It’s been a tough year for the music industry: clubs have closed, tours have been canceled. But, like any self-respecting music publication, we traditionally take stock. We’ve chosen our top twenty albums that helped get us through a chaotic period.
2020 proved that incredible, new music will always reach our ears even in the toughest of times. A lot of cool and interesting stuff was recorded during the bursts of creative activity caused by the quarantine. Here are the very releases that made this year one of a kind:
Whitey – Now That’s Why I Killed – Back from the Underground
Rebellion, protest and counterculture. Whitey has recorded the coolest release combining punk fervor, electro-rock riffs and a psychedelic sound from the ’70s. The tracks hides a whole musical era. It’s simply impossible not to dance to this.
Score: 94 out of 100
Sevdaliza – Shabrang – New Shades of Noir R&B
Sevda Alizadeh has recorded a concept album with references to Persian mythology. Never before has R&B been filled with such complex emotions and catharsis. Spiced with a slight noir sadness, it balances on the edge of neo-soul and trip-hop. The vocals here are peerless and the beat is hypnotic.
Score: 92 out of 100
Cut Copy – Freeze, Melt – Uncut Indie
The Australian legislators of indie music have presented a record that sounds outside of genre boundaries. Recognizable vocals, authentic electronics and concerns about climate change are revealed in the tracks. Cut Copy have been active for 20 years and don’t seem to be about to stop.
Score: 90 out of 100
Cerrone – DNA – Quintessence of Space Disco
This is probably one of the best records in the history of the space disco genre. Marc Cerrone recorded it at the age of 67, endowing it with atmospheric synth cascades with an epic sweep. A true space trip through sound and a great piece of music that inspired Daft Punk, Massive Attack and Bob Sinclair.
Score: 90 out of 100
Tricky – Fall to Pieces – The Dark Side of Trip-Hop
One of the founders developing trip-hop has presented a dark album containing traces of personal tragedy. With Marta singing in each track, Fall to Pieces’ unusual jazz and piano arrangements are revealed in the release with a layered sound.
Score: 88 out of 100
Rey&Kjavik & Ravin – Buddha Bar – An Introspective Journey
A challenge to traditional motifs and modern electronics, Buddha Bar sounds with mystical oriental motifs and lingering soundscapes. Collaboration with Ravin helps to translate the most ancient language – music – into sound.
Rating: 87 out of 100
Yuksek – Nosso Ritmo – Alien level disco
This is the coolest disco release where the producer has mixed elements of 70’s music with house and dans aesthetics. The result is a veritable hurricane of styles that took three years to develop. The collaboration with the likes of Breakbot, Fatnotronic and Processman made the release even more attractive.
Score: 87 out of 100
Poolside – Low Season – Disco by the Pool
Another great disco album straight from sunny California. It has melody, recognizable falsetto vocals and slowness throughout. Pitchfork called the record “The Best New Album.” We share that opinion completely.
Score: 85 out of 100
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush – Psychedelia and perfectionism
The fourth release from the Australian indie-psychedelic masters has everything imbued with a multi-faceted sound in the band’s best tradition. The album is hippop, even if it does contain references to surf rock and Dream-pop.
Rating: 85 out of 100
Sacre – Love Revolution.
At first glance, ordinary EDM is transformed into futuristic story tracks. A concept album in which each track is the story of a single character. The musicians were inspired by Greek mythology and the turmoil in their own minds. It turned out cool.
Score: 85 out of 100
Medsound – New Ride – Disco Metamorphosis
This isn’t just a quality copy, it’s a reimagining of 80’s pop culture with its distinctive vibe and atmosphere. A bit of coldwave, stylish synth passages and tracks with soul. Everything we love is in this old-school sound.
Score: 85 out of 100
The Wants – Container – Lockdown Party Soundtrack
A terrific mix from the birthplace of hardcore, Brooklyn. The album is firmly associated with protesting society and the current world situation. Synth pop multiplied by minimal techno and served with a defiant post-punk attitude. Sickening anxiety about the future and a sense of impending fear come with it.
Score: 83 out of 100
Phenomenal Handclap Band – PHB – A Return to ’70s Aesthetics
A teleport record back to the ’70s. A great release from a time of sonic change: acid rock almost receded, disco and punk rock entered the scene. A classy trip into the old-school era. Pure aesthetics and immersion.
Score: 83 out of 100