Despite the year not panning out to be how many of us expected, there’s no denying that 2020 has been an absolutely spectacular year for music releases. From the likes of Rina Sawayama to Phoebe Bridgers, I wrote about my top 14 of the year.
14. Hayley Williams – Petals For Armour
Williams’ debut as a solo artist can only be described as an empowering ode to women across the globe. Petals for Armor sees the Paramore lead singer at her most vulnerable as she celebrates our relationships with those around us whilst also acknowledging the downfalls of others in a way that can be considered more mature than some of her previous work. It’s an energetic promotion of self love and realising your own value.
13. Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
After her rise to stardom following her eponymous debut in 2017, Dua Lipa returned with new album Future Nostalgia in March and unsurprisingly it’s one of the biggest releases this year. Filled with 80’s synth pop and futuristic sounding pop bangers, Lipa creates some much needed escapism to a far away galaxy – ironically, Future Nostalgia couldn’t have been released at a better time.
12. The Big Moon – Walking Like We Do
Released in January, Walking Like We Do is the second album from London based quartet The Big Moon. It is on this record, that the band embrace their evolution from tracks based solely on roaring guitar to those filled with keys and synthesisers (‘Don’t Think’) along with the occasional feature of flute and brass (‘Barcelona’). WLWD is proof to all who listen that producing a more fully fledged album without losing any of your original magic is possible.
11. Soccer Mommy – Colour Theory
Split into three, with each section of the album a different colour, yellow for illness, blue for sadness and grey for loss, Sophie Allison’s second album deals with some of life’s more challenging experiences. Despite the heavy content of her lyrics, Colour Theory sees Allison explore her new platform and embrace the opportunity of having a studio recorded album.
10. Porridge Radio – Every Bad
Porridge Radio’s second full length project ‘Every Bad’ deals with the confusion that follows conflicting emotions. Musically, it is not disimilar to that of their debut ‘Rice, Pasta and Other Fillers’ and follows the stereotypical conventions of indie rock but the band appear stronger than before and rightfully so too, considering their nomination for this year’s Mercury Prize.
9. Fenne Lily – Breach
‘Breach’ is a very personal collection of songs about growing older and the change that comes along with that growth. Reflecting on a number of subjects from self medicating with weed to the uneasiness of getting older within the age of social media, Lily perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being in your late teens and early 20’s figuring out just what you want to do with your life.
8. Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Her first release in eight years, ‘Fetch The Bolt Cutters’ sees Fiona Apple break free from all traditional genre conventions and become more experimental whilst simultaneously bursting with the same originality that runs through her first four albums.
7. Laura Marling – Song For Our Daughter
Song For Our Daughter is Laura Marling’s 7th studio album and perhaps her most distinctive yet. Based entirely around a fictional daughter, she recounts stories of what it is like to be a woman in society in a sensitive way that intertwines the trauma of womanhood with some ever important life lessons.
6. Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA
Sawayama is a perfect example of how genre bending albums should be, combining pop with influences from nu metal and rock Rina Sawayama takes listeners on a personal journey through the exploration of aspects of her life that shaped her into the person she is today. These of course include her Japanese/British identity and her queer identity amongst others. Sawayama is certainly one of the most outstanding albums on this list and that doesn’t come as a surprise.
5. Georgia – Seeking Thrills
There is no better way to describe Georgia’s ‘Seeking Thrills’ other than as a teaser of all the things we have missed out on this year. Packed with dazzling electro pop and turbo dance hits (‘Started Out’), it’s easy to overlook the gloomy undertones of Georgia’s lyrics which show that heartbreak is never too distant, even on the dance floor. Seeking Thrills emphasises the importance of friendship and coming together to enjoy life whilst providing hope that these experiences will be back before we know it.
4. HAIM – Women in Music Pt.III
To me, this is the album that best encapsulates what HAIM are about. Women in Music Pt.III is bold and a step out of the trio’s comfort zone into a world of 90’s inspired R&B and bleak electronica that accompanies lyrics which address misogyny and life changing events experienced by the sisters (‘Hallelujah’). WIMPIII i undoubtedly HAIM’s best release yet.
3. Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now
Created in 5 weeks at the start of lockdown, ‘how i’m feeling now is perhaps one of Charli XCX’s most emotional, personal and experimental pieces of work to date. It sees her go unfiltered, exploring her more intimate side providing a closer look at her past relationships and a look into her battle with mental health issues whilst also still providing a dose of classic Charli on tracks like ‘anthems’ and ‘c2.0’ in which she longs for nights with her friends on the dancefloor.
2. Sorry – 925
925 is the debut from London based rockers Sorry and it combines infectious guitar pieces with catchy choruses to create a unique collection of songs that just so happens to be one of the best releases this year. Sorry do not shy away from adding their own personal touch to the tropes of every day pop rock music with the honesty of each track shining through via lead singer Asha’s calm but cool vocals. After such a release, there is no doubt in my mind that Sorry will go far and wide in whatever they do next.
- Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
It’s not often that sophomore albums live up to the same hype that an artist’s debut does but with Phoebe Bridger’s ‘Punisher’ the story is different entirely. A powerful album that encapsulates similar feelings to that of 2017’s ‘Stranger in the Alps’ with an added vulnerability, Bridgers isn’t afraid to combine nostalgia with fresh new feelings that reflect that of the year we’ve just had. Punisher is the perfect album for summarising the highs and lows of the year that was 2020.