No one would have guessed that 2020 was going to be the year that it turned out to be. What an incredibly depressing, exhausting, aggravating, and infuriating year. One of the only bright spots was the new music released. I very regularly found myself on a Friday marveling over all of the new releases to enjoy. Some things were completely new to me and some were favorites returning, but it all made for a silver lining that often kept me sane. personally. Music has saved me before and it came through again. Please enjoy the 50 best albums of 2020:
50. Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress by Gulch
49. Away Team by Shell Of A Shell
48. Eno Axis by H.C. McEntire
47. Sorceress by Jess Williamson
46. Whose Line Is It Anyway? by Private Function
Just some Aussie pub punk party anthems done right. – Apache Slomo
45. Agritprop Alterna by Peel Dream Magazine
44. The Great Dismal by Nothing
43. Every Bad by Porridge Radio
42. Pure X by Pure X
41. Dance In The Decay by DROWSE
40. NO DREAM by Jeff Rosenstock
Continues to be a torch bearer in modern day punk rock. – Apache Slomo
39. Punishment Park by Big Cheese
38. Ultra Mono by IDLES
37. Off the Rails by Gino & the Goons
36. Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
For my money, Fiona Apple is one of the greatest songwriters of her generation, if not of all time, and she once again displayed her prowess on Fetch the Bolt Cutters. This album received high praise from every publication, and rightfully so. There’s a great interview with her on Pitchfork surrounding the album that I recommend reading. – MCG
35. Slomosa by Slomosa
Hitting all the stoner rock groove buttons, just a great album full of crunchy riffs. – Apache Slomo
34. Feelings Blade by Peace’d Out
Just a great little thrasher of a punk album. – Apache Slomo
33. Radiation Breeze by Richard Rose
Another prolific force in the garage punk game has a new group. – Apache Slomo
32. Flesh, Steel, Victory… by Seed of Pain
Chewing the fat right of the bone, Seed of Pain are not here to sugar coat things. – Apache Slomo
31. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels
The right band for just the right time! – Apache Slomo
30. World House by Mil-Spec
29. Welcome to Bobby’s Motel by Pottery
Reminding me of some of old dance rock favorites such as !!! and the Rapture.
28. Ultimate Success Today by Protomartyr
Just Protomartyr doing Protomartyr shit, man. They have done no wrong because it impossible for them to do any wrong. Another perfect album under their belts. – MCG
27. Beneath by Infant Island
Such an exciting new band, and what an incredible leap they made from their debut album, which came in at #46 on our 50 Best Albums of 2018 list. I have a strong feeling they’ll continue to improve and blow our minds with every release to come. – MCG
26. Enter the Mirage by The Sonic Dawn
In a crazy year, this album was my psychedelic breath of fresh air. – Apache Slomo
25. Take A Chance On Rock’n’Roll by Couch Slut
I don’t know what genre Couch Slut are, but I do know that they do whatever it is that they’re doing as good as anyone else. Pure, unfiltered aggression with a voice that’s clearly fed up with the bullshit. – MCG
24. Sideways to New Italy by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
With hooks for days, we are reminded it’s time for a trip to the beach. – Apache Slomo
23. Set My Heart On Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius
At this point, it’s hard to imagine him doing anything that isn’t damn near perfect and year-end-list worthy. I’m sure it’s not as effortless as it seems, but you can’t help but listen in awe. – MCG
22. Venus Skytrip by Psychlona
Time to blast off into the outer realm of tasty riffs. – Apache Slomo
21. When I Die, Will I Get Better? by Svalbard
20. Shore by Fleet Foxes
Another beautiful album that offered a reprieve from the shitstorm. – Apache Slomo
19. Snapshot of a Beginner by Nap Eyes
A laid back and clever venture into some very important and some other not so important questions. This album provided a great soundtrack for many patio and pool beers in the spring and fall. – MCG
18. WHAT THE FUCK DID WE DO TO THE EARTH by SØØN
Twelve songs. Twelve minutes. Straight to the point and not one single bit of fucking around in sight. This was a welcomed scream-filled aggression-fest that helped me power through some of the roughest and weirdest times this year. – MCG
17. Osees
Just continuing to perfect and expand on what they do best, just catchier than all fuck. – Apache Slomo
16. How to Draw Fire by Painted Doll
This is where I turned for my power pop/rock, with just the right amount of psych. – Apache Slomo
15. Off Fire by Truth Cult
Scratching that old D.C. punk itch with aplomb. – Apache Slomo
14. PEARS by PEARS
My favorite NOLA punks return with another shot of vitriol just before the world goes dark. – Apache Slomo
13. Inlet by Hum
90’s knob twiddlers return with another dose of fuzz and show why so many are influenced by what they do. – Apache Slomo
12. California Cursed by DRAIN
Like dropping a new So Cal hardcore engine in your favorite speedster. – Apache Slomo
11. Eight Gates by Jason Molina
This one snuck up on me. Another instance of someone not being appreciated until they’re gone. Molina passed away in 2013 which makes this feel like a deep, dark whisper issuing lovely warnings from the other side. May he haunt this world forever. – MCG
10. Splid by Kvelertak
New singer, same old riff rock fury! – Apache Slomo
9. Lungs by Regrowth
My favorite “hardcore” release of the year; who knew Italians could do the damn thing so well? Why did you doubt them in the first place? Get your shit together man! – MCG
8. Ohms by Deftones
Blood-curdling scream Chino is my favorite type of Chino, so when I heard “Genesis” as a single, I was very excited at the possibility of more of that. They didn’t disappoint, delivering an album that’s about has heavy as they’ve been in over a decade, and at the same time experiments with some new and interesting things for them all while still being very much a Deftones album. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time and when one of your favorite bands delivers like this, it’s a damn good feeling. – MCG
7. Push by Heads.
What an Ominous, brooding, heavy, and dark piece of music that grabs you by the throat and drags you down to its level. This band truly has set themselves apart from their contemporaries, and in a genre that can easily be stale, they keep you guessing throughout. – MCG
6. Have We Met by Destroyer
According to my Spotify Wrapped, I was in the top 0.05% of Destroyer listeners this year, and that’s largely due to the deep obsession period that surrounded the release of this album. I mean, I always have a deep obsession with Destroyer, but clearly this was some next level shit. The concept behind Have We Met really had be intrigued, and I think it allowed for some really interesting new things to happen all while staying true to the Destroyer I know and love. – MCG
5. South of Heaven by Fotocrime
Former Coliseum frontman rises to the occasion and drops a synth rock doozy for the end of days. – Apache Slomo
4. The Neon Skyline by Andy Shauf
I had never heard of this guy previous to this album, but damn, can he ever tell a story! Love the concept and he pulled it off expertly. Such a fun and easy listen from start to finish. – MCG
3. May Our Chambers Be Full by Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou
Being a fan of both of these artists had me very excited for this collaboration. The end result is a towering, monumental offering, and one of the most objectively good albums of the year. – MCG
2. Pagan Rhythms by Spiritworld
Take a trip into the darkside of hardcore, melding just the right amount of Slayer and honkytonk. – Apache Slomo
1. The New Abnormal by The Strokes
I can’t think of a more pleasant surprise than this album. The Strokes have long been one of my favorite bands, and for the past 10 years or so it’s felt like they’ve been declining overall due to what I’m sure was a long list of reasons. So, given that, I was hopeful, but my expectations weren’t very high for The New Abnormal. It ended up simultaneously being true to the classic Strokes sound while still allowing for plenty of experimentation within that. It was easily my most played album and I still can’t get enough of it. – MCG
I can’t think of a more pleasant surprise than this album. The Strokes have long been one of my favorite bands, and for the past 10 years or so it’s felt like they’ve been declining overall due to what I’m sure was a long list of reasons. So, given that, I was hopeful, but my expectations weren’t very high for The New Abnormal. It ended up simultaneously being true to the classic Strokes sound while still allowing for plenty of experimentation within that. It was easily my most played album and I still can’t get enough of it. – MCG
**Honorable Mentions**:
SPICE by SPICE
Hollow Hope by FAIM
Atlas Vending by METZ
Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
What’s Your Pleasure? by Jessie Ware
III by Fuzz
From King to a God by Conway the Machine
Introduction, Presence by Nation of Language
Untitled (Rise) and Untitled (Black Is) by SAULT
Dead End by R.I.P.
Muzz by Muzz
The Price of Tea in China by Boldy James
Skeleton Coast by The Lawrence Arms
Nobody Lives Here Anymore by Cut Worms
Andra vyer by Horizont
Burden of Proof by Benny the Butcher
Viewing by Stay Inside
Speed Kills by Chubby & the Gang
**EPs**:
Lavender by Initiate
World of Pleasure by World of Pleasure
Freedom Beach by Constant Elevation
Hurts to Laugh by Methyl Ethyl
Lovers in Marble by The Cowboys
Before by James Blake
Swingin’ Swords, Choppin Lords by Mindforce
My Life is Over by Militarie Gun
Hurtin’ 4 Certain by Tommy & the Commies
The Circle of Fifths 