by Dan-O

The album is a map and without the map you have no idea where to go. That map leads you to what is so engrossing about the artist who made it: what they worry about, what they celebrate, and how they’ve grown. It is very important to consider the last part. Over the course of years, from album to album, the greatest reward a listener gets is following the growth of an artist. As amazing as it feels to discover a new artist that pales in comparison to following a great mind as they find catharsis. Think about that in regards to my top 2 albums listed.

Top 25 Albums of The Year (as of now)

1. Fiona Apple-Fetch The Bolt Cutters
2. Ka-Descendants of Man
3. Megan Thee Stallion-Suga
4. Mozzy-Beyond Bulletproof
5. Son Little-Aloha
6. Yves Tumor-Heaven To A Tortured Mind
7. King Krule-Man Alive!
8. Perfume Genius-Set My Heart On Fire, Immediately
9. Run The Jewels-RTJ4
10. Boldy James x Alchemist-The Price of Tea In China
11. Armand Hammer-Shrines
12. Lil Baby-My Turn
13. Dua Lipa-Future Nostalgia
14. Freddie Gibbs x Alchemist-Alfredo
15. Jhene Aiko-Chilombo
16. Chris Crack-White People Love Algorithms
17. Westside Gunn-Pray For Paris
18. Navy Blue-Ada Irin
19. Thundercat-It Is What It Is
20. Knxwledge-1988
21. Kota The Friend-Everything
22. Jack Harlow-Sweet Action
23. Denzel Curry x Kenny Beats-Unlocked
24. Best Coast-Always Tomorrow
25. Waxahatchee-Saint Cloud

I will get into significantly more detail on this during this weeks State of The Game YouTube discussion but for now I put together a YouTube playlist with one song from each of these albums. Poke around in it and check out anyone you hadn’t heard. Once you find the map you have a real journey ahead.

Best songs from Best albums 2020