A little late, but I’ve finally compiled the second annual ranking of my favorite songs and artists of the year 2020! Like last year’s list, this one is determined by local play count since I still haven’t surrendered to the streaming services.
With the pandemic-related lockdowns and reduced in-office hours this year, I feel like my music listening time (mostly during my commute to work and hockey) was greatly reduced. But there was still plenty of music listening accomplished if the spreadsheets are accurate, with my counts only down about 30%, or about thousand less plays than the year before. Especially impressive considering the middle of the year was practically devoid of releases.
So without further ado, from music I purchased during 2020, my Completely Scientifically-Determined Top 10 played artists were:
#10 22/7
Breaking into the list this year after a slow 2019, I feel like I have a weird relationship with 22/7. On the one hand I’ve followed them almost since their debut, but on the other they’re anime voice actors and I’m not generally into anime or anime-style music. But I do really like what they’ve put out this year, from the serious to the goofy.
Since none of their songs made into my Top 20, I’ll say ソフトクリーム落としちゃった was the top played track, and I have a special love for 半チャーハン and its great music video.
It’s a bit sad end to the year for them as my oshimen Hokaze Chiharu announced her graduation, but I’m still looking forward to what new the group has to offer in 2021.
#9 =LOVE and ≠ME
I didn’t see this one coming. I’ve been occasionally checking on what Sashihara’s idol groups are up to, but somehow this year they finally got me. They didn’t get any one song into my Top 20, but 樹愛羅、助けに来たぞ and 今、この船に乗れ! are right on the edge, though they are both 2018 releases. On the other extreme one of the songs that’s really been stuck in my head, P.I.C. from ≠ME, isn’t even for sale yet.
I still don’t know much about these groups, or any of the members, but I’m definitely on the watch for their next release.
#8 AKB48
Down from #1 last year in part due to a dearth of new releases, and also me not digging up too many gems from their past this time. However, it is in fact due to a certain song from 2010 that they reached this high in my ranking. This is despite my excitement for the Zukkii-centered single they did get out just before things locked down (and then seemed to promptly forget about).
Considering the amount of practiced talent sitting around in AKB, it seems they were intent on squandering it in 2020. Even with the pandemic I think they’re in a rut entirely of their own making, and I can only hope management gets their act together in 2021 and lets them show off something new and worthy of their abilities.
#7 平原綾香
After hearing Hirahara Ayaka’s amazing singing on Music Fair, I had to find some more of her music. Turns out her latest compilation album is a great place to start. Aside from Jupiter, which I knew via Little Glee Monster’s cover, I discovered a lot of her songs to be powerfully emotional, even if the religious theming and classical music sampling isn’t necessarily my thing.
#6 Little Glee Monster
Although they didn’t get as much listen time from me this year, LGM remains my favorite music group. They have superb vocals and reliably put out some fantastic tracks.
They managed three physical releases this year (including some nice Christmas medleys that admittedly didn’t have much time to count here) and have a major album coming in January. Though unfortunately their sort-of-center Serina has recently taken seriously ill, hopefully they will be able to have a good 2021.
#5 STU48
I reeeally enjoyed STU’s two singles this year. The first one from January got all the play time, but their September release (delayed from the spring) had a fun double-senbatsu concept, helped introduce me to the 2nd gens, and included a lovely Fu-Chiho coupling song, to which they added their own homemade music video.
#4 日向坂46
Hinatazaka has been a fun group to follow, and though 2020 messed up many of their plans, they put out a great album this fall. Just the new tracks from that release were enough to keep them in 4th place.
They’ve both stayed close to their blossoming burikko themes and branched out in the same kinds of rock and electronica directions I’ve really enjoyed from Nogizaka in the past. I’m excited to see where they go for their next single, which is surely close on the horizon.
Oh, and not only have they made their concerts easy to watch from overseas, but maybe taking a cue from certain Korean agencies, they’ve posted a couple dance rehearsal videos. Those have been really fun since you can track each member from a fixed camera angle. Add that to their whole-hearted variety focus, and I can’t wait to see what they get themselves into.
#3 NMB48
Holding down the #3 spot again this year is NMB, which pulled off a great combination of serious and seriously silly songs. Their catchy tunes have really hit the spot, and they keep growing on me. Both of their singles in the last part of the year had songs ranking in my Top 10.
With Murase Sae, Yoshida Akari, and Yamamoto Ayaka all announcing their graduations in 2020, 2021 is a year full of uncertainty for NMB. I’m hopeful a new generation will rise to prominence, a new oshimen will emerge, and more great, fun music will be forthcoming.
#2 欅坂46/櫻坂46
2020 was so hard on Keyakizaka that they don’t even exist anymore. The reborn Sakurazaka surely carries on some of Keyaki’s themes and musical styling though, along with most of the members.
Keyaki’s final album, and with it a release of the lost 9th single songs, was impressive. It’s a more hopeful sound that doesn’t seem too at odds with the new group’s direction. I hope Keyaki’s Last Live won’t be the last time these awesome new songs are performed, not to mention their beloved back catalog. But surely management is going to want to cement Sakurazaka’s image first, so I don’t expect much official focus on nostalgia in 2021.
That said, these last remnants of Keyaki got some of the most listening time from me here at the end of the year — so much so it brought them from off the list in 2019 to almost the top.
Then in Sakurazaka’s first single the A-side was the best song for me, but unusually I actually liked all the tracks enough to have them on my regular playlist. I’m excited for their next single this year — hopefully we don’t need to wait too long.
#1 乃木坂46
Nogi really, really nailed it for me this year with an early mix of energetic, catchy love songs followed by their sentimental stay-at-home and wow-wow-wow-infused digital releases, all at just the right times.
The group is changing fast now as prominent 1st and 2nd gens graduate, but I’ve been loving the energy of the 3rd and 4th gens and their songs so I’m still eagerly looking forward to their next single this January and whatever comes beyond.
Honorable Mention
The two groups just outside my Top 10 artists for 2020, and outside of my Top 20 songs as well, still warrant a mention. Last Idol didn’t hit the same 青春トレイン highs, but I loved the unit song 期待値0 as well as the music and aesthetic of their new release this year, 何人も. Finally, SKE48 didn’t have a runaway hit for me (when is Nojima getting her next song…), but I quite enjoyed ソーユートコあるよね? in particular.
That’s all for the artists, but I’ll finish things off in my next blog post with my top songs of 2020.
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