Pick of the year 2020

Despite Everything That’s Being Going On, we asked the Team to send in some of the better highlights from the year – in music, film, TV, gaming and everything else.

📺 Schitt’s Creek (and the documentary)

Abbey, Social Media @ Rose Apothecary

This was as wholesome and heart-warming as 2020 was not. I will remember pure, unadulterated escapism, and happy-tears.

🎶 Roisin Murphy – Roisin Machine

Steve, Troller of Moomins

A stunning nu-disco album of epic proportions – and really one of the best ways to make myself happy in the cold, harsh months during which draught beer has been illegal.

🎮 Super Mario 3D All Stars - Nintendo Switch

Rory, Super Plumber

Super Mario 3D All Stars took the bold step of combining two of the greatest platformers of all time with one of the least-greatest platformers of all time. I will forever associate it with moving house, which is a great thing to do during a pandemic, and quietly playing in it bed at 3AM as there was no TV.

🎤 “Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)” - Rina Sawayama

Jess, Représentant du service clientele

A biiiiiig tune - from the brilliant mixed-genre album, SAWAYAMA. I listen to this a lot during my government-allocated exercise hour, running the same loop around Glasgow. Ahhh, 2020.

💻 The Mandalorian – Season 2

Chris, Way Follower

Good because it’s not Star Trek (I kid). It's more Rogue One than The Rise of Skywalker, and that can only be a good thing. Plus, Grogu is the new ET (despite everyone calling him baby Yoda for the last 6 months). This was the return of good ol' Friday night telly. I have never craved shows being released one episode at a time, until 2020 - a year when any reason to be excited is very welcome. Some would call it...hope.

Murray, Bounty Hunter

After a few years of disappointing Star Wars content, this was so refreshing. This circumstances of this year allowed me the opportunity to get my lovely wife interested in Star Wars! I can’t think of any way that would have otherwise happened.

📺 The Undoing

Jess, Non-NYC Resident

The SUSPENSE in each episode and not being able to binge-watch it all in one sitting combined to amplify throughout this season. And Nicole Kidman’s wardrobe was outstanding. When I look back, there’s definitely an element of FOMO about not being in NYC – the best city – very much looking forward to when I can visit again.

🎶 Taylor Swift – folklore/evermore

Colum, Senior Crow Eater

‘I am not a Taylor Swift fan’ is something that smug, self-satisfied obnoxious hipster Colum would have said in January. Since then, she has released two absolutely stunning records – the first being the best National album since the second-last National album; the second being a wintry heart-breaking/warming wonder that I still cannot wrap my head around.

January Colum is an idiot. Taylor Swift is incredible. Aaron Dessner continues to be involved in almost everything I like.

Take a trip down memory lane (if you dare!) with our 2020 in Sound Playlist: