The first few months of 2020 have been unlike any other. A pandemic has ravaged the world, forcing many artists, including Sam Smith and Lady Gaga, to postpone their albums. There is no doubt that what is happening in the world right now will influence the music industry a great deal going forward.
However, the release of music has not slowed to a halt during these crazy times. Scores of albums are being released, with some records showing off spectacular lyrics, melodies and production while others have fallen flat.
I would like to end the spring semester on a high note by ranking my top 10 favorite albums that I’ve reviewed so far in 2020. I’ve covered an impressive range of music genres so far; rock, hip hop, pop, country and fusion music have all shown up in my reviews. For each album on the list, I will give my favorite song on that album and a general opinion.
Honorable mentions
These would be Eminem’s “Music to be Murdered By,” Oh Wonder’s “No One Else Can Wear Your Crown,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “Kelsea,” Halsey’s “Manic” and Green Day’s “Father of All.”
While I did enjoy listening to all those albums, I feel that they are not up to par with the rest of the list. There were also a few instances on the albums listed above where I absolutely hated a song. I’m looking at you, “Stepdad” and “The Alanis Interlude.”
The top ten
10. Thundercat, “It Is What It Is”
Favorite song: “It Is What It Is”
General opinion of the record: A breezy trip through Thundercat’s stellar landscape of a mind, this album packs a lot of soul into 39 minutes.
9. 5 Seconds of Summer, “CALM”
Favorite song: “Wildflower”
General opinion of the record: Showcasing their ever-growing group dynamic, 5 Seconds of Summer puts together a diverse track list of pop tunes to satisfy even their newest fans.
8. The Weeknd, “After Hours”
Favorite song: “Blinding Lights”
General opinion of the record: Utilizing The Weeknd’s signature falsetto, “After Hours” is a hip-hop wonderland full of grooves reminiscent of days long gone.
7. Echosmith, “Lonely Generation”
Favorite song: “Cracked”
General opinion of the record: The band has matured greatly since their 2013 debut, and that maturity is evident in this new set of songs about love and other issues plaguing young millennials.
6. The Strokes, “The New Abnormal”
Favorite song: “At The Door”
General opinion of the record: Though it can be derivative at times, the Strokes manage to craft a really nice collection of songs showcasing Casablancas’ vocals and their re-solidifying group dynamic.
5. Niall Horan, “Heartbreak Weather”
Favorite song: “Cross Your Mind”
General opinion of the record: Horan’s sophomore record, a love story for the digital age, packs wonderful pop instrumentals and melodic vocals to create a cohesive story from front to back.
4. Mac Miller, “Circles”
Favorite song: “Complicated”
General opinion of the record: The late Miller finished off his dual-concept album with an absolute wonder, showcasing his hazy voice and clever production in the process.
3. Grimes, “Miss Anthropocene”
Favorite song: “My Name Is Dark”
General opinion of the record: Though the concept of the album is a bit off-the-wall, that quirkiness pays off for Grimes as her vocals soar throughout the track list.
2. Tame Impala, “The Slow Rush”
Favorite song: “Breathe Deeper”
General opinion of the record: A well-crafted indie music record, “The Slow Rush” takes its time while offering plenty of gems in the process.
1. Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia”
Favorite song: “Love Again”
General opinion of the record: Every song on “Future Nostalgia” comes together to form a well-structured record that may suffer a bit near its final moments, but Lipa’s vocals and the 80s-inspired production help bring the album to new heights.
Final thoughts
So far, it has been an interesting year for music, to say the least. Even with everything that is going on in the world right now, the level of intrigue and wonder that comes from listening to a new album isn’t going to cease anytime soon.
