Top 50 Albums Of 2020 (Part 2: 25-1)
#25. As Long As You Are by Future Islands
Future Islands bring a lot of atmosphere through their use of synths, while embarking on a journey of love where two beings coalesce. Aside from the synths, there’s also the use of a Peter Hook-esque bassline on “Moonlight” that sounds pleasing.
The lyrics have this ‘show, don’t tell’ device that reminds me of when Cate Le Bon made use of it on her Reward album from last year. The lyrical themes include corruption and the education system in “Born In A War” and self esteem in “Waking”. “Hit The Coast” has the line ‘Pressing play on this old tape was a bad move’, this shows that Samuel T Herring is avoiding the trap of wallowing in the past and instead choosing to focus on what’s happening now.
Fave Tracks: “Hit The Coast”; “For Sure”; “Born In A War”
#24. Pure Luxury by NZCA Lines
After the excellent concept and atmosphere of Infinite Summer, NZCA Lines hop onto the retro sound that was big this year, with a slick mix of synthpop, disco and funk. Michael Lovett smashes it whenever he does a falsetto or sings about being in weird situations such as being 'buried alive in waterfalls of pesticide'. "Prisoner Of Love" sounds like something Clean Bandit would make if they stole The Doctor’s TARDIS and took it back to 1997.
Fave Tracks: “Primp & Shine”; “Tonight Is All That Really Matters”; “Pure Luxury”
But we’re not done with the throwbacks just yet...
#23. Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa
If I head to one of the 2030 clubs hosting the Chromatica listening party and they can’t locate the Chromatica files, then I would give them a copy of this as I request an alternative pick.
Dua already offered a lot of good from her eponymous debut, but her move to the dance sounds of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s results in more colour and better grooves. It soundtracked our longing for the days when we can return to the clubs and party our asses off.
Fave Tracks: “Levitating”; “Physical”; “Cool”
#22. KiCK i by Arca
Been wanting to check out an Arca album for a while now, and by doing so, it was rewarding for me. The album showcases a journey of identity, sexuality and acceptance. The production may be glitchy and pulsating upon first listen, but it also has this cinematic feel to it at times, like on the euphoric “Time”. “KLK” takes the style of reggaeton and makes something unique out of it like TNGHT did on “First Body” last year.
Fave Tracks: “La Chiqui”: “No Queda Nada”; “Riquiqui”
#21. Making A Door Less Open by Car Seat Headrest
It’s the typical lo-fi rock from Car Seat Headrest, but with added synths. The lyrical content deals with a young man’s troubled emotions. That man also expresses his raging dissatisfaction with the movie industry at one point in the album.
Fave Tracks: “Deadlines (Thoughtful)”; “There Must Be More Than Blood”; “Hollywood”
#20. K.G. by King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
A DalekTurret32 albums countdown where King Gizzard isn’t in the Top 10? Shocker! The last time this happened was when Nonagon Infinity reached #68 on my 2016 EOY, but that was before I truly became a Gizz fan. Now I think it’s up there in my Top 5 of that year.
Anyway, let’s talk about K.G.!
The album sees King Gizzard bring back the marvellous microtonal elements from the 2017 masterpiece Flying Microtonal Banana. Not just that, but we also get hints of Indian classical music. That’s not too unexpected from psychedelic rocks since many bands of this genre back in the 60’s were influenced by Indian classical music. What was unexpected, however, were the elements of traditional Turkish music throughout this LP, as well as a late 80’s dance style cut in “Intrasport”.
It’s not as spectacular as Infest The Rats Nest, Polygondwanaland or the aforementioned Nonagon infinity, but it still has that Gizzard charm to it.
Fave Tracks: “The Hungry Wolf Of Fate”; “Straws In The Wind”; “Some Of Us”
#19. Man Alive! by King Krule
I loved King Krule’s previous album The Ooz, and while this one isn’t as good, it still contains some of the aspects I liked the most out of that album. It has Krule’s usual spine-chilling style with the gloomy electric guitars and the lyrics dive into his mental state. The album closer “Please Complete Thee” has a cathartic ending that may suggest a more positive feel for the next album to have, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Fave Tracks: “Please Complete Thee”; “Comet Face”; “Alone, Omen 3”
#18. A View Of U by Machinedrum
I complimented the atmosphere of Inner Song, but didn't say it was the most amazing out of the electronic albums of 2020 I've listened to. No! This would have to be it!
Upon listening to this album, I was amazed. It’s the good ass drum and bass, but this time, it’s blended with various genres, such as ambient, hip hop and jazz. A View Of U goes to show that the electronic subgenre is more than just the rickety drum patterns. Freddie Gibbs nails his verse on “Kane Train”. “Idea 36” sounds like the relaxing background music from Minecraft (and as someone who likes Minecraft, I mean that as a compliment).
This may be the drum ‘n’ bass equivalent of Jamie xx’s In Colour, an electronic album that pulls you into its astounding atmosphere through and through.
Fave Tracks: “1000 Miles”: “Sleepy Pietro”; ”Believe In U”
#17. Set My Heart On Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius
What I love most about the art of the studio album is that an album can sound cinematic when it chooses to, resulting in some amazing sounds. For this album, the string arrangements prove to be the driving force as they bring a grand texture to the mix. The beautiful vocals of Mike Hadreas come in as he sings about his struggles with sexuality and dysmorphia, as well as the pains of perfecting his style of music.
Fave Tracks: “On The Floor”; “Nothing At All”; “Your Body Changes Everything”
#16. What's Your Pleasure? by Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware embraces the smooth, seductive side of disco on this album. It’s similar to the album that’s coming up next on the list, but there’s more elements of disco in this one. She also goes for synthpop with a funk touch on “Soul Control” and “Read My Lips”. It’s reminiscent of what Prince, Sheila E and Janet Jackson did with that style of music.
Fave Tracks: “Remember Who You Are”: “Mirage (Don’t Stop)”; “Soul Control”
#15. Roisin Machine by Roisin Murphy
The opener is eight years old and the closer is five, but they don’t sound out of place when placed next to all the other songs. The former Moloko vocalist goes for not just disco, but also the dance music of the 90s. The album feels like a 12-inch edits compilation that manages to keep the dancefloor lit through its runtime.
Fave Tracks: “Something More”; “Kingdom Of Ends”; “Game Changer”
#14. Protean Threat by Oh Sees
So… 2020 was the year I finally checked out a project by Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees or whatever name they choose to go by depending on the album. Three, in fact. I listened to A Weird Exits a few months before listening to Protean Threat, and I would say that I liked Protean Threat a little more. I felt more energy coming out of the instrumentation with the gritty guitars and thumping drums. I also got to hear those space sound effects on “Mizmuth”. That sounded cool!
Fave Tracks: “Persuaders Up!”; “Toadstool”; “Mizmuth”
#13. TO LOVE IS TO LIVE by Jehnny Beth
Jehnny Beth takes the raw energy she showed off while performing with Savages and converts it into an intense listening experience. At times the music sounds industrial, and at other times it sounds orchestral. Jehnny Beth calls out those with corrupt morals relating to religion on “Innocence” and even breaks down toxic masculinity into little pieces on “I’m The Man”.
Before we move on, isn’t it funny how her album has a feature from Joe Talbot, and a few months later, she features on the IDLES album.
Fave Tracks: “How Could You”; “Heroine”; “Human”
#12. Beyond The Pale by JARV IS....
The JARV IS project sees the return of former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker with an eclectic range of instruments to back him up. Strings and guitars come together wonderfully, while a bunch of synth settings come along for the ride too. The lyrics can be weird but in a good way, with occasional references to Frankie Knuckles and the town of Luton.
The way Cocker uses repetition is fantastic, as he does so, along with the backing vocals, to emphasise his feelings. While we’re on that topic, the backing vocals are arranged marvellously, whether they’re doing call and response with Cocker or performing in a choral style.
Fave Tracks: “Must I Evolve?”; “Sometimes I Am Pharaoh”; “Children of the Echo”
#11. After Hours by The Weeknd
Right before the first lockdown happened, I went through The Weeknd’s discography in preparation for this album. It was a fun experience for me, and when I got to listen to the album on its release date, ‘twas rewarding for me.
There is a bigger emotional depth than previous Weeknd albums, as he goes through emotional turmoil following the breakup that occurred in My Dear Melancholy. He even demonizes the glamour of Los Angeles, where the album seems to be situated as evident in “Escape From LA”, though “Blinding Lights” suggests otherwise as it is set in Las Vegas, which he labels as ‘cold and empty’. The production feels more versatile, ranging from trap to UK garage to many different styles of synthpop (including the moody stuff that James Blake is known for and the synthpop that was big in the 80s).
Fave Tracks: “Blinding Lights”; “After Hours”; “Too Late”
Now we've made it to the Top 10, the one bit we're looking forward to the most. Let's get down to it.
#10. The Slow Rush by Tame Impala
Currents was #10 on my 2015 EOY (would be up higher if I remade it), fast forward to this EOY and The Slow Rush is #10. Some things never change!
Each Tame Impala album has a more optimistic feel than its predecessor, and the same can be said for this one, where our protagonist is singing about his issues like with the previous albums, but also encouraging the listener to look at life with a more positive outlook. 'So if they call you, embrace them / If they hold you, erase them', Kevin Parker says on “Lost In Yesterday” where he tells us to limit our doses of the drug that is nostalgia, but also enjoy it while we’re high on them.
Further kudos goes to the album version of Borderline, which manages to eclipse the original recording with better grooves.
Fave Tracks: “Borderline”; “One More Hour”; “Lost In Yesterday”
#9. Disco Volador by The Orielles
Some of the most breathtaking psychedelic sounds to come out this year. A wonderful blend of dreamy guitars, spacey synths and disco grooves. The Orielles are no stranger to this style of music as they did something similar with “Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist)” on their debut. But for this album, they expand upon this style fantastically. If space is a dancefloor, then consider me abducted.
Fave Tracks: “Space Samba (Disco Volador Theme)”; “7th Dynamic Goo”; “The Square Eyed Pack”
#8. Viscerals by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Time for some metal! And not just metal, but a fusion of metal, garage rock and psychedelic rock.
The heavy distorted guitars do a great job at conveying a sense of danger and dystopia, as do the common rubatos being used throughout the album.
It didn’t amaze me as much as King Gizzard’s Infest The Rats Nest from last year did, but it’s still excellently raw and dark, along with some gripping guitar work to boot.
Fave Tracks: “Halloween Bolson”; “New Body”; “World Crust”
#7. Suddenly by Caribou
Looks like After Hours wasn’t my favourite album to come out of an Ontario born artist this year. That would have to be this album from producer Dan Snaith, which is his first under the Caribou name in six years.
The synths sound amazing throughout this album. They help compliment Snaith’s vocal performances, as well as provide an ambient feel. Whether it’s the smooth sounding “Magpie” or the pedal piano on “Sunny’s Time”.
Did I say that A View Of U had the most amazing atmosphere from an electronic album this year? Well, I was more impressed by the wonderfully produced atmosphere of Suddenly. And after checking out the two albums Snaith put out in the 2010’s as Caribou, I can safely say that Suddenly is my fave of his works.
Fave Tracks: “Never Come Back”; “Magpie”; “Ravi”
#6. Working Men's Club by Working Men's Club
I wanted to review this album on the day it came out, but I couldn’t do so without the full lyrics provided. Then December came and I thought I’d give it a listen and I’m glad I did.
Working Men’s Club bring in a mix of 80s dance and synthpop, and even some elements of punk on songs like "Teeth". The album opener “Valleys” contains synths that wouldn’t sound out of place on New Order’s Technique. Funny how I should say that, since both New Order and Working Men’s Club are based in Manchester.
Fave Tracks: “Angel”; “John Cooper Clarke”; “Valleys”
#5. Visions Of Bodies Being Burned by Clipping
Last summer, I finally checked out Clipping’s third studio album There Existed An Addiction To Blood. It’s a bloodstained masterpiece that would have made it to #2 on my Fave Albums Of 2019 list had I listened to it before publishing that list. Visions Of Bodies Being Burned serves as a follow-up to Addiction To Blood, and manages to be just as spine-chilling with its abrasive production, as well as distorted sounds where you least expect them.
Daveed Diggs is just as compelling in his storytelling as he was in Addiction To Blood, with him using horror stories to spread awareness on racism in a similar manner to the Jordan Peele movie Get Out. The way he uses the fast flow on “Something Underneath” is just fantastic. Many hip hop artists use the fast flow to show how impressive they are (and in most cases, it works), but Diggs’ integration of the tool adds to the increasing tension of the track.
Fave Tracks: “Body For The Pile”; “Say The Name”; “Something Underneath”
#4. Be Up A Hello by Squarepusher
I was already wowed by Vortrack from the tail-end of the decade (that song made it onto my list of the Top 50 Songs Of 2019), and when I heard that Squarepusher put out an album in the beginning of 2020, I thought it would be a good idea to check it out to see what he had to offer.
Nearly every second of this album is passionately pulsating, and the sound gets switched up in interesting ways that keep the momentum going and going. The momentum does so in a similar way to Aphex Twin’s brilliant EP Collapse.
Fave Tracks: "Mekrev Bass"; "Speedcrank"; "Vortrack"
#3. A Hero's Death by Fontaines DC
Just when I thought that Dogrel would be the band’s peak moment, Fontaines DC surpassed my expectations with the followup album, with thicker textures in the production and bigger bangers.
The album depicts a mainly nihilistic outlook on the nasty side of the world, but vocalist Grian Chatten encourages us to stray away from that mindset as shown on “No” and the title track “A Hero’s Death”. Chatten also allows himself to go personal as he looks into mental health and the struggles of love, and even stands up for himself on “I Was Not Born”. This LP serves as a reminder to us that ‘life isn’t always empty’.
Fave Tracks: "Living In America"; "I Was Not Born"; "Televised Mind"
#2. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels are a hip hop duo that get better with each passing album. RTJ4 comes with an eclectic range of guest features from Pharrell Williams to Gangsta Boo to Zach De La Rocha to Mavis Staples
Their raw, witty style of music was much needed in 2020. One moment they're cracking jokes in their bars while making references to horror movies, and the next they’re making hard-hitting commentary on the economical and political climate of the USA. What makes that commentary hit harder is that some of the lines addressing these issues were written in 2019. Those were written before the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, before the riots occurred.
I would have put this at number one, except there was one album that topped it. Let's see what did!
Fave Tracks: "walking in the snow"; "goonies vs. E.T."; "pulling the pin"
Neither Fontaines DC nor Run The Jewels made it to the number one spot. Then what did?
Well, it is an album that I have not reviewed on AlbumOfTheYear (I will give it a rating a few days after I publish this list). I listened to it back in November and was so amazed by it. I thought it was too good to even have a separate view. This album, in particular, is...
ONE. Telas by Nicolas Jaar
Has there ever been an album that has exhibited its own view of what music means? Has it made you wonder if the music that’s playing right now is something you’re listening to or hearing (or both at the same time)? Well, for me, Telas is that album.
Nicolas Jaar provides a magnificent collage of sounds in a similar vein to Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (that album is one of my favourite albums of all-time, so this may as well be a huge compliment). Even in the moments where it felt too slow, the album made the most out of its runtime thanks to the virtues it had. It is cinematic, tense and dramatic all around. We get instruments from different styles of music as well as those from all over the world from Gamelan to marimbas to even prepared pianos.
Against All Logic’s 2017-2019 LP was going to be #23 on this list, but I had to demote it to an honourable mention since AAL is just Nicolas Jaar under a different name (sorry if the loophole didn’t work). Sirens from 2016 served as my first exposure to Jaar and I thought it was good enough to make it to the lower third of my 2016 countdown, but 2020 proved to be a big year of music for him. With the releases of three projects (all of which were great), and this one topped my list.
Fave Tracks: "Telahora"; "Telahumo"
And that's it for now!
Next up in the Dalek 2020 End of Year Coundown will be my Top 10 UK Hits Of 2020 (February/March) and a possible Top 50 Songs Of 2020 (April)
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