2021 in music & moments

january: my girlfriend’s childhood dog died this month. but we also celebrated one year together - milestones of grief & joy. i fell in love with snow this month and finally finalized a sketch for my blog’s logo. i bought hiking boots and started growing out my hair. i started redefining what home means to me and i listened to good days by sza like it was therapy. what i really needed… was therapy. i also discovered Samia, who inspired me out of my music funk and into an essay i’m still proud of.

honorable mentions ~ keiyaA, Coco & Clair Clair, Hope Tala, Freddie Gibbs, SOPHIE

february: my house really started feeling like a home. i went on walks more frequently than normal and experimented with my style. i quickly warmed to my new roommate and nestled into days that bled into each other. my girlfriend and i left the city a lot and i worried about my grandparents and friends. this month i hiked the same steep trail three times a week and listened to Samia’s “The Baby '' every day.

honorable mentions ~ HAIM, Cherry Glazerr, Britney Spears

march: i remember outfits, iced matcha lattes, picking wildflowers in my neighborhood and making amateur arrangements, double-masking at an outdoor coffee shop, spending time with my baby cousin for the first time since he was born, trying to feel like Norooz actually meant new beginnings. instead, said goodbye to a roommate. this translated to listening patterns including new Drake, old Lana, Lil Nas X and a re-introduction to Johnny Cash. grateful this month for friends with good taste in music.

honorable mentions ~ Julien Baker, Denzel Curry, Toro y Moi, Grant Carey, King Krule

april: this month we fostered puppies. i felt furious with love for things so little, and frustrated with how hard it was to wake up every night at 4am (puppies need to pee). it was warm enough to use the inflatable pool and i listened to fearless (taylor’s version”) more than anything else. when i wasn’t regressing, i marveled at trees to Arooj Aftab & daydreamed furiously to Eartheater.

honorable mentions ~ Moor Mother, Brandi Carlile, Angel Olsen, Mui Zyu

may: my favorite part of may was me & char's trip to joshua tree. i typically don’t do well with nothing to do but no agenda is necessary in seussland. my lover & a hot tub don't hurt, either. i don’t care that everyone in LA feels the same way about this place. in fact, i love it. i’m seeking community in every corner possible these days. i listened to Bladee and Faye Webster on my way to get my brand new (most favorite) haircut this month and listened to Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour on the my way everywhere else. baby doves were born on my porch and my little sister graduated high school. char and i went out a lot, freshly vaxxed and eager.

honorable mentions ~ Erika De Casier, Jazmine Sullivan, Baby Keem

june: i turned 25 this month. i’m still reeling from this milestone. char took us on a weekend trip where we bathed outside and pierced my ears. 12 y/old me loves her just as much as 25. nothing was musically consistent this month. nothing was consistent at all this month. i worked really hard, i went to disneyland, i spent a lot of money and i wore denim cutoffs too often. ok, let’s be honest, i did listen to Doja Cat’s Planet Her maybe every day this month.

honorable mentions ~ Tyler, the Creator, Tori Amos, Peggy Gou, DJ Pyhon, chloe moriondo

july: this month we took a spectacular trip up north made stressful by remote work. Little Simz soundtracked shaggy cows and overcast drives in Bodega Bay. i re-soled my vintage boots, had my first espresso martini, and sat in parks all month. Clairo blew me away with Sling and i fell more in love with my neighborhood. i spent a lot of time in traffic, excited to come home to Char at night. i had play dates with my baby cousin and i hoped for more time, time, time.

honorable mentions ~ Beth Orton, Billie Eilish

august: this month would have sucked if it weren’t for Caroline Polachek at the Greek, taking care of Columbo the stray cat, and an Olivia R. / T. Swift dance party. i left my old job and went freelance. i treated myself to my first and last beach day of the summer. sometimes i’m bad at change.

honorable mentions ~ Tinashe, Hop Along, BbyMutha, Courtney Barnett, Julia Jacklin, Delroy Edwards

september: excessive walking to Lady Gaga’s Chromatica remixes, Kim Petras’ “Future Starts Now”, and obviously “Silk Chiffon” by MUNA. all in efforts to pep myself up in a period of transition (and recklessness). Char & I had our very first Nobu dinner in Malibu and it was perfect. everyone went out for Sam’s birthday. my sweet Danny came to visit and cooked for my fragile ass all week while we took los angeles by storm. i finally went to new york city and got to live the city rat life of my dreams! i saw friends from all across the grid, and char drove down from the mountains in a mustang to see me. i cried a lot this month and i needed this month.

honorable mentions ~ Moses Sumney, Kero Kero Bonito, Troye Sivan, Mitski, Sega Bodega, Anita Mui, Mono

october: lots of mini affairs with new and old music, new and old friends, and my favorite road trip i’ve ever taken – to & through Utah. saw Char & I’s favorite local band play a show during their residency at The Echo. reflecting on this month, i am just so grateful for the love i have access to. i’m in awe of this fucking earth and my girlfriend’s laugh. i listened to some amazing new music from Wiki, Men I Trust, Pink Pantheress, and Snail Mail. i found some internal solace this month.

honorable mentions ~ Leith Ross, Magdalena Bay, Yebba, Caravan, Arlo Parks, Goldfrapp, Muni Long

november: if october was still and reflective, november was busy and present. i went on lunch dates with my dad, dogsat, went on many walks with friends, and really… gathered. with loved ones (thank god, before omicron). char & i made more wood shelves to make her studio dreams come true and did our first thanksgiving with her family. a little beach house here and Japanese Breakfast there, but Red (Taylor’s Version) had its chokehold on me along with the rest of the world.

honorable mentions ~ Chloe x Halle, Nilufer Yanya, Neggy Gemmy (...awful name change…)

december: as this month closes out, i’m not sure i’m ready to reflect on it yet. i watched more tv than listened to music this month. my love for lana del rey was awoken from the dead when i finally decided to listen to Blue Banisters last week. i’m enjoying snow days and eating Christmas cookies. i’m sad about a lot of things, namely pandemic-related (shocker). i don’t know what january will bring, but i am hoping to step forward in some way, no matter how small.

honorable mentions ~ Sade, Hovvdy, Dehd, Remi Wolf, Beach Bunny, ARXX

xoxoxoxoxo,

nik