by A.P.
If 2020 had one saving grace, it was the music. Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga spirited us out of lockdown to an alternate universe where sweat-glistened club nights weren’t terrifying vectors of disease; while Drake and Phoebe Bridgers helped us process our feelings.
UK rap had (another) banner year, thanks to Headie One and AJ Tracey; and even Fiona Apple came out of semi-retirement with the most disorientating, courageous and inventive album of her career.
Sure, there wasn’t a gig in sight, and Glastonbury missed its 50th anniversary party. On the upside, lockdown propelled some artists into a frenzy of creativity.
Charli XCX made an album in six weeks and received a Mercury Prize nomination in return; Paul McCartney finished a trilogy of records he started 50 years ago; and Taylor Swift released two new albums in the space of five months.
So what does 2021 hold? Predictions are a fool’s game in the middle of a pandemic – but here are a few suggestions.
