Although the year 2020 was relatively depressing with the COVID-19 pandemic, music on the other hand had been far from disappointing. Renowned and famous artists from around the world have dropped albums which have kept fans and listeners content. After careful selection and analyzing how these albums peaked on the billboard charts, these are the top 22 albums which dropped and did very well in 2020.
This list is in no particular order.
1.Ungodly Hour- Chloe x Halle
Beyonce’s protegees Chloe and Halle the duo dropped their debut R&B album Ungodly Hour which proves that this duo is at their peak with the beautiful vocals and the harmonies. Apart from the amazing production and vocals, the lyrics from songs in the album emphasis on freedom in someones 20’s.
2.After Hours- The Weeknd
One of the most played albums this year was The Weeknd’s after hours. Released in March, the album hosts strong vocals, vulnerable and persona song writing.The Weeknd hits vocals that are out of his voice range by stretching to new heights. The album’s genre is R&B. Despite how popular and well played the album was, it has been snubbed from receiving any Grammy nominations.
3.Eternal Atake- Lil Uzi Vert
The Philadelphia rapper is one of the industry’s up-coming young stars. After three years, the rapper dropped his much awaited project. The rap album talks about multiple dimensions and different thought processes. The album also samples the iconic Backstreet Boys and pays tribute to the late NBA basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
4.Folklore- Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s surprise album was a gift for all her fans. The song talks about struggles which the artist has faced in her life. The album samples multiple artists including ABBA and features Bon Iver’s vocals. Unlike her other albums which are generally country or pop, this album’s genre was Pastoral pop.
5.Ho, why is you here- Flo Milli
This 20 year old Alabama rapper rose to fame after her freestyle verses went viral on TikTok. Her rap album was very casual and breezy. Her album features lyrics which reflect sarcasm on her intentions. In her rudeness, she finds power.
6.Women in Power- Pt. III – HAIM
The three girls of the HAIM band have never failed to serve rhythms, harmonies and genius lyrics throughout the years. Their new album does no less. The album talks about empowering women, feminism, and tackles problems women face. The artist stated that this album is very personal to them. This classic rock genre album packed with tricky loops and wonky instruments is worth listening to.
7.Map of the Soul : 7 – BTS
BTS is one of the most popular boy groups in the world. When this album dropped, fans from around the world gathered together to listen to the album play for the first time. Unlike their other albums, this album explores new sounds such as Afro beat rhythms and Asian Strings. The album tells a story about a group who is trying to get through the intimidation and complications of stardom.
8.Miss Anthropocene- Grimes
Despite being pregnant with the automobile company’s CEO Elon Musk, Grimes managed to record and deliver an album which was a hit in 2020. The album tackles how music is not the same anymore and talks more about how making music today means showing bodies. This experimental pop genius used bass blasts and alternate sounds to the table. This album is definitely worth a listen to enjoy and identify the new sounds and enjoy them.
9.Fetch the Bolt Cutters- Fiona Apple
One thing that Fiona Apple always brings to the table is defying the expectations of pop stans. In this album she expresses her independent spirit and heart. She takes a diss at “VIPs”, “Wannabes” and ladies with no self respect. The album uses an orchestra or drums, percussion instruments and surprisingly animals sounds such as barks and meows.
10.YHLQMDLG- Bad Bunny
YHLQMDLG which stands for Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana which translates to I do what I want in English from Spanish is the most reckless album of 2020 but in the most positive way. This album has beautiful vocals, reggaeton beats and the lyrics are very personal. But since the songs are extremely catchy, the lyrics are overlooked. This has been one of the most played albums of 2020. Although Bad Bunny released two albums in 2020, none did as well as YHLQMDLG.
11.Future Nostalgia- Dua Lipa
This is Dua Lipa’s second album and it is better than ever. This song has been highly overplayed on many music platforms. This album’s genre is pop funk and electronic. The album songs have multiple remixes and are as good as the original songs on the album. It is a disappointment however that the album was released during a period where clubs are closed because this album would have been overplayed to the fullest.
12.Chromatica- Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga never fails to deliver hits. Chromatica has not failed to be same. The sleek house and electro-pop grooves album features multiple hits with big artists. Although all the songs have great beats, the lyrics are very personal and have messages worth listening for everyone. The album features famous artists such as Ariana Grande, Blackpink and Enigma.
13.City on Lock- City Girls
The sisterly resilience is what makes this album one of the best of the year. The album talks about body-slamming command, empowering woman and empowering their bodies. This rap duo featured Miami rap beats making their song catchy. Although the album talks about success and empowering topics, the delivery is with authoritative glee.
14.Positions- Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande has been delivering hit albums back to back and his year, she dropped an album that went harder than ever. She explored new sounds and used orchestra beats making her album an R&B genre. The album talks about having rampant-round-the-clock sex while talking about love to one person. Just like her other albums, this new album delivered a completely new sound as well. This album featured artists such as ty dolla sign, The Weeknd and Doja cat. Her songs from this album have also become wildly popular on TikTok.
15.Plastic Hearts- Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has been through more career changes in her 30’s. Unlike her previous pop albums, this album shows a more Steve Nick nicking synth grandeur. She puts in personal messages about her life in the songs. The powerhouse chops fit any style. The album portrays a more throwback rock style.
16.Rare- Selena Gomez
After five years, Selena Gomez dropped Revival which is one of her most personal albums of all time. She gets very personal and talks about her breakup, heartbreaks, her surgery and suffering with anxiety.
17.Manic- Halsey
Since many artists have made their albums more emotional, Halsey has also joined the club. She talks about her anxieties, heartbreaks and multiple celebrity-blues she faced. The album features John Mayer, Suga from BTS and Alanis Morisette.. Compared to all her albums, this album is the most openly emotional and dark.
18.Good News- Megan Thee Stallion
Megan’s debut album tackles multiple issues ranging from body positivity to Justice for Breanna Taylor. She also talks about black lives and justice in her songs. The main message of this album is protect black women. This rap album also has multiple twerk anthems.
19.McCartney III- Paul McCartney
Even 50 years later, Paul’s music still matters. From being one of the members of the Beatles and making iconic music for generation, Paul hasn’t stopped making hits even in his solo career. His new album leans on himself playing the drums, guitar, bass, piano and many more instruments. He self produced and published the album by himself with no record label responsible. The genre of this album is psychedelic rock.
20.Power Up- AC/DC
AC/DC’s 17th studio Album. Still brings the same rock power to the table which they have been serving for more thaan 40 years. The album brings back the same classic rock genre and also pays a death-dying tribute to the late singer Bon Scott and the hardships the band faced after his loss. The album also talks about the passing of their co-founder/mastermind Malcom Young’s temporary exit. The band hasn’t mentioned the reason of Malcom’s exit to any media source.
21.The Slow Rush- Tame Impala
Tame Impala has been the music industry’s favourite artist since his debut. His psychedelic neo rock album brings about different songs and feelings with beautiful beats. His album songs have already been sampled by multiple artists including Travis Scott and Rihanna. This album is a mood for all occasions, happy, sad and melancholia.
22.Petal for Armor- Hayley Williams
Despite pursuing a solo career after leaving her band Paramore, Hayley has not strayed away from her root genres. Her solo debut album gives a neo- New Wave sparkle with natural chords, music and playoffs. On the album, she sampled Janet Jackson and Bjork. Her album features sounds from new places, pop tunes and a sense of dreaminess to Eighties R&B, making her album a very diverse, personal yet fun, and a unique one to listen to.
