I love end of year lists, I consume them with an almost unhealthy fervour since they provide answers to the all important question for a pop culture writer: what did I miss? As we are now firmly in December many publications are releasing their lists of the years best films, TV shows, albums, and songs. Now two things usually happen when I go through these lists: first I pat myself on the back for my imppecable taste in all things cultural when things I like appear on these lists: St Vincent and Grimes being the winners of NME Album of the Year in 2014 and 2015 respectively was a high point for my taste-maker credentials. Second, I make it my life's pursuit (or at least until the new year takes up my admittidly short attention span), I watch every film, or TV show I haven't scene, and listen to every best album that somehow passed me by.
This year however a third thing happened. I found myself thinking that these lists are coming out earlier and earlier, there's still a bit of the year left, but if you release a great album after the 5th of December you might not get recognised for it. Take Awaken My Love, the new album from Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino. The album is brilliant, proving that Glover has matured as a writer, and musician, that his Tv show Atlanta (which was on lots of those lists) hinted at. Sure, the album is getting great reviews, and something tells me I care more about this that Glover himself, but c'mon, it's not like people can't wait till the actual end of the year for these lists, just because it's Christmas and the new year doesn't mean that people don't read these things. Just wait a little longer to make sure a grea piece of work doesn't slip through the cracks.
