my favorites of 2020
based on personal enjoyment and not necessarily objective quality, i like what i like you know how it is |
| 30 |  | Yung Lean
Starz
if i was making a guilty pleasures of the year list, this would easily be number one. part of me doesn’t want to like it but it’s really really good when i’m in the right mindset for it to do its thing. |
| 29 |  | Bryan Cranston Crayon Box
Super Wumbo Attack Game
not eric’s usual lane, but he pulled off a really solid fake video game chiptune soundtrack. “level two” is what really puts it over the edge. |
| 28 |  | Gupi
None
“thos moser” alone means this album has to be on this list. the rest is solid too. experimental electronic with significant hyperpop flavor. |
| 27 |  | Chloe x Halle
Ungodly Hour
solid pop r&b. not much to it beyond that, but that’s enough for it to be great. |
| 26 |  | Mohawk Johnson
Fire-Type
i’ve never played pokémon, but mohawk genuinely engaged me with an album about it. clearly very personal to him, ends up being entertaining but, with the spoken tracks, moving as well. #FREEMOHAWK |
| 25 | | Brockhampton
Technical Difficulties
technically not a real project, but the series of singles they shoved out there this year were solid. |
| 24 |  | Thundercat
It Is What It Is
i wasn’t in a groovy mood most of this year, if i was this would be much higher. |
| 23 |  | Aaron Cartier
Aaron Cartier Best Dog
ridiculous in the best way. not polished, feels genuine. “everyday” is so fun. |
| 22 |  | Spillage Village
Spilligion
love the feel of this album so much. “baptize” slaps. |
| 21 |  | Aesop Rock
Spirit World Field Guide
“the gates” is one of my favorite songs of the year. such a smart, well-crafted album. |
| 20 |  | Run the Jewels
RTJ4
don’t know why this one didn’t grab me like their first three. maybe it was the album cover? not sure. still great though. |
| 19 |  | 100 Gecs
1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues
why was “toothless” left off the original album?? it’s so good. remixes are mostly hits, especially the star-studded “ringtone” one. |
| 18 |  | Rico Nasty
Nightmare Vacation
“candy” is how you open a goddamn album. variety of styles, all with rico’s trademark edge. except maybe “own it”, but that one still bops. |
| 17 |  | Chika
Industry Games
doubt she’ll win the best new artist grammy but i’m pulling for her. title track goes tf off. |
| 16 |  | Poppy
I Disagree
such an angry but fun album. knows how ridiculous it is at points but goes for it anyway and shines. |
| 15 |  | Mac Miller
Circles
wasn’t into his stuff before this one. now i’m devastated by the loss of so much potential. “good news” crushes my soul every time. |
| 14 |  | Kota The Friend
EVERYTHING
just a nice summery jam. you could consider it safe, but sometimes kinda background-type music can be great. |
| 13 |  | food house
food house
“thos moser” had to lead to something more, and i’m glad it did. so many bangers. love these two. |
| 12 |  | William Crooks
flowers
love the aggression mixed with well-crafted but clearly small budget production. distortion is so fun. |
| 11 |  | Gorillaz
Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez
how’d they put chai and jpegmafia on the same track and make it work? great production throughout. |
| 10 |  | Dua Saleh
Rosetta
this had me hooked for a good while. “cat scratch” was on loop for a couple weeks. |
| 9 |  | glaive
cypress grove
15 years old. absolutely insane. love the pretty much constant harmonies. wish he put “clover” and “arsenic” on it too but what can you do. |
| 8 |  | Amine
Limbo
he’s finding his lane and starting to thrive. can’t wait for what comes next. |
| 7 |  | Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats
Unlocked
denzel can really do no wrong. soundscapes and flows are different from his and kenny’s normals and they more than pull it off. |
| 6 |  | Ericdoa
COA
didn’t like all of the songs at first but god did they grow on me. dude knows how to craft earworms. |
| 5 |  | Charli XCX
How I'm Feeling Now
perfect soundtrack for struggling to find joy while in quarantine. |
| 4 |  | 1 800 PAIN
BEST HOUSE ON A BAD BLOCK
most insane album of this year. makes me wanna burn shit tbh. perfect catharsis music. |
| 3 |  | William Crooks
THUNDERBIRD
he shows up again. two great albums so close to one another. the angst on this is immaculate. 2020 was a hell year and this was more catharsis. |
| 2 |  | Tkay Maidza
Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2
there’s no real through-line to this album, but it doesn’t need it. it’s banger after banger. no skips. |
| 1 |  | brakence
punk2
future of pop. at least i hope so. distortion on the 808s and vocals and pretty much everything is so so good. again, no skips. all hits. |
|
