know the future. It is a compass you pack because you know you’ll sail through storms. That’s where passion pulls us: ever north, to Polaris, toward hope’s strange and unfamiliar harbor.

The trouble with writing about music every week is you don’t actually end up knowing that much more about music. Quite less, in fact. The time, the work, the attempted balance leads to short cuts, and I become more drawn to the oldies and goodies instead of pressing play on something new. It’s the professional’s paradox—but nobody was built to know everything. We were built for perspective, and we were built for change.

So to celebrate the fifth anniversary of my baby, I’m proving how much—or how little—I’ve changed. I’m making amends to some old lists, those year-end receipts published by dutiful music sites. I’ve had some changes of heart in the subsequent years. Sometimes, I regret not having the courage to publish my true pick. Other times, I simply didn’t listen to everything in time. Almost always, I fell through some trap door of understanding and started listening better in the days that followed.

Here are my top three songs for each of the past five years, as they stand today:

2018

1. “Night Shift” | Lucy Dacus

One of only two unwavering picks on these lists, “Night Shift” stands taller every day as a staggering piece of storytelling and emotional catharsis.

2. “Your Dog” | Soccer Mommy

I missed this one during Earwyrms’ first year, but picked up on it in time for the Best of the 2010s list. It’s only grown since—one of the dirtiest hooks in rock & roll.

3. “Sandalwood II” | Jonny Greenwood

A different pick every day from the decade’s greatest score, but the verdant “Sandalwood II” is my favorite of the moment. Crawls up my skin like vines every time.

Previously: 1) “Night Shift” by Lucy Dacus; 2) “For the Hungry Boy” by Jonny Greenwood; 3) “Moon River” by Frank Ocean.

 

2019

1. “North” | Clairo

I came around to this other Clairo cut only after I’d fallen in love and been reminded of having a skipping heart and fluttering stomach.

2. “Do You Love Her Now” | Jai Paul

I picked “He” in 2019—ever the asshole who stumps for the B-side—but after feasting on a few more sunsets with this one, I relented to its perfection.

3. “RABi” | Bon Iver

I was too afraid to put this at the top of my list in 2019, even though it’d won out in my heart. I’d held Bon Iver too close for too long, felt my judgement was being clouded. I was wrong—I’ve found bravery at last.

Previously: 1) “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten; 2) “Faithless” by Operators; 3) “Bags” by Clairo.

 

2020

1. “Campfire” | Kevin Morby

Got me through some of the darkest, coldest days of my life in January 2022—if I’d had it at 2020, I may have found more solace, and it would have won the top spot.

2. “body” | Gia Margaret

Maybe the only song that consistently helps me breathe.

3. “Ecstasy (Over & Over)” | Prospa

Maximalist VDM, a great running song, captures that Friday-night spirit of Celebration Rock.

Previously: 1) “body” by Gia Margaret; 2) “Whole Life” by Perfume Genius; 3) “Bird Song” by Maybel.

 

2021

1. “This Feeling” | my!lane

Phonk only arrived at my doorstep last year, and ever since, this short album has shot to the top of every list.

2. “Señorita” | Arca

Still swapping places with “Ripples” depending on the day, this one almost made it onto the first list and has become the more consistent play as of now.

3. “Excalibur” | Daniel Hart

The receding sound of every path we can’t take, the voice of a future out of reach.

Previously: 1) “Posing in Bondage” by Japanese Breakfast; 2) “The Kiss of Venus” by Paul McCartney w/ Dominic Fike; 3) “Ripples” by Arca.

 

2022

1. “Basketball Shoes” | Black Country, New Road

The subject of one of my most embarrassing errors, when I sent out the email with the title of the wrong song after I switched last minute from this to “Good Will Hunting.” I still love the latter, as I love the whole album, but this one deserves it true day in the sun—not least for the soaring second act starting at 6:22.

2. “Summer Sun” | Plains

Still same as a few months ago, only now with a few more tears. Karaoke version please.

3. “Runner” | Alex G

I see this as a beloved favorite of some of my closest friends, and a new song on rotation behind the drum kit.

Previously: 1) “Good Will Hunting” by Black Country, New Road; 2) “Summer Sun ” by Plains; 3) “Simulation Swarm” by Big Thief.

 

Looking toward 2023 and beyond, I have some even bigger changes in store—but until I finally get there: thank you, as always, for being here.

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