This year is a weird time warp. In quarantine, time is a construct. April felt like it was 200 days long. July feels like 100 years ago. Yet, wait, it’s February 2021… Anyone else feeling it?

I know Fall is a distant memory and Winter is practically over (let’s hope, anyway). But after much delay, the 2020 Fall & Winter Mix is happening. And boy howdy, is it HAPPENING. Somehow, it mushroomed into 80 songs. 5 hours of music.

There’s SO many really great tracks in this one and I honestly can’t pick favorites, but in case you’re a skim listener and can’t devote 5 hours to this, here are a few highlights. Call it a Top 12, if you will.

• The opening track by Iceland’s Daði Freyr is a bizarrely addictive little tune. If you somehow missed it this summer, go watch the video. It is seriously the best thing EVER.
• HOKO is my favorite 2020 new-to-me artist. I love every single thing the guy does. “I Don’t Know Where We Went Wrong” is the perfect song for this pandemic moment in the U.S. And because I’m breaking all the rules, there’s a second HOKO song on this mix, but you’re going to have to listen all the way through to hear it.
• The Heavy Hours definitely grabbed my ear at first listen. They’re young and I am digging everything I’ve heard. Go follow them now before everyone knows this Ohio band.
• “Paris” by The Brevet has been an ear worm since January 2020 and I’m so glad it’s out, finally. Good luck getting this one out of your head.
• If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that I’m freaking out about new music from Wil Seabrook. In an indirect way, Wil is one of the reasons that the Krissie Mix exists.
• Caiola, the solo project of Mo Lowda and the Humble front man Jordan Caiola, is worth every listen you can give him. His solo album is one of my favorite releases of 2020 and this song…gut punch good.
• “Heavy Load” by Great Peacock is perfect from start to finish. Their new album, Forever Worse Better, is spectacular. Definitely in the running for Top 10 of the year. Emotions for days and days and days.
• It’s so good to hear Augustana (aka Dan Layus) back in full form. “Take” has been on repeat for months now.
• Animal Years … My boys are back with a pop ditty that will put a smile on your face and make you dance.
• Bruce Springsteen. No words needed. Listen to Letter To You from start to finish. On a recent Q&A, someone asked him if “Burnin’ Train” was a show opener and he replied with, “You nailed it.” Here’s to hoping for many more Bruce shows in the future. (Also, Bruce was framed. Fight me.)
• If you dig the harder rock n’ roll, don’t sleep on the new Golden State album, Blood Finger Prick. “Little Glass Jar” is currently my favorite. James Grundler‘s voice is absurd. He also followed me on Instagram when I posted about the new album and I freaked out a little bit.
• Speaking of rockers, can you say Dead Sara? “Hands Up” marks their return. Nice to hear Emily’s voice again.

Full liner notes – all 10 PAGES of them – are here, if you are one of the long-time listeners that digs them. I apologize now. It’s ridiculous, I know.

Apple Music version is here.