2020 has been a year far from what we anticipated it to be. Black lives have been lost due to police brutality and racist acts, Covid-19 has taken away the lives of many and unemployed millions, and on top of that, the political system is an embarrassment. Despite this year’s brutality, one of the few silver linings have been the many creative albums released by musicians.
Here are some of SHEESH!’s top albums of 2020, in order of release date:
070 Shake, ‘Modus Vivendi’
Modus Vivendi is the debut full-length album from New Jersey based artist 070 Shake. The singer-songwriter blew up when she was featured on Kanye West’s 2018 record ye. 070 put her many talents to work and began creating music back in 2015, which finally debuted on her first album at the beginning of this year. The passion behind this album is evident, which you can hear through the delivery of 070’s powerful vocals. This is only her debut, but with what we’ve heard, we can only anticipate good things coming for 070’s future music.
Released: Jan 17
Our favourite tracks: “Guilty Conscience” & “Come Around”
Mac Miller, ‘Circles’
When Mac Miller passed in 2018, many of us felt pain due to losing one of the most notable voices in hip hop music. Circles, without a doubt, is one of Mac’s most influential albums. Released at the beginning of the year, this album left his fans with a tiny part of him they didn’t expect to receive. Mac switched routes and instead of creating a rap album, he utilized his singer-songwriter side, which you hear throughout his raspy vocals on the LP. May he rest in power.
Released: January 17
Our favourite tracks: “Good News” & “Blue World”
Brent Faiyaz, ‘Fuck the World’
Brent Faiyaz embeds the ‘90s R&B sound but takes a rather different direction to it and creates his own unique R&B-type sound. Faiyaz’ second record Fuck the World, has a distinctive approach to it and has created a sound so addicting people won’t shut up about it. Although it’s only ten tracks, the concise album does not fail to deliver some of the best sounds of smooth vocals that transcend you into Brent’s own world.
Released: February 7
Our favourite tracks: “Rehab (Winter in Paris)” & “Fuck the World (Summer in London)”
Tame Impala, ‘The Slow Rush’
Fans eagerly waited five years for Kevin Parker to release new music since his last project Currents, which delivered some of the most mesmerizing and catchy sounds. Parker went above and beyond and exceeded expectations with the release of his latest full-length LP The Slow Rush. Parker released his project on Valentine’s Day, just in time to utilize the hallmark holiday to eat some Ben & Jerry’s and indulged in one of Parker’s greatest projects yet.
Released: February 14
Our favourite tracks: “Breathe Deeper” & “Lost in Yesterday”
King Krule, ‘Man Alive!’
Man Alive! is King Krule’s third-full length LP, released three years after his latest record The OOZ. Archy Marshall invites you into his twisted world, by delivering the sounds of psychedelic rock. While listening through, you further understand the idea that lies behind his sound, as you are somewhat hypnotized by his striking vocals. Undeniably, Archy has reached new levels in his music, in which fans are very pleased with and eagerly anticipate for the artist to release more.
Released: February 21
Our favourite tracks: “Stoned Again” & “Theme for the Cross”
Lil Uzi Vert, ‘Eternal Atake’
Uzi has been playing with fans for quite some time now, from claiming he’s quitting music or dangling whether or not he’s going to drop. Unpredicted and long-anticipated, Eternal Atake is exactly what listeners needed more than ever from Uzi this year. The album is a look into Uzi’s universe, which is equally beautiful and strange. The entertaining rap album was easily the most anticipated drop this year, and just when we thought it couldn’t get better, the rapper released Eternal Atake (Deluxe) – Luv vs. The World 2, a follow up album a week later. It’s fair to say Uzi is most-definitely on a whole ‘nother level.
Released: March 6
Our favourite tracks: “POP” & “That Way”
Don Toliver, ‘Heaven or Hell’
Houston-based artist Don Toliver released his debut album Heaven or Hell earlier this year. The album immediately blew up, due to the fact that Toliver is signed under Travis Scott’s label Cactus Jack. Toliver was featured on both ASTROWORLD and JACKBOYS, therefore his debut album was highly anticipated by fans. Toliver follows in the shadow of Travis, although his beautiful vocals and creative skills have not gone unnoticed, as he has created a strong fan base of followers who have fallen in love with his album full of back-to-back bangers.
Released: March 13
Our favourite tracks: “Euphoria” & “Had Enough”
The Weeknd, ‘After Hours’
The Weeknd saved us all by releasing his fourth studio album After Hours, right as quarantine began. Initially, Abel planned to release this album much later, but encouraged his label to speed up the process in order to help his fans stuck in quarantine. It certainly worked, because something about being stuck inside the house while blasting the soothing sounds of the Weeknd’s voice hits different. The 14-track LP is a nostalgic reminder of the Weeknd’s beloved first project The Trilogy. It is commonly agreed upon that his last few projects did not reflect his initial sound, but he is starting to come back to where he started – that’s the Weeknd we need. Check out our album review here for further details on his latest project.
Released: March 20
Our favourite tracks: “Too Late” & “Scared to Live”
Charli XCX, ‘How I’m Feeling Now’
“Boom Clap” was an era for this singer-songwriter, but things have escalated for Charli XCX as we witness her undeniable talents in her latest full-length record How I’m Feeling Now. The UK pop singer released a diverse album for her quarantined fans, with some tracks making you want to dance and others making you want to cry. The sounds and vocals on this album come together in perfect harmony to create a beautiful, tragic sound you didn’t think you needed, but you do.
Released: May 15
Our favourite tracks: “party 4 u” & “forever”
Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist, ‘Alfredo’
Alfredo is one of the hardest hip-hop albums this year has offered. The talented Freddie Gibbs lays down some of the best flow and lyrics, coming together with the groundbreaking sounds from the Alchemist. Together, the duo created an impressive sound that has been eaten up by fans and critics everywhere.
Released: May 29
Our favourite tracks: “Something to Rap About” & “God is Perfect”
Run the Jewels, ‘RTJ4’
Run the Jewels released their highly anticipated fourth full-length LP RTJ4 back in June of this year. This album is one of the most forward-thinking hip-hop albums discussing political and socially charged issues. The talented duo, Killer Mike and El-P are known for their impressionable lyrics that discuss heavy topics making their listeners feel motivated to keep fighting for what is right.
Released: June 3
Our favourite tracks: “ooh la la” & “JU$T”
Phoebe Bridgers, ‘Punisher’
Phoebe Bridgers, has some of the most unique, wide-ranged vocals, which she combines with distinctive sounds and production on her latest project Punisher. It was only recently released, but so far it is fairly easy to say this project is one of 2020’s greatest. Grab a cup of tea, light a candle, put on a face mask, do whatever you need to do to set yourself up perfectly to indulge in the beautiful sounds this LP has to offer.
Released: June 17
Our favourite tracks: “Garden Song” & “Punisher”
Pop Smoke, ‘Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon’
Pop Smoke’s deep, intense voice is what the hip-hop music scene was missing out on. Unfortunately, the incredibly talented rapper passed earlier this year, and fans are devastated by the tragic loss of this hip-hop legend. The recently released Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, is an incredible project that has easily made it to the top of our lists. It’s devastating to think about the future Pop Smoke had coming, but may he forever rest in power and be remembered for his talents.
Released: July 3
Our favourite tracks: “Dior” & “Yea Yea”
Hard to imagine we’re only halfway through this year, but with six months remaining we can only await what the combination of protests, elections and being stuck inside will do to encourage artists to pump out more music.
Check out our playlist down below that offers SHEESH!’s favourite tracks from these listed top albums.
