Albums of 2020
The records from 2020 that made our lists.
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1Savage Mode II21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Savage Mode II
A polished, atmospheric trap peak. Tight and huge. A commercial high.
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2songsAdrianne Lenker
songs
A hushed, intimate solo folk record of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A standout.
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3PositionsAriana Grande
Positions
A smooth, R&B-leaning pop record of intimacy. Polished and tuneful. A strong entry.
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4Rough and Rowdy WaysBob Dylan
Rough and Rowdy Ways
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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5SuddenlyCaribou
Suddenly
A warm, personal dance peak of melodic invention. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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6How I'm Feeling NowCharli XCX
How I'm Feeling Now
A restless, hyperpop lockdown record made fast and raw. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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7OhmsDeftones
Ohms
A heavy, melodic late peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A strong record.
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8Future NostalgiaDua Lipa
Future Nostalgia
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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9ShoreFleet Foxes
Shore
A warm, reflective return of layered folk beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A late peak.
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10AlfredoFreddie Gibbs
Alfredo
A lean, luxurious collaboration with The Alchemist, tough rhymes over cinematic soul. Polished and acclaimed. A modern boom-bap gem.
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11DreamlandGlass Animals
Dreamland
A glossy, intimate psych-pop record, home to the slow-burning smash 'Heat Waves'. Smooth and huge. Their breakthrough.
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12CirclesMac Miller
Circles
A gentle, posthumous companion of warm, melodic reflection. Tender and poignant. A beautiful farewell.
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13graeMoses Sumney
grae
An ambitious, genre-spanning art-soul double album. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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14SourceNubya Garcia
Source
A warm, dub-tinged UK-jazz debut. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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15PunisherPhoebe Bridgers
Punisher
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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16RTJ4Run the Jewels
RTJ4
A furious, timely peak of political fire and chemistry. Hard-hitting and acclaimed. Their most urgent record.
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17Untitled (Black Is)Sault
Untitled (Black Is)
A powerful, anonymous protest-soul landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A modern high point.
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18The Slow RushTame Impala
The Slow Rush
A glossy synth-pop peak about time and change. Polished and acclaimed. A strong follow-up to Currents.
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19FolkloreTaylor Swift
Folklore
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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20EvermoreTaylor Swift
Evermore
A wintry, folk-leaning companion to Folklore. Reflective and beloved. A quiet peak.
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21The New AbnormalThe Strokes
The New Abnormal
A polished, melodic comeback. Tuneful and Grammy-winning. A worthy return.
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22After HoursThe Weeknd
After Hours
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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23It Is What It IsThundercat
It Is What It Is
A jazzy, melancholic blend of funk, soul and virtuoso bass. Singular and warm. A modern favourite.
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24Saint CloudWaxahatchee
Saint Cloud
A warm, clear-eyed Americana record of sobriety and renewal. Direct and beloved. Her finest work.