Top Albums of 2020

2020 was a year like no other, and mostly in negative ways. However, 1 highlight of last year was the amount of amazing music made. From pop, alternative, and rap, each new hit helped us get through the struggles we faced. Throughout quarantine, protests, and the presidential election, every hit album and song embodied the craziness that 2020 will be remembered for. Here are some of the albums that we put on replay throughout the year.

folklore: folklore is the beginning of a new era for Taylor Swift. She moves away from her old pop and country roots and fully embraces a new alternative style. Swift’s music is beautifully woven together and shares meaningful stories. The most memorable of which is the “last great american dynasty,” which is based on the life of Rebakah Harness, an American socialite known for her Gatsby-like parties. Songs such as “seven,” “august,” “invisible strings,” and “mad woman” show Swift’s emotions throughout the pandemic, which is insightful to listeners. folklore is a reminder that hard times will pass and we all have brighter days ahead.

Future Nostalgia: Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia was a breath of fresh air when times were getting tough. Released at the beginning of the pandemic, Lipa’s album is irresistibly catchy and will make anyone want to burst into dance. Songs like “Love Again,” “Physical,” and “Levitating” helped lift spirits and keep morale high, while songs like “Cool” and “Pretty Please” can help listeners stay focused and motivated. Lipa’s sophomore album is all consuming, and listening to any of the songs on this album will transform your environment so it feels that you’re not stuck at home all alone, but instead having a blast in New York City.

KidKrow: 21-year-old Conan Gray’s debut album blew expectations out of the water. The melody is on point, and Gray’s soothing voice brings much-needed comfort to listeners. “Little League,” “Comfort Crowd,” and “The Story” bring back memories of nostalgia and are especially grounding. “Maniac” tells a tale of intense anger and heartbreak which is great for low points of your day. In all, Gray’s album is well rounded and a fantastic listen.

evermore: Taylor Swift shocked us all for a 2nd time after surprise-releasing another critically-acclaimed album inspired by her time in COVID-19 isolation. evermore was released just last month in early December. Like its sister album folklore, we were able to forget about the craziness of the world for around 1 1/2 hours and just listen to Swift’s immersive vocals, intricate lyrics and themes, and acoustic guitar or piano. While evermore is similar to folklore, there are some twists and turns as well as exciting new ways this album took us that differentiated it from her previous artistic endeavor.

Plastic Hearts: On her 7th studio album, Plastic Hearts, Miley Cyrus goes in a new 80’s rock direction. With songs like “Plastic Hearts,” “Midnight Sky,” and “WTF Do I Know,” Cyrus provides a good throwback that borders escapism to the current world around us. Her alto raspy voice suits the genre perfectly, and classic punk rock fans will be happy to see some of the famous collaborations on this album like Joan Jett and Billy Idol.