Best albums of 2020.

Music Review- Albums released in 2020- (2020)

In such a strange year, music has been a saving grace for many; it has transported the clubs to our living rooms and lifted us out of our chairs into beautiful and exciting worlds that has desperately been needed. Even though many artist didn't dare to face the choppy waters of 2020 and delayed their album, which one can not blame as every album on this list has been in one way or another defined by their release date, there is still enough here to celebrate an interesting and experimental year of music. Some artists leaned back to happier days and their old sounds, whereas others went in different and exciting directions, with every new release there was varying success. So, here is the best albums of 2020:

Honourable Mentions (from worst to best):

Notes from the archive: Recordings 2011-2016- Maggie Rogers- Maggie Roger's debut album is one of my favourite debut albums in existence with some of the best pop electronic songs ever. So, it is extremely interesting to hear her peel back the years of her music journey and discuss how she got to where she is today. However, at this moment in time, not a single track shines a candle of greatness to anything from her debut album: the rawer production and under baked lyrics lack the beauty of her modern work. The album demonstrates the growth she's gone through and raises my upmost excitement for her next work. But, at 16 tracks with 6 commentaries on how they got here, there is more here than I can explore in the ten days before the end of the year. So, I think my true joy with this album may come in 2021 as it came out so recently that there hasn't been chance to fully delve in. Stand outs: Resonant body.

Smile- Katy Perry- Probably my most listened to honourable mention because I really really wanted to love it more than I do. A long time Perry fan, I was enjoying the random droplets we were getting before the album and Daisies is high on my most played of the year list, but since the album release week I've listened to it like once. It just isn't exciting or memorable because of the vague lyrics and basic production. When I do listen to it, I don't skip many because it is enjoyable pop, but I don't rush to come back and listen to any track. Stand outs: Never Really Over, Daisies, Cry About it Later.

Sillygomania- Loic Nottet- In a similar fashion to Smile, I was so excited for this release that it is disappointing the final album didn't make it onto the full list. Selfocracy is a fantastic debut album and the singles for this one were so promising, but with On Fire being released in 2018 and many singles in 2019 the hype was not there when the album dropped in 2020. The best parts of the album are almost two years old that even though I've played them to death it feels wrong to put them on a best of 2020 list. Also, the fact the beautiful Go to Sleep didn't make the cut is a sin I cannot live with. Stand outs: On Fire, 29, Heartbreaker.

Future Nostalgia- Dua Lipa- Another album where the singles are the highlights, again meaning I haven't returned to listen to the full album much outside of release week. Don't Start Now is the only firm stand out, and a handful of other solid tracks- Levitating and Physical- but other than that the album falls into 'wont skip' category rather than exciting. However, Lipa's relentless promotion and performances has meant the singles carry the album to great heights that make the album brighter and better. Stand outs: Don't Start Now, Levitating, Physical.

Brightest Blue- Ellie Goulding- (See number 9 in the list for a further breakdown). Celebrity culture and the push and pull between art and pop will always be themes which interest me greatly, so this is an album made for me. Goulding has always been on the edge of superstardom and on her last album, more than others, she clearly unsuccessfully attempted to cross that barrier, so Brightest Blue is her emotional introspective answer to not being able to become that superstar she craved so desperately. It is raw and damning for both fans, herself and the industry, but never fully goes as far as it could so is left without the raw edge to cut deep enough. Stand Outs: Tides, Love I'm given, Start, flux, Woman.

Top 10:

10) Renaissance- Apashe- An Edm and classical mashup of greatness that gets better with every listen. It is every bit dramatic and oozing class as it is grungy and edgy. What is essential though is that it must be played loud to be fully appreciated: the strings on full blast make you feel like the ground is coming to consume you. On other tracks, the synths feel like you are falling through the air marvelling at the tiny world around you. It is pulsating, fierce and so very in your face, you understand why Apashe's music is found on so many different adverts across all forms. Only very recently discovering the album, renaissance slots boldly at the back end of my list, but has the potential to move especially if clubs start opening again and I can experience it in its full glory. Stand outs: Behind my eyes, Lord and Master, Legend.

9) Punisher- Phoebe Bridges- In my head, I've swapped out Punisher and Brightest Blue (one of my honourable mentions) from this spot multiple times because I feel they are somewhat semantically similar: discussing failure and the end as well as the conflict between oneself and outside forces. Whereas, Goulding focuses on her relationship with fame and art and not being accepted by the masses, Bridger's is an inner turmoil exploring her depression through introspections and not accepting herself. Both albums, have a bubbling rage in the softness of their delivery, but Bridges excels in meeting that tension with an experimental and vulnerable explosion that Brightest Blue never truly meets. In addition, Bridge's darkness adds layers to her anxiety, whereas Goulding's unwillingness to truly amp it up leaves it feeling a tad hollow. Both are beautiful albums filled with anger and frustration that are well worth a listen. Stand Outs: I know the end, Chinese Satellite, Garden song, Halloween, Saviour Complex.

8) Revel in the Drama- Ren Harvieu- An album I've liked all year but only grown to love in the past coming weeks. Ren Harvieu has been on my radar since the beautiful collaboration on Mark Owen's Sad! as well as her euphoric debut single Open up your arms back in 2012. Teenage Mascara, the lead single in 2019, was a shot of greatness that got sickly quicker than I wanted it to, so I never returned back to the album as much as I should have, and this is a regret I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Revel in the drama does everything it says on the tin and the more you revel in the drama the more you'll love Harvieu's luscious vocals that make you feel like you are back in 1922. With a little more time this might have been higher up my list as some of the best songs from 2020 are hidden on this little known album. Stand Outs: Little Raven, Spirit my way, Curves and Swerves, Cruel Disguise.

7) Disco- Kylie Minogue- On first listen I was undeniably disappointed, but disco is all about the sexy detail and this album is filled with ear worms that will have you returning to the dancefloor again and again. I for one can not wait to burst out of lockdown and into a gay club to experience these tracks how Qween Kylie intended them. Kylie's soft enchanting delivery is made for the swell and flicks of disco production that make you want to swing your hips and dance. The biggest and best slices of heaven on the album are in the first half, but by the time you reach track seven you are already lost in disco heaven that the details of the songs don't matter- the mood is right and that is enough. Stand Outs: Miss a Thing, Real Groove, Magic, Say Something.

6) Infinite Things- Paloma Faith- As a fan of early Paloma, my faith has been veering recently as Faith's exploration away from bombastic ballads has led to some rather bland territory. A perfect contradiction was a decent attempt at fun, but never reached the heights of Fall to Grace, and The Architect never seemed to land any impression on me more than meh. The only glimmer of hope I've had is Loyal a deluxe track from 2018 that actually showed Faith could make fun pop as well as keep to her bombastic powerhouse roots. Expectations where tepid when starting Infinite Things, but were easily blown into line as Faith seems to take inspiration from Loyal and make bombastic pop that suits her voice and is loyal to her sound. Admittedly, the strongest hand of the album are found in the first five songs as they are hit after hit, but the second half doesn't do anything skippable and has tracks to love, so it is a solid return to form. Stand outs: Monster, Supernatural, Falling Down, Infinite Things, Gold.

5) Dark Matter- Camelphat- An album years in the making that actually manages the landing. Cola blew up in 2018, and ever since, Camelphat have released tune after tune that has kept excitement ready for their debut album. However, I am furious the orgasmic Crystal Clear did not make the cut as that was easily one of the best songs released in 2019 and is still fresh and exciting a year on. Dark Matter is easily the best EDM album released this year, with tracks ready to blow up like Easier (the Florence Welch lyrics and vocal impression are magnifque), Dance with my Ghost and Panic room as well as certified hits of Be Someone (which brought Jake Bugg crashing back to my attention and I love them for that) as well as Rabbit Hole and Breathe. Camelphat are the exciting new EDM producers with excellent pacing that are just waiting for their next hit to certify them in the mainstream. Stand outs: Easier, Cola, Be Someone, Rabbit Hole, Panic Room.

4) evermore- Taylor Swift- I considered folklore to mostly be a disappointment because of Swift's fear to be personally vulnerable, vocally raw or experimental in the production. Every song was nice, but lacked the risk or edge to truly make the tracks exciting, so only Mirrorball stuck with me. However, evermore makes enough baby steps to improve on folklore and makes it just exciting enough to be happily placed on this list. Admittedly, there are a lot of nice tracks here that reminisce of the folklore formula, but many more high moments too. Swift dances from the deliciously blunt delivery of Champagne Problems where she comes to terms with the reasons she left her ex, to the Great Gatsby infused Happiness growing from maturity to understand she doesn't have to hate her exs and Ivy where she begins to reckon with the joy she feels when committing infidelity in a failing relationship. It is complex, vulnerable and raw as well more variety and experimentation in the production. Stand outs: Ivy, Happiness, Champagene Problems, evermore, tis the dam season.

3) Treat Myself- Meghan Trainor- This is not a decision I ever thought I would make! I have never liked any of Trainor's albums and absolutely despise 90% of her singles. Before this album, I've only ever thought upon two Trainor tracks with a positive opinion: Me Too which my head hates but my heart just can't get enough of as I will find myself randomly humming the tune and then hating myself for it, and then Better which is genuinely a solid track. Trainor seemed to go to the drawing board and come back with an album that deserves way more respect than it has got; I almost left it off my list until Spotify wrapped reminded me how strong the album was. The best tracks are sonically similar to Better where she shows off her voice and moves away from the cringe lyrics of her previous work. There is so much here to love as well as very few missteps that I've returned to this album so many times this year and am consistently surprised that this is a Meghan Trainor album. Stand outs: Wave, Babygirl, Working on it, Genetics, After you, Ashes, Lie to me.

2) Fetch the bolt cutters- Fiona Apple- Fizzing with ideas, Apple is bursting with ambition that makes bolt cutters one of the brightest and biggest albums of 2020. Whether it is her sanity slowly unravelling before our ears in the opening track, or the bombastic musical theatre number of Newspaper or even the cutesy charm of Cosmonauts, there is a lot to love and take in in this 50-minute powerhouse performance of sheer vulnerability. Admittedly, the cascading flood of bombast means some ideas crash into each other, but even at its low points Apple never fails to be mesmerising. Every detail is placed so deliberately- even though it often sounds thrown together- you'll be thinking about this album for weeks as even if you don't enjoy it sonically it narratively is next level. Stand outs: I want you to love me, Newspaper, Under the Table, Cosmonauts.

1) Chromatica- Lady Gaga- On first listen, it is easy to write off Chromatica as Gaga attempting a hit by dialling back the years and releasing a basic pop album reminiscent of her earlier days. But, on subsequent listens, it is clear there is a lot to love here as Gaga sings some of her most personal lyrics and dance ready bangers. No one knows why she led with Stupid Love because it is the only track where the listener should turn off their mind and let loose: the bright bombastic fun will transport you straight to the planet Chromatica. Whereas the rest of the album is deeply personal and ready to peel back the layers of Gaga's mind, Fun tonight is a hate letter to Gaga from Stephani that discusses the duality of being an artist in 2020; Replay further explores the anxiety of fame as it is the best and worst thing to happen to Gaga; off the rails Gaga in 911 explores her relationship with pills and panic attacks; and, Babylon is her battlecry that haters will gossip on no matter what she says. It is truly in direct contrast to her first album that glamourized and idealised fame that one should listen to them side by side to truly enjoy the growth and duality of Gaga and Stephani's life. Stand outs: Love me right, Replay, Stupid Love, Fun Tonight, Sour Candy.