Mark J Wray
@markjwray.com
Writes about music and sometimes other stuff at markjwray.com
He/him
He/him
Pinned
Mark J Wray
@markjwray.com
· Jun 27
Every Song I Love : 23. Björk – Hyperballad & 24. LFO – Freak
A double header of songs that I love, with Hyperballad by Bjork, and Freak by LFO, which for a glorious moment became one.
markjwray.com
Haven’t written much recently, but here’s a double header of two songs I love (Hyperballad by Björk and Freak by LFO) that combined to make one of the greatest music moments of my life.
Hope you enjoy.
markjwray.com/2025/06/27/e...
Hope you enjoy.
markjwray.com/2025/06/27/e...
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 42
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
9
Water From Your Eyes
14
2023
USA
A sincere, and sincerely beautiful song from a band who are too often cloaked in layers of irony and distance
youtu.be/nox9idSMuU4?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
9
Water From Your Eyes
14
2023
USA
A sincere, and sincerely beautiful song from a band who are too often cloaked in layers of irony and distance
youtu.be/nox9idSMuU4?...
Water From Your Eyes- "14" (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Water From Your Eyes
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 42
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
9
Water From Your Eyes
14
2023
USA
A sincere, and sincerely beautiful song from a band who are too often cloaked in layers of irony and distance
youtu.be/nox9idSMuU4?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
9
Water From Your Eyes
14
2023
USA
A sincere, and sincerely beautiful song from a band who are too often cloaked in layers of irony and distance
youtu.be/nox9idSMuU4?...
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 41
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
10
CMAT
Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend)
2022
Ireland
The rise of CMAT has been one of the best things about the 2020s, and she’s put out a lot of great stuff since, but this early single is still my personal favourite:
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
10
CMAT
Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend)
2022
Ireland
The rise of CMAT has been one of the best things about the 2020s, and she’s put out a lot of great stuff since, but this early single is still my personal favourite:
CMAT - Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend) [Official Video]
YouTube video by CMAT
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 41
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
10
CMAT
Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend)
2022
Ireland
The rise of CMAT has been one of the best things about the 2020s, and she’s put out a lot of great stuff since, but this early single is still my personal favourite:
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
10
CMAT
Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend)
2022
Ireland
The rise of CMAT has been one of the best things about the 2020s, and she’s put out a lot of great stuff since, but this early single is still my personal favourite:
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Keep the votes (and quotes) (and reposts) coming!
In the A-Sides we have a dominant but not decisive leader
B-Sides are much more open, only 8 votes between first and fourth
In the A-Sides we have a dominant but not decisive leader
B-Sides are much more open, only 8 votes between first and fourth
#BPHM8285 THE GRAND FINAL
Here you go - 48 hours to vote, 1 vote in each of the A-Side and B-Side finals in the
🪩BLACK POP HISTORY 1982-1985 POLL🪩
Grandmaster Flash v Patrice Rushen v Sade v SOS Band!
Model 500 v Shannon v Smiley Culture v William Onyeabor!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Here you go - 48 hours to vote, 1 vote in each of the A-Side and B-Side finals in the
🪩BLACK POP HISTORY 1982-1985 POLL🪩
Grandmaster Flash v Patrice Rushen v Sade v SOS Band!
Model 500 v Shannon v Smiley Culture v William Onyeabor!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Black Pop 1982-1985 GRAND FINAL
Welcome to the Black Pop History 1982-1985 poll, where we're polling the best Black music of the early 80s to determine the ULTIMATE TRACK of that era.
This is the GRAND FINAL - you vote for your fav...
docs.google.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Keep the votes (and quotes) (and reposts) coming!
In the A-Sides we have a dominant but not decisive leader
B-Sides are much more open, only 8 votes between first and fourth
In the A-Sides we have a dominant but not decisive leader
B-Sides are much more open, only 8 votes between first and fourth
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 40
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
11
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Burning
2022
USA
I never think of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as one of my favourite bands, but every record has at least one stunning single. Bang, Maps, Gold Lion, Heads Will Roll, Sacrilege, and now this:
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
11
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Burning
2022
USA
I never think of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as one of my favourite bands, but every record has at least one stunning single. Bang, Maps, Gold Lion, Heads Will Roll, Sacrilege, and now this:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Burning (Official Video)
YouTube video by YeahYeahYeahsVEVO
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 9:03 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 40
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
11
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Burning
2022
USA
I never think of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as one of my favourite bands, but every record has at least one stunning single. Bang, Maps, Gold Lion, Heads Will Roll, Sacrilege, and now this:
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
11
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Burning
2022
USA
I never think of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as one of my favourite bands, but every record has at least one stunning single. Bang, Maps, Gold Lion, Heads Will Roll, Sacrilege, and now this:
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 39
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
12
Lampland
Newborn Feelings
2002
USA
youtu.be/YRxXSWxSs2s?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
12
Lampland
Newborn Feelings
2002
USA
youtu.be/YRxXSWxSs2s?...
Lampland - "Newborn Feelings" (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Park The Van
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 39
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
12
Lampland
Newborn Feelings
2002
USA
youtu.be/YRxXSWxSs2s?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
12
Lampland
Newborn Feelings
2002
USA
youtu.be/YRxXSWxSs2s?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.
Reposted by Mark J Wray
They didn't want my blood, but they probably want yours! I went to give blood today, but due to a v minor medical issue they couldn't take it. Yet they told me they do need donors. As I couldn't help by giving, instead, I thought i'd publicise this... www.blood.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
They didn't want my blood, but they probably want yours! I went to give blood today, but due to a v minor medical issue they couldn't take it. Yet they told me they do need donors. As I couldn't help by giving, instead, I thought i'd publicise this... www.blood.co.uk
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 38
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
13
Idiots
Beyond The Horizon
2024
South Korea
Didn’t expect this to be troubling my list at the start of the process, much less the top end, but the more I listened, the more I fell in love…
youtu.be/5LlKxunyZ7E?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
13
Idiots
Beyond The Horizon
2024
South Korea
Didn’t expect this to be troubling my list at the start of the process, much less the top end, but the more I listened, the more I fell in love…
youtu.be/5LlKxunyZ7E?...
[MV] 이디어츠 (Idiots) - 항해 (Beyond The Horizon)
YouTube video by 밴드 이디어츠
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 38
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
13
Idiots
Beyond The Horizon
2024
South Korea
Didn’t expect this to be troubling my list at the start of the process, much less the top end, but the more I listened, the more I fell in love…
youtu.be/5LlKxunyZ7E?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
13
Idiots
Beyond The Horizon
2024
South Korea
Didn’t expect this to be troubling my list at the start of the process, much less the top end, but the more I listened, the more I fell in love…
youtu.be/5LlKxunyZ7E?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Great piece by Zadie Smith. When the right talks about classics or "Western" culture, these works are only important to the extent that it demonstrates their superiority, they have no interest in art in and of itself beyond that www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Great piece by Zadie Smith. When the right talks about classics or "Western" culture, these works are only important to the extent that it demonstrates their superiority, they have no interest in art in and of itself beyond that www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 37
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
14
Little Mazarn
Texas River Song
2022
USA
Just beautiful
youtu.be/2tYE9KYftrI?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
14
Little Mazarn
Texas River Song
2022
USA
Just beautiful
youtu.be/2tYE9KYftrI?...
Little Mazarn - Texas River Song (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Dear Life Records
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 37
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
14
Little Mazarn
Texas River Song
2022
USA
Just beautiful
youtu.be/2tYE9KYftrI?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
14
Little Mazarn
Texas River Song
2022
USA
Just beautiful
youtu.be/2tYE9KYftrI?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
we cannot forget lia smith and we must always remember her name
November 12, 2025 at 12:51 AM
we cannot forget lia smith and we must always remember her name
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Sustainable band lineups include four cool people (Ramones), four dorks (Weezer), or two cool people and two dorks (Cheap Trick). Unsustainable band lineups include one cool person and three dorks (Pixies)
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Sustainable band lineups include four cool people (Ramones), four dorks (Weezer), or two cool people and two dorks (Cheap Trick). Unsustainable band lineups include one cool person and three dorks (Pixies)
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 36
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
15
Kesha
Eat The Acid
2023
USA
I first heard this on the Song Exploder podcast, which seems a very middle aged way to discover a great pop record, but there we go.
youtu.be/J1hecebh3Hc?...
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
15
Kesha
Eat The Acid
2023
USA
I first heard this on the Song Exploder podcast, which seems a very middle aged way to discover a great pop record, but there we go.
youtu.be/J1hecebh3Hc?...
Kesha - Eat The Acid (Visualizer)
YouTube video by keshaVEVO
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 36
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
15
Kesha
Eat The Acid
2023
USA
I first heard this on the Song Exploder podcast, which seems a very middle aged way to discover a great pop record, but there we go.
youtu.be/J1hecebh3Hc?...
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
15
Kesha
Eat The Acid
2023
USA
I first heard this on the Song Exploder podcast, which seems a very middle aged way to discover a great pop record, but there we go.
youtu.be/J1hecebh3Hc?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Charli’s team-up with the Music For A New Society hitmaker will surely cement her megastar status
John Cale has made a record with someone who wasn't even born when he made Songs For Drella, which for most artists would count as a late-career recording, but for him... long may he roll, is what I'm saying.
youtu.be/Xgp7wlBfASA?...
youtu.be/Xgp7wlBfASA?...
Charli xcx - House featuring John Cale (Official Video)
YouTube video by Charli xcx
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Charli’s team-up with the Music For A New Society hitmaker will surely cement her megastar status
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 35
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
16
The Just Joans
The Older I Get, The More I Don’t Know
2020
UK
Another one from the very start of the challenge period in January 2020. The lyrics spoke to me then, and even more so almost 6 years on.
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
16
The Just Joans
The Older I Get, The More I Don’t Know
2020
UK
Another one from the very start of the challenge period in January 2020. The lyrics spoke to me then, and even more so almost 6 years on.
The Older I Get, The More I Don't Know
YouTube video by The Just Joans - Topic
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 35
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
16
The Just Joans
The Older I Get, The More I Don’t Know
2020
UK
Another one from the very start of the challenge period in January 2020. The lyrics spoke to me then, and even more so almost 6 years on.
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
16
The Just Joans
The Older I Get, The More I Don’t Know
2020
UK
Another one from the very start of the challenge period in January 2020. The lyrics spoke to me then, and even more so almost 6 years on.
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 34
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
34
Anna Erhard
Botanical Garden
2024
Switzerland
Pleased to see this pick up a couple of other votes, and as others have pointed out, this is a rare track that manages to be genuinely funny without swiftly becoming annoying.
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
34
Anna Erhard
Botanical Garden
2024
Switzerland
Pleased to see this pick up a couple of other votes, and as others have pointed out, this is a rare track that manages to be genuinely funny without swiftly becoming annoying.
Botanical Garden
YouTube video by Anna Erhard - Topic
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 34
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
34
Anna Erhard
Botanical Garden
2024
Switzerland
Pleased to see this pick up a couple of other votes, and as others have pointed out, this is a rare track that manages to be genuinely funny without swiftly becoming annoying.
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
34
Anna Erhard
Botanical Garden
2024
Switzerland
Pleased to see this pick up a couple of other votes, and as others have pointed out, this is a rare track that manages to be genuinely funny without swiftly becoming annoying.
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 33
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
18
Haley Heynderickx
Seed of a Seed
2024
USA
Will also be appearing in my 2010s list, most likely in the top 10
youtu.be/-l0IOK7JaMA?...
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
18
Haley Heynderickx
Seed of a Seed
2024
USA
Will also be appearing in my 2010s list, most likely in the top 10
youtu.be/-l0IOK7JaMA?...
Haley Heynderickx - "Seed of a Seed" (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Mama Bird Recording Co.
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 8:16 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 33
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
18
Haley Heynderickx
Seed of a Seed
2024
USA
Will also be appearing in my 2010s list, most likely in the top 10
youtu.be/-l0IOK7JaMA?...
My favourite 50 songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
18
Haley Heynderickx
Seed of a Seed
2024
USA
Will also be appearing in my 2010s list, most likely in the top 10
youtu.be/-l0IOK7JaMA?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.
Reposted by Mark J Wray
The latest in my 'Every Song I Love' series, on Nina Simone's 'Plain Gold Ring', who gets to be called a genius, and whether that label is even useful for musicians.
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
Every Song I Love : 25. Nina Simone – Plain Gold Ring
The 25th in my ‘Every Song I Love’ series, on Nina Simone’s ‘Plain Gold Ring’, who gets to be considered a genius and why, and whether that is even a useful label to a…
markjwray.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The latest in my 'Every Song I Love' series, on Nina Simone's 'Plain Gold Ring', who gets to be called a genius, and whether that label is even useful for musicians.
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 32
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
19
André 3000
I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album, But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
2023
USA
youtu.be/H_tJNVc07Jc?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
19
André 3000
I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album, But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
2023
USA
youtu.be/H_tJNVc07Jc?...
André 3000 - I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The...
YouTube video by andre3000VEVO
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
#TheTwen2ie5 - Day 32
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
19
André 3000
I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album, But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
2023
USA
youtu.be/H_tJNVc07Jc?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order.
19
André 3000
I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album, But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
2023
USA
youtu.be/H_tJNVc07Jc?...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
is there a Balls Cheney
November 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
is there a Balls Cheney
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Since 2022, Horsegirl, Lifeguard, and Friko have gone global—but what happened with the teen scene they grew out of? I talked to 18 different people about the Hallogallo scene now
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
What happens when a teen rock scene grows up? - Chicago Reader
The Hallogallo scene has produced international successes—Horsegirl, Friko, Lifeguard—as its grassroots DIY spirit spreads beyond Chicago.
chicagoreader.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Since 2022, Horsegirl, Lifeguard, and Friko have gone global—but what happened with the teen scene they grew out of? I talked to 18 different people about the Hallogallo scene now
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
Reposted by Mark J Wray
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 31
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
20
Loraine James
Gentle Confrontation
2023
UK
youtu.be/Q_Z9n9Gjm-g?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
20
Loraine James
Gentle Confrontation
2023
UK
youtu.be/Q_Z9n9Gjm-g?...
Gentle Confrontation
YouTube video by Loraine James - Topic
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
#TheTwen2ie5 Day 31
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
20
Loraine James
Gentle Confrontation
2023
UK
youtu.be/Q_Z9n9Gjm-g?...
My 50 favourite songs of the 2020s in reverse order
20
Loraine James
Gentle Confrontation
2023
UK
youtu.be/Q_Z9n9Gjm-g?...
The latest in my 'Every Song I Love' series, on Nina Simone's 'Plain Gold Ring', who gets to be called a genius, and whether that label is even useful for musicians.
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
Every Song I Love : 25. Nina Simone – Plain Gold Ring
The 25th in my ‘Every Song I Love’ series, on Nina Simone’s ‘Plain Gold Ring’, who gets to be considered a genius and why, and whether that is even a useful label to a…
markjwray.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The latest in my 'Every Song I Love' series, on Nina Simone's 'Plain Gold Ring', who gets to be called a genius, and whether that label is even useful for musicians.
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...
markjwray.com/2025/11/06/e...