You don’t need us to remind you of all the reasons 2020 sucked, so instead, let’s revisit all the ways in which it was great -- yes, we’re talking about pop songs, from the underrated gems to the radio mainstays, and everything in between.
Despite everything, this one was a banner year for pop music. Established genre queens like Ari, Gaga and Miley returned with new albums, artists who have teetered on the verge for years now finally broke out (Rina Sawayama; Doja Cat), and newcomers like 0171 caught our ears from the get-go. We gobbled up all of these offerings like our lives depended on it... and in some cases, our lives truly did depend on staying home and staying safe! (While putting on the latest Harry Styles, of course.)
As we look forward to 2021, we’ll gladly wave much of this year goodbye. First, however, we need to highlight the pop art that was born out of such a difficult period, and to appreciate the music that helped us get through times of stress, anxiety, and depression.