Here are Bring Me The Music's picks for 2020's Top 20 albums, what a task it will forever be. From dance bangers, to emotional moments and unifying sense of celebration, there has been some amazing records that have left a mark on music forever. Let us know what you think of the allbums and what should be included!
20) After Hours- The Weeknd
There is no doubt that The Weeknd shines properly and fully for the first time since his earlier work, and this being on one of this year's biggest releases. There also feels like a sense of reinvention by the artist as he goes full on with his love of 80’s music, something you can clearly hear on the truly amazing single ‘Blinding Lights’.
The album does not rest on one huge single though, the touching, ‘Hardest To Love’, is magical and the grove in ‘In Your Eyes’ is truly epic. The conviction and feeling of independence that The Weeknd portrays with this style is incredible, one of the most amazing moments this year.
19) Dark Matter- Camelphat
One of the most hotly anticipated debut records in the UK arrived this year and it was filled with bangers, great production and awesome features. Camelphat have been building up to this moment for some time and made their name with some huge dance singles, such as ‘Cola’ and ‘Rabbit Hole’.
The debut LP gives us some fresher new songs that have really been welcomed hugely in Ibiza and beyond, Jake Bugg of all people ended up joining the duo around the world to perform the single ‘Be Someone’. Another indie name also delivered epically, Foals feature on the psychedelic ‘Hypercolour', really shows off the band's melody writing and Camelphats darker tones within their producing.
18) evermore- Taylor Swift
I was unsure if this era of Swift would have enough legs to make it through another long album, was I wrong?? Yes, very wrong.
The sister album to the first album we got this year, feels like we are running through the woods of the album covers this time around. Still keeping with the indie folksiness and Aaron Dessner's amazing work, ‘evermore’ simply explores more ground musically and even gives us some typical Swift moments amongst it all.
17) Woman in Music Pt.III- HAIM
There were no rules for the sisters on what is a bad arse and a very impressive third album. Many were worried that HAIM would just stick to obvious tricks but this has been squashed as they have given us an album that is impressive, fun and diverse!
‘The Steps’ could be considered as one of their best songs ever, the catchiness and assured nature is exquisite and incredibly inspiring. Elsewhere, ‘Gasoline’ has a cool country vibe that is extremely chilled and 3am really shows off the humour that so many of us enjoy from HAIM! ‘Don’t Wanna’ is also a highlight on the record and offers some great vocal deliveries and the albums ‘twangy’ guitar sound.
16) The New Abnormal- The Strokes
Working with Rick Rubin on their latest release, The Strokes ended up being on fire and feeling so assured on ‘The New Abnormal’. It does have a NYC vibe with the new wave elements for sure, and it fits very nicely with the classic guitars and vocals.
‘Brooklyn Bridges To Chorus’ is incredibly infectious with its synth and bass, while ‘Bad Decisions’ is an indie anthem that contains an amazing riff. ‘At The Doors’ was the first offering we had from this record, the sparse and dramatic song is truly beautiful and Julian Casablancas gives us some dramatic and amazing vocals.
15) how im feeling now- Charli XCX
Charli XCX did truly do a ‘lockdown’ album, all done in her home and done within a very tight time frame, back in Lockdown 1. The results are epically mad but it is filled with some amazing songwriting moments. ‘Pink Diamond’ punches us in the face with its boldness with its synths and ‘forever’ has a great blend of loud synths and impressive melody writing.
‘claws’ grabs your attention and takes you away into this odd world that has such an internet vibe, fitting with how our existence has become this year. ‘7 years’ and ‘enemy’ are beautiful songs that are both rare personal songs, that really hits home when sitting alone in your isolation. The way Charli XCX goes from representing the spring of 2020 in such a loud epic way to more personal moments is incredible, we have all raved in our rooms to this LP, right?
14) Songs For Out Daughter- Laura Marling
Laura Marling has created a fantastic letter to our daughters (and future ones too) and the celebration of this record has been great to see. ‘Alexandra’ questions the love interest within a Lennard Cohen song, asking why does she just has to be that and not the woman she truly is.
There's a great blend of Marling’s classic style with ‘Blow by Blow’ that has a great vocal delivery but there is also some more (dare I say), more pop leaning moments with ‘Strange Girl’. The latest album by the songwriter is has a great sense of quirkiness but honesty that any woman can relate to and be inspired by, the stories and lyrics will truly impact anyone.
13) Punisher- Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe offers us one of the stands out from the ‘singer-songwriter’ world in years with her third album. It feels so dreamy and sparse, while still feeling so beautiful and incredibly special. We are guided throughout the LP with a gentle hand, with the songwriter offering us some lovely melodies and interesting lyrics.
‘Garden Song’ just offers us the tone of the record so well, we hear about the singer's nightmares she has when sleeping on tour. Then the big single of ‘Kyoto’ continues the touring narrative, yet this time tackling how Phoebe found herself in Japan and experiencing imposter syndrome….I do admit the trumpets are amazing. The cliche term of hauntingly beautiful is the best way to describe songs like ‘Punisher’ and ‘Chinese Satellite’, both songs tackling thoughts of isolation and wanting to fit in.
The last two tracks are fantastic, the production choices and the mood they both bring are incredible and powerful. ‘Graceland Too’ includes some amazing lyrics and lovely banjo playing, the song focuses on how painful loving someone can be when they are struggling to see how beautiful and amazing they are.
Then the closer brings together the amazing imagery and dreamy feel so well. ‘I Know The End’ is a brilliant take on the demise of American Culture and it's cry for help with its sense of significance and health.
12) Song Machine- Gorillaz
We were not blessed by the quality that Damon Albarn can and has achieved with his animated and collaborative project in recent years. However with a new decade, there is a new sense of life here and ‘Song Machine’ includes everything we love about Gorillaz and more! All the features shine and the charm Damon brings to the fun spirited sound of the animated band, is highly infectious and top draw.
‘Strange Timez’ featuring Robert Smith really does sum up the mood of 2020 and Beck’s feature in ‘The Valley of The Pagans’ brings such class and spirit, to the mocking disco track. Albarn really delivers some great production moments throughout, ScHoolboy Q feels so at home on ‘Pac-Man’; also the way Elton John and 6LACK combine so well on ‘The Pink Phantom’, is breathtaking.
Peter Hook delivers some of his classic bass on Georgia’s feature’, Aries’, it makes you truly smile hearing Hook’s touches on this track. ‘Desole’ and ‘Momentary Bliss’ both shine so well when hearing it on the album, the latter being a great collaboration with slowthai and Slaves. To see the Gorrilaz project back on track again is fantastic to see, here’s to Episode 2 of this series!
11) Fooling Loving Spaces- Blossoms
The Stockport indie sweethearts offered us something so purely fun and filled with some great songwriting moments, on their third record. Originally going to be three separate EP’s, the band takes us on a rhythmic and melodic journey that shows off every band member throughout. Beginning with the conga like ‘If You Think Is Real Life’ and then beautifully followed by the Talking Heads inspired, ‘Your Girlfriend, it makes you jolly and bust out some moves straight away.
It is so unashamed to be loveable this LP and especially with the choir filled and Primal Scream inspired, ‘The Keeper’. We are then taken down so many aspects of Tom Ogden’s love for his hero’s catchy pop melodies, which is evident on the Fleetwood Mac meets Tame Impala, ‘My Swimming Brain’ and then again on ‘Sunday Was A Friend Of Mine'. The latter shows Charlie Salt's talents as such a tremendous and infectious bass player and backing vocalist.
Album three for the five-piece outfit cements them as the UK’s top and most loved indie outfit, the sense of danceability and melody in songs like ‘Romance, Eh?’ and the ABBA like, Falling For Someone’, is a clear indication that we must keep looking out for Blossoms in the future.
10) A Hero's Death- Fontaines DC
Following up on the critically acclaimed debut album, the boys had a lot of pressure and they really did show us their worth. Overall, we are shown how Fontaines DC are extremely talented musicians, that can do more than sing loud with lots of guitars. Having the success come out of nowhere, the band felt burnout and this LP soundtracks that mood of trying to carry on fighting, for purpose and identity.
The tone is set early with ‘I Don’t Belong’ and ‘Love Is The Main Thing’, the darkness and honesty is so crisp on these two songs. ‘Televised Mind’ really takes things up a notch with The Prodigy like bass opening, the song feels like a great soundscape of angst. The lyrics tackle how disingenuous so many people have become with how they take thoughts they see online as their own, taking away their own self-identity and intelligence.
‘You Said’ shows off how gentle and beautiful Grian can sing, it's surprisingly a very pretty song for them. The gentle nature continues on ‘Oh Such A Spring’, the waltz number has some amazing imagery, which has such a sense of reflection and maturity.
Then we are thrown into our song of the year, ‘A Hero’s Death’! The song looks at pure and simple ways to get through life, with the mantra of the song being ‘life aint always empty'. The guitars and drums drive the song along with diction, as Grian nails every line with amazing ideas and truths on how, life isn’t always empty.
‘I Was Not Born’ has some cool Springsteen guitars and passion, it’s another surprise on the album! As we come to the end of the record, we hear why the band spoke about Brian Wilson inspiring the album. ‘Sunny’ is another pretty song the has a sweet melody and bass line, while the backing vocals are filled with ‘lah laaah laaah’.
9) Notes On A Conditional Form- The 1975
We were eventually given 8 songs of its TWENTY TWO tracks before its release, which sadly left people disappointed. Nevertheless, all of those 8 songs are flawless and we are taken on an over indulging journey of The 1975 world, it meanders in every direction that leaves you in awe and confused.
Having Greta Thunberg opening your album, reciting one of her speeches, is truly incredible and leaves you stunned with its impact. ‘People’ then kicks in and what a bloody rock song this is, it's both so manic and actually very hot with its guitar playing. With the incredible work of ‘Frail State of Mind’ being truly flawless, tacking on the mental health crisis so brilliantly and critically, The 1975 are firing at all clyinders here.
‘The Birthday Party’ has some of George Daniel's best production and ‘Me & You Together Song’ has such a catchy chorus, showing off how beautiful The 1975 can be when they are at their most sincere. The huge single of ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know' sounds wonderful and feels so epic, it would get anyone going. One thing to note, it truly grabbed the attention and imagination of the nation at the start of the year when it was debuted live and when it was finally released.
As the album meanders through some interesting choices, ’Shiny Collarbone’ feels incredibly tongue-in-cheek, it shows off how the band has really nailed being able to make left-field styles their own at last.
The album closes with such purity and class, the song written by Matty Healy’s father (‘Don’t Worry) is done so well and really hits you hard. Then finally we have ‘Guys’, a song that is in honour of the friendship within the band, it is such a gentle and wholesome way to finish such a big album.
8) Ultra Mono- IDLES
IDLES have become one of the loudest and wholesome forces in UK alternative music, the success and impressive ‘Joy As An Of Resistance’ won the hearts of thousands and following up to that record, was always going to be tough. Recorded in a very short amount of time, to capture the first moments of inspiration, the Bristol based band have delivered a unifying and epic third album! It seems like so many aspects of the band have stepped up on the record, it is for sure a soundtrack for people coming together, to celebrate themselves and also demanding change for the better.
‘War’ is a brutal and fitting opening for the LP, it contains some piercing drumming some classic Joe Talbot lyrics. Straight after that, we are given one of the most interesting guitar songs of the year in ‘Grounds’. The beat-orientated single feels unifying and creates that tension of a storm for change, it is indeed a great showcase of how creative the Bristol band are.
The album really goes at it and takes you for such a spin, especially with the lead single ‘Mr.Motivator’. The lyrics are great, making us want to exercise and also go for it with life!! ‘Model Village’ also contains some amazing lyrics, taking aim at conservative and spiritualy blinded people who really have some woeful expectations and thoughts about the world.
The sentiment of ‘Ne Touche Pas Moi’ will be amazing when live music is back again, Joe and Jenny Beth singing out about consent! However a really special moment on the album is, ‘A Hymn’. It really hits you and it blows us all away that a band like IDLES effectively made this song.
7) Folklore- Taylor Swift
Working with her long time collaborator, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner (yes from The National!), Swift recorded a ‘lockdown’ album that is a beautiful indie folk/indie pop record that has truly soundtracked so many peoples times inside this year and autumnal walks.
I will never get tired of the opening piano chords of ‘the 1’, they feel welcoming and so pure. The gentle and purity of the album creates such a warm feeling inside you, especially on the indie popness of ‘cardigan’, which is a blend of Swift and Lana Del Ray. You can not deny how Aaron Dessner’s presence is felt from the word go, he has taken Taylor’s songwriting style to somewhere totally different
One of the many highlights is ‘the last great american dynasty’ and wins the best song name of the year! The story is about Rebecca Harkness, who had a beautiful holiday home but was seen by the wider public as annoying and a cliche, something that Taylor Swift can sympathise with. The amazing twist in the song is how she confesses that she now owns the holiday house, a great way to go full circle with the song.
‘exile’ combines Bon Ivor’s style so well with what’s going on with ‘folklore’, the middle eight is also exceptional. Then with ‘mirrorball’, the glimmering nature is wonderful and reflects on how a disco ball glimmers everything it offers to everyone, something Taylor resonates with (not in a good way sadly).
The album feels so perfect at so many moments, then when we arrive to ‘betty’, that finishes the love triangle story that is found within the album, the smile can not leave your face. The song itself sounds wholesome and features a lovely harmonica, as it showcases how great of story teller the songwriter is.
6) Miles- Blu & Exile
‘Miles’ is named after Jazz legend, Miles Davis, and it is for sure worthy to be matched to their iconic debut LP, ‘Below The Heavens’. It has taken a while for the two to collaborate again, however, the wait is worth it! The record is a glorious double album that follows the two’s long journeys in the east coast underground scene and dealing with what laid ahead of them after their successful debut album together
. It sounds so glorious at times but still feeling real and raw, hearing about what the two have had to get through to get this point, the flows are infectious and even when certain tracks are long, they still captivate you right to the end.
“All the Blues,”sees Blu rap about naming his son Miles in tribute too, one of the many pure moments we find on the LP. Then, on ‘Miles Away’ a song about going from city to city on the road and many of the early verses are autobiographical and really full of detail as we hear about the paths taken that have shaped Blu.
‘The Feeling’ is a fantastic cut, it sounds truly beautiful, just like the shining light of a sunrise that glimmers against the skyscrapers of a city. The personal nature of this record is here again as Blu spits about his struggles about getting enough money for his daughter.
Later on the record, ‘Dear Lord’, features some great gospel vocals by Jimetta Rose and the Sunday Church vibe of it all, is so so so lovely. The context of the song is the sense of praying for the world to become more harmonious and safer for future generations, how very sweet.
5) RJ4- Run The Jewels
The iconic rap duo released their fourth album and it is: incredibly fitting for 2020, a sense of escapism and a celebration of hip/hop. It has always been incredible how EI-P and Killer Mike offer us such fresh and epic music every time they release a new record, their ambition of pushing themselves all the time to create is so inspiring.
‘yankee and the brave’ has some amazing spits throughout, ‘Im back at it like a crack addict' starts us out the tension is also fantastic, both rappers sound EPIC. The retro vibe and sample of ‘ooh la la’ featuring Greg Nice and DJ Premier, is so fascinating as we rarely see the iconic duo venture into the past. However the result is obviously amazing, the hypnotic piano is catchy and the traditional delivery is so solid.
“walking in the snow” arrives at such an impactful moment on the album; RJ do really save their political comments on their deep cuts. This song has such an impact with its hard hitting and very relevant lyrics, looking at police brutality and how enslaved so many feel in society. The feature of Pharrell on ‘JU$T’ is so hard hitting, it feels so much like some of his older work! The song tackles how we are enslaved again, but this time how we are to money and the western capitalistic society.
4) Rough and Rowdy Ways- Bob Dylan
The iconic songwriter released his 39th album this year and his first record, which contains original music in 8 years! From a music and literature standpoint, many people will always be curious to see what the artist has to put out even now, his legacy and way with words is undoubtedly stuff of legends.
The album begins s with ‘I Contain Multitudes’, a stream of conciseness by Dylan, looking at his recent Nobel Prize win and referencing Anne Frank. The name of the song is in reference to Walt Whitmans poem, ‘Song of Myself’, which looks at universal truths about oneself, it’s utterly brilliant. Then, ‘My Own Version Of You’ has the songwriter putting together a person by random parts, it’s all very odd but the slide guitar on this song is to die for.
‘Black Rider’ is a stand out song that contains some majestic acoustic guitar work, the lyrics tackle so many things about like how your mouth will burnt to the mouth if you don’t stay silent (biblical) and death, potentially about Donald Trump. ‘Goodbye Jimmy Reed’ has a fantastic blues vibe to it, even now Bob Dylan can still sound so teasing at times with his delivery!
3) Fetch The Bolt Cutters- Fiona Apple
Everyone was left in amazement of the percussion choices and its production; all of it (I believe) was conducted in the kitchen and the sounds made are both fascinating and comical! However, the songwriting by Fiona Apple on her latest release is faultless as ever, it is engaging and so out there.
‘I Want You To Love Me’ opens the album like a book firsts chapter, offering some beautiful piano playing and passionate vocals. One of the standout songs on the record is ‘Shameka’ with its manic piano and the interesting/funny story of a school bully turning round to Fiona to say, she has potential.
The title track offers some of the Kitchen percussion choices, that is all mesmerising with the soundscape it creates! The melody comes along with a nearly spoken-word delivery by Apple, all very captivating stuff. ‘
Under The Table’ has some great vocal deliveries and the keyboard tones are highly effective, it is a great showing of how Fiona Apple can create such a playful tension. It is both the melody and lyrics that shine for me over the acclaimed percussion production, they are both so incredibly gripping and impressive.
With the double bass on ‘Ladies’, the charm and courage on here are top-notch. We feel like we can visualise Fiona delivering each song, the way she captures your imagination is second to none. Overall, we are left with such an out there and interesting body work that reinforces how talented the songwriter is!
2) Future Nostalgia- Dua Lipa
The result we have on Dua’s second record is something that a lot of people were not expecting. The pop star has elevated herself from being a typical artist to one of the most engaging acts in the world; the shift we see on ‘Future Nostalgia’ is exceptional and impressive.
The title track opens the LP with such great conviction and production, it feels so crisp and catchy. Then we have the huge single from last year in ‘Don’t Start Now’, which shows off the amazing grove on the LP and how unstoppable Dua Lipa has been in the last year or so.
‘Physical’ is a fantastic single that has probably soundtracked everyones home workouts this year, undoubtedly catchy as heck. You can hear in the singer's voice that she knows she is nailing this album, it's so infectious how confident this whole body of work is.
It’s all very 80’s and also Lady Gaga inspired, yet Dua Lipa makes these songs her own while still nodding to those sounds. The hits keep on coming with ‘Levitating’, which includes a dreamy and incredible bass!! It grabs you this song and makes you spin away into the night with its hook.
As previously said, the 80’s style is present but you never feel like that old tricks are being used here, it feels so incredibly fresh and her own. ‘Break Your Heart’ shows that with its keyboards and vocal delivery, while still feeling recognisable. ‘
Boys Will Be Boys’ ends the record with such a significant message, how women are not to blame for their oppression by men. Lipa talks about many situations about her own scary experiences and what so many women have to face, when boys are allowed or excused for behaving in an objectifying way.
1) SAWAYAMA- Rina Sawayama
The Japanese-British artist tackles her dual nationality and society on our Best Album of The Year, but still celebrating herself and the people around her within a variety of different songs. Rina’s debut record stunned and blew everyone away with its blend of pop and nu-metal guitars, which has created such an Avantgarde, alternative pop record.
The record begins in such a big and dramatic way with ‘Dynasty’, then following on with the mega-hit that is ‘XS’. The single really shows off the blend of genres that we hear on this record, it has such a pop melody but still has headbanging worthy with its guitars. Tackling the materialistic culture we find ourselves in today, Rina really writes cleverly and engagingly on this hit single.
The heavy guitars continue in ‘STFU!” but we are taken on from that nu-metal vibe epically, with ‘Comme Des Garcon’. This is disco heaven that comments on how society views confidence in a way that includes toxic traits, especially within masculinity. Instead, Rina wants us not to celebrate these attributes, it's incredible how it's all in such a great disco sound.
‘Bad Friend’ feels like it should be a great Disney movie single, I feel like I should be going along a dramatic scene that is located around lots of water features. Then ‘Love Me 4 Me’ has a great sense of liberation in a classic 90’s sounding song, you can hear the Janet Jackson influence very much on this track.
Coming into the later stages of the record, Rina really continues tackling so many personal and universal issues that include catchy hooks and insightful lyrics that keep us so engaged. ‘Tokyo Love Hotel’ looks at how the artist is left heartbroken at how people perceive and treat her home city and how tourists just take it for granted.
‘Chosen Family’ is a beautiful song that is a celebration of the love she has and felt from the LGTBQ+ community, it really captures the emotion so wonderfully. It’s incredible how we are taken around so many topics and styles on a debut record, it leaves us either emotional and dancing non stop!
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