Top 50 Albums Of 2020

Every year these lists are compiled, and we try our best to convey just how much each and every album included meant to us, but that goes double for this year. 

2020 was a wild year and the music released during it was, more than ever, an essential respite from the chaos we all had to endure, and are still enduring. 

So, from mixtapes, to EPs, to LPs, here are my top 50 favourite albums of 2020. 

50. 

Yaeji

WHAT WE DREW

XL | Alternative / Electronic

Starting things off is the debut mixtape from the Korean-American artist Yaeji. Unorthodox and unpredictable, this bilingual talent mixes a palette of eccentric and light, dreamy textures with her beguiling vocals. 

Favourite tracks? WHAT WE DREW

49. 

Yves Tumor

Heaven To A Tortured Mind

Warp | Alternative / Rock

Hard to define, and impossible to pigeonhole, this is the fourth album from the Florida born artist Sean Bowie, better known as Yves Tumor. Combining the heady effects of psychedelia, with elements of both rock and soul. 

Favourite track? Kerosene!

48. 

Tame Impala

The Slow Rush

Modular | Psychedelic Rock

Speaking of psychedelia, Australian artist Kevin Parker provided us with another Tame Impala album this year. Surrounded by thick, and colourful sounds, this sees the artist continue to move in a dancier, more accessible direction. 

Favourite track? It Might Be Time

47. 

Ratboys

Printer’s Devil

Topshelf | Indie Rock

One of the most underrated releases of the year, regardless of genre, is the third album from the Chicago based group Ratboys. With the youthful angst of emo, and the raw appeal of garage rock, this was a real gem. 

Favourite track? I Go Out At Night

46. 

Kali Uchis

Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞

Interscope / Virgin EMI | R&B

Back in 2018, Kali Uchis released her debut studio album, Isolation, which landed at number one on my list for that year. Now, the Colombian-American wonder is back with a slick and stylish follow up of more versatile R&B.   

Favourite track? que te pedí//

45. 

Jeff Rosenstock

NO DREAM

Polyvinyl | Post-Punk

The prolific New York artist Jeff Rosenstock released a new album this year (as he tends to do most years). On it, he absolutely tears through an exciting set of thirteen new tracks, juggling the sounds of punk, emo, pop and rock. 

Favourite track? f a m e

44. 

Bruce Springsteen

Letter To You

Columbia | Singer-Songwriter

The boss, Bruce Springsteen continued to add to his already established legacy this year when he released this, his twentieth studio album. And personally, I think it is the best thing that he has done for over fifteen years. 

Favourite track? If I Was A Priest

43. 

Grimes

Miss Anthropocene 

4AD | Electronic / Pop

The Canadian artist Claire Boucher returned with her fifth album as Grimes, and it is a dark, electronic based art pop record. It’s spacey and experimental style made this an eclectic gem; so essentially, it’s classic Grimes. 

Favourite track? Idoru

42. 

Open Mike Eagle

Anime, Trauma And Divorce

Auto Reverse Records | Hip Hop

Trust Chicago rapper Open Mike Eagle to show the fun side to the topic of heartbreak. On this deeply personal new album of his, the rapper shares colourful tales and anecdotes regarding his life and recent divorce. 

Favourite track? The Black Mirror Episode

41. 

Matt Berninger

Serpentine Prison

Book Records | Indie Rock

For his first solo album, Matt Berninger (frontman of personal favourites of mine, The National) was joined by past collaborators like Gail Ann Dorsey and Andrew Bird, among others, to help him craft this thoughtful debut. 

Favourite track? One More Second

40. 

Caroline Rose

Superstar

New West | Indie Pop / Rock

The New York based artist Caroline Rose cleaned things up for her latest effort, releasing this self-produced album of pop and rock songs which sound as though they had been polished to a pristine state in the studio. 

Favourite track? Got To Go My Own Way

39. 

Taylor Swift

folklore

Republic | Electro-Folk

For her latest album, pop sensation Taylor Swift enlisted the help of indie heroes like Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff and Justin Vernon, to help shape this stunning new release of electronic tinted, narrative driven, folk ballads. 

Favourite track? the last great american dynasty

38. 

Nils Frahm

Empty

Erased Tapes | Ambient

Although the German musician Nils Frahm released a more ambitious and instrumentally diverse album last time out, I actually preferred this return to simplicity. Just eight, minimalistic, piano led ambient instrumentals. 

Favourite track? A Shine

37. 

Victoria Monét

JAGUAR

Tribe | R&B

This is the brand new EP from artist Victoria Monét. Across a set of swoon provoking hits, Victoria’s performances are heightened by the production across nine tracks which are a cool mixture of R&B and soul. 

Favourite track? Dive

36. 

Drive-By Truckers

The New OK

ATO | Alt. Country / Rock

The second of two great new albums released this year by the southern rock band from Georgia, Drive-By Truckers. They pick up exactly where they left off with this one, which includes a pretty fucking legit Ramones cover. 

Favourite track? The KKK Took My Baby Away

35. 

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

Reunions

Southeastern | Alt. Country

I promise this placement was not intentional. Former member of the Drive-By Truckers, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell teamed up with backing band The 400 Unit for this pensive and passionate country rock album. 

Favourite track? Be Afraid

34. 

Special Interest

The Passion Of

Night School / Thrilling Living | Post-Punk

New Orleans based band Special Interest have produced the most amazingly reprehensible punk album of the year. Pushing together an industrial edge with punk tendencies and noise, this four piece took no prisoners. 

Favourite track? Disco III

33.  

Khruangbin

Mordechai

Dead Oceans / Night Time Stories | Alternative

Texan trio Khruangbin have a list of influences which surely must travel the globe, and it helps set them apart and make them a truly unique act. Mordechai has funky grooves, a psychedelic soul, and light, drifting vocals. 

Favourite track? So We Won’t Forget

32. 

Bartees Strange

Live Forever

Memory Music | Indie Rock

For his debut studio album, singer-songwriter Bartees Strange wore his influences on his sleeve. From his subtle nod to The Antlers on the track Mustang, to the sound of Bon Iver which hovers around on the folk influenced track Far. 

Favourite track? Far

31. 

Black Thought

Streams Of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane And Abel

Republic | Hip Hop

Incredibly, after what has already been an all time great career, this actually serves as the debut solo studio album from The Roots’ member Black Thought. As expected, over boom bap beats the veteran rapper holds court. 

Favourite track? Good Morning (feat. Pusha T, Swizz Beatz & Killer Mike)

30. 

HAIM

Women In Music Pt. III

Columbia | Pop/Rock

The L.A. based trio of sisters delivered one of the most fun pop releases of the year with their third album. With Rostam joining once more on production, these were songs with a great deal of flare and a lot of bounce. 

Favourite track? Los Angeles

29. 

Chloe x Halle

Ungodly Hour

Columbia / Parkwood | R&B

Another artist that keeps things in the family, is this duo of sisters, Chloe and Halle Bailey. This is their sophomore studio album, and it’s a warm and inviting collection of R&B tracks, with vocal harmonies and performances that sound effortless.  

Favourite track? Don’t Make It Harder On Me

28. 

Perfume Genius

Set My Heart On Fire Immediately

Merge | Art Pop

Michael Hadreas returns again with his fifth studio album as Perfume Genius. Incorporating various stylings, this is another step towards a bright and shiny pop sound that he has been gracefully moving towards in recent years. 

Favourite track? On The Floor

27. 

Bob Dylan

Rough And Rowdy Ways

Columbia | Singer-Songwriter

The GOAT! Remarkably, this is Bob Dylan’s thirty-ninth studio album - and his first of all new material for almost eight years. Featuring musicians like Blake Mills and the great Fiona Apple, this is bluesy folk, and rock from the musical statesman. 

Favourite track? Murder Most Foul

26. 

Bonny Light Horseman

Bonny Light Horseman

37d03d | Folk

A new supergroup, consisting of talented singer-songwriters, Anäis Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman. Taking influence from the past, these three borrow traditional folk songs from yesteryear and add a modernised twist to them. 

Favourite track? Deep In Love

25. 

IDLES

Ultra Mono

Partisan | Punk Rock

The third studio album from IDLES, the most exciting punk rockers in music right now. Featuring another batch of ferocious tracks which balance out the harsh lyrical themes and social commentary with a lot of humour and charisma. 

Favourite track? Mr. Motivator

24. 

eLZhi

Seven Times Down Eight Times Up

Glow365 | Hip Hop

Jason Powers, better known as eLZhi, flexes his lyrical prowess on what is his third studio album. Equipped with razor sharp production from JR Swiftz, the Detroit rapper is cool and confident as he performs his clinical rhymes. 

Favourite track? Ferndale

23. 

Drive-By Truckers

The Unraveling

ATO | Alt. Country / Rock

The first of their two new albums which were released this year. Motivated by issues which range from gun control, drug addiction and border control, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley offer some of their best songwriting in years. 

Favourite track? Awaiting Resurrection 

22. 

Mac Miller

Circles

REMember Music / Warner | Hip Hop

After his tragic passing, producer Jon Brion stepped in to complete this posthumous album. The finished product is an album that serves as a great reminder of Mac’s talents, as well as a cruel hint at what could have been.

Favourite track? Good News

21. 

Fontaines D.C. 

A Hero’s Death

Partisan / Rough Trade | Post-Punk

For their sophomore studio album, the Dublin based post-punk revivalists, Fontaines D.C., surprised me with what is a tender and retrospective listen, just as much as it is a raw and hostile one. 

Favourite track? A Hero’s Death

20. 

Julianna Barwick

Healing Is A Miracle

Ninja Tune | Ambient

The new, self-produced ambient release from the L.A. based artist Julianna Barwick. Even with a helping hand from musicians like Mary Lattimore and Jónsi, the most incredible aspect of Julianna’s music remains her own voice. 

Favourite track? Oh Memory (feat. Mary Lattimore)

19. 

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist

Alfredo

ALC / Empire / ESGN | Hip Hop

For the second straight year, rapper Freddie Gibbs showcases his versatility, and lands a spot high on my list for a collaborative album with one of the genre’s finest producers - this time, it’s the Californian, The Alchemist. 

Favourite track? Something To Rap About (feat. Tyler, The Creator)

18. 

Conway The Machine

From King To A GOD

Drumwork / Empire / Griselda | Hip Hop

A gritty and intense experience, this dramatic masterclass serves as rapper Conway The Machine’s debut studio release. With producers like Havoc and DJ Premier, this sounds like a throwback to some of the classic rap albums from the golden age. 

Favourite track? Juvenile Hell (feat. Flee Lord, Havoc & Lloyd Banks)

17. 

Waxahatchee 

Saint Cloud

Merge | Indie Folk

When singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield released her newest album as Waxahatchee, much of the world was heading into lockdown. And so, it was so great to hear something like this, something that sounded so open and free. 

Favourite track? Fire

16. 

Adrianne Lenker

songs

4AD | Indie Folk

In 2019, Big Thief released not just one, but two great albums - the first of which, U.F.O.F., earned my number one spot on last year’s list. This year, frontwoman Adrianne Lenker was back with a new solo album of sweet, subtle little compositions. 

Favourite track? anything

15. 

Chiiild

Synthetic Soul

Avant Garden / Island | Neo-Soul

My pick for the best EP of the year, the debut project from Canadian duo Chiiild, which consists of Yonatan Ayal and Pierre-Luc Rioux. Rich and soulful, these two crafted what is probably the most intimate and romantic project of the year. 

Favourite track? Pirouette

14. 

Shamir

Shamir

Self-Released | Pop/Rock

This self-titled release from Shamir may just be his best album yet, because it simply has so many of his best songs yet. This is an addictive and shimmering LP of pop/rock tracks, most of which could be easily imagined serving as singles. 

Favourite track? Running 

13. 

William Basinski

Lamentations

Temporary Residence | Ambient

William Basinski releasing a new album, and me absolutely loving it, was one of the rare instances of normalcy to be found in 2020. The L.A. based sound and noise making maestro’s latest is yet another incisive, and affecting listen. 

Favourite track? All These Too, I, I Love

12. Lilly Hiatt

Walking Proof

New West | Alt. Country

Proving that extraordinary singing and songwriting abilities can be hereditary, this is the fourth studio album from the L.A. born talent Lilly Hiatt. Combining the emotive sentimentality of country, with the hard edge of rock, and the accessibility of pop. 

Favourite track? Candy Lunch

11. The Microphones

The Microphones In 2020

P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd. | Indie Folk

Phil Elverum returned this year with his first album under the title of The Microphones, for over seventeen years, and it’s just one track that’s a little under forty-five minutes long. And that one track is a reflective and powerful collage of memories. 

10. 

Blu & Exile

Miles: From An Interlude Called Life

Dirty Science / Fat Beats | Hip Hop

Clocking in at a massive ninety-five minutes, this double album is the latest release from the hip hop pairing of rapper Blu, and producer Exile. 

Their first album together for almost eight years, they clearly wanted to make up for lost time, but that’s not just evident in the mammoth runtime, it’s in the detail and ambition of pretty much every single one of the twenty tracks present. The production is alluring and hypnotic, while Blu’s performances are focused and abstract. 

Favourite track? Roots Of Blue

9. 

Dehd

Flower Of Devotion

Fire Talk | Indie Rock

An album which perfectly captures the unique and alluring sound of the Chicago trio. 

They combine so many styles and sub-genres of rock, and yet despite doing so, their sound is still so clean. There’s the effective drumming of Eric McGrady, the twanging guitar tones of Jason Balla, and the bass playing and hopping, charismatic vocals of Emily Kempf. And together, they combine the noise and attitude of post-punk, the raw energy of garage rock, and the cool fun of old school surf pop. 

Favourite track? Loner

8. 

Lucinda Williams

Good Souls Better Angels

Highway 20 / Thirty Tigers | Singer-Songwriter

One of my favourite singer-songwriters of all time! The consistently great Louisianan, Lucinda Williams returned for what is her thirteenth studio album. 

With that endearing drawl, and potent lyricism, Lucinda continues to blend the same styles that she has been for over forty years now; from passionate blues, to quaint country, to invigorating rock. She clearly became inspired by the events going on around her, and that motivated her to produce her best set of songs in years. 

Favourite track? When The Way Gets Dark

7.

Moses Sumney

Græ

Jagjaguwar | Art Rock

An opaque and extravagant album in two parts; the first half of this album was out in February, whilst the second half was released in May. 

Moses Sumney is a Californian artist, whose sound makes it very hard to attach traditional labels. With hints of art pop, rock, folk and a little bit of experimentation too, Moses compels for every second of this hour plus record, with the help of bold production, garish instrumentation, and that remarkable, one of a kind voice.

Favourite track? Bless Me

6. 

Mary Lattimore

Silver Ladders

Ghostly International | Ambient

This year, my top three favourite artists in ambient music each released great new albums, all of which have already appeared on this list; Nils Frahm, Julianna Barwick, and William Basinski. 

It says a lot then that this new record from the L.A. based, classically trained harpist Mary Lattimore has surpassed all of them. This is a patient, soothing and spellbinding experience, of ambient and modern classical, capable of transporting the listener somewhere else entirely. 

Favourite track? Sometimes He’s In My Dreams

5. 

Soccer Mommy

color theory

Loma Vista | Indie Rock

As a big fan of Sophie Allison and her Soccer Mommy project, I was thrilled to hear her expand on her cool, laid back sound, and create an album even better than its predecessor; her breakout debut, Clean. 

She creates nostalgic pop and rock, but without sacrificing originality, as she bravely tackles themes of self harm, mental health and loneliness - evident on circle the drain, which I listed as my number one favourite song of the year. 

Favourite track? circle the drain

4. 

The Weeknd

After Hours

Republic / XO | R&B

It’s crazy just how much great art seems to have been created out of heartbreak. And After Hours, the fourth studio album from Canadian artist Abel Tesfaye, can now be added to the long list of them. 

Through pain, The Weeknd composed a sharp, and extremely focused album, as R&B melts together with sounds of soul, and 1980s era pop music. A magnificent record, it’s musically cohesive, though comparatively, it’s emotionally conflicted, and this dichotomy creates a magic dynamic. 

Favourite track? Save Your Tears

3. 

Fiona Apple 

Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Clean Slate / Epic | Art Pop

What more can possibly be said about Fiona Apple in general, or about this album specifically? Her first in over eight years, this is the enigmatic singer-songwriter’s fourth album. At one point it held a perfect score of one hundred on Metacritic, and it’s already been named as number one on several other people’s lists. 

Creatively daring art pop doesn’t come much finer than this; there’s the familiar sounds of piano, unusual percussion, her unmistakable vocals and potent, at times genius level of lyricism. Fiona creates a rich and beguiling world for you every time you drop the needle or press play on one of her records, this one is no different. 

Favourite track? Cosmonauts

2. 

Fleet Foxes

Shore

Anti- | Indie Folk

Out of nowhere, Robin Pecknold surprised us this year, and released a bright and beautiful new Fleet Foxes record, and with tongue firmly in cheek, he did so on the first day of Autumn. 

It’s a broad and ambitious follow up to previous effort, Crack Up, which was released over three years prior. Featuring fellow standouts like Kevin Morby, and two members of Grizzly Bear. With sun brushed melodies and full, ascending vocals, this is some of Robin’s finest work, and the best Fleet Foxes album since that classic debut from over ten years ago now. 

Favourite track? Sunblind

1. 

Run The Jewels 

RTJ4

BMG / Jewel Runners | Hip-Hop

The timing of this was so appreciated, you could imagine someone projecting that cover image - the Run The Jewels logo - onto the skies as though it was the bat signal. That’s how much fans wanted and needed to hear from these two, in response to all the shit that was happening in the world.

Killer Mike and El-P reunited and returned to the studio, ending their longest hiatus since first forming this formidable tag team back in 2013. High praise I know, but I really think this is the best thing they have ever done, either together or separately. It’s a tour-de-force in production, a masterclass in performance, emotive, hard hitting, and extremely relevant. 

Favourite track? yankee and the brave (ep. 4)