50 Best Albums of 2020
2020, a year where we learned more about ourselves and our neighbors than we ever cared to. Going forward, we can only pray that our bosses have realized that those boring-ass meetings can be handled over Zoom and that folks will start practicing empathy and possessing sympathy before something affects their life.
Anyways, let's dig in
50. Chicano Batman Invisible People
Can we take a moment to acknowledge how great of a band name Chicano Batman is? The Los Angeles based psychedelic band continued to blend their Latin and west coast influence into their most accessible project to date. Lead single "Color My Life" set the infectious vibe for the entire project.
49. Halsey Manic
Halsey's writing grew to new heights in her third album Manic. Teasing all different types of Pop sub-genres, Halsey maintains her character and ups her originality by making statements that reflect her outlook on life and sexuality. Manic is powered by the 2019 chart-topping breakup anthem "Without Me" and the irresistible "Graveyard."
48. The 1975 Notes On A Conditional Form
The 1975 intensified their experimental approach to alt-rock that they teased in the past. Despite being their least digestible album (22 songs bro?), NOACF features some of their best work when their experimental rock fuses with their traditional sound. Shining examples of this fusion dance are "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)" and "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)."
47. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin Savage Mode 2
If another pairing from these two didn't excite you, the Morgan Freeman narration definitely did. Hearing Freeman lecture you on the difference between "Snitches and Rats" before signature Metro 808's and 21 lyrics provide trap commentary is priceless.
46. WurlD AFROSOUL
The small EP from Afrobeats star WurlD showcases every joy of the genre in one bite-size project that reflects the current time. "Ghost Town" and "CAN'T COME OUTSIDE" stand tall.
45. Charli XCX how i'm feeling now
Charli spent the first half of her quarantined year making how i'm feeling now; resulting in her most introspective project to date, placing listeners in her stuck-at-home life. "forever" tackles the emotions of feeling lonely and distant from her partner. "anthems" dives into her desire to go get fucked up with her friends again, opening with the line "I'm so bored (Woo)."
44. The Killers Imploding The Mirage
The Vegas arena titans appeared in 2020 with one of their best album releases. Brandon Flowers reminds the world why The Killers are one of modern time's most cherished bands. The additional confidence and slough of guest producers provide the missing pieces that their past releases seemed to search for.
43. Nation of Language Introduction, Presence
80s tropes have flooded 2020 releases (we'll get to Dua Lipa and The Weeknd later) and the world of synth-pop gladly welcomes newcomers. Nation of Language released a debut album that features one of the best outros of 2020 in "The Wall & I."
42. Pop Smoke Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon
Shoot For The Stars is undoubtedly crowded with features, but Smoke is able to shine and maneuver through the crowd in his posthumous release. The abundance of features at times feels more celebratory than tiresome, but Pop Smoke's work on "Gangstas" and "Snitching," with Quavo and Future, cement his legacy. RIP Pop Smoke.
41. Dogleg Melee
Another stellar debut. Those that know me personally know that an album inspired by the Gamecube release of Super Smash Bros. is bound to spark my interest. Regardless of its video game influence, the end result is a punk rock album full of screams and equally loud melodies, it's a shame that mosh pits may never be the same after this year.
40. Soccer Mommy color theory
Cue video of Bernie Sanders saying "let me thank Socca Mommy for tha music." Nashville raised indie rocker expands her sound on color theory, paying homage to her influences like Avril Lavigne while still being distinctly Soccer Mommy.
39. Benny the Butcher Burden of Proof
Benny's first album since signing a management deal with Roc Nation; the Butcher magnifies his purpose with the help of producer Hit-Boy. Burden of Proof feels like Benny the Butcher is realizing his potential, but the small amount of room for additional growth places him amongst the top list of rappers you should keep your eyes and ears on as we continue through this decade.
38. Brent Faiyaz Fuck the World
After flashing his potential on 2017's Sonder Son, Faiyaz continues to show depth and growth. The Maryland R&B product is unafraid to show the world how the game is fucked up, and how he plays it. "Been Away" and "Lost Kids Get Money" are some of the best R&B records of the year.
37. Medhane Cold Water
Possibly the hidden gem of 2020 hip-hop, Brooklyn rapper Medhane's superb writing couples well with the experimental instrumentals that he eats up. With standouts like "All Facts" and "I'm Deadass," Medhane secures a spot amongst the growing wave of New York artists that will come crashing in this decade.
36. clipping. Visions of Bodies Being Burned
Experimental hip-hop trio, led by Hamilton and Blindspotting star Daveed Diggs, continue their frightening style of hip-hop. Diggs' delivery has grown to be as sharp as the industrial noises that he raps over. Tracks like "'96 Neve Campell" and "Check the Lock" provide ample support to the Daveed Diggs legacy.
35. GIVĒON TAKE TIME
After being mysteriously featured on Drake's "Chicago Freestyle" and comically mistaken for Sampha, the Long Beach swooner established his identity a month later with the EP TAKE TIME. Drake features help, but powerful releases like "FAVORITE MISTAKE" and "LIKE I WANT YOU" help just as well. Expect GIVĒON to live on the R&B charts for years to come.
34. Brandy b7
After delighting fans by appearing on Daniel Caesar's "Love Again," Brandy returns after almost eight years with the superbly produced b7. While b7 may not propel Brandy's music to new heights, it bonds her position as a treasured R&B songstress.
33. Orville Peck Show Pony
The masked cowboy strengthens his country roots in his follow-up EP to his 2019 debut album. Show Pony features a powerful duet with country titan Shania Twain and reminds country music listeners that cowboys are often lonely.
32. Fleet Foxes Shore
As someone who typically shies away from folk-rock, Robin Pecknold's fourth album drew me in with its optimism. Pecknold's ability to make every song feel like a call-to-action to lead a better life is what got me to stay. Best example of this is "Can I Believe You."
31. Angel Olsen Whole New Mess
Angel Olsen has the uncanny ability to seem celestial and loud at the same time. Continuing the success of her 2019 release All Mirrors, Olsen ditches bandmates to dive deeper into her own mess, no matter how dirty it is.
30. Sault Untitled (Rise)
Sault feels like a secret only a few friends, NPR and myself know, and that's absolutely criminal. The British music collective combines so many genres I won't even dare to try and list half of them. In a year plagued by injustice and anchored by hope, the mysterious band's sharp and stylish production provides insight into Black-centered issues worldwide, with minimal dialogue.
29. Remi Wolf I'm Allergic to Dogs!
Bedroom pop is on the rise and rising with it is Remi Wolf. The hidden gem of pop EPs displays Wolf's depth and confidence, packaged together in a vibe so irresistible it feels criminal not to dance along to. If EP standouts "Woo!" and "Photo ID" are any sign of Wolf's future in music, I eagerly await her next step.
28. Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia
Did someone mention the 80s? Lipa's second album is part disco, part funk and everything in between, resulting in a clash that's got to have Kylie Minogue smiling somewhere. My only major gripe with Future Nostalgia is that we were robbed of dancing without care to "Levitating" and "Physical" in social settings.
27. Grimes Miss Anthropocene
Pop's favorite weirdo returned in 2020 and showed off some of her best writing to date. Grimes distances herself from the upbeat approach of Art Angels and grounds herself once again in her experimental roots. Her country-house mix about addiction, "Delete Forever," is her best-written song, and her collaboration with the late techno master i_o feels more ethereal and fantastical than any of her past work.
26. Burna Boy Twice as Tall
After 2019's magnificent release African Giant, Burna Boy continues to stand tall after his Grammy loss. With Diddy joining the project as executive producer, African Giant was a celebration, but Twice as Tall is an uprising.
25. Hayley Williams Petals for Armor
Paramore's frontwoman is no stranger to our ears, but Petals for Armor displays her range and ambitions more than any Paramore release. Separated into three parts, the album is as sonically diverse as a Radiohead or Nine Inch Nails release and Williams continues the trend of women that are carrying the rock genre (more on that later).
24. Waxahatchee Saint Cloud
Well, it did not take long for me to feature another woman leading the way in rock: Katie Crutchfield. Saint Cloud celebrates Crutchfield's experience as a producer and writer and the entire album literally feels as if you're laying in comfy grass on a beautiful spring day. "Lilacs" is a must-listen.
23. Fireboy DML APOLLO
The Nigerian singer effortlessly combines modern pop and R&B with Afrobeats tropes in a style he calls "Afro-Life." Regardless of how one wants to label it, I want to recognize this album by its easy feel-good vibes and undeniable melodies. Experience the Fireboy experience with "Eli" and "New York City Girl."
22. Adrianne Lenker songs
Okay, maybe I lied when I said I shy away from folk, but Lenker's step away from her band, Big Thief, deserves more attention. With the band unable to congregate during the pandemic, Lenker still needed to use music as her outlet. The stripped-down, lo-fi feeling of the recording process presents context to Lenker's newfound isolation; ultimately resulting in beautiful songs like "dragon eyes" and "anything."
21. Deftones Ohms
Sacramento's alternative-metal kings have now gone nine-for-nine on spectacular releases, cementing them as one of the most consistent bands of all time. Deftones have managed to maintain their edge even after a couple of decades, and Ohms is tightly crafted and precise; perhaps their formula comes easy now.
20. Moses Sumney græ
Sumney returned with his weeping vocals at the perfect time. His fidelity is felt throughout the entire double-album even with an impressive list of collaborators that do a wondrous job of matching Sumney's ambitions. In græ, Sumney somehow expanded upon his already impressive range.
19. Popcaan FIXTAPE
The notorious dancehall pioneer secured his position as a leader of the genre with the impressive FIXTAPE. The tape is stacked with celebrated features and producers including OVO Sound labelmates Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and producers Nineteen85 and Boi-1da.
18. Flo Milli Ho, why is you here?
Flo Milli leveled up from viral success to best new artist in 2020. The Alabama rapper harnesses a playful and spry flow that seems both effortless and complex at the same time. The future is bright for Flo Milli's unique brand of shit-talking and with all the doors open for her now, I can't wait to see what's next.
17. Ian Isiah AUNTIE
The multifaceted funk singer of Brooklyn employed funk gods Chromeo to produce the entirety of this EP. Isiah glides over Chromeo's grooves smoother than Aladdin's carpet. The almost 30 minute long EP may seem short, but its time is full of energy; furthermore, the crisp use of Isiah's vigorous falsetto leaves an impact that will last for months. Play "N.U.T.S" and "Loose Truth."
16. The Chicks Gaslighter
After 14 years and a name change, The Chicks have returned. Upon their return, The Chicks enlisted producer Jack Antonoff to elevate their already striking style. Combining Antonoff's stellar production with their newfound wisdom gained after being mostly canceled by the industry, evolved into a country-pop release that is years too late, but still welcomed with delight.
15. Taylor Swift folklore
T Swift teams with The National's Aaron Dessner to create an indie vibe (yo is that Bon Iver?) that fits Swift like cinderella's slipper. It feels like the first album that isn't all about her. Swift's step-back approach breathed fresh air into her repertoire, weaving themes together in beautiful songwriting with the likes of "my tears ricochet," "mirrorball" and "invisible string."
14. Bad Bunny YHLQMDLG
"I Do Whatever I Want." 2020's biggest global star climbed to new heights and is showing no signs of slowing down. Bad Bunny ran through the boundaries of Latin music like the Kool-Aid guy through some poor family's wall. Expressing the need for self-love while incorporating every sound imaginable through flawless production. "Safaera" is amongst 2020's best records.
13. Jessie Ware What's Your Pleasure?
Ware erupted as Queen of the disco in 2020. The UK goddess puffed new life onto the dance floor and the results are as intoxicating as the best clubs in the world. The inescapable grooves complement Ware's elegant vocals and remind us why she's one of our favorites across the Atlantic. Experience your pleasure with the spectacular hits "Spotlight" and "Save A Kiss."
12. Tame Impala The Slow Rush
Kevin Parker is always chasing perfection. It took five years for The Slow Rush because Parker, "can't write good music when he's happy." Well, the once Coachella headliner got sad and addressed our biggest enemy: Time. Parker has learned to be more precise and smooth after working with the likes of Travis Scott, Rihanna and Kanye West; making his production even more desirable.
11. Thundercat It Is What It Is
The anime-loving, cat ear-wearing bass god returns with more eccentric grooves. Stephen Bruner possesses an effortless and carefree attitude that if you tried to hate on it, would feel like yelling at a puppy. That blasé mindset propels the undeniable "Dragonball Durag," but Bruner also shines in Mac Miller tribute "Fair Chance," with mutual friends Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B.
10.Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist Alfredo
Are there any rap producers that would not be a perfect match for Freddie Gibbs? Probably not. Alchemist's dusty production is as aesthetically OG as Gibbs is, resulting in a ride that's as smooth as a Tesla. No one on the album seems like they need to substantiate anything, yet every performance is flawless.
9. Sault Untitled (Black Is)
Earlier I said Sault seems like a secret, well here's me screaming their name from the rooftops. Arriving out of nowhere on Juneteenth, Untitled (Black Is) encapsulates the shift in the world's mindset towards serious civil rights reform from the perspective of its Black citizens. This album is a consciousness displayed musically that's more combative than it is appealing. The powerful songs "Wildfires" and "Bow" with Michael Kiwanuka are protest music at its finest.
8. Jay Electronica A Written Testimony
I was almost convinced the unicorn of hip-hop was truly a myth before he finally met the hype in 2020. Little did we know, it took the legendary JAY-Z to drag Electronica out of his den, and you can't be mad at that. The smart yet elusive pen of Jay Electronica is finally on full display, "If you want to be a master in life, you must submit to a master/I was born to lock horns with the Devil at the brink of the hereafter." Electronica also produces a majority of the project himself with the help of No I.D and The Alchemist.
7. Phoebe Bridgers Punisher
The world of Phoebe Bridgers has been one of my favorites to escape to in 2020. After forming the incredible rock group boygenius along Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, Bridgers released the most vivid release of the year by paralleling the unease of being a California millennial. Painting a picture of true depression through songwriting that is undoubtedly Phoebe, is a feat that should be admired.
6. Run the Jewels RT4
Run the Jewels albums are like Mario Kart releases: They're never bad, and each release has its own flair. Killer Mike's bars feel like combos from Tyson and El-P's nonchalant flow feels like the Chris Tucker, "you got knocked tf out" laughter that follows. The anti-ruling class heroes deliver their aggressive call to action joints in a year that we needed it most.
5. HAIM Women in Music Pt. III
The sister-trio finally released a project with as much personality as well... three lovable sisters, and it has resulted in their best work. The Haim sisters navigated the fine line of experimenting with their sound without wading too far into the deep end. The sisters said they had one rule while making this album: There are no rules. Ditching the script might just be what they do best, and producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij excel at improvising more than I imagined.
4. Lianne La Havas Lianne La Havas
The deep-vocals of British songwriter Lianne La Havas supplied us with the year's best breakup album. The neo-soul production brings jazz and soul that glitters over La Havas' tenderness during the journey through her mind and her guitar. Providing genuine intimacy in music isn't easy, but damn it's powerful.
3. Lil Uzi Vert Eternal Atake
Philadelphia's Lil Uzi Vert pays attention to every little detail. If Luv is Rage 2 celebrated Uzi's chaos, Eternal Atake celebrates everything else. The album is paced in three six-song sections, each one is different, but all of them are Lil Uzi Vert.
2. The Weeknd After Hours
After releasing Starboy in 2016, Toronto's favorite falsetto was in danger of growing stale. His response? Doubling down on everything that is The Weeknd. After making his acting debut on the anxiety-filled film Uncut Gems, Abel Tesfaye creates his own cinematic masterpiece in After Hours. The warped synths and other 80s influences add to his mysteriousness in a project that feels like Tesfaye's dream coming true.
1. Fiona Apple Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Fetch the Bolt Cutters sounds unlike anything I have ever heard before. Apple's first release since 2012 is rooted in havoc yet grows into a cohesive end product. The 2020 album of the year is valued by its unexpectedness. Putting yourself in a situation where you have no idea what is going to happen next is oftentimes scary, but in the case of Fetch the Bolt Cutters, the outcome is exhilarating, and the thrills are still there with each playback. "Fetch the bolt cutters, I've been in here too long," are the lyrics we never thought we would need.
