The 25 Best Albums of 2020
2020 has been an incredibly tough year. While it put a halt on many aspects of everyday life that brought balance and joy, at least one thing remained and that’s been music. I gave thanks to the artists who used this time to create despite how difficult it may have been.
Typically, I see music as a soundtrack for different periods in my life. With every year or memory, I can almost always hear a song or two playing in the background. The Summer of 2016, I immediately think of Blonde and Biking (Tyler the Creator ft. Frank), while memories of drives around downtown Houston and laughs with college friends flood my mind. When I think of last year, I think of my first full time job and how I grew a close relationship with Playboi Carti and Young Thug, as I needed music with a lot of bass to keep me awake in the mornings and the tired afternoons in traffic driving home from work.
This year, I’ve honestly spent a lot of time in silence. There’s been so much time spent in my room, where I’ve felt overstimulated and under-stimulated by life at the same time. I learned to turn things off. All this to say, picking the top 25 of this year has been a challenge as there’s not as many experiences to solidify music in my life. Despite this, there were still quite a few artists that stuck out to me and made this year worth while.
25.
High Tide | Leven Kali
R&B/ Soul
High Tide is an effortless ode to love. What I admire about Leven Kali is the way he can make any sound distinctly his own. In High Tide, he flows from old school r&b to a modern-day groove. Leven Kali and Syd are also a match made in heaven. I have yet to hear a song by them that I didn’t love.
Best Song: “Made 4 U” feat. Syd
24.
It Is What It Is | Thundercat
Electronic / Soul
Similar to the title of the album, my enjoyment of this album just is. There’s nothing in particular I have to say, just that it’s very uniquely Thundercat. He provides a sound like no other that is captivating, groovy, soulful, and just draws his fans in time and time again.
Best Songs: “Funny Thing” and “Overseas”
23.
Dylan Sinclair | Proverb
R&B/ Soul
When initially introduced to Sinclair, an artist that immediately came to mind was Daniel Caesar. On the first impression, you can hear the gospel-like influences in Sinclair’s music, akin to Daniel Caesar. As well, he is also a Canadian R&B singer who grew up with a church background. Despite these similarities, I have to say Sinclair is making a lane of his own. This soulful 19-year-old blew me away with the depth and maturity of his music at such a young age.
Best Song: “Get Away”
22.
Nothing Much Has Changed, I Don’t Feel The Same | Daniela Andrade
Alternative/ Indie
Andrade stole my heart with Tamale, and she’s making sure she keeps it with this record. It’s short but sweet and perfect to me. You have to listen to the whole thing. It’s only 12 minutes with songs ranging from 1-2 minutes. Find the time to listen, it’s worth it.
Best Song: “Puddles”
21.
if You Feel | Xavier Omär
R&B/ Soul
Xavier Omär. KING of providing consistent, good music. Last year was Moments Spent Loving You, a few years ago it was Hours Spent Loving You under Omar’s former alias SPZRKT and this year it’s if You Feel. Songs like “So Much More” and “Like I Feel (feat. Mereba)” feel like falling in love.
Best songs: “All Our Time (feat. Jae Stephens)”, “Like I Feel (feat. Mereba)”, and “Surf (feat. Masego)”
20.
Apolonio | Omar Apollo
R&B/ Soul
My boy Omar can sang. Every time I listen to Omar Apollo, I’m in awe of how talented he is. Between the vocals, production, and guitar, man has it all. What I love about Apolonio is that every song sounds different than the last. It’s a clear exploration of Apollo’s sound and a testament to his creative freedom. It took me a while to get around to this album, but I was so happy that I did. I really like it. He sings with so much soul while still maintaining this youthful and unique sound. While we’re here, enjoy this video of Omar and Kenny Beat’s in the Cave.
Best Songs: “Want U Around (feat. Ruel)”, “Kamikaze”, “Bi Fren”, and “Stayback”
19.
To Myself (Deluxe) | Baby Rose
R&B/ Soul
A word to describe Baby Rose is special. Special. You hear her voice and you’re immediately lured in. She’s been compared to the likes of Nina Simone- who’s voice also reached a very deep register. There’s something so soulful and kinda haunting about her music. Her debut album To Myself was released in 2019, but in September 2020 we were blessed with a deluxe version featuring 3 new songs. You can check out her Tiny Desk here.
Best Songs: “Marmot”, “Borderline” and “All To Myself”
18.
Couldn’t Wait To Tell You | Liv.e
R&B/ Soul
Introduced to Liv.e by a friend, the first song I heard of hers was “You the One Fish in the Sea”. I loved how soulful her music sounded, how it felt disjointed but also complete. Every song starts and ends where it likes. I immediately thought of Erkyah Badu, but thought maybe I was reaching. Turns out, Liv.e is one of Badu’s prodigies. She’s a Dallas native, went to the same fine arts school as Badu, and has since been taken under her wing. Liv.e glides on the beat, so jazzy, so free. I can’t wait to hear more from her.
Best Songs: “She’s My Brand New Crush” and “You the One Fish in the Sea”
17.
Wunna (Deluxe) | Gunna
Hip-Hop/ Rap
A lot of my friends are tired of Gunna, but oops I literally can not say the same (even after this man dropped a deluxe album). This album gets me through long car rides, workouts, pre-test rituals- just what I NEED. I love this album for me. I have ran the songs with Young Thug into the ground, so those are my suggestions- listen to “One Watch” and “Dollaz On My Head”.
Best Songs: “Sun Came Out” and “Nasty Girl/ On Camera”
16.
Mordechai | Khruangbin
Psychedelic/ Funk
When this album opens with “First Class”, you know you’re in for a ride. Khruangbin has a way of making psychedelic tunes like no other. It’s also been quite a year for this H-Town based band with Jay Electronica sampling their song “Hymn” on “A Written Testimony”. Additionally, I LOVED their collaboration with Leon Bridges this year. Texas Sun gives me a deep yearning for something.. and I don’t know what it is.
Best Songs: “First Class” and “Connaissais de Face”
15.
The Album | Teyana Taylor
R&B/ Soul
Imma need y’all to give Mrs. Teyana Taylor her flowers. She is so talented and proves it time and time again through her music. This is a smooth R&B album with some impressive features. In “Ever Ever” she samples Lauryn Hill effortlessly and then turns around and has her on the last song “We Got Love”.
Best Song: “Wake Up Love (feat. IMAN)”
14.
Alfredo | Freddie Gibbs
Hip-Hop/ Rap
I love me some smooth rap and Alfredo was that for me. Ask me to rap “Baby $hit”. I’d do it, and I’d do it again.
Best Songs: “Baby $hit” and “Something To Rap About (feat. Tyler, the Creator)”
13.
Made In Lagos | Wizkid
Afrobeats/ Soul
This superstar really outdid himself with this album. Every song flows into the next seamlessly, and I could listen to it on endless loop. This album also makes me yearn for normal life. What I would give to hear this album at a party, but for now I’ll settle for dancing in my room. It is entirely too difficult to pick a favorite song. Please listen to the whole thing BUT if you don’t...
Best songs: “Essence (ft. Tems)” and “Mighty Wine”
12.
The Slow Rush | Tame Impala
Psychedelic-Pop / Rock
The Slow Rush was a highly anticipated album, having it been 5 years since Currents, Tame Impala’s last album. Despite the time in between, you can always count on Tame Impala to cultivate a unique sound unlike any other. This album reflects the passage of time as Parker navigate the themes of love, loss, and more.
Best Songs: “Tomorrow’s Dust”, “On Track”, and “Breathe Deeper”
11.
Fuck The World | Brent Faiyaz
R&B/ Soul
Ah, Brent. Our toxic fave. This man could literally sing anything and make it sound beautiful. And for that reason, his albums will continue to make the top of my lists as long as he continues to drop them.
Best Songs: “Lost Kids Get Money” and “Been Away”
10.
Borderline | Christian Kuria
Alt-R&B/ Soul
Christian Kuria is someone to look out for. His EP Borderline takes us through the ups (“Too Good”) and downs (“Bitter Pill”/ “Losing You”) of love. Kuria seductively croons on each song, sometimes accompanied by jazzy saxophone and a smooth guitar. It’s hard to not become a huge fan after listening to this album. This album makes me wants to fall in love, just to fall out and experience the intensity of it all.
Best Songs: “Too Good” and “Losing You”
9.
Lianna La Havas | Lianna La Havas
Neo-Soul/ Folk
A word for this album is powerful. Every song in this album showcases the talent that Lianna La Havas possesses. Her music is unique, captivating, amazing.. It’s almost hard to describe. Here’s a COLORS performance, go fall in love.
Best Songs: “Bittersweet”, “Please Don’t Make Me Cry”, and “Read My Mind”
8.
1988 | Knxwledge
Hip-Hop
This album was just a groove for me. It was a reminder to live in the moment, stress a little less, vibe more.
When you put the track list of the 1988 together, it reads as follows:
“Don’t be afraid because tomorrow’s not promised. Do you. That’s all we can do. Listen; Learn how to cope with reality. You only get one so live life. Be safe. Watch who you call your homie. They come and go. [You] don’t gotta be gangsta all the time, believe me. It can be so nice. Make use of the time, make it live forever. A woman’s life is love. A man’s love is life. Keep on minding my business.”
It helps make sense of the album, which feels like a reflective timepiece, frozen in the 90s. The songs range from a few seconds to 4 minutes long. They all provide something unique, but dually important to the album.
Best Songs: “itkanbe[sonice]”, “makeitliveforever” and “don’t be afraid”
7.
For Broken Ears | Tems
R&B/ Contemporary
Featured on Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, Tems is another upcoming artist I recommend you keep an eye on. For Broken Ears is her debut album where Tems refuses to be defined by a single sound. This short album takes you on a journey as it walks you through different peaks and valleys Tems has experienced throughout her life.
Best Songs: “Ice T”, “Damages”, and “Free Mind”
6.
Circles | Mac Miller
Hip-hop/ Rap
Circles was a beautiful goodbye. To think that Mac Miller recorded this in 2018, it feels like a foreshadowing… that Mac Miller may have knew his time was coming soon. It’s reflective, it’s sad, it’s beautiful.. showcasing the parallels of life. There’s themes of doing your best but still falling short, fighting with thoughts and demons that try to convince you you’re unworthy of certain things, being surrounded by others but still feeling alone.. I’m sure we’ve all experienced those feeling, as they’re apart of being human. There’s also a few songs that feel like an extension of Swimming, which carry a certain groove to them. It’s really difficult for me to suggest one song as the whole album’s really good. Whenever you’re in a reflective, contemplative mood just play it. Good crying soundtrack.
Best Songs: “Woods”, “Surf”, and “I Can See”
5.
Limbo | Amine
Hip-hop/ Rap
Amine's had a soft spot in my heart since OnePointFive, which was singlehandedly the soundtrack to my last breakup. I don’t want to mention the amount of times I cried during the line about Chick-Fil-A on “Shine”. Limbo feels like a more intimate album since the last as Amine grows into his artistry, with songs like “Mama”, “Roots”, and “Becky”. I love this album so much. Amine is really talented and this album solidified that for me. As I’m writing this, he just dropped the deluxe version of this album and I’m looking forward to listening to that as well.
Best Songs: “Can’t Decide”, “Woodlawn”, and “Easy (feat. Summer Walker)”
4.
Spilligion | Spillage Village
Hip-hop/ Rap
We love a collaborative album. I was thinking of putting “Revenge of the Dreamers III: Deluxe” on this list, but I realized I’d rather talk about this album which really blew my mind. I loved this album so much- it was so much fun, but also very spiritual. It made me feel proud to be black (more than I already am) and I feel really connected to these people. In my head, Mereba, JID, and I are the best of friends.
Best Songs: “Oshun”, “Baptize”, Shiva” and “PsalmSing”
3.
Hold Space For Me | Orion Sun
R&B/ Soul
“Hold Space For Me” is Orion Sun’s sophomore album. There were a few singles that came out prior to the album’s release such as “Coffee For Dinner” and “Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don’t Leave Me)”, but nothing prepared me for the greatness of this album. It felt so intimate, so personal, and so real. I felt the emotions of love and loss, trying to understand someone, trying to understand yourself. I really like Orion Sun and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
Best Songs: “Coffee For Dinner” and “Trying”
2.
Take Time | Giveon
R&B/ Soul
On the note of special voices, such as Baby Rose, it’s important to mention Giveon. Giveon was featured in Drake’s “Chicago Freestyle”, where he arguably made the entire song. Before this song was officially released, I remember a snippet of it floating around the internet for the longest time. It left a lot of people wondering who this mystery man with a voice of honey was. His EP Take Time did not disappoint. He immediately sky rocketed his way up to one of my favorite artists. I honestly could recommend his entire discography. While you’re listening to this, also listen to “Garden Kisses” and his more recent EP When It’s All Said and Done.
Best Songs: “Like I Want You” and “This Ain’t Love”
1.
What Kinda Music | Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes
Neo-soul/ Funk
What Kinda Music feels the most indicative of my year. As I mentioned previously, as 2020 progressed, my relationship with music shifted. I wanted more quiet, more peace, less words, and this album had a really good balance. I found myself listening to it everyday, as well eventually the rest of Tom Misch’s discography. Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes balance each other really well. I feel like Yussef Dayes helps Misch push new boundaries. In a lot of these songs, you can tell that they were just having fun and doing what sounds good. There is one song, Kyiv, that is completely improvised. Learning that completely blew my mind.
Best Songs: “Lift Off”, Nightrider”, “Tidal Wave”, “The Real”, and “Kyiv”