Albums of 2020

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1. 1
   Savage Mode II21 Savage & Metro Boomin

   Savage Mode II

   21 Savage & Metro Boomin · 2020 · Hip-Hop

   A polished, atmospheric trap peak. Tight and huge. A commercial high.

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2. 2
   songsAdrianne Lenker

   songs

   Adrianne Lenker · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A hushed, intimate solo folk record of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A standout.

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3. 3
   PositionsAriana Grande

   Positions

   Ariana Grande · 2020 · Pop

   A smooth, R&B-leaning pop record of intimacy. Polished and tuneful. A strong entry.

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4. 4
   Rough and Rowdy WaysBob Dylan

   Rough and Rowdy Ways

   Bob Dylan · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A rich, unhurried late-career triumph, full of wit, mortality and the sprawling 'Murder Most Foul'. Dylan's writing is as sharp as ever. Proof of a master still working at the height of his powers.

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5. 5
   SuddenlyCaribou

   Suddenly

   Caribou · 2020 · Electronic

   A warm, personal dance peak of melodic invention. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.

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6. 6
   How I'm Feeling NowCharli XCX

   How I'm Feeling Now

   Charli XCX · 2020 · Pop

   A restless, hyperpop lockdown record made fast and raw. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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7. 7
   OhmsDeftones

   Ohms

   Deftones · 2020 · Metal

   A heavy, melodic late peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A strong record.

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8. 8
   Future NostalgiaDua Lipa

   Future Nostalgia

   Dua Lipa · 2020 · Pop

   A sleek disco-pop revival packed with hits, glossy and joyful, that defined lockdown-era pop. Polished and fun. A modern dance-pop landmark.

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9. 9
   ShoreFleet Foxes

   Shore

   Fleet Foxes · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A warm, reflective return of layered folk beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A late peak.

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10. 10
    AlfredoFreddie Gibbs

    Alfredo

    Freddie Gibbs · 2020 · Hip-Hop

    A lean, luxurious collaboration with The Alchemist, tough rhymes over cinematic soul. Polished and acclaimed. A modern boom-bap gem.

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11. 11
    DreamlandGlass Animals

    Dreamland

    Glass Animals · 2020 · Alternative & Indie

    A glossy, intimate psych-pop record, home to the slow-burning smash 'Heat Waves'. Smooth and huge. Their breakthrough.

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12. 12
    CirclesMac Miller

    Circles

    Mac Miller · 2020 · Hip-Hop

    A gentle, posthumous companion of warm, melodic reflection. Tender and poignant. A beautiful farewell.

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13. 13
    graeMoses Sumney

    grae

    Moses Sumney · 2020 · Soul & R&B

    An ambitious, genre-spanning art-soul double album. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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14. 14
    SourceNubya Garcia

    Source

    Nubya Garcia · 2020 · Jazz

    A warm, dub-tinged UK-jazz debut. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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15. 15
    PunisherPhoebe Bridgers

    Punisher

    Phoebe Bridgers · 2020 · Alternative & Indie

    A hushed, devastating indie-folk record of wit and dread, building to the cathartic 'I Know the End'. Intimate and acclaimed. A defining album of its moment.

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16. 16
    RTJ4Run the Jewels

    RTJ4

    Run the Jewels · 2020 · Hip-Hop

    A furious, timely peak of political fire and chemistry. Hard-hitting and acclaimed. Their most urgent record.

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17. 17
    Untitled (Black Is)Sault

    Untitled (Black Is)

    Sault · 2020 · Soul & R&B

    A powerful, anonymous protest-soul landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A modern high point.

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18. 18
    The Slow RushTame Impala

    The Slow Rush

    Tame Impala · 2020 · Alternative & Indie

    A glossy synth-pop peak about time and change. Polished and acclaimed. A strong follow-up to Currents.

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19. 19
    FolkloreTaylor Swift

    Folklore

    Taylor Swift · 2020 · Pop

    A hushed, surprise pandemic record that swapped arena pop for indie-folk textures and storytelling, made with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. Reflective and beautifully written, it won her new respect. A quiet high point.

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20. 20
    EvermoreTaylor Swift

    Evermore

    Taylor Swift · 2020 · Pop

    A wintry, folk-leaning companion to Folklore. Reflective and beloved. A quiet peak.

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21. 21
    The New AbnormalThe Strokes

    The New Abnormal

    The Strokes · 2020 · Alternative & Indie

    A polished, melodic comeback. Tuneful and Grammy-winning. A worthy return.

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22. 22
    After HoursThe Weeknd

    After Hours

    The Weeknd · 2020 · Soul & R&B

    A neon, synth-soaked plunge into excess and regret, home to the inescapable 'Blinding Lights'. Cohesive and cinematic. His most complete pop statement.

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23. 23
    It Is What It IsThundercat

    It Is What It Is

    Thundercat · 2020 · Soul & R&B

    A jazzy, melancholic blend of funk, soul and virtuoso bass. Singular and warm. A modern favourite.

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24. 24
    Long Violent HistoryTyler Childers

    Long Violent History

    Tyler Childers · 2020 · Country & Americana

    Eight traditional instrumentals and one devastating original — spare, pointed and quietly radical for mainstream country.

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25. 25
    Saint CloudWaxahatchee

    Saint Cloud

    Waxahatchee · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, clear-eyed Americana record of sobriety and renewal. Direct and beloved. Her finest work.

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