Ok, 2020 didn’t turn out as planned, that’s the least we can say. But one thing always remains, and that is music. Here’s a list of the best albums of 2020, but also the best EPs and songs that made this year so special.
When 2020 went off script, all those talented artists kept the music industry alive… and the fire inside our hearts at the same time! As the rock band Foals would say, even in the weirdest times, music keeps playing to Wash Off our moments of doubt and loneliness. Lana Del Rey also said When The World Was at War, We Kept Dancing. On those wise words, I already wrote down my favorite albums of 2017 & 2018, so I thought 2020 would be no exception !
So now, what are the best albums of 2020? Without further ado, here’s a complete list of what I consider the 30 best albums, 5 best EPs of upcoming bands and 10 best songs of the year. To follow along, here’s a Spotify playlist with my favorites tracks on each album. So if you don’t know what to do with your life anymore after 2020, here’s 5h35 of pure gold x
Best albums of 2020
30) Dreamland – Glass Animals
Glass Animals always provides the world with perfect music backgrounds for everything that’s happening in their lives. For instance, Heat Waves was my summer hymn when I was wandering in the small streets and canals of Venice on my own.
With tracks such as Helium or It’s So Incredibly Loud, Glass Animals instantly set the scene of an ambitious personal storytelling where psychedelic pop meets trip-hop. It all creates a very cinematic universe, with unusual sounds that remind us of science fiction. Honestly, you don’t want to miss out on this one !
- Genre : Psychedelic Pop, Art Pop, Trip-Hop
- Favorite tracks : Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Heat Waves, Helium, Tangerine
- Release date : 07/08/2020
29) Mama’s Boy – Lany
If you ask me, LANY is the very definition of Dream Pop. This album Mama’s Boy is no surprise compared to what they’ve done in the past. But we can’t go against the fact that the trio is expert at those soaring and soft ballads. LANY mostly write about human relationships and everything that comes with it.
- Genre : Dream Pop, Alternative Indie Pop
- Favorite track : Cowboy in LA
- Release date : 02/10/2020
28) Timeless – Thylacine
Timeless is a bold but successful attempt at saving 2020. Thylacine is the man who aligns his graphic album covers with the graphics sounds of every track. And it feels good! He mixes the indisputable depth of classic sounds with an electronic friendly environment. If I had only had three words to describe his new album Timeless, I would say : mysterious, dark and mesmerizing. Is Dream Electro a thing?
- Genre : Electro, Classic
- Favorite tracks : Allegri, Satie I
- Release date : 02/10/2020
- Bonus Track that is not on the album but you can’t miss : Dad ft. Camille Després
27) Through Water – Låpsley
This 23 year-old singer is not at her debut, the British gal has been in the picture for quite long now. Her atypical tone of voice has earned her praise from various award institutions. With Through Water, she made the beginning of the first global lockdown easier for all of us. And, isn’t it what we were expecting from the best music albums of 2020 ?
- Genre : Pop Art, Soul, Alternative R&B
- Favorite tracks : Womxn
- Release date : 20/03/2020
26) Forever Live Sessions – Men I Trust
Unreal electric guitar solos and soothing voice, here’s the success recipe of Men I Trust. When the instrumental music is this good, you have much less chance to take a step in the wrong direction when it comes to the singing part. But in those Forever Live Sessions, it’s a winning ticket to the charts they took! I look forward to hearing more from this upcoming and exciting dream pop Canadian band.
- Genre : Dream Pop, Indie Pop
- Favorite tracks : All Night (Garage Session), Northon Commander (Live Session)
- Release date : 10/07/2020
25) Sawayama (Self-titled)
Sawayama is the debut album of the half Japanese and British singer Rina Sawayama. Not an easy year to start a music career, but she delivered various and experimental tracks that made their way into the charts. From XS to Come des Garçons, Rina gives us 2000 vibes with more modern production! Definitely a singer songwriter you want to write the name down before she conquers the world.
- Genre : Pop, R&B, Rock
- Favorite tracks : XS, Bad Friend, STFU!
- Release date : 17/04/2020
24) Spontaneous Order – Fatima Yamaha
Here’s a refreshing electro album served on a silver platter, by the What’s a Girl to Do producer himself. This Amsterdam native, known under the name of Fatima Yamaha or Bas Bron. Spontaneous Order was five year in the making, and it meets all the expectations ! Those perfect synth keyboards at the Daft Punk style, discreet funk beats and Japanese video game music inspo make this album really special.
- Genre : Electro
- Favorite tracks : Unwashed, Drops in the Ocean
- Release date : 13/11/2020
23) Cannot Be, Whatsoever – Novo Amor
I Feel Better, one of the album’s singles, has been my hymn for the last few weeks. Name any musical skill, this man has them all ! This Welsh artist knows how to play several instruments, but is also a singer, songwriter, sound designer and producer. Whoop, gotta practice my own skills… In Cannot Be, Whatsoever, Nova Amor gifted his audience with intimate and romantic ballads, but also nice lyrical musings.
- Genre : Indie Rock, Folk
- Favorite tracks : I Feel Better, No Plans
- Release date : 06/11/2020
22) Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
This 43 minute-long record from the queen of Pop is an attempt to make room for disco music in 2020. I think it’s safe to say that her convincing voice and genius lyrics makes us all think she succeeded at what she came here for. What’s really funny is that, when Dua dropped her album in late March, she had no idea about the Future Nostalgia we were all about to experience ! But one thing is for sure : as soon as the world gets back to normal, we’ll crazy dance on this album.
- Genre : Disco, Pop
- Favorite tracks : Boys Will Be Boys, Don’t Start Now, Break My Heart
- Release date : 27/03/2020
- Bonus astonishing track that is not on the album : Fever ft. Angèle
21) Hyper – Hervé
If you’re French, you must have heard his lead single Si bien du mal on TV. If you’re not, you may want to hear more about this mysterious singer. Hervé responds positively to the question “Can we express our anger by whispering?”. Quite unusual, right ? Is it still still impactful though ? Definitely, you can see it by yourself by listening to his debut album Hyper.
- Genre : French Variety
- Favorite tracks : Si Bien du Mal, Le Premier Jour du Reste de Ma Nuit
- Release date : 19/06/2020
20) Ungodly Hour – Chloe x Halle
The strong duo of American sisters Chloe x Halle did a powerful move here with this now worldly-known album Ungodly Hour. Their natural chemistry and understanding of each other’s needs and lives made this album what it is. Queen B’s protégées combined smoothness and catchy rhymes with a certain class and wisdom, as if it was not only their second album.
- Genre : R&B
- Favorite tracks : Ungodly Hour, Do It
- Release date : 12/06/2020
19) Plastic Hearts – Miley Cyrus
The rebellious lady with the insanely recognizable voice came back with a brand new album in late November. It’s as simple as that : this record is BOP after BOP ! Her strong powerful voice makes every song her very own and the duets she did with Dua Lipa and Billy Idol absolutely slay.
- Genre : Country Pop
- Favorite tracks : Prisoner (ft. Dua Lipa), Midnight Sky
- Release date : 27/11/2020
18) Zeros – Declan McKenna
You know what this album is ? A rough diamond in the middle of a field. Declan McKenna deserves much more recognition, and he proved it once again with his new record Zeros, three years after his debut album What Do You Think About The Car?. This year, the British singer carefully chose lyrics that speak to people on a much higher level. The first track is You Better Believe!!!, nothing could be more accurate right ? Let’s say, this album continues the tradition of political protests through rock music.
- Genre : Indie Rock
- Favorite tracks : Be An Astronaut, You Better Believe!!!, Beautiful Faces
- Release date : 04/09/2020
17) Seeking Trills – Georgia
Looking for some energetic electropop? Georgia says hi! She dropped her new album Seeking Thrills with ambition and confidence on the 10th day of the year, placing herself as one of best albums of the year 2020. The second song About Work The Dancefloor describes perfectly where she wants the album to be played at : the clubs. Even though it was not the most proficient year for the live scene, her work still gave loads of tracks to dance on during everybody’s lockdowns !
- Genre : Electropop, Pop Rap, Synth Pop
- Favorite tracks : Till I Own It, Feel It
- Release date : 10/01/2020
16) High Expectations…Stripped – Mabel
Ok, that’s a bit of cheating because the studio version of this album came out in 2019. But not the stripped version, nah! Mabel is the 200th most played artist in the world on Spotify, which is quite an accomplishment for this British singer. She always delivers perfect dance music and did not disappoint on this one. It’s a shame we had to stop her tour this year. The world owes her one for one of the best albums of 2020 and 2019!
- Genre : Pop, R&B
- Favorite tracks : Don’t Call Me Up – Stripped
- Release date : 31/07/2020
15) Circles – Mac Miller
His previous album was already in my Top 15 albums of 2018, so his final album, which serves as a posthumous one, couldn’t figure anywhere else than on this best albums of 2020 list. With Circles, we rediscover a Mac Miller perturbed but a little more hopeful and peaceful than on Swimming. In the new album, whose production was finished after his death, he mixes rap and poetry. He talks freely about his depression and addiction issues and shows us a disconcerting emotional sweetness. A good closing for an artist who marked the decade.
- Genre : Rap, Pop, Soul
- Favorite tracks : Blue World, Surf
- Release date : 17/01/2020
14) Lianne La Havas (Self-titled)
I’ve been loving Lianne La Havas for so long, I’m so glad she finally delivered an album that perfectly showcases her talent ! Influenced by the likes of Nina Simone or Jill Scott, she flawlessly masters the soul variations of her voice. With her guitar skills and husky voice, she tells the story of a break up from a more appeased point of view. One of the best albums of 2020 UK, you won’t be disappointed.
- Genre : Soul
- Favorite tracks : Paper Thin, Bittersweet – Radio Edit
- Release date : 17/07/2020
13) Rookery – Giant Rooks
Their single Wild Stare may have thrown them on every radio station, but it shouldn’t be the only song you know of Giant Rooks. Created in 2015, this german band has not stopped accomplishing great things ever since. They won awards and have established themselves as an exciting indie rock band to follow closely. They also sold out venues and built a constantly growing 1,5 million audience on Spotify.
On their album Rookery, you can feel that they love to experiment and are most of the time right. It allows them to show off their versatility and ability to spin from one genre to another. It’s among the best albums of August 2020 and Giant Rooks aim to become one of the most electrifying indie rock bands in the upcoming years.
- Genres : Indie Rock
- Favorite tracks : Heat Up, Wild Stare
- Bonus astonishing track that is not on the album : Bright Lies
- Release date : 28/08/2020
12) Folklore – Taylor Swift
All I’ve heard people talk about this year, apart from the pandemic obviously, is Taylor Swift’s eighth album Folklore. And I guess you have too. Well, it’s no surprise as Taylor has been in the picture for so long and has a very dedicated fanbase.
People love songs that they can associate with certain moods and memories. For me, I reckon the first time I heard a Taylor Swift’s song was in a friend’s bedroom. She had recorded the music video of one of her greatest hits at the time on her camera so we could rewatch it in her room!
With Folklore, Swift not only gave fans the most perfect Autumn vibes album, but also something to rely on during uncertain times. She recorded this very unexpected album during quarantine and dropped it with absolutely no warning or advertisement before. Nevertheless, this more authentic and raw album produced by Jack Antonoff, who also worked with Lorde on her new album Solar Power, has met incredible success.
- Genres : Alternative Pop, Indie Pop
- Favorite tracks : Exile ft. Bon Iver, This is me trying
- Release date : 24/07/2020
11) Soul on Fire – The Last Internationale
I discovered The Last Internationale on the oldest and biggest music french show, Taratata by the french animator Nagui. The duo is composed of the vocalist Delila Paz and the guitarist Edgey Pires. They express their political and environmental convictions through incredibly powerful rock music. We definitely need more of those. And by “those” I mean, engaged rock bands with female lead singers. Because yeah, rock’n’roll is not dead 🤘
- Genre : Alternative Rock, Garage Rock
- Favorite tracks : Hard Times, Soul on Fire
- Release date : 21/02/2020
10) How I’m Feeling – Lauv
Lauv delivered a 21 song-long album about how he is feeling two weeks before the pandemic. That is some incredible timing right! And to add to the coincidence, the first title is called Drugs & The Internet and the second one is fuck, i’m lonely (ft. Anne-Marie)… Right before the whole world started social distancing and living on the internet. So, visionary or lucky winner? In all cases, this is among the the most suitable albums of 2020 and exactly what the world needed. Thank you, sir Lauv!
- Genre : Dance, Electro
- Favorite tracks : Drugs & The Internet, Lonely Eyes, I’m So Tired, Mean It
- Release date : 06/03/2020
9) Manic – Halsey
Oh, Halsey, our dear Halsey. She’s back in the charts, stronger and more inspired than ever ! With Manic, she proved one and for all that women don’t need anyone to make it in the music industry. While you obviously can’t take her song title killing boys seriously, all this album is so interestingly produced. She explains how hard it is for women to express their femininity and strength in a man’s world.
Halsey also speaks out about her own mental health issues and the fact that society should take mental illness more seriously. As a bipolar, bisexual and biracial strong woman with a platform, she takes her role very seriously and we can’t thank her enough.
- Genre : Pop, Electro Pop, Synth Pop, R&B
- Favorite tracks : 3am, Finally // beautiful stranger, Alanis’ Interlude (ft. Alanis Morissette)
- Release date : 17/01/2020
8) Demos (Do Not Share), Vol. I & II – Ren
This Brighton busker always has the most insane stories to tell. Hardened by his life experiences and sickness, he does not leave his emotions aside nonetheless. And that’s what makes all his songs gold and award-deserving material.
You may think the more you like an album, the easier it is to describe it. But it’s the exact opposite. There’s no other way to describe Ren Makes Music than saying that Ren IS music, and music is Ren. So I’ll leave you with this record in two volumes and just hope that you will be overwhelmed by his songwriting and theatrical voice too!
- Genre : Alternative, Slam
- Favorite tracks : Money Game, Pt. 2, Insomnia – Bonus Track
- Release date : 15/10/2020
7) The Slow Rush – Tame Impala
All I can say is, thank you Tame Impala for this Valentine’s day gift album. It’s by far the number one in the best albums of February 2020. All I want to do with listening to The Slow Rush is dance surrounded by all my mates. This will have to wait a bit, but we can still enjoy the beautiful softness with this rich production.
Indeed, Kevin Parker perfectly knows how to balance energetic and smooth sounds! And it shows on the album cover itself. It’s a picture of a place abandoned by humans and reclaimed by the elements of nature. The tones and colors are warm and stunning.
- Genre : Psychedelic Rock, Electro
- Favorite tracks : Breathe Deeper, Bordeline
- Release date : 14/02/2020
6) Mesdames – Grand Corps Malade
The absolute king of french slam hit again ! I swear I’m biased when I say every song Grand Corps Malade has ever created is worth a listen. On Mesdames, he pays a tribute to women in general and to the women in his life. In the first track, he is saying sorry to all women on behalf of most men, with committed and deep lyrics about male chauvinism. After this track, all songs are featuring with french women singers like Camille Lellouche, Suzane and Julie Berthollet.
Even if you don’t speak french, I still recommend listening to him. You’ll still feel how genius and inspiring the lyrics are, because of the intention Grand Corps Malade put in each word he pronounces.
- Genre : Slam, Poet
- Favorite tracks : Pendant 24h, Mais Je t’aime, Chemins de traverse
- Release date : 11/09/2020
5) Notes On a Conditional Form – The 1975
If you know me, you know that The 1975 are usually at the top of every ranking I do. This year, they earned a 5th position for this experimental melting pot of alternative tracks. It may sound a bit messy when listening to songs like People. But it perfectly captures what they are denouncing : environmental issues, phones becoming a part of the human body, technology interfering more and more in our lives and a world upside down with a global pandemic. Overall, the 1975 likes challenges, and even though it really is at the opposite of what they’re usually creating, it’s still a success.
- Genre : Dream Pop, Indie Rock
- Favorite tracks : Frail State of Mind, Having No Head, If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)
- Release date : 22/05/2020
4) After Hours – The Weeknd
I can’t even begin to express how game changing this album is. Abel Tesfaye, the man behind The Weeknd, has been evolving in the music industry for quite a long time. He sure knows how to put any of his records in the top charts and be part of the best new albums of the year.
After Hours definitely has its place on the podium of the best albums of March 2020. The Key of his success? His futuristic and quirky universe, explicit lyrics and a vibe that no one else can imitate. This year, he delivered his most complete album so far. With After Hours, the Starboy singer did not put aside his tortured side that we all know of him. I mean, the album covered still is his face covered with blood!
Instead, he developed it into a more structured artistic sense, with interesting sound production and lyrics that are all consistent with each other. The Weeknd describes his new album as night time music, where he leaves his inspiration to his demons, regrets, love stories and places of depravity.
- Genres : Dream Pop, R&B, New Wave
- Favourite tracks : In Your Eyes, Blinding Lights, Hardest to Love, Scared to Live
- Release date : 20/03/2020
3) Ruthless – JJ Wilde
The next album on the list is in the top 3 of the best rock albums of 2020 ! JJ Wilde does us an incredible good with an uninhibited debut full-length album. In fact, this exceptional female rocker doesn’t fear the opposition of her peers, she actually feeds her creativity with it. The name of the album is Ruthless after all.
Dealing between good and bad relationships, she also worked several jobs at a time until charting the road to her success. And you can feel this aggressive passion and hard working side of her in her release. Definitely a piece of art in rock history.
- Genre : Rock
- Favorite tracks : The Rush, Home, Cold Shoulder
- Release date : 12/06/2020
2) Second Body – Two People
The Aussie band Two People is my absolute 2020 musical crush. Their music is unlike any other. There are incredible sound variations, a perfect mastering of the production, and a soaring voice that seems far away. It’s no surprise their music is so good, as their musical influences speak for themselves : Portishead, Thom Yorke, Darkside…
When listening to their new record Second Body, you’ll feel like it’s coming for you. You experience the music right in your heart and you don’t know whether you should sit and listen to it very carefully or leave your body to a hovering dance. I can’t really recommend one song over another because each one of them has something different to offer.
If you wish to learn more about the band and its history, subscribe to the newsletter as I will soon publish an article exclusively about them.
- Genre : Dream Pop, Electro, Rock
- Favorite tracks : Dream Steppin’, A Taste, Loud
- Release date : 28/08/2020
1) S16 – Woodkid
Whether you realize it or not, you have already heard Woodkid with its famous radio favorite “Run Boy Run” before. If you don’t exactly recall, I suggest listening to this track first as it’s very representative of Woodkid’s work : cinematic, big, rare.
HIs long-awaited second album, S16, features songs about personal mind troublemakers such as anxiety and doubts, but also passions and social issues that need to be shed light on. For instance, his first single “Goliath” is about people who work in the mines and meet a giant mineral monster.
Known for his way of turning every song or topic into something musically and visually cinematic, Woodkid’s new album continues in the same vein. If you ask me, S16 didn’t steal his spot in the top 3 of the best albums of 2020 so far.
- Genre : Pop, Baroque Pop, Alternative Rock
- Favorite tracks : In Your Likeness, Pale Yellow, Highway 27
- Release date : 16/10/2020
Best EPs of 2020
The S(ex) Tapes – Fletcher
Fletcher delivers songs when she feels like it. This time she got us right in the heart with The S(ex) Tapes. The stories behind this EP are not like any other… The New Jersey singer wrote it during the pandemic, about her four year relationship with the photographer and youtuber Shannon Beveridge. To shoot the music video of the songs, the duo even quarantined together. Your average break up, right ?
The final product is remarkable and genius though. See by yourself : when you listen to the Shh…Don’t Say It, it’s safe to say some very good things came out of those quarantines !
- Genre : Synth Pop
- Favorite tracks : Shh…Don’t Say It, Bitter, If I Hated You
- Release date : 09/09/2020
Aftermath – Victor Solf
Victor Solf is the co-founder of the band Her, who was in all my previous best albums articles of the last years. He’s now creating a new pace on his own but with still as much grace, strength and soul genius. With Aftermath, he’s giving us the absolute best first taste of what this man is capable of doing. If you ask me, he’s heading for big things in the upcoming years.
- Genre : Soul
- Favorite tracks : Traffic Lights, Stone House
- Release date : 31/01/2020
New Life – J. Vague
Wanna dance along a soothing yet very intriguing record ? The Berliner J. Vague is here to serve some really groovy music and to stay around ! With an EP of this quality, he is promised to evolve quickly and start a New Life.
- Genre : Dance Pop
- Favorite tracks : New Life, Sunbeams
- Release date : 21/08/2020
Make It – Isaac Delusion
It’s by far my most played EP since the day it came out ! Isaac Delusion has always been in the corner of electronic and pop music. This time, the band takes us to a new dimension of bewitching and placid sounds. The singer’s voice makes the difference by keeping a relaxed and minimal tone.
- Genre : Electro, Pop
- Favorite tracks : Friends, Make it, Be True
- Release date : 23/10/2020
Real Growth Takes Time – Sody
I can’t believe I only discovered Sody‘s work a few days ago. This pop rising star from England has seen her audience grow significantly in the last few months, due to her amazing songwriting and her perfectly mastered voices variations between softness and strength. Her duet with Cavetown Is Your Bedroom Ceiling Bored? tells the story of overthinkers whose night amplifies their thoughts. It’s a very common problem on which Sody had the courage to speak out. On Real Growth Takes Time, the British artist evokes raw emotions of heartbreaks, artistic and personal growth.
- Genre : Pop
- Favorite tracks : Butterfly
- Release date : 11/12/2020
Best Songs of 2020 : an eclectic Top 10
It’s not because they’re not on an album that they didn’t change the music game in 2020 ! They all are on Spotify and on my Best Music of 2020 Playlist. Here’s an exhaustive list of the songs that made 2020 much easier, in no particular order :
- When It Breaks – Inhaler
- Sage Green Eyes – Draumr
- Is Your Bedroom Ceiling Bored ? – Sody ft. Cavetown
- Winter Song – Sam Fender
- Afterglow – Ed Sheeran
- Scream Drive Faster – Laurel
- You’re All I Want – Cigarettes After Sex
- Doubts – Moïra Lilly
- Spooky Bois – Faux Real
- Rue – Girl in Red
- Homeboy – Oly Sherman
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best albums and songs of 2020 as much as I liked writing it. Tell me if you discovered any favorite of yours and what were your favorite albums of the year! And if you’re seeing this article late, I started a review of the best 2021 new music of each month.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all those artists who put new music out even though they knew they couldn’t tour. We can also say a huge thank you to all those working in the music industry for trying their hardest to keep it alive. On a final note, Anna of the North and Declan McKenna named their songs after what should be 2021’s motto : believe 😉
