Top 25 Albums Of 2020
2020 was obviously a weird one, but I don’t think I really noticed much of a drop-off in regards to new music or how I consumed it. Now, I certainly experienced just about nothing in a live setting, which is pretty different (and likely caused me to miss out on a few things), but overall there were still plenty of quality albums to bump in my headphones. Below you’ll find my favorites. Enjoy.
25) Sufjan Stevens – Ascension
Admittedly, the latest from Sufjan Stevens is kind of exhausting (at an hour and twenty minutes long), but I also think it’s an enthralling listen.
24) Hum – Inlet
Hum came out of nowhere with this album, their first since 1998. They’ve still got it!
23) Alex Maas – Luca
The solo debut from Alex Maas (of The Black Angels) has a real early-weekend-morning vibe to it that I just love.
22) Run The Jewels – RTJ4
A nice return to form for Run The Jewels. Their last LP was so very flat.
21) Deftones – Ohms
Deftones still sound dynamic, which is pretty wild.
20) Spice – Self Titled
Ross Farrar and Jake Casarotti (both of Ceremony) are behind Spice, and I found their debut to be an indie rock winner.
19) The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers
A really compelling set of tracks from The Beths.
18) Helena Deland – Someone New
Helena Deland has a fantastic voice and this is such a well-layered album.
17) Holy Wave – Interloper
Austin’s own Holy Wave with their best release yet. Recommended if you dig Tame Impala.
16) Car Seat Headrest – Making A Door Less Open
Car Seat Headrests’ brainy indie rock always appeals to me.
15) Nana Adjoa – Big Dreaming Ants
Some of the best songwriting that I came across in 2020 is on Nana Adjoa’s debut album.
14) Sorry – 925
Everything about Sorry’s debut feels too cool for school, and I’m all about it.
13) Soft Palms – Self Titled
There’s nothing but dreamy psych pop gems on the debut LP from Soft Palms (The Coathangers’ Julia Kugel + her husband Scott Montoya).
12) I’m Glad It’s You – Every Sun, Every Moon
Thanks to I’m Glad It’s You for keeping my love for emo alive in 2020.
11) Bully – SUGAREGG
Alicia Bognanno really took Bully to a whole other level on this album. Inspired stuff!
10) Xetas – The Cypher
My favorite album out of Austin in 2020. Xetas delivered a fierce, poignant effort here.
09) Protomartyr – Ultimate Success Today
I remain in love with Protomartyr. Post-punk kings.
08) Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
Phoebe Bridgers is such a candid songwriter. Things really came together for her here.
07) Muzz – Self Titled
Muzz’s debut is wonderfully produced and Paul Banks’ voice sounds stellar on it. I hope they do a follow-up.
06) Matt Berninger – Serpentine Prison
There’s a semi-whimsical touch to Matt Berninger’s solo debut that does well to help it stand apart from what he usually does with The National.
05) Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – Temple
By my count, Thao is now 5/5 on full lengths. What a songwriter.
04) Gum Country – Somewhere
Every track on this debut from Gum Country (The Courtneys’ Courtney Garvin + multi-instrumentalist Connor Mayer) is pure lo-fi pop goodness.
03) No Age – Goons Be Gone
A rad set of noise pop tunes from No Age. This album has never failed to put me in a good mood.
02) Taylor Swift – Folklore
Taylor Swift turned down all of the dials here, and it resulted in her best album yet. I’ve listened to this just about everyday since its release.
01) Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters
I sometimes still catch myself marveling at just how great this album is. Fiona Apple has never sounded sharper.
I like Taylor Swift at #2. I think you overlooked Waxahatchee which should have been Top 10, not omitted entirely.
I suspect only critics like Fiona Apple. It found it to be unlistenable. There is not a single track I would ever put on a playlist to listen to while dining, entertaining, or cycling. I truly think this is a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes and critics are afraid to review it for the pretentious amusical release it is.
Thanks for the heads up on Gum Country.
I enjoy Waxahatchee and tried to get into the new album, but it just never clicked for me. I think I’m too attached to 2017’s OUT IN THE STORM.
I’ve been a Fiona fan since I was a teen, but I get any push back on her. She doesn’t release music all that often, so it’s always a “thing” when she does, which can get tiring if you aren’t into her.
Yeah, I get it. If you loved Out in the Storm (and who doesn’t think “Silver” is super fantastic), Katie going all Lucinda Williams is a tough transition to make. As a former Lucinda fan before her range dropped to one octave only, Saint Cloud resonated with me. It was easily my most second listened to album behind Folklore.
I was 34 when “Criminal” was released. It did not connect with me and I was disinterested in what a then 17 year old had to say. Fiona might have interesting points now, but they are wrapped in the musical equivalent of a Faraday box.