As the end of the year approaches we asked our WAV hosts for their ultimate albums, ep’s or tracks of 2020. What kept them going during this crazy & hectic year? What surprised them? What music made them pause, gave them a moment of insight or comfort, put a smile on their face?
As we expected, the selections that reached us, were ‘various’ & of high quality. From Four Tet, Sault and Thundercat, over Bob Dylan or a lovers rock compilation, to LXST CXNTURY: there are no restrictions when it comes to diversity. The end-of-year lists on the web are endless, but we hope you still find some new discoveries scrolling through this one.
What we’re certain of, is that we’ll bring you plenty more shows from our WAV hosts in the next year. What we dream of, is that they will be supplemented with more live events and gatherings.
We’d like to thank the WAV hosts and listeners for giving us the necessary perspective and support. Onwards to a lighter and brighter 2021!
The WAV Team:
Fred, Nikolai, Daphné, Youniss, Mathilde, Patrick & Jan.
Selected by Dj Aldolino
'Sublime sounding, mind blowing traditional music from Tanzania with a 2020 vibe. Beautiful vocalist, they call her 'the golden voice' of Zanzibar.'
Selected by Belderadio & De Ochtenddienst
'Youniss is the musical equivalent of a phoenix being reborn from the ashes. A fresh sound that comes with a fresh personality.'
Selected by Jozefien Wouters (Alles Kitsch)
'Few records summarize the confusion of 2020 as well as How I'm Feeling Now from pop futurist Charli XCX.'
Selected by Marijke Maes (Danish & Confused)
'The soundtrack of my year, especially the summer. Warm and detailed textures in a 360 sound experience. There's never a bad moment to play this music'
Selected by Club Mayz (Solitary Garden)
'They had their release show mid March at Table Dance, Antwerp. A rainy Sunday evening, very gloomy, this album clicked with that mood.'
Selected by Fred Nasen (Texture Radio)
'The soundtrack of a hot summer in a very strange year. All winners on this lovers rock compilation'.
Selected by Jonas Boel (Luistertrip)
'I've played this album on every possible moment there is. It's a brilliant mix of emo rap, ambient, pop & psychedelica'
Selected by Youniss
'Favourite record of the year, soundwise, aesthetic all big <3 <3 <3'
Selected by Newmoon (Discintegration)
'This album is one of those rare hidden gems that manages to mix genres that seemingly shouldn't be mixed. There's hints of dream pop, electronica, brit pop and drum and bass all throughout this album.
Selected by Baxter (Underground Wave Sessions)
'Always great to buy a compilation with hidden Underground Wave gems from the 80s, damn expensive to get a hand on the original ones'
Selected by Jespers & Jespers
'Old legend surprises the world again with a sublime new album'
Selected by Bent Von Bent (gEMU)
'This album shows an extremely intelligent, versatile and unique way of composing, no boundaries whatsoever. An inspiring annihilation of well behaved fusion.'
Selected by Los Exotic Fonzies
'Those of you who have seen Selma Hayeks’ Table Snake Dance will certainly remember this slow and exciting tune. Lay back and listen while sipping from your favourite tiki cocktail!'
Selected by Miss Schwarzkopf
'Björn Eriksson is our Antwerp version of Black Devil Disco'
Selected by Dreamgaze
'This album transports you to a retro-future virtual world filled with fat beats, heavy synths, great samples, distorted voices, and a slightly down feeling. I’m not leaving anytime soon!'
Selected by Sweaty Palms
'Always been a huge fan of everything by Thundercat. Probably the greatest songwriter in modern day funk music.'
Selected by Benny Bang (Rotkat Sessies)
'I wanted to nominate this one and Shydog - 'Be Always in Bloom'.'
By Kingston Echo & Missing Link (Revelation Time)
'This album is remarkably strong and it shows how relevant Willi still is while staying true to his legacy.'
Selected by Nikolai (Common Divisor - Innerbellum)
'Wow, that’s a challenge to choose one best album of the year ’20. Ok, my choice for now is this one because it has the right amount of a roaring 2020’s vibe we will need soon.'
Selected by Stoav
'New songs made in an old tradition by a genius producers trio (one of them is from Portishead).'
Selected by Sofie Sticker (The Broad Show), Thang (From Dust Till Dawn) & Title
'Album of the year.'
Selected by Acapulco Nights
'I had to choose between Weird Dust (BXL) & this one from this Antwerp producer. Both are favourites.'
Selected by Dune & Jonas Lion (Low Orbit Radio)
'Doing Low Orbit Radio had us taking a deep dive in to Four Tet's discography this year and it feels like everything he's been doing before comes together on this album.'
Selected by Phidel (Creatures Of The Night)
'Heavy synths , dark and trippy. Just how I like it and hits your dancing skills through the heart.'
Selected by El Gallito (Curtains)
'Together with Benny The Butchers’ “Burden of Proof” album definitely one of 2020’s best releases by the Griselda Collective.'
Selected by Calacas (Radio Roule)
After a few singles on his own Music With Soul label, I waited with anticipation to the full album. And I was very satisfied when hearing the result'.
Selected by Nico Juice
All releases on Periodica are made in the same studio & sound very warm and authentic and blend perfectly with late '70's & early '80's stuff. Love it!'
Selected by Max (Distant Dreams)
'A reissue on the Disques Des Crepescules label with tracks from Harold Budd (rip), Brian Eno, Durutti Column, ...'
Selected by Harde Smart
'One of those albums this year that we played and enjoyed from beginning till end. '
Selected by Lieven Martens (Edicoes CN)
'I wanted to nominate 3 composers that died in 2020 & who had a direct impact on my work. Jacques Bekaert, “Blue” Gene Tyranny & Noah Creshevsky.'
Selected by Nicolas Kerstens (Nowadays Magazine)
'Second edition of this beautiful compilation series on Music From Memory. Not your regular Brazilian music selection compiled by John Gomez.'
Selected by T. Redrey (Modern Savage)
'Splendid reissue from this hard to find electronic LP'.
Selected by Philippe Cortens (Life Is Too Short)
'As merciless as 2020. Hearing is believing. And arise.'
Selected by Konny
'Clean production, versatile electronic music with a nod to Coil a.o., cool artwork. Highly recommended'
Selected by Daphne (In Limbo)
'2020 pivots entirely around my tender friend Tom, who exchanged the sublunary for the astral realm some months ago. It’s in the sonic exploits of Tomaga, Papivores, Autotelia and Melos Kalpa that his sublime soul resides, resonates, reverbs - forevermore'