2020 was the year of the non-celebrations. Super Bowl LIV is the last celebration I remember before the pandemic hit full force. Nearly a year later, I sit trying to look back on the year in music and find the things worthy of celebration. Tours were canceled, festivals were delayed, and then later cancelled, award shows were presented without fans. 2020 just sucked so much joy out the music business. It was so much of a miserable year that Taylor Swift released two albums. The horror.
The overwhelming joy I did find was in the amazing new albums released in 2020. 2020 saw the return of artists that haven’t released music in close to a decade. The (Dixie)Chicks, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morisette, and Huey Lewis, among others, excited their fanbases with new releases in 2020 despite not being able to truly promote them in the traditional manners. Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and Halsey were some of the reigning pop princesses to put out new albums last year. All in all, 2020 was an excellent year for recorded music.
After much thought, debate and numerous relistens I have comprised a list of my favorite albums of 2020.
25. Kylie Minogue Disco
24. Selena Gomez Rare
23. Tre Burt Caught It From The Rye
22. Blossoms Foolish Loving Spaces
21. Halsey Maniac
20. Tame Impala The Slow Rush
19. Swamp Dogg Sorry You Couldn’t Make It
18. Donny Benet Mr. Experience
17. Blackpink The Album
16. Grimes Miss Anthropocene
15. Open Mike Eagle Anime, Trauma and Divorce
14. Sad13 Haunted Painting
13. Sault Untitled
12. Beach Bunny Honeymoon
11. The Weeknd After Hours
10. Run The Jewels RTJ4
9. JoJo good to know
8. Phoebe Bridgers Punisher
7. Marcus King El Dorado
6. Soccer Mommy color theory
5. Fiona Apple Fetch the Bolt Cutters
4. Chloe x Halle Ungoldy Hour
3. Beabadoobee Fake It Flowers
2. Rina Sawayama SAWAYAMA
1. Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
