2018: Wrapped

Hola everyone.


And welcome back to another Music Saturday (yeah, it’s Saturday today, just go with it). And yes, I know, shouldn’t there be a ‘New’ in there? And yes, you’re right, there usually should, but this time I left it out on purpose, because today is a very special Music Day. Because, just as the year is coming to an end, it’s also time to wrap up the year music-wise. And what a year 2018 was. A year full of amazing music. Special music. Exciting music. It’s all in there, in the folder of 2018, waiting to be discovered by you.

 

And just as every year, the lovely people of Spotify made it a lot easier for us all to wrap this year up. Since getting myself a premium account, the yearly statistics of my own musical behavior have been a highlight for me and something I’ve been looking forward to for weeks. And just like the two years before, they are more than accurate. But have a look for yourself.

 

 

I might just have to add that Tom has now been my favorite artist for two years straight and, honestly, I’m not surprised, not even a bit. Tom is simply an incredible artist and I absolutely adore his music. It’s that type of music that just fits every occasion. Whether it’s when I’m cooking, writing, going for a walk, shopping in the mall or just chilling, I can always have it on and it will always fit perfectly. That’s just what Tom does. He makes perfect music. And I feel more than honored and grateful that I’ll finally get to see him live next year in London. I can’t wait, honestly.

 

And besides that, the whole statistics are pretty much spot on. We all know why Ed is on there (obviously), The Academic were a huge phase for me at the beginning of this year due to their amazing show in Vienna (I still am deeply in love with their music, of course) and both Hippo Campus and TØP released two breathtaking albums, which, by the way, are the top two albums of the year for me. Nothing can beat those two, nothing. At least for me.

 

So, overall, the statistics don’t really surprise me in any way, they just make me endlessly happy. I love that I got to spend 21.538 minutes listening to amazing music this year and that I got to share most of that fantastic music with you guys. Music is just such a huge part of my life and now that I’m on my way of turning exactly that part into my career, I’m just even more thankful and happy. This is all very crazy and very special to me. And at the end of the day it’s all thanks to those incredible bands and artists out there who produce and create this art so we can all go and listen to and enjoy it.

 

But, as this is a Music Day, we still of course have to get to the music part. And just as every year, I thought I’d create a little playlist of my favorite tracks of 2018. Some might not be from this year, they might be really old, and some might be so new that I’ve just stumbled over them a few days ago, but just love so much that they need to be in this list. Every single song has a special meaning to me, some may even be connected to a certain memory or moment of this year. Some may be new to you, some may won’t, as I might have already shared them with you. But, in total, they all mean a lot to me and I dearly hope you enjoy them just as much as I do.

 

Jumpsuit – Twenty One Pilots

If there is one song that completely blew my mind this year, then it’s this one right here.


Pictures of Girls – Wallows

According to Spotify, this is the song I’ve listened to the most this year and, frankly, I’m not surprised at all.

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Live Outside – Enter Shikari

 
Completely fell for this one right here after hearing it live. Way too good to not listen to it. Way too good.

 

Bambi – Hippo Campus

Like Jumpsuit, this one once again completely surprised me, in the best way possible. Such a bop, honestly. The whole album is.

 

Surprise Yourself – Jack Garratt

I rediscovered this one a few months ago and can’t get enough of it ever since. This is literal art.

 

Tough – Lewis Capaldi

Lewis is definitely my musical find of the year. I’m so so so glad that I discovered him, he’s honestly such a gem. And yes, he is this good live. Breathtaking, I know.

 

Love It If We Made It – The 1975

Although I’m not a big fan of the album overall, this song has completely won my heart. It feels a bit like we’re back in 2013 and I love that.

 

Neon Gravestones – Twenty One Pilots

Lyrically this is the most important song of the year for me. Once you get behind the meaning of the lyrics, this song turns into this one special piece of art that will definitely go down in history. It’s that important. And this band is that important. Also, listen to Tyler’s voice. Please listen. Holy moly.

 

Hope There’s Someone – Avicii

I thought about leaving this space here blank and only adding a little caption at the end just like with the ones before. But I just can’t. 2018 is coming to an end now and although, music-wise, there have been so many incredible moments, I just want to take a second right here and once again remind us all of the fact that there were also some really heartbreaking moments. And for me, the most crushing one was definitely loosing the bright star called Tim Bergling aka Avicii. I felt my heart break the moment I heard about it this April and it’s just now that I notice how tears are rolling down my cheeks writing this and listening to this song and reminding myself of the fact that we really lost him. Tim was such an important part of my musical life and I still can’t fully believe he’s gone. But I know that he will never be forgotten because of his music. He’ll live on forever, in our hearts and on the dance floors of this world. But still, Tim, I miss you. Every single day.

There are no words.

 

Ain’t Coming Home – Badflite

Apart from Marty’s releases, this is probably my favorite track from the empire called STMPD Records. Listen to it and you’ll know why.

 

Flowerss – HALFNOISE

This is definitely one of those special tracks that I will forever have a special place in my playlist, it’s just way too extraordinary to ever forget about it.

 

Bear Claws – The Academic

What can I say? They’re The Academic and this is just a bop right here. Can’t get enough of it.

 

Y2k – The Montreals

If you haven’t given The Montreals a listen until now, please please do immediately. They’re one of those bands you really have to look out for in 2019.

 

Alright – Lacuna Bloome

I actually have to thank BIMM for introducing me to this band, as, believe it or not, this here is actually a band from my university. How amazing is that? And how freaking awesome is the song? Pure indie goodness.

 

Waiting For Tomorrow – Martin Garrix & Pierce Fulton ft. Mike Shinoda

I know I’ve already talked about this, but I’ve literally been waiting for this song forever. But the wait was so worth it. So damn good.

 

Butter – Leyya

Please, everyone, go and listen to this while driving and turn the volume all the way up. It’s literally the coolest feeling.

 

Feeling Lonely – boy pablo

This is actually my most recent find, thanks to the breathtaking lineup of next year’s Sziget festival. Thanks Sziget, can’t wait to spend a week with you next year.

Woes – Tom Rosenthal

Last but surely not least – incredibly sad and incredibly beautiful – just like everything that Tom does. And yes, of course he had to be part of this list. He should be part of everyone’s list.

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So yeah guys, there you go. Those are my favorite songs of 2018 and the tracks that made this year the years it was and is. As I said, all of them have a special meaning to me and I love them all with every cell of my body. And I really really hope you enjoy them too. Also, I’m already so excited for what’s to come in 2019. 

 

As always, please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and comments down below. And if you’ve got your Spotify statistics too, please do share them with me, I’d love to read them. Especially as I think that the music people listen to can tell you a lot about them too. Let’s be honest, music always was and still is something very intimate and personal and plain special. And that’s what I love so much about it. 

 

Besides that, I hope you’re all doing good and wish you a nice rest of the weekend. I’m actually on my way home right now, so home home and I’m literally so damn excited. I can’t believe I haven’t been home for nearly three months. It feels like both the longest and the shortest period of time ever. And I can’t wait to finally see my pets again. Oh my god. And then it’s Christmas. God, I’m so excited. Anyways, like I said, I hope you’re all doing good and that you enjoyed this post right here. And, as always, thanks so much for reading.


Ps: On another note, something very very VERY exciting happened yesterday. Yes, you guessed right – the new Avengers trailer is out. Welcome to Avengers: Endgame. I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this trailer and now that it’s finally here, I can’t wrap my head around it. There’s literally nothing happening in it, but at the same time, everything is happening. And we all know that the scene at the beginning might be the death of me. I swear to everything and everyone, if they kill Tony, I’m gonna sue someone for my mental and emotional suffering. I’m not even kidding. Just please let this guy have a kid and retire with Pepper in peace. Can we please do that? Thank you. 

My Songs of 2017

Hola everyone.


The year is really coming to an end, isn’t it? I think not even my shock can change that. And as the year is ending, I thought I’d look through all of the songs I added to my playlist this year and then make some kind of list of my songs of the year 2017.

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And what a year it has been. There were so many amazing songs and albums published. Ed has pretty much taken over the year with his album “Divide” and became the most streamed artist of 2017. And I’m so proud of him. I really am. And Paramore. Their new album “After Laughter” is pretty much breathtaking. And Nothing But Thieves surprised us all with their amazing new album “Broken Machine”. And I found my love for the fascinating Tom Rosenthal and his beautiful, calming songs. And Fall Out Boy teased their new style of music with three singles and I can just say, I’m pretty stoked for their new, upcoming album which is being released in the first half of January. And Martijn also released so many amazing songs, not to forget the show in Amsterdam I went to. I still can’t really believe that I experienced that. So crazy. And also all the other amazing, unbelievable concerts I attended. I flew to Zürich to see Ed – one of the best nights in my life. I saw Paramore and The 1975 in a matter of three days. I went to a festival to see Kings of Leon for the second time and had some kind of reunion with Two Door Cinema Club in Vienna, the one band it all started with. And so much more. What a crazy, amazing year it has been.

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So, without further ado, here is my list of the songs of 2017. Please enjoy:

  • The Killers – Mr. Brightside
  • Saint Raymond – Night Crawling (Re-Edit)
  • Bad Decisions – Chills
  • The Hunna – Sycamore Tree
  • Hippo Campus – Monsoon (live)
  • Ed Sheeran – How Would You Feel (Paean)
  • BØRNS – 10,000 Emerald Pools
  • Fall Out Boy – Young and Menace
  • Paramore – Rose-Colored Boy
  • Kristian Kostov – Beautiful Mess
  • Kraftklub – Chemie Chemie Ya
  • Sidney Bechet – Si tu voics ma mère
  • Imagine Dragons – I Don’t Know Why
  • Martin Garrix – Pizza
  • The Wrecks – Favorite Liar
  • Nothing But Thieves – Amsterdam
  • Tom Rosenthal – Bob in the Rain and the Lizard of Hope

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All of these songs mean something to me. Some of them are my favorite songs of an album. Some are songs I’ve been listening to basically 24/7. Some of them are songs that I just recently fell in love with all over again. And some are connected to really important, lovely memories of this year – whether it was a special moment at a concert, a nice evening on a holiday trip or a track in a movie. They all mean something. And through that they’ve all become a part of me, a part of myself.

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And also, it seems like I wasn’t the only one who had the idea of doing some kind of musical summary of 2017 – Spotify did too. So they made some kind of list and statistic of my year on Spotify. And it’s pretty fascinating, I have to say. But it describes me in the very best way.

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-L-i74SP5E-OOH1TNaVs

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I think it perfectly shows what I enjoy most in music. The only thing that shocks me is that Martijn is missing from the list. But I think it’s so funny that the list of my favorite artists starts off with Tom Rosenthal and Ed, both really slow, calming musicians and then it does like a 180 degree change towards the more indie rock and pop zone with Nothing But Thieves, Fall Out Boy and Paramore. Also, I’m actually pretty proud of the amount of minutes I’ve listened to music – 17.408. That’s like 12 whole days. How crazy is that? Especially when you look at the amount of minutes of 2015 – just about 4700, I think. That’s a pretty huge increase, I’d say.

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So yeah guys, there you go. That’s my musical year. And actually I already have so many concerts planned in 2018 – I think I’ve never had so many concert tickets waiting in my drawer. And I can’t wait to attend all of them. And I can’t wait for all the albums, songs, concerts and festivals that are waiting for me, waiting to be published, waiting to be attended. I’m really excited to see what 2018 has in store for me. And until then I’ll just enjoy what 2017 gave me. And I hope you do too.

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Also, guys, I won’t be posting anything on Monday, as it’s Christmas, of course. So I wish you all an amazing Christmas and nice holidays and happy days with your loved ones. And I hope you enjoyed this little post. And, as always, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below and thanks for reading. x