If there was ever a year where we craved music the most, it was 2020. The world had more time to listen than ever before, and we ended up getting spoiled; this year was relentless when it came to great albums. Week after week, music fans have been spoiled with fantastic releases across several genres. As a result, this list was very difficult to put together. I had to relegate some amazing projects down to the honorable mentions; there were just too many projects comforting me in those slow quarantine days. In a year where I heard more music than ever, I present my top 20 favorites!
20. Maya Hawke- Blush
Chalk this one up as the most unexpected album to make it onto my top 20 list. Before Blush, the only time I ever saw the name Maya Hawke was in the Stranger Things opening credits. This thing proved that she is a multi-talented young star; it’s a great debut album that ended up being one of 2020’s most serene pieces of music. Maya’s voice instantly won me over upon hearing these songs, and it helps that the production is a uniquely subdued blend of folk and country elements. It’s not one of the year’s most talked about records, but when I wanted to hear some easygoing stuff that’s well-executed from start to finish, this always delivered.
19. Westside Gunn- Pray For Paris
Westside Gunn led the charge for Griselda Records’ monstrous 2020. He’s proven how much of a visionary he is, and his most memorable work this year had to be Pray for Paris. This project makes for a one of a kind experience with its cinematic feel, high-level guest appearances, and various skits. At the start, a clip from an upscale art auction gets you into the setting and Gunn keeps that tone up with a vibrant palette of songs. Even beyond all the aesthetics, this lavish album features the high quality hip-hop that fans know and love from Westside Gunn.
18. Jean Dawson- Pixel Bath
With the genre-bending Pixel Bath, Jean Dawson boldly proclaimed he can’t be put into a box. This project is tough to categorize, and the amount of different musical influences going into it is genuinely hard to fathom. With his unconventional style, Jean is throwing music listeners a baffling curveball; I’m hearing some modern indie vibes but also elements of pop and R&B dating back to the 80s and 90s. He pulls off these ideas in refreshing ways, as the project clearly has a high level of talent and creativity going into it. This is the sound of an inventive young guy unafraid to take risks.
17. Miley Cyrus- Plastic Hearts
Plastic Hearts is a defining artistic statement. Fans know by now that Miley is quick to reinvent herself, but on this new album she is embracing what she was born to do. There’s no denying how good Miley’s signature rasp sounds over pop rock inspired songs, and her dynamic vocal performances made for an awesome listen. This project puts its own twist on the 80s revival and I’m a huge fan of that. It has some of this year’s catchiest bangers, and could be the start of an explosive new era for Miley Cyrus.
16. Jessie Ware- What’s Your Pleasure?
Disco was the prevailing trend in pop music this year, and for some artists that shift resulted in a career peak. Jessie Ware is the shining example of that, with What’s Your Pleasure? being a total breakthrough for the English singer. She has always had a pristine voice, but this album compliments it with amazing production. The entire sound is stunning and sleek, reminiscent of disco-fueled nightclubs from decades ago. Jessie’s seductive lyrics and beautiful choruses soar over that backdrop, making this album a magical experience.
15. Benny the Butcher- Burden of Proof
Benny the Butcher is one of the most celebrated rappers in the game right now for a reason. With the strong momentum of Griselda Records behind him, the Buffalo rapper has dropped a glorious toast to his success with Burden of Proof. This album’s smooth and luxurious vibe can be attributed to Hit-Boy, easily one of 2020’s greatest rap producers. Over booming drums and classy soul samples, Benny brings some of his most introspective content to date. Plus, you could fill a novel with all the fantastic one-liners he drops.
14. Soccer Mommy- color theory
Sophie Alison, a.k.a. Soccer Mommy, has evolved leaps and bounds since she first began making waves in the indie scene. This release shows off what a talented songwriter she has become, with some of its best highlights sticking in my playlists all year long. I’m just in love with the dreamy 90s-inspired vibe that this album carries. It’s so mellow sounding but Sophie also manages to pack these songs with heavy emotional weight. On color theory, she turns negative feelings into beautifully melodic performances from beginning to end.
13. Ava Max- Heaven & Hell
In a music world dominated by pop artists stretching the genre in just about every direction, Ava Max’s debut album sticks to the fundamentals in the best way possible. Superb production and a catchy hook can go a long way when crafting fun pop music, and this album provides both in bulk. Ava is a gifted singer with the charisma and range to turn these tracks into legit anthems. It may stick to its mainstream lane, but Heaven & Hell was a very consistent album that I just couldn’t keep myself away from.
12. Phoebe Bridgers- Punisher
During a year that wore us down and tested our patience, Punisher was a brutal gut-punch of sadness. Phoebe Bridgers proved here that she is in a league of her own when it comes to pained, forlorn indie folk. With every track, Bridgers is showing her genius as a songwriter; she has a knack for such emotionally gripping stories of heartache. This album is so moving that I really have to be in a certain place mentally to even take it all in. With its grand instrumentation and gloomy tone, Punisher is the massive black hole of angst that we needed to dive into in 2020.
11. JAY ELECTRONICA- A WRITTEN TESTIMONY
2020 was an absurd year in many ways, but this is one thing I truly never would’ve predicted: we finally heard Jay Electronica’s debut album. Over the past decade, this release went from something rap fans were hopeful for to nothing but a pipe dream. Having taken so long, A Written Testimony was never going to live up to people’s unfair expectations. However, I was blown away when I first heard it. It has a gorgeously lush, psychedelic vibe that you can get lost in. The only thing more unlikely than this actually dropping is the fact that Jay-Z appears on nearly every track. He compliments Jay Elec extremely well, matching his clever bars and giving him center stage on the album’s most personal songs. It’s not often we get to hear two rappers of this caliber trading verses for a whole project, so I’m still enthralled with what we got.
10. Yves Tumor- Heaven to a Tortured Mind
In 2018, Yves Tumor made their mark as one of music’s most innovative minds with their Safe In the Hands of Love project. With this follow-up, Yves continues to ascend. It bursts with creativity, as Yves blends their experimental style with iconic musical eras of the past. There is a heavy Prince and David Bowie influence flowing through this album, but hearing the spin this album puts on that sound never gets old. From dazzling guitar solos to groovy basslines, there are so many memorable elements coming together on these songs. Yves Tumor’s evolution has brought their music to amazing places; does it get even better from here?
9. RUN THE JEWELS- RTJ4
RTJ4 is the angry, defiant rap album that represents how much of the U.S. has felt recently. Killer Mike and El-P are leading the charge in political hip-hop, and this could be their sharpest work so far. Their rapping is as high-octane as ever, but their commentary on various social issues stands out most. These two, especially Killer Mike, have a lot to say in a year where tensions have been higher than ever. While they do cover topics like police brutality and capitalism in effective ways, this album is never trying to beat you over the head with its subject matter. First and foremost, RTJ4 thrives off El-P’s cutting-edge production and the chemistry between this duo that only seems to get stronger with time.
8. Small Bills- Don’t Play It Straight
I have no clue where to start when it comes to Small Bills. This list was near complete by the time I heard this, but I was so enamored that it needed a spot. Over the last couple of weeks, this strange and otherworldly rap project has grown on me even more. Small Bills are a new duo consisting of underground rapper Elucid and producer The Lasso, who delivers some of the most wildly experimental soundscapes I’ve heard in years. It’s got the psychedelic quirkiness of people like Flying Lotus but applied to surreal hip-hop ideas. Luckily, a mind as interesting and off-kilter as Elucid’s can handle the challenge of rapping over it. His commanding delivery takes center stage here, and while his lyrics are very abstract, this album’s mystique keeps bringing me back. Whether it’s for the The Lasso’s intricacy or Elucid’s mesmerizing verses, revisiting Don’t Play It Straight always reveals new details to dig up.
7. Conway the Machine- From King to a God
I was a little surprised that I found myself placing this album so high on the list, but at this point I can’t deny the truth. Conway the Machine launched himself into the highest echelon of current day rappers with this release. I was always a fan of Conway, but I considered him the most one-dimensional artist in Griselda. Great at what he does, but never branching out of the comfort zone. Well, From King to a God convincingly proved me wrong. Conway executes a much wider variety of sounds here than I ever imagined he would, but many of them go over well. With tracks that lean towards a mainstream sound and others that are the dark East Coast style Griselda is known for, this project shows why they’ve come so far. It satisfies the diehard fans while putting Conway’s impressive versatility on display.
6. Charli XCX- how i’m feeling now
It takes a remarkable artist to live through this awful lockdown and somehow see it as inspiration for not only a single song, but an entire album. Charli XCX managed to do exactly that while stuck in her home, and less than a year after 2019’s Charli! The work ethic is unreal, and despite its short recording period how i’m feeling now actually ends up being one of her best projects. Everything that makes Charli one of my favorites is here, as this album contains innovative production and futuristic, auto-tuned vocals. Her songwriting continues to progress, with lyrics revolving around the adversity we are all facing due to this pandemic. If there is any album that perfectly depicts what so many of us have gone through in 2020, it has to be this.
5. Gorillaz- Song Machine, Vol. 1: Strange Timez
Gorillaz’ incredible return to form was one of 2020’s top musical highlights. It’s been a decade since Plastic Beach, and I never really imagined the band getting close to that bar of quality again. Their new ongoing Song Machine series convinced me otherwise; this multimedia project included some of their best singles in years. Then, hearing all of them on one album was the cherry on top. There’s not a moment on this tracklist where the quality dips. Every song has creative production, melodies that stick right in my head, and amazing guest contributions. Because it’s Gorillaz of course, there’s an eclectic feature list including Robert Smith, Elton John, Schoolboy Q, and so many others. There isn’t much else to say; even the bonus tracks on this thing are stellar. Gorillaz continue to be one of the most brilliant groups out there, nearly 20 years running.
4. Rina Sawayama- SAWAYAMA
Rina Sawayama set the gold standard for pop stars in 2020. She doesn’t just have a fantastic singing voice; her willingness to incorporate elements of other genres into her music makes her work consistently creative and unpredictable. SAWAYAMA does this effectively, with its inspirations being unconventional for a pop album. There are hard hitting metal-inspired tracks, rock ballads, and sadder spots where Rina is showing her vulnerability. It’s an album that succeeds in being so much more bold and daring than almost anything else in its genre. The production is boundary-pushing, and it’s a joy to hear Rina Sawayama’s excellent lyrics being put on top of that. This thing has been praised across all corners of the music landscape by now; listen once and you’ll understand why pretty quick.
3. Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist- Alfredo
This is the rap album of the year; for me, it isn’t even particularly close. One of the most celebrated producers ever, The Alchemist, joining forces with the incredibly skilled Freddie Gibbs? As soon as this was announced I don’t think anyone stood a chance. Even going into this with the highest of expectations, I was floored. The Alchemist is an unbelievably consistent force on this thing, providing Freddie with luscious ear candy to rap over. Alfredo is such a smooth but versatile listen, as it is elegant in many spots while also having its darker, more aggressive moments. Freddie Gibbs is at the top of his game too here with relentless flows and an onslaught of compelling bars. This project impressed rap fans across all circles, and is even up for a Grammy. It’s acclaim speaks for itself; Gibbs and The Alchemist effortlessly outdid themselves.
2. Dua Lipa- Future Nostalgia
Could it have a more accurate title? With Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa brought youthful energy to a classic sound. She’s been an artist to watch ever since her debut in 2017, but her refreshing embrace of disco aesthetics has brought her music to new heights. This is a near-perfect 43 minutes of pop; so electrifying that you just wanna start over again when it ends. The production is outstanding here, with colorful beats influenced by the likes of Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Daft Punk, and more. The exciting fusion of dance-pop, funk, and disco on these songs is something to behold, and all year long I never got tired of this album’s greatest bangers. Dua Lipa is a pop icon right now- if she can maintain this momentum we’ll be hearing a lot more anthems to keep spirits high.
1. Fiona Apple- Fetch the Bolt Cutters
This pick marks a significant change from my midyear list, but I think an album as powerful as Fetch the Bolt-Cutters needed time to fully click with me. The more that I listened to it, the further I was being brought into the musically unhinged universe that Fiona Apple has created here. She has always been an artist with otherworldly talent, but I never quite foresaw something this unorthodox from her. In her first album since 2012, Apple and her band made a piece of art that thrives through its imperfections. The percussion is disorienting and often done through smacking tables and other objects, the vocals are unpredictable, and traditional song structures are non-existent. Within all the madness, Fiona’s musical genius is on full display. Her complex storytelling, her eccentric presence on a song- its all here and turned up to unforgettable levels. This album is in its own genre, plus its heavy themes spoke to many of us in such challenging times. Just leave it to the legendary Fiona Apple to spend eight years in the dark only to return with a masterpiece that felt so necessary for 2020.
The Honorable Mentions
(made with topsters)
The Chills Blog 